Malaga in a hurry – So you’ve time for only one Walk

This is a walk for views – views of the city,  the coast,  the mountains.   It starts at the Roman ruins and passes by the 2 Moorish fortresses in the city and offers a great panorama of the area.

 

 

Our walk begins about 450m from the cathedral at Teatro Romano.  The theatre was built in the 1st century but fell into ruin after a few hundred years of use.  The Moors used some of the stone to build the fortress above.  Over time the theatre was buried under city rubble and forgotten.   It was only rediscovered by chance as recently as 1951 and,  after 27 years of reconstruction,  it reopened to the public in 2011.   A visitors’ centre was constructed alongside.

 

 

 

 

Leaving the ruins,  the route starts to ascend alongside the Alcazaba,  a palace fortress built in the 11th century on roman ruins as a defence against pirates.   Its restoration is ongoing and the landmark is well worth a visit if you have time.

 

We’re heading up towards that viewing spot….

 

 

 

The Town Hall

 

 

The Marina appears …

 

….more and more revealed as you ascend

 

 

 

The bullring below at Plaza La Malagueta was opened in 1876 and has a capacity of 14,000.   The season runs from April to September,  with Holy week and the August fair being the highlights.   there is a museum on site dedicated to bullfighting.

 

I didn’t manage to catch any glimpse of the beach which begins just this side of the port.

 

Looking back down at the Alcazaba with the Cathedral beyond.

 

We’ve arrived at the viewing spot we saw from below

 

….but can continue climbing

 

 

You’ll never know what you’ll meet on your travels….

 

We’ve reached the other Moorish fortress – Castillo de Gibralfaro.   Built in 929AD,  its worth going in if you have time.  The ramparts have been restored and you can walk all around them.   You’ll be rewarded with great views of the city,  port and surrounding Montes de Malaga.  There are some buildings and courtyards inside as well as a small military museum and an interpretive centre.

 

 

 

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Small Stuff

 

Distance:  The route stretches for about 1 km from the ruins up to the Castillo.

Time: Allow a couple of hours at least.   Even if you don’t go into the fortresses,  you’ll need time to ascend at a leisurely pace and to allow for stopping for photos etc.

Access:  The path is paved but steep in spots.  One gripe I’d voice is regarding the surface  – I was fine going up but found the slabs slippy in spots on the way down.  I’d certainly be reluctant to walk down if the surface was wet.  (However,  I must qualify this by saying that there were lots of people flying down past me in flipflops and not a bother – maybe I’m a bit too precious about myself!!)

For the mobility challenged,  there is road access to the Castillo around the back of the hill.   You can get there by taxi or better still,  the local bus for €1.30.   Many visitors opt to get transport to the top,  visit the Castillo and then walk down.

 

Entrance Details: 

Teatro Romano

Opening Hours – generally open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00am – 6.00pm

Fee- Free to enter

Alcazaba and Castillo de Gibralfaro

Opening Hours – generally 9.00am – 8.00pm summer and 9.00-6.00pm winter

Fee – €3.50 each or a combined ticket for €5.50

Free on Sundays from 2.00pm

(Note – another gripe – there are a lot of complaints re the very slow ticket queue at the Castillo so be prepared for delay,  especially in high season or if there is a cruise ship in the bay!)

 

Interested in Malaga?  Have a look at these:

Malaga – So you think its just an Airport!!

Malaga in a hurry – So you’ve time for only one Market…

 

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