Whilst chasing a small white ball around a large expanse of grass might not be everyone’s idea of how to spend an enjoyable holiday, for many, golf is not just the highlight of their trip abroad, but the entire purpose. But why, I hear you ask, is there any need to fly all the way to the Costa del Sol to play, when there are so many excellent courses back home?
Introduction To Malaga
Where is Malaga?
Malaga is one of the southernmost of the eight provinces which make up the region of Andalucia, which itself lies in the south of Spain. It is the main point of entry into Andalucia for those arriving by plane and its coastline is one of the most famous in the world, the Costa del Sol, or Coast of the Sun.
How long is the flight to Malaga?
Departing from the London airports, the direct flight to Malaga Airport takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes, and from either Birmingham or Manchester, around 3 hours. Flying direct from Dublin also takes around 3 hours.
Is Malaga a large area?
Malaga province covers an area of some 7,308 square kilometres and has a total population of around 1.3 million. The majority of the inhabitants live in the metropolitan area of Malaga, the fifth largest in Spain, which includes the towns of Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola, as well as in the other coastal areas of the region. Around two fifths of the population resides in the provincial capital of Malaga city itself.
What kind of geographical location is Malaga situated in?
Malaga is a province of contrasts. The miles and miles of glorious sandy beaches which stretch along its coast are met by stunning mountainous scenery. The Axarquia region, with its deep valleys and gorges, takes in the high mountains of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama, as well as the lower area of the Montes de Malaga, which runs right down to the outskirts of Malaga city. These inland regions are home to a huge number of the region’s ‘pueblos blancos’, or white villages, with their Moorish influence and traditional village feel.
What is the climate like?
The weather in Malaga is what could be described as typically Mediterranean, with fairly hot summers and dry, cool winters. Summer temperatures go up to around 29°C (84°F) in the hottest month of August, although on the coast, the gentle breeze from the Mediterranean makes it feel a lot more comfortable than in some of the inland towns of Andalucia.
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In the coldest month of January, you can expect an average temperature of around 11°C (52°F). With an average of only around 72 days of rainfall per year, it is not surprising that so many UK visitors flock to the region. |
What attracts visitors to Malaga?
Many of the holidaymakers who head for Malaga come, of course to experience the lively, bustling atmosphere of the big resorts that the Costa del Sol is so famous for. With days spent lying in the sunshine on one of the huge number of beautiful beaches, and evenings strolling around the shops and sampling the local, and indeed international, cuisine, what could be more relaxing?
For others, the opportunity to mingle with the rich and famous at the exclusive resorts of Marbella and Puerto Banus is the major attraction – or at the very least to just sit and admire the ‘beautiful people’ and the beautiful boats.
For others still, however, Malaga province offers the chance to experience the more traditional and authentic way of life of the Andalucian villagers. Whether just a few kilometres inland from the coast, or in the villages higher up in the mountains, the atmosphere of peace and tranquility and the opportunities for walking, hiking, cycling or horse riding are, for many, the greatest attractions.
Malaga also attracts another particular kind of visitor – the golfer. For the golf enthusiast, it is an absolute haven and has earned the nickname of Costa del Golf because of the large number of world-class courses in the region.
Because much of Malaga province and the Costa del Sol has a long tradition in tourism, many of its visitors are drawn by the comfort of a ‘familiar’ environment. The beautiful weather and laid-back lifestyle of the area has attracted a large number of immigrants, particularly from the UK and the Scandinavian countries, which gives a great feeling of security to many British holidaymakers.
What is Malaga city like?
Malaga city is a lively, bustling and cosmopolitan city where the new and the old rub shoulders. Like so many other places which hold a particularly strategic position, being situated on the Mediterranean coast, it has always attracted more than its fair share of foreign invaders, each of whom has left their mark. From Moorish castles to Roman theatres, you will find it all here in Malaga city.
As you might expect, the city not only offers a host of archaeological and architectural delights, but also a truly superb shopping experience, with everything from local markets and little shops selling local produce and souvenirs, to up-market boutiques.
The city’s harbour area, meanwhile, is a great place to take a stroll and relax in one of its many bars or restaurants, whether by day or evening.
Is Malaga province a good base for exploring other areas of Andalucia?
It most certainly is. The provinces of Granada and Cadiz lie to the east and west, respectively, of Malaga province and are within easy reach.
Granada is the home of the Alpujarras mountains, with their spectacular scenery and picturesque mountain villages. The area is particularly popular for its horse riding. Behind the Alpujarras lies the Sierra Nevada mountain range with its famous ski resort.
It is in the province of Cadiz that you will find the British colony of Gibraltar, with its famous rock, caves and siege tunnels and barbary apes. It is also here that the town of Algeciras is situated, from where you can take a day trip to Morocco. El Palmar, which sits on the south west coast of the province is a haven for surfers.
What currency do they use in Malaga?
The official currency used in Malaga, as throughout the whole of Spain, is the Euro.
What languages do they speak in Malaga?
Whilst the local language is Spanish, because Malaga has been such a popular tourist resort for so many years, and because there is now a large British ex-pat community in the area, English is very widely spoken.