Málaga: UNESCO World Heritage, Nature and Coast

Nature and landscape

El Torcal de Antequera is one of the natural monuments within the UNESCO World Heritage site Antequera Dolmens Site. El Torcal is protected as a nature reserve and Special Protection Area and is part of the Natura 2000 network. The Sierra de las Nieves is home to the most extensive surviving stand of Spanish fir forests on the Iberian Peninsula. The Sierra de las Nieves natural area lies in the western part of Málaga province in the Serranía de Ronda natural landscape. There are more than 15 protected natural areas in Málaga province.

Trails and viewpoints

The Montes de Málaga Nature Park lies north of the city of Málaga and consists of gentle mountain ranges running parallel to the coast, with small valleys. The predominant vegetation there is Aleppo pine.

The Caminito del Rey is located in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes natural area in the centre of Málaga province, less than 60 kilometres from the capital. The Gran Senda de Málaga GR-249 stretches for more than 650 kilometres and comprises 35 stages. The Montes de Málaga Nature Park can be visited freely; visits are organised through the Lagar de Torrijos visitor centre. The Mirador de Gibralfaro viewpoint is located in the immediate vicinity of Málaga.

Culture and history

The Museo Picasso Málaga was created from Pablo Picasso’s wish that his works should be present in the city where he was born. The museum is housed in the Palacio de Buenavista, a 16th-century Andalusian building that combines elements of the Renaissance and Mudéjar styles. The Palacio de Buenavista displays Phoenician and Roman remains as well as rooms from the former Renaissance palace as evidence of Málaga’s history.

The Alcazaba is a palace and fortress of Málaga’s Muslim rulers and was built largely in the 11th century. Málaga’s Roman Theatre was built during the reign of Augustus in the 1st century AD. The Museo del Santo Sepulcro is a museum of sacred art with a particular focus on Málaga’s Semana Santa. The Viera Dolmen is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Antequera Dolmens Site in Málaga province. The Centro de Ciencia Principia, Museo Jorge Rando, Museo Casa Natal de Picasso and Museo del Patrimonio Municipal museums are located in the immediate vicinity of Málaga.

Coast and cuisine

Málaga province borders the Mediterranean along 160 kilometres of coastline and has numerous beaches and marinas there. Málaga province is known for fried dishes made with small Mediterranean fish such as anchovies, red mullet and horse mackerel, as well as typical recipes such as gazpacho. Málaga province produces wines with the designations of origin Málaga and Sierras de Málaga. The beaches Playa de la Caleta, Playa de la Malagueta and Playa Las Acacias are located in the immediate vicinity of Málaga.

Other places in this destination area: Arroyo Coche, Portugalejo, Saladillo Benamara, Mondrón, Cuevas Bajas, Bermejo, Benamocarra, Villanueva De Algaidas, El Mopagán, Alfarnate, Los Puertas, Pujerra, Igualeja, Alfarnatejo, Almogía, Antequera, Atajate, Serrato, Alhaurin De La Torre, Bobadilla, Almachar, Álora, Arenas, Valdés, Cajiz, Los Llanos, Bobadilla-Estación, Caleta De Vélez, Viñuela, Ardales, Genalguacil, Teba, Yunquera, Moclinejo, Almargen, Romo Cuevas, Alpandeire, Cuevas Del Becerro, Fuente De Piedra, Periana, Rincón De La Victoria, Sierra De Yeguas, Guadalmina, El Sexmo, Humilladero, Benalauría, Cuevas De San Marcos, Valle De Abdalajís, Alameda, Cañete La Real, Colmenar, Cartajima, Benarrabá, El Burgo, Salares, Jubrique, Arriate, Mollina, Benamargosa, Algatocín, Macharaviaya, Cártama, Jimera De Líbar, Alozaina, Tolox, Algarrobo, Carratraca, Benaoján, Archidona, Pizarra, Villanueva Del Trabuco, Villanueva De La Concepción, Comares, Gaucín, Villanueva Del Rosario, Torremolinos, Campillos, Archez, Benahavis, Monda, Parauta, Ojén, Júzcar, Istán, Cortes De La Frontera, Casarabonela, Totalán, Riogordo, Ronda, Sayalonga, Sedella, Torrox, Vélez-Málaga, Fuengirola, Iznate, Malaga, Manilva, Marbella, Mijas, Nerja, Guaro, El Borge, Competa, Canillas De Albaida, Casares, Benalmadena, Montejaque, Alhaurin El Grande, Coín, Villanueva De Tapia, Canillas De Aceituno, Casabermeja, Estepona, Frigiliana, Alcaucín, Los Morales, Parchite, Torre de Benagalbón, Villafranco del Guadalhorce, Cartaojal, La Cimada, Lagos, San Pedro de Alcántara, Los Villalones, Los Llanos de Antequera, Marina de Casares, La Capellania, Atalaya Isdabe, La Cala del Moral.