An Unexpected Visit Like No Other

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  Calle Larios De Málaga

  Here is our meeting point, and this is where our guided tour starts at 11:00. Calle Marqués de Larios is one of the most iconic places in the city, with its origins dating back to the late 19th century. We will explain the circumstances surrounding its construction and how it got its name. As we stroll along the street, we will point out the most interesting and valuable architectural details and notable buildings. Once our tour is over, you can come back here to do some shopping at its numerous shops, although we must warn you that it is one of the most expensive streets in Europe. It is considered one of the most elegant avenues in Spain due to its noble character and the characteristic Chicago-style architecture. If you can visit Málaga during Christmas, you will be amazed by the lavish lighting display that attracts more and more people each year.

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  Plaza de la Constitución

  You will soon realize that it is the center around which the life of the people of Málaga has been structured since the Middle Ages. We will tell you the different names it has had throughout the centuries and when and why it was given its current name, Plaza de la Constitución. You will learn about the location of the former town hall, the house of the magistrate, the jail, the Audiencia (court), a convent of Augustinian nuns, and other buildings of interest that showcase the importance this place has had in the city of Málaga. In fact, this is where the casetas for the Feria de Málaga (Málaga Fair) are set up, as well as the seating for authorities during Holy Week and other important events throughout the year. This square was closed to traffic in 2003, allowing us to explore the historic center on foot without having to navigate around cars.

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  Plaza del Obispo

  Our next stop is Plaza del Obispo and its incredible Baroque style. The Episcopal Palace located in this square was built in the 18th century, but the square was already significant since the Muslim era. Here, you will also see the Cathedral of Málaga, known by the popular name of “La Manquita” (we will explain why), as well as the marble stairs and iron fence that mark the boundary between the cathedral and the square. In the center of the square, you will see a fountain that supplied water to the residents of the surrounding streets. We will share some stories about this fountain and where it received its water from.

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  Patio de las Cadenas (Catedral de Málaga)

  At the entrance of the cathedral, we find the Patio de las Cadenas, also known as the Patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of the Oranges), named after the chains that surround it. We will enter through the Puerta de las Cadenas to admire one of the tallest cathedrals in Andalusia (over 85 meters in height). You will see the north facade of the cathedral with its two tall circular columns and the fluted decoration of the lower section. Several balconies and windows open onto its entrance along with other details that we will explain to you. One of these details is the thirty-six bells housed in its north tower, or the cannon-shaped gargoyles on the upper eastern part. We will also tell you about the differences between the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral and how the former Aljama Mosque that once stood here is related to all of this, before the arrival of the Catholic Monarchs.

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  Museo Picasso de Málaga

  Our steps will lead us to San Agustín Street, a place of residence for many Christian knights after the conquest by the Catholic Monarchs, whose traces can still be seen. Before that, the Moorish Quarter was located here, and we will explain what happened to it and its inhabitants. From that time, its characteristic is its irregular and narrower layout compared to other streets in Málaga. As we stroll along, you will be able to see the façade of the San Agustín convent, which gives its name to the street. The Picasso Museum is located on this street, the most visited museum in Andalusia, and it is also housed in a palace. We will tell you the history of this place and you will understand why it is much more than a museum.

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  Calle Granada

  Previously known as Calle Real (we will obviously tell you why it changed its name). If you look on both sides, you will see some Nasrid palace houses that were converted into religious places. It’s no wonder, as it was one of the main streets in the Muslim city. Additionally, this street was a settlement for some guilds of artisans. As a significant feature of its Muslim era, it preserves some barriers and narrow alleys, the function of which we will explain to you. The winding layout is very characteristic of Muslim urbanism and extends for 500 meters, connecting Plaza de la Constitución with Plaza de la Merced. Here, one of the Jewish quarters of Málaga was located, where today we find the El Pimpi cellar, the Mudéjar tower, and the small square where an interpretation center will be situated. We recommend returning to El Pimpi to taste some of the best wines from Málaga. Furthermore, in that building is the seed of the successful careers of many flamenco artists.

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  Iglesia de Santiago

  The Church of Santiago is closely linked to the conquest of the city by the Catholic Monarchs in August 1487 and is one of the four parishes established by order of the kings (along with the Church of El Sagrario, Church of San Juan, and Church of Los Santos Mártires). It is also the oldest church in the city. The parishes represent the symbolic mentality of medieval Christianity. The devotion to Santiago represents the victory of Christianity over Islam. Additionally, this church is home to religious images that process during our Holy Week, such as the famous image of Jesus el Rico. We will tell you why, since the late 18th century, we release a prisoner during Holy Week and the connection it has with King Carlos III. Lastly, we will see the place where Pablo Ruiz Picasso was baptized, along with the baptismal record and the artist’s full name.

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  Plaza de la Merced y Casa Natal de Picasso

  Now we will head to Plaza de la Merced, also known as Plaza del Mercado or Plaza de Riego. It won’t take long for you to realize that it is one of the most beautiful squares in Málaga. Additionally, it is common for festivals, concerts, and all kinds of events to be held here, attracting both tourists and locals alike. In this square, you will also find the house where Picasso was born, so we invite you to imagine the painter as a child, running around this square. But Pablo Picasso is not the only celebrity who was born and lived in this place: we will tell you about other personalities who resided in Plaza de la Merced. This square used to host a market, so you can picture a young Picasso finding inspiration in the different people who passed by here during their daily chores.

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  Cine Albéniz

  We will make a quick stop in front of one of the most iconic cinemas in the city, the Cine Albeniz, which was inaugurated in 1945 and is now the venue for the Málaga Film Festival since 1998. We will explain why the Biznaga, a typical flower of our city, has become the symbol of the film festival and why you can only find it in Málaga.

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  Teatro Romano de Málaga

  Málaga had a Roman past, and the greatest evidence of this is the city’s stone monument, the Roman Theater, which has an interpretation center where you can learn more about the life of the Romans in Málaga two thousand years ago. Just a few meters away, we will find some Roman pools under the glass pyramid, which were used for the production of Garum, a popular fish sauce made with ingredients found in the area. This was possibly one of the most important industries in the city.

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  Cofradía del Santo Sepulcro y Soledad

  We continue walking until we reach Alcazabilla Street, where the Museum of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher and Solitude is located. Here, you can see the thrones: the throne of Christ and the throne of the Virgin of Solitude. The museum’s collection consists of various objects from the brotherhood dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, many of which can be seen during the Good Friday procession. If you visit the museum, we recommend going up to the attic, where you will have incredible views of the Roman and Moorish parts of Málaga.

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  Vistas de la Alcazaba de Málaga

  Next to the Roman Theater, we will see the Alcazaba, an Arab fortress that houses several palaces within its walls, built throughout its history. It was constructed in the 11th century and has been influenced by various dynasties such as the Almoravids, Almohads, and Nasrids, among others. We will tell you about the imprint each of them has left on this incredible monument and point out the elements that combine palaces with gardens and courtyards with the defensive fortress ready to withstand a siege. Surrounding the Alcazaba, there was a neighborhood with houses that even had a sewage system and their own latrines, a sign of their level of civilization. Among other things, we will explain where the Christian captives who worked in the Alcazaba were imprisoned and where Roman remains with evidence of garum preparation, a fish sauce, were found. This is where our visit ends after a two-hour tour of the city’s historic center.