Malaga Blog

Malaga and the Costa del Sol are blessed with sunny days throughout the years and enjoyment is not limited exclusively to the summer months. Actually, many Tour operators and travel agencies offer very good price-value flights to Malaga Airport and Hotels in Malaga in the months between October and March. The same applies as well for the Malaga cruise port which is one of the principal scales in the winter routes of cruise ships through the Mediterranean Sea.

Unlike other places in the province of Malaga, almost all hotels along the coast remain open throughout the year and so do many apartments in Malaga and rural houses. Some of these establishments even design specific programs for their winter guests.

Definitely, Malaga´s unique climatic characteristics contribute to the practice of Golf in winter. Actually this sport has become one of the most attractive activities along the Costa del Sol meanwhile the rest of Europe is shivering with cold.

Other outdoor activities which can be practiced throughout the year are boating and fishing; autumn to spring is a great time to explore the inland and mountainous regions of one of the 5 Natural parks as the landscape around December gets covered in the first fresh green. Hiking, climbing or horse riding are some more options.

All these activities combine greatly as well with wellness holidays in some of the best Spas and centres for Thalassotherapy.

In the main resorts along the Costa del Sol can be found very good municipal sports installations, with indoor swimming pool, steam bath and even jet pool (Torremolinos); the municipal sport club in Benalmádena has even a permanent covered ice rink of 900 m2 and cafeteria service next to it.

Once you are in the historic centre of Malaga, you might want to combine your sightseeing with a relaxing bath in a Hammam (Turkish steam bath). You don´t have to bring anything with you, as you will be provided there with bathrobe and disposable underwear. The Hammam is situated close to the Picasso Museum in the Calle Tomas de Cozar 13.

Maybe you feel like a coffee break after your bath? Then you can head for some Chocolate and Churros in the city centre. By the way, asking for coffee in Malaga is quite complicated, as there are at least eight different types of Coffees. For instance: half coffee-half milk is called “sombra” (shadow); “nube” (cloud) is a lot of milk and less coffee. If you want a only a little milk with a lot of coffee, you have to ask for “cortado” (cut).

In winter you will find in the square and streets of the city centre posts with roasted chestnuts and others with roast potatoes.

Another great thing to do is a stroll through the market square Mercado de Atarazanas and by some marinated olives and Mangoes from Malaga (they are ripe in winter!).

An additional leisure time option (for bad weather for example) is the Plaza Mayor Commercial and Leisure centre, close to the airport Malaga, with bowling, restaurants and bars, cinema, gym with heated pool, nightclubs and children´s corner. The centre is easily accessible with the suburban train.

For the Spanish speaking families might be interesting the following activities: in Rincón de la Victoria (16 km east from Malaga) is held on the last Sunday of every month at 12 AM a free children´s show outside the Caves Cuevas del Tesoro and free entrance for children below 14 years into the caves.

In Malaga city, the library Rayuela (historic centre, calle Alemania) invites Saturdays and Sundays at 12 AM the kids to listen to a storyteller.

Along the Costa del Sol are situated several Theme Parks: The Tivoli Amusement Park  and the Crocodile Park in Torremolinos, Sea Life and Selwo Marina in Benalmadena, the Zoo in Fuengirola and the Selwo Adventure Park in Estepona. About one hour driving in Antequera there is the Lobo Park with authentic wolves in semi wild reserve.

A Spanish friend of mine showed me how to prepare Gazpacho. This is a typical southern Spanish drink, especially indicated for the hot summer months, as it is both very nourishing and refreshing and with the high temperatures there in summer, often you might not feel having a complete meal. So it´s great to have already some fresh Gazpacho prepared in the fridge!

What do I need to prepare Gazpacho soup?

You need a blender, a high recipient, 4 tomatoes, 4 cucumbers, some white bread, 1-2 cloves of garlic, salt, virgin olive oil, a little bit of vinegar and water.

Peel the tomatoes and the cucumbers, cut up the bread (you can use bread from the day before, as it will add texture to the soap) ; add it all together with the garlic and some water into the recipient and blend it until you have a liquid soup. Then you add the rest of ingredients.

I recommend that you add the amount of garlic, olive oil and vinegar as for your personal liking, as some like it more or less sour and with more or less garlic, but always add a good amount of olive oil (several table spoons).

Gazpacho is offered in many restaurants and beach bars as "Cold vegetable Soup", which in my opinion sounds rather unattractive, but try it...you will not regret. You can combine this delicious fresh vegetable shake perfectly with anything, but personally I love it with fried fish, sitting in a beach bar in Malaga!

As personal note, the perfect ingredients for Gazpacho are in Malaga...tomatoes are not the same in Malaga than in the north of Spain, even less than in England...flavor is far different, the original and the best Gazpacho is made in Malaga.

The hotel Faro Inn Marbella is a five floor building renovated in 2003, situated in the city centre of Marbella and in walking distance to the close by blue flag beach, the sea promenade and the historic entre of Marbella with great touristic and shopping offers.

Hotel Faro Services

The Hotel has a total of 10 apartments and 60 studios, outdoor pool, a bar-cafeteria, breakfast room, Garden terrace, social lounge, Internet, laundry.

All room are equipped with air-condition, central heating, satellite TV, telephone, fridge, safe (optional), terrace and complete bath.