The cultural attractions of Malaga are growing by the minute, as more and more people are discovering that the city is a worthy destination in itself, not just the gateway to the Costa del Sol. The old centre offers a truly Spanish experience with a less pretentious air than Seville or Granada, but with as much character and exuberance for which Andalucia is renowned.

As you wander the elegant streets you will be tempted by hundred year old bodegas serving an array of quality wines, side street restaurants where the delicious smell of fried fresh fish lures you in and from behind closed doors the tapping of a flamenco lesson in progress intrigues you to take a closer look.

Amongst the Renaissance cathedral, the 11th Century Moorish fort and a newly excavated Roman theatre the Picasso Museum takes pride of place as Malaga's top attraction. The artist was born in the city and the new museum set in a converted 16th Century Palace, celebrates his life with never before seen pieces from his private and families' collection. There is delightful walk through the old city on the "Picasso Trail" where you can visit the house he was born in and the plaza from where his first artistic inspirations came.

Malaga is a friendly city where the finer things in life are cherished and time relaxing and eating with family and friends takes priority. Visitors and locals blend together, and you are made to feel welcome into their haven of Spanish life. Gourmets can treat themselves at the restaurant/museum "La Casa del Angel" where fantastic cuisine is served up amidst over 200 works of art from the 15th through to the 20th Centuries or indulge in Andalucia's Moorish past in one of the many teterias where Moroccan sweets are served with a selection of flavoured teas.

Malaga is also a great place for shopping with a brand new commercial centre, one off boutiques selling Italian fashion and designer jewellery and loads of exquisite specialist shops where you can buy anything from a hand made flamenco dress to a mountain cured leg of Jamon Serrano.

For our Malaga short breaks we are delighted to have teamed up with one of the city's top hotels the family owned "Hotel Larios" situated in a prime position on the central pedestrianized street, just a stones throw away from the cathedral. This boutique hotel has been decorated in Art Deco style and its "trendy" terrace restaurant  offers jazz evenings, art exhibitions, and is a favourite haunt of the cities other famous son Antonio Banderas when he's in town.