Dining Out

Low budget: El Tintero (El Palo, next to Club Nautico), big, busy fish restaurant where you can grab anything you like as all fish costs the same price; La Cancela (d/Denis Belgrano 3), Malaga institution with a cheap and cheerful daily menu and outdoor tables; La Borrata (c/Alcazabilla) offers a three-course meal for 5 Euros; Orellana (c/Moreno Monroy 5), one of the best tapas bars in town.

Mid-budget: Al-Yamal (c/Blasco de Garay 3), delicious north African cuisine; Clanedestino (c/Nino de Guevara 3), a relaxed atmosphere and superb Mediterranean cuisine.

Luxury budget: Antonio Martin (Paseo Maritimo), one of Malaga's most desirable fish restaurants, frequented by local matadors after victorious bullfights; Parador Gilbralfaro (Monte Gilbralfaro), luxurious hotel restaurant with panoramic views from terrace; Adolfo (Paseo Maritimo Pablo Ruiz Picasso), a stylish restaurant with an innovative menu; Bodegas El Pimpi (c/Granada), set in a 200-year-old convent.

Nightlife

Low budget: There are lots of atmospheric and cheap bars (serving tapas) near the cathedral. The student (hence cheap) bars are around Calle Granada, Plaza de la Merced and Plaza de Uncibay - look out for ZZ Pub, (c/Tejón y Rodriguez), Warner Bar (Plaza de los Martinez) and La Botellita (c/Alamos 38).

Mid-budget: Try the pina coladas at Cantina Cubano (c/Granada); Puerto Oscura (Calle Molino Larios, 5), great place to end the evening amid its chandeliers, palm trees and sofas; La Casa Guarda (c/ Pastora, on the Alameda), the oldest bar in Malaga with 20 barrels of local wines on offer; El Trillo (c/Esparteros 8), the place to sample local sherries, hams and cheese.

Luxury budget: Parador Gibralfaro (Monte Gilbralfaro), luxurious hotel bar with stunning views over the bay. For star-studded bars, head to Puerto Banus further west along the coast, with bars such as The Navy Club, Joy's Bar or Sinatra's, overlooking the luxury yachts. Just west of Malaga is Benalmadena Port, which has upmarket clubs and bars such as Fortuna Nightclub at the Hotel Torrequebrada.

Things To Do

Why not take a jaunt down the Alameda Principal, this beautiful tree-lined promenade is in the centre of Malaga. Or go see the city in style by a horse-drawn carriage.

Relax and soak up the sun on the nicest nearby beach, El Pedregalejo, and snack on fish from one of the beachside shacks.

Look around the two Moorish fortresses, Alcazaba, and further up the hill with it's magnificent views, Gibralfaro.

Sample a typically Spanish flamenco club - there are lots around, but get there too early as they get going around midnight.
Explore the city's old quarter, including the cathedral and Picasso's childhood home.

See a bullfight at Malaga's Plaza de Toros - still a very active bullring.
Stroll around the tropical gardens of the Jardin Botanico La Concepcion, just north of the city.

The Shops

You will find the main shopping area is around Calle Marques de Larios, near the cathedral.

All along the coast, there are various big commercial centres. On the way to Marbella, you pass the Centro Canada, with such stores as Zara, Mango, Benetton and Body Shop.

There is also a branch of Mango in Malaga (calle Larios 1).Spain's biggest department store and the second biggest in Europe - is El Corte Ingles, and you'll find a branch right opposite the train station in Malaga.

If markets are more your thing, they take place in all the main towns along the coast, usually in the mornings until about 2pm, and sell ceramics, leatherware, jewellery and baskets.

Fuengirola has a flea market every Saturday morning, selling everything from porcelain and fans to local wines, hams and cheeses.
Malaga's Mercado Central, north of the Alameda, is set in a wonderful 19th century building. Ronda is the town for antiques, especially furniture.

Useful Prices

33cl bottle of beer - €1
One-litre bottle of mineral water - €0.90
36-exposure colour film - €7.50
City-centre bus ticket - €1.10
Adult football ticket - €20
Three-course meal with wine/beer - €12

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