A Sleeping And Eating Guide To The City Of Malaga

Along the coast there are dozens of restaurants and chiringuitos (beach restaurants) where you can have fish, seafood, paella, sangria, etc. One of the most famous chiringuitos is El Tintero, at the east end, where there is no menu: the waiters sing out what they are carrying and they leave you a plate at your signal. From time to time one of them offers to give you the bill. The most typical thing to eat in Malaga is espetos, sardines in a stick grilled over a fire; and pescaíto frito: all types of deep-fried fish from anchovies to squid. A speciality of Andalucia is fish (most commonly dogfish "cazon", although sometimes other fish such as tuna, "atun") marinated in a garlic and vinegar preparation - look on the menu for "Cazon en adobo". Try also the coquinas (small clams cooked in white wine). Simply delicious!

Do not forget to visit the restaurants, there are Nouvelle Cuisine Restaurants, Asian, Vegetarian, etc. A famous one is actor Antonio Banderas' La posada de Antonio where the typical dishes from his hometown are served with unexpensive prices.

Famous sweet Malaga wine can be tasted in popular pubs in the city centre, like the famous old La Casa del Guardia (Avenue Alameda Principal) or the very typical El Pimpi where everyone, from celebrities to local teens meet.

Rojo, Granada 44, Tel 952 227 486, [1]. Very stylish city centre restaurant cooking in the modern French/European style. Impeccably presented and delicious main courses, the best we had in Málaga. Desserts nothing special however; suspect they may not have a pastry chef. Mains €10-15. Good reasonably-priced wine list, €7-25/bottle. Excellent service.

Restaurante Gallego Candamil. Cuarteles 15. Tel 952 323 907. On the street leading from the train station to the centre, this Galician restaurant is very popular with the locals. This is understandable when you see the great range of quality tapas at fantastic prices, e.g. tapa of empanada €1.25, glass of cider €1.15.
A Casa Gallega. Fernán Núñez 2. Tel 952 040 287. Another Galician haunt a little further towards, although still outside, the centre, this one does not have any menu but relies on the clientele knowing what they want. Good empanada, pimientos de Padrón. Atmospheric.

Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro, Castillo de Gibralfaro, Tel 952 22 19 02, [2]. Although we read a lot of good things about the restaurant at the parador, we were disappointed. The food just wasn't great. The service by contrast was exemplary, together with all the nice little free appetizers, aperitifs, etc. Wine list tended towards the expensive but with the excellent idea of a monthly wine choice 'balancing quality and value' which in our case was a very palatable Ribera del Duero Crianza at €10. Set menu €27 pp (plus VAT) Not worth the diversion unless you are staying there; even then maybe limit it to one night of your stay. Fantastic view of the city, especially from the terrace.

SLEEP

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Malaga Hotel, Acacias de Guadalmar, 153 - 29004 Malaga, ☎ +34 952176061 (info@malagahotelpicasso.com, fax: +34 9521756552), [3]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12:00.
Malaga Hotel on Guadalmar beach. Close to the Malaga airport, Torremolinos, Plaza Mayor Malaga, Golf, IKEA.
Charming 3 star hotel with garden, swimming pool, jacuzzi, restaurant. Boardwalk with beach restaurants (chiringuitos).
Price €: 60 - 119.

Hotel del Pintor, Álamos 27, Tel 952 06 09 80, [4]. Opened in 2005, the Hotel del Pintor is the kind of small urban hotel that combines design and technology with personalized attention. Central location in the historic centre, near Picasso's birthplace. €74-121.

Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro, Castillo de Gibralfaro, Tel 952 22 19 02, [5]. Probably the best hotel in Málaga. Fantastic location with spectacular views over the city. Beautiful rooms with sitting area and balcony. Try to get a third floor room for the best view; the view from the lower floors is somewhat obscured by trees. Easy enough to walk down to the city centre (20 mins) but due to the elevation get a taxi back (cost around €5.50 from the centre, around €8 from the train station.) Restaurant overrated and raciones in the bar way overpriced; a good alternative option for a light lunch is the outdoor café in the neighbouring Castillo de Gibralfaro which does good tapas for €1.50-2.50. Restaurant somewhat redeemed by an excellent buffet breakfast (€11, may be included with room depending on offer.) Standard room rate year-round €135+VAT, (excl. breakfast) although there are a litany of special offers that can reduce this significantly.

Silken Puerta Málaga, Héroe de Sostoa 17, Tel 932 80 29 88 (reservations), [6]. Very stylish four-star from the Silken chain, diagonally opposite the main train station. Easy 20 minute walk into the centre. Beautifully decorated rooms (cream and dark wood) and especially bathrooms, with much attention to detail. Good discounted rates in winter (€56-69+VAT).