Tag Archives: Malaga

What´s happening over Christmas on the Costa del Sol?

As Christmas is fast approaching it´s a good time for planning festive activities. Here is some inspiration on where to find Christmas cheer on the coast over the holiday season.

Christmas Lights in Málaga

Calle Larios is the principal shopping street of Málaga city center and each Christmas famously illuminated by tens of thousands of LED lights. Each year carries a different theme and this year Calle Larios is decorated with 16 magnificent Celestial Angels. Plus 32 columns of lights have been installed along the whole stretch of this grand pedestrian street and the experience a delight for the mind, body and soul. The side streets of Calle Larios are also beautifully decorated with festive lights, making an evening shopping trip or dinner in Málaga city center extra festive.

Málaga´s Christmas lights are switched on Saturday 26th November at 19:00h. The lights are then switched on daily, Sunday to Wednesday from 18:30h to midnight & Thursday to Saturday 18:30h to 02:00h. With the exception of 24^th, 31^st December and 5^th January when the lights remain lit until 06:00h. During the evening there are 3 sound shows where the lights illuminate to the beat of traditional Christmas carols, Carol of the Bells and Jingle Bell are on this year’s soundtrack. The sound show takes place daily at 18:30h, 20h and 22h (except on 24th and 31st December). The lights are switched off on 6^th January at midnight.

Cirque du Soleil on Ice

Exciting news that after a period when, due to the global pandemic, the most we could do was watch from the arm chair, the world famous spectacle, Cirque de Soleil is back in Málaga this Christmas with their first ever aerobic performance on ice. The show aptly names Crystal, will present fast and fluid performances by world-class ice skaters and acrobats in a frozen arena, as they defy the laws of gravity with never-before-seen stunts. The show is running from the 10^th until 18^th December at the Palacio de Deportes, Jose Maria Martín Carpena, Malaga. Find out more information and book tickets through this link: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/es/crystal#about-the-show

Christmas Lights at The Botanical Gardens La Concepción,Málaga

Due to its hugely popular success last year The Botanical Garden La Concepción in Málaga will once again host a spectacular light trail across it´s immense grounds. Last year 11,000 visitors were captivated by the beauty and magic of this historical parks enchanting illumination across its stunning grounds. This year a new route of light and colour named ´Stella´ will allow visitors to accompany the Three Wise Men on their magical and surprising journey with the Star of the East. A renovated route of more than 2.2 kilometres in length will be lit by millions of points of light and more than 20 light installations will transport visitors to historic places such as Persia, Babylon and Bethlehem. The attraction starts on November 27^th until to January 8^th with several time slots for entry per evening. See here for more details: https://laslucesdelbotanicomalaga.com/en/

How to spend rainy days on the Costa del Sol

The saying goes the rain in Spain stays mainly on the plane. On the Costa del Sol it´s not far from the truth, we have on average only 44 rainy days in a year. So the question is if you are on the Costa del Sol and the heavens open, how best to spend your time. Here are a few ideas to keep you and the family entertained.

Visit a Museum

Málaga center has a good selection of art museums. Visit Museo Casa Natal Picasso, the house in which Pablo Picasso was born, here you can browse through memorabilia, works and photographs and trace Picasso’s early years. https://museocasanatalpicasso.malaga.eu/ Following from there you can see more than 200 works of art by Picasso at the Museo Picasso Málaga located in Palacio de Buenavista. On the lower floor you can explore Phoenician, Roman and Arabic archaeological ruins. https://www.museopicassomalaga.org/

If this wets your taste buds to know more about Spanish art Museo Carmen Thyssen has a trove of 285 incredible Spanish paintings on display from the 19th and 20th centuries. A private collection plus the temporary exhibition. https://www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org/

Pompidou Center

A modern exhibition space hosting temporary exhibitions of contemporary artwork and interactive installations. In its semi-permanent collection there are art pieces from Frida Kahlo, Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso.

Butterfly Park

A visit to Mariposario de Benalmádena is a delightful way to spend family time. Walk among 1,500 spices of exotic butterflies from around the world. The butterflies are flying freely in a paradise of tropical gardens with waterfalls and flowers. You will be able to observe how the butterflies are born, how they reproduce and enjoy learning many things about these wonderful insects. https://www.mariposariodebenalmadena.com/

Los Arqueros Bowling

A fun way to spend time is at Los Arqueros Bowling and Sports Bar in Benahavis. A trendy venue with 6 bowling lanes. A sports bar and restaurant onsite serves delicious food and drinks. Los Arqueros Golf, Ronda Road A-397, Km. 44,5, Benahavis. https://losarquerosbowling.com/

Retail Therapy

Retail therapy is a good option for rainy days on the Costa del Sol. There are several Shopping Malls here on the coast offering an abundant array of retail stores all under one roof. You will find all the popular high street brands as well home furnishing, toys, cosmetics, supermarkets and technology stores such as Apple and FNAC. The shopping centers offer eating establishments to satisfy all tastes and for movie lovers each Shopping Mall has it´s own several screen cinema. Check for screening in Original Version.

Parque Comercial La Cañada, Carretera de Ojén s/n, 29600 Marbella Miramar Centro Comercial, Avda. de la Encarnación, s/n, 29640 Fuengirola Plaza Major Malaga Calle Alfonso Ponce de León, 3-2, 29004 Málaga

Go to the Movies

Another option for those rainy days is to catch up on the latest cinema releases. There are numerous cinemas on the coast plus as mentioned most of the Shopping Malls have a cinema. Be sure to check for movies shown in VO: version original. Red Dog Cinema in Puerto Banus frequently has movies shown in English. https://reddogcinemas.com/es/inicio/

The Orchiderium, Estepona

The Orchiderium, located in the center of Estepona, is botanical garden dedicated to orchids. A space of 1000 m2 divided into 3 levels, thus creating separate micro- climates and allowing for a wide variety of species. The Orchiderium boasts a botanical collection of over 3000 plants including 1500 different orchid species, ranging in size and scale and one equally as beautiful as the next. A visit here on a rainy day will certainly lift the spirits. Admission is 3€ per adult and 1€ per child. Opening times are Tuesday to Saturday: from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sundays: from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. https://orchidariumestepona.com/elorquidario/

Caminito del Rey

El Caminito del Rey is located in the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes Natural Park, crossing the municipalities of Álora, Ardales and Antequera. Once regarded as a highly dangerous walkway, it is now one of Spain´s most popular tourist attractions. An Ariel trail 3 km in width and approximately 1 metre wide. One of the most photographed and nerve wracking parts of the trail being the hanging walkway which suspends 100 metres above the river.

The original structure dates back to 1901. Built for the workers on the hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls, to pass materials to and fro. In 1921 King Alfonso XIII traveled to the sight and walked a small bridge for the inauguration of the Conde del Guadalhorce dam. Since this historic day the path was named Caminito del Rey, The King´s Little Path. Over the years the path deteriorated and eventually closed as deemed unsafe. The site continued to be used by ambitious rock climbers. at their own peril.

Hanging walkway above the Guadalhorce river

With the agreement on shared funding by the regional government of Andalusia and the local government of Málaga, Camino del Rey was completely renovated and reopened in 2015. Today it offers visitors a delightful walk with breathtaking views, tracing the Falls along the river Guadalhorce. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Sierra de Ronda and Antequera, the spectacular 7.7 km linear nature walk takes approximately 2.5 hours, with areas to stop and take in the scenes.

We highly recommend this activity to discover the beauty of Andalucia. Tickets are on sale on the Caminito Del Rey´s official website: https://www.caminitodelrey.info/en. Entrance fees start at 10€. The activity is not suitable for children under 8 years of age. The new tourist centre is to open imminently which will offer parking, bus transfers and restaurant facilities.

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