Malaga is the heart of the Costa del Sol. The city of Picasso makes an instant impression with its modern metropolis and endless cultural pursuits, playing host to one of the most important film festivals in the country. A true paradise in the south of Spain, this is a popular place to visit (and relocate to). The principal railway station in this city is Malaga Maria Zambrano railway station. It connects Malaga to cities across the Andalusian region, served by high-speed trains, with metro connections providing convenient public transport links across the city. The train to Malaga from Madrid takes around 3h20mins, with some services requiring connections at Cordoba.
Visiting Malaga
Once travellers have taken the train to Malaga, the main railway station is very close to the city port, requiring around a 15-minute walk. Alternatively, walking to the Plaza de la Marina is 15 minutes in another direction. Visitors can then also enjoy a walk around the Paseo de España. Malaga has three main museums located in the centre of the city — the Centro Pompidou, which is the only site of George Pompidou exhibitions outside of France, the Museo Picasso and the Museo Carmen Thyssen. All are obligatory stops for art lovers and within a 20-minute walk of each other! In the historical centre of the city, tourists will come across La Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación, just a few steps from the Alcazaba. Dating back to Spain’s Islamic era, this palatial fortification is found in the lower part of Monte Gibralfaro. A few steps further up is the fortified castle of Gibralfaro, from which visitors can see the Strait of Gibraltar on a clear day. In the district of La Malagueta, which is approximately 20 minutes from the castle, visitors can relax on the beautiful beach of the same name.
Those who have the time should take a dip in these balmy waters and enjoy the mild climate, which blesses this region all year round. There's also countless gastronomic delights awaiting travellers in Malaga, with plenty of bars and restaurants to spend hours indulging in delicious dishes. Calle Marqués de Larios is a good meeting point for a night out, with the central market open around the clock so that tourists can savour local specialities like Ajoblanco and Tarta Malagueña.