The Andalucian city of Malaga has always had plenty to boast about, with an unbeatable climate and ideal location on the Costa del Sol. But this formerly rundown port has had a makeover – along with architectural renovations and some new resorts, the city has invested €100 million on arts and culture in the past 10 years, placing it among the great art destinations of Europe and beyond.
A city of museums
Like much of southern Spain, Malaga has faced difficulties during the financial crisis, but the seemingly risky investment in arts and culture has paid off. In 10 years, the number of visitors to the city has increased by 127%, to 3.5 million in 2015. Along with Granada, Seville, and the glorious Mediterranean coast, Malaga has made it on to the “must-see” list for visitors to Andalucia.
The campaign to make Malaga a city brimming with culture has resulted in more than 30 museums, many of them located on the “Mile of Art”, making Malaga a rival to Madrid for art and culture oriented tourists.
The newest additions
Malaga’s newest museums, opened last year, are the Centre Pompidou Malaga and the Malaga branch of the St. Petersburg Russian Museum. Joining forces with these prestigious names just goes to show that Malaga means business in its endeavor to become a leading art hub.
The Centre Pompidou sits in a futuristic white building on the waterfront in the city’s Mile of Art, with works by Frida Kahlo, Marc Chagall and Fernand Léger as well as music and dance performances. The Russian Museum, dedicated to Russian art from the 16th to 20th centuries, features works by Ilya Repin, Wassily Kandinsky and Vladimir Tatlin contained within a refurbished tobacco factory.
Centro Pompidou Malaga – Photo from the City of Malaga
Centro Pompidou Malaga – Photo from the City of Malaga
Russian Museum Malaga – Photo from the City of Malaga
Russian Museum Malaga – Photo from the City of Malaga
The Mile of Art… and so much more
Along with these new museums, Malaga and its Mile of Art offer a spectacular selection including the Picasso Museum, the Centre for Contemporary Art, and the Carmen Thyssen Museum. Those who prefer culture to art will also be spoiled for choice. The quality and diversity of Malaga’s museums means that there is something for all tastes and interests.
Not to be missed are the Maritime Learning Centre, with live fauna and flora of the Alboran Sea in the westernmost part of the Mediterranean; the Interactive Museum of Music where the motto is “Please play”; the Principia Science Centre with a digital planetarium and more than 80 interactive exhibits; and at the end of a long day, the Wine Museum with its popular Tasting Room.
Photo from Museum Carmen Thyssen Malaga
Photo from Museum Carmen Thyssen Malaga
Your Costa del Sol tour
Whether your tour group is visiting Malaga alone, or has more destinations on its list, don’t pass up all that Malaga’s museums have to offer. Ask us about planning a tour that will be sure to fit your group’s interests.
