Malaga in December. Tips and recommendations

[Changeofname12]

Hi,
I've just booked a weekend in Malaga in December. Wanted a Christmas market trip but Brussels and the like are very pricey, and unsure about entry requirements. I found a cheap flight to Malaga and decided to go for it, the warmth will be a bonus!

So if anyone has been around this time - could you give me some recommendations as to what to see/do? Is there a Christmas market as such or just the lights? Will it be warm enough for the beach? (Not sunbathing but perhaps walking along)

Thanks! x

Check when the Christmas lights start but they are beautiful.

The beach will be warm enough to walk along. It goes on for miles. There’s normally a small market in the dock area where the beach starts.

There’s a nice Sherry bar near the food market.

Not Christmasy but the Alcazabar palace is nice. The cafe just outside the walls half way up is a good pitstop. Avoid the one at the bottom- it’s awful.

The lights are fab…. We went in December a couple of years ago and the weatger was perfect - mid twenties in the day with full sun, much cooler in the evening but beautiful. If you search ‘go local for a day’ you can have a guided walking tour of Malaga which is so informative and will give you a really good base for the weekend. There are a couple of excellent roof top bars, my personal favourite is the Marriott, the outlook is fab and they don’t rip you off for drinks. If you want fish take the local bus out to Pedrelego (local fishing village), there are loads of excellent fish restaurants -you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Enjoy - it’s great place and very underrated.
PS I’m very jealous

Check when the Christmas lights start but they are beautiful

I like Spanish Christmas lights when they put them on palm trees and they look like giant spunking penises

The Alcabazar and castle are interesting and if you're only going for a couple of nights, just wandering around and seeing what you come across in terms of beach, monuments, nice squares and stopping for coffee, food, beer etc is probably enough, but if you want to see more, you could get the train to Mijas which is a white pretty white town in the hills about half an hour away.

Well I’m never going to see the Christmas lights the same way again

Christmas crib at the cathedral (assuming it is on, given covid).

Minnie

I really enjoyed the fashion/car museum in Malaga.

It’s probably just as well I’m not going this year Barbara

Placemarking

If the sun shines it will be warm enough to sunbathe on the beach but pack layers in case it's not and it will definitely be chilly in the evenings. Have a great time.

If going to the beach go to Pedrelego and eat at the fish restaurant closest to the city centre end of the beach. Its amazing.
If going up to the castle get the bus up the hill and walk down.
And Casa Aranda do the best churros I have ever had.

If you are heading out to Pedregalejo the fish restaurant to go to is El Tintero - it's quite a memorable experience! Waiters rush around with plates of fish and seafood, calling out their wares, and you wave at them if it appeals to you. The sole and langoustines are fantastic. My DC used to love watching the flaming grill. They still talk about it though it's several years since we were last there.

The Pompidou Centre is worth a visit and has beautiful colours on a sunny day. I enjoyed the fashion/car museum too but it's quite a walk out of town.

Casa Arranda is a must for churros.