Malaga

[rainydogday]

Thinking of doing a self catering week in or around Malaga in Oct half term, 2 adults and two teens. I know most people mostly say go for a mini break. Will a week be too much? I am thinking somewhere with a pool so a couple of lazing around days to factor in. We won't want to hire a car so would like to central (ish) but also walkable to the harbour/beach. Any recommendations or tips? Many thanks

We stayed at the Barcelo hotel, it’s next to the train station and walkable to everything. Nice rooms and roof top pool. Lovely place for an autumn break!

I went for five days, could easily have stayed longer. Esp with day trips to Ronda, Torre del Mar, even Granada or Seville.

I stayed once at the Vincci Posada del Patio and once at the Gran Hotel Miramar when they were on special offer, but there are lots of other cheaper good hotels too. And good value apartments to rent too - I know others who have visited.

Amazing cheap delicious food and everything is in walking distance. And so much to do. Love the city. As DD is studying there, hope to visit again before she comes back!

We did 5 nights last Oct half term. A couple days were fine for beach, a couple were chilly- evenings needed a cardigan and longer trousers most evenings. Not pool weather unless heated or you like a bracing swim. However LOTS of places to visit from Malaga and you can buy a green travel card from Tabacs and travel on buses for 40 cent with lots of places to visit nearby. Would def go back.

There is a great train service that runs along the coast to the West. Ideal for a few trips.

Is this the one with the slide down to the cocktail bar? My daughter had a couple if nights here and loved it.

Yes it is @Lincslady53!

Thanks for the replies. We were thinking of getting an airbnb with pool, but also close to the centre. Trawling through looking....

I love Málaga.
The town is so pretty, food so good, weather amazing.
Easy to get to so many beaches and towns.
Such a brilliant, historic, vibrant place.
I have been three times and hope to return.
Flights are cheap too.

@Overloadimplode do you stay in a hotel? Really hoping to find something on Airbnb with a pool but they all seems to be slightly outside or Malaga. Such as fuengirola or benalmadena. I seem to be going round in circles. Also have you been end of October? Thinking of half term and hoping for some warm sunshine

I stayed in the city centre, in self catering places without pools, but it is probably possible to get somewhere with a pool. I would start with bookin.com for ideas. Not sure I have been in November but you can google average temperatures. It doesn't get much rain at any time of year.

When you say an AirB&B with a pool - do you mean a villa with private pool or an apartment block with shared pool ? There are certainly airb&bs in Malaga - both in the centre and by the beach - but I don't know about with a pool. If you are looking along the coast, I personally like the area around La Carihuela which is between Torremolinos and Benalmádena and there are a few apartment complexes with shared pools there. There is a nice stretch of beach, plenty of restaurants, a nice park and it's walkable into either town or to a train station - and Ubers are easy too. I think Fuengirola is quite ugly .

Weather wise - expect it to be mixed. We have had lovely weather October half term but also seen heavy rain . Then again I've been paddling in the sea on the CDS this week!

Yes to train trips from Malaga being easy. There is a local line which goes along the coast as far as Fuengirola and you can also visit other cities . I would recommend Cordoba which is around an hour. Seville and Granada will take 2ish hours, the same for Ronda as there is no direct line.

I think there would be more to do in case of bad weather if you were to stay in Malaga itself rather than along the coast .

Sorry to hijack but I’m looking at both these hotels right now and I’d love to hear your feedback! For a family trip.

My parents lived there!

Over many years of visiting, I found October half-term to be mainly t-shirt and shorts weather, not beach or pool. Of course, some days sometimes better and some less so.
Being in the city will give you other options.

I did like it that by the end of October here, we are heading for Winter, dark nights, winter clothing. The trip always seemed to extend our summer.

Hi @Seabluegrey Sorry, missed this.

Both are great options. DH and I preferred Vincci, but DDs liked Miramar.

Vincci is modern and chic, a very classy boutique hotel. Miramar is grander and more sprawling, possibly a more typical five star hotel.

DDs liked Miramar as it had direct beach access plus a large outdoor pool. Vincci is in the city with a lovely rooftop pool but much smaller. DDs agree the location if Vincci is better though. Both have lovely staff.

You can’t go wrong with either really. Surprisingly Vincci is more expensive than Miramar, which maybe indicates its popularity.

Hope you have fun!