Malaga, Spain (IV) - Marbella (February 2024)

 

Malaga is the largest city of the Costa del Sol in Spain. The second largest city is Marbella, located 29 miles west of Malaga. With its population of approximately 150,000, Marbella is indeed cute and pretty. We drove to this city by car and were glad that we decided to come. 

We parked at the public parking garage and started walking. The entire city is walkable. Everywhere we turned our camera, the photos were postcardlike. 

Marbella City Hall had an open-air cafe in its front yard. The government could not get any closer to the citizens than this, I suppose.

Many houses decorated their walls with flower pots. They were very pretty.

Parque de Alameda was small but picturesque. 

We sat down at a small cafe and enjoyed people-watching on the boardwalk for a while.

A lighthouse was right by the boardwalk and among the residential buildings. It was unique.

Avenida del Mar was not to miss. It was full of sculptures and decorations that made us say "Wow!" They were simply beautiful with the otherworldly skyview.

Marbella gave us a pleasant experience and a fond memory. We might want to come back to spend more time in this cute town: Marbella.

We are not done yet with Malaga. One more to come. - Jeffrey

Malaga, Spain (III) - Castillo and Alcazaba (February 2024)

 

Malaga has a mountain that rises up to 132 meters high from the sea level. This mountain is Mt. Gibralfaro. A castle is situated on top of it with a watch tower. This castle is called Castillo de Gibralfaro. A fortified wall stretches down to a lower area where the palatial residence was located. This residential area was called Alcazaba. 

The entire structure, situated on the mountain right by the port, was so strategic that many civilizations used it for military purposes. The Phoenicians and the Romans used it as a fortification, the fortress, and the palace fortress. 

Alcazaba is now used by the Malaga City Government and is open to the general public for education and tourism purposes. I saw many students listening to their teachers explaining about the history.

Certain section of Alcazaba exhibited some artifacts of ancient times.

But, the gardens and views of the city and the sea were fabulous.

Castillo de Gibralfaro was located at a higher ground of the mountain. The view of the city at the watch tower was panoramic and breathtaking. 

We strolled on the wall and in the garden to feel the time of the past. 

The Castillo and the Alcazaba looked stronger than formidable when we looked at them from the ground level.

And, they were just beautiful at night when they were lit and seen from the sea.

Malaga has so many to offer and there are more to come. - Jeffrey