Malaga, candidate city for European Capital of Culture 2016

In 2001 Malaga became the number 1 destination in Spain for students studying Spanish as a foreign language! The Sun newspaper greeted the news with the following words:

“Malaga welcomes 1 in every 3 overseas student coming to Spain to study Spanish”
(El Diario Sur: 26 August 2001)

Malaga was obviously seen to be an extremely attractive proposition as a language study destination. Since that time, the positive changes to Malaga in many different facets of its varied facilities and cultural life have been spectacular – that’s to say it’s now even better than it was in 2001 when it became Spain’s number 1 study destination.
Malaga has always had the great attractions of a Mediterranean climate and the beach lifestyle that goes with it. Add to this the backdrop of mountains, the easy access to the other great Andalucian cities of Sevilla, Granada and Cordoba, the proximity to Morocco, the charms of the pueblos blancos (white washed villages), the historic city centre with its Arabic castle and palaces, nightlife famous throughout Europe ….. these are the traditional features that have made Malaga so attractive to visitors.

But there is so much more!

In October 2003 the royal family opened the Picasso Museum in a restored palace in the centre of Malaga. With the bequest to the town of Malaga of the works of art held within the Picasso family, this became overnight one of the most important galleries to be dedicated to Picasso.

In March 1999 the Museo Municipal was opened (with an important extension added in April 2003) and in January 2003 the Centre for Contemporary Art followed, housed in a renovated market. Soon there is to be a Thyssen gallery as well! As befits the home town of Picasso, Malaga has become a city of interest to the fine art enthusiast.

In the last 3 years, thousands of palm trees have been planted along Malaga’s seafront and in its boulevards, hundreds of square metres of the historic centre have been pedestrianised and the facades of the buildings renovated, the restoration of the Alcazaba (Arabic palace) now allows access to the majority of its courtyards, living quarters and gardens and the excavation and restoration of the Roman amphitheatre is progressing well.

These developments in the historic centre and the architectural splendour of the Cathedral are not unassociated with the reasons for choosing Malaga as a site for the filming of Robert de Niro’s film, El Puente de San Luis Rey directed by Harvey Keitel.

Málaga’s Film Festival is fast becoming one of the most important in the annual calendar of the cinematic world. Antonio Banderas is frequently involved and never hesitates to promote Málaga. There are plans by his foundation to create a new theatre for musicals in the port area of Málaga.

There are dozens of cosy, atmospheric wine bars and romantic restaurants to add to the more traditional tapas bars, many of which have been restored and renovated, maintaining their charms but improving their facilities.

It should also be noted that in the city of Malaga and on its beaches, the bars and restaurants are full of Spanish people, both resident in Malaga and on vacation. This means that you will taste the real flavours of Spain (not something concocted for overseas tourists) and at the high quality and reasonable prices that the local Spaniards expect – buen provecho!
So whether you want to walk in the mountains, visit art galleries and historic monuments, sample the best of tapas and other Spanish dishes, watch the best Spanish films, experience an open air Mediterranean lifestyle, dance the night away or simply while away a few hours over a glass of wine with your friends – what better place to do so than in Malaga.

Visit Malaga and go beyond the tourist trail by taking one of our fabulous Spanish Language courses or why not combine learning Spanish with cooking classes or learning to dance the Salsa or the firey Flamenco