Malaga Essentials: A Tour of its Heritage and Identity with Context

Málaga’s position as the main port in southeastern Spain has made it historically relevant for millennia.

On this walking tour produced by Context Travel expert and licensed guide, Manu Barba, you’ll discover how the city evolved from a Phoenician settlement to a thriving Mediterranean hub. As you explore the historic center, you’ll hear the fascinating stories behind Málaga’s most iconic landmarks. You’ll also find out how this coastal city became the vibrant cultural destination it is today.

Your journey begins at the Monument to the Marquee of Larios on Plaza de la Marina. You’ll weave through medieval alleys to the stunning Atarazanas Central Market, housed in what was once an Islamic shipyard from the 1500s. Along the way, you’ll discover Casa del Guardia, one of Málaga’s oldest wineries, where you can sample the sweet Moscatel wines that have made the region famous.

You’ll also stroll down Constitution Square and the elegant Calle Larios, designed with perfect proportions and iconic rounded corners. The tour ends near Málaga’s City Hall, designed by renowned local architect Fernando Guerrero Strachan.

On this 90-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:

• Photograph the Sagrario Church (Iglesia Capitular de El Sagrario), built in flamboyant Gothic style on the site of the city’s main mosque
• Admire the grand Cathedral of Málaga (Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación de Málaga) with its unfinished tower
• Locate the Picasso Museum, housed in the historic Palace of the Counts of Buenavista
• Pass the ancient Roman Theater where performances took place nearly 2,000 years ago
• Learn about the layered history of the Alcazaba fortress, which incorporates materials from the Roman theater below
• Step inside the Carmen Thyssen Museum with its impressive collection of 19th-century Spanish art
• Visit El Pimpi, a historic bodega where you can sample local delicacies paired with sweet Málaga wines
• See the Monument to Ibn Gabirol, one of the most relevant Neoplatonic philosophers and Hebrew poets from medieval times

Whether you’re interested in ancient history, Renaissance architecture, or modern art, this tour offers a fascinating glimpse into Málaga’s rich heritage.