Why Malaga’s only problem is its name!

Did you know that thousands of people of all ages come to study Spanish in Málaga every year? This may surprise you, but read on, and you’ll find out why.

Málaga city has just one major  problem – its name! “Málaga” unfortunately is also the name of the province that includes the resorts of Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella  and as a result many people think that Malaga is the just like them – you couldn’t be more wrong – “chalk and cheese” doesn’t do it justice. Luckily they are far enough away not to have any impact at all on life here in Malaga city.

Málaga is in fact one of the best destinations in Spain for studying Spanish and enjoying Spanish culture, and the facilities at the school in Málaga are second to none.

Málaga is an historic city dating from Phoenician times with a Roman amphitheatre (soon to re-open for open air theatre, opera etc) and historic old town surrounding the Alcazaba (Arabic Palace) and the Castillo de Gibralfaro. Its narrow  winding streets with their overhanging balconies almost touching overhead and small picturesque plazas are perfect for a stroll,  people watching and whiling away a few hours with newly met friends over a glass or two of wine and a few delicious tapas.

It is a Mediterranean city where 800 years of Moorish occupation have left their indelible mark in almost every aspect of life, but most especially in the wailing song, stamping feet and yearning passion of flamenco.

OK, so it’s old, but what about something more up-to-date? Well, this is the city of Picasso’s birth. There is a major Picasso gallery housed in a beautifully renovated 16th century palace and 2 other modern art galleries. A Thyssen Gallery is soon to open and Málaga is home to an important symphony orchestra and an opera house where you might be lucky enough to see Carlos Alvarez. In the bull ring you can of course watch a bull fight (many do) but you might much prefer a rock concert or flamenco show.

But there is so much more: the film festival (Antonio Banderas also comes from Málaga), the mysticism and ceremony of the Semana Santa, the exuberant fun-filled days and nights of the “feria” in August.

There are of course beaches and night life: the freshest fish and seafood (no “all-day English breakfast” here!) at Spanish prices in simple beachfront restaurants (the pure theatre of the “subasta” terrace of Tintero where the waiters shout the dishes they squeeze between the tables is not to be missed). The combination of sun, sea and Mediterranean temperament inevitably produces a night life to meet the exacting standards of the most demanding of hedonists.

So, come and check it out for yourself and discover why Málaga is a candidate for European Capital of Culture 2016, and why many thousands of people from all over the world have chosen it as their destination for a Spanish language course over the last few years.

James