Planning a Trip

Getting There

Travelers from North America must transfer for Málaga in Madrid or Barcelona. From within Europe, some airlines (including British Airways from London) offer nonstop flights to Málaga. Iberia has frequent service. Flights can be booked through Iberia's reservations line (tel. 800/772-4642 in the U.S., or 90-240-05-00 in Spain; www.iberia.com).

At least five trains a day arrive in Málaga from Madrid (trip time: 4 hr.). Three trains a day connect Seville and Málaga (trip time: 3 hr.). For ticket prices and rail information in Málaga, call RENFE (tel. 90-224-02-02; www.renfe.es).

Buses from all over Spain arrive at the terminal on the Paseo de los Tilos, behind the RENFE offices. Buses run to all the major Spanish cities, including eight buses per day from Madrid (trip time: 7 hr.), five per day from Córdoba (trip time: 3 hr.), and 10 per day from Seville (trip time: 3 hr.). Call tel. 90-242-22-42 in Málaga for bus information.

From resorts in the west (such as Torremolinos and Marbella), you can drive east along the N-340/E-15 to Málaga. If you're in the east at the end of the Costa del Sol (Almería), take the N-340/E-15 west to Málaga, with a stopover at Nerja.

Visitor Information

The tourist office, Av. Cervantes 1 (tel. 95-212-20-20; www.malagaturismo.com), is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm.

Special Events

The most festive time in Málaga is the first week in August, when the city celebrates its Reconquest by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1487. The big feria (fair) is an occasion for parades and bullfights. A major tree-shaded boulevard, the Paseo del Parque, is transformed into a fairground featuring amusements and restaurants.