Malaga – Andalusia’s capital of culture

Malaga, for many years perhaps widely regarded a poor relation to Andalusia’s other famous city Seville, is starting to establish itself as a genuinely attractive holiday destination for those as much drawn by the city’s cultural appeal as its proximity to the beaches of the Costa del Sol. Indeed, given its application for European Capital of Culture, it seems the city is making a considered attempt to market itself as somewhere with far more to offer than just a conveniently located airport.

For art lovers Malaga is possibly best know as the birthplace of the 20th century’s brightest art star Pablo Picasso, a fact that has been recognised by the 2003 opening of the Picasso Museum. Of course there are a few Picasso museums dotted around Europe but I suppose this relatively new addition has a good claim to relevancy given the significance of Malaga to Picasso’s formative life. Most importantly the collection will not disappoint any admirer of the artist’s enduringly remarkable legacy. With two hundred works the museum is actually the third biggest Picasso collection in the world and does full justice to an artistic career defined by its remarkable prolificacy and restless stylistic invention.

What makes this collection particularly interesting is that these are the pieces that Picasso kept for his family and, fittingly, taken as a whole there is a movingly biographical feel to the collection. It has been said that the Malaga collection, perhaps better than any other, illustrates how Picasso’s oeuvre changed in tandem with his life.

Malaga offers numerous further Picasso related attractions for those whose appetites are piqued by the museum; in fact a holiday could very easily turn into something of a pilgrimage for art lovers. The most unmissable of these is undoubtedly the “Casa Natal de Picasso”, the artist’s birthplace. Set in the heart of historic Malaga the building dates back to 1861 and was rented by Picasso’s father between 1880 and 1883. It’s now home to the Picasso Foundation and plays host to a small display of the artist’s work and occasional exhibitions. Charmingly the square is still home to doves – one of Picasso’s central motifs.

Of course Malaga has more to offer than just Picasso. This is a city that reveals its true charms on closer inspection; whilst the modern developments that dominate the outskirts will do little to attract visitors delve a bit deeper into the historic center and you’ll find picturesque narrow streets and impressive Moorish architecture.

Malaga is particularly well served by many UK airports with regular flights. If you want to book a holiday, check out James Villas for Spain holidays, and Cheap Flights or Monarch Airlines for cheap flights to Malaga, we found flights from Stansted from around £58 inc. tax.

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