The biggest city on Andalusia’s Costa del Sol is well known as a draw in summertime, with historic landmarks (including the Alcazaba, a very impressive Moorish castle), culture (where Pablo Picasso got his start, with a number of excellent art and other museums), excellent nightlife, and more. But it’s also popular with Spaniards as a winter getaway thanks to its mild climate (with daytime highs reaching 17.5? Celsius/64? Fahrenheit). Another reason to visit Málaga during Yuletide in particular, as noted by the website EuropeanBestDestinations.com: its magnificent holiday light displays.
From 29 November to 6 January, seven Christmas trees scattered throughout the city are decked out in holiday finery for another season in combination with various mercadillos (Christmas markets) dotting the city centre, the best known of which is down at the port at the the dining/shopping/entertainment complex Muelle Uno. Poinsettia and Nativity displays abound, as well as roasted chestnut stands and wickerwork figures dotting the streets and squares. Punctuating it all throughout is festive lighting along with evening street concerts and musical stage shows at venues like the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet mall (which by the way also stages its own spectacular light show).
And of course the season culminates in the Reyes Magos (Three Wise Men, aka the Three Kings) parade on Epiphany, 6 January, in which Balthazar, Gaspar, and Melchior toss out sweets and toys from their float to the good little girls and boys lining the route.
So for some Mediterranean holiday cheer next year, why not “Málaga the Beautiful”? Use your Iberia Joven discount to book a flight here for a balmy and festive Yuletide indeed.
Photo:?Sushuti
