The tour starts from Estacion de Autobuses in Malaga. On this Hop-On-Hop-Off tour, you have the freedom to plan your own sightseeing itinerary. With 13 stops covering all of Malaga’s main attractions such as Castillo de Gibralfaro, Jardin Botanico and Museo Picasso among others, this tour provides the perfect introduction to city.
Your ticket is valid for 24 hours from when you first board one of the buses. Buses run from 0900h - 2000h (09:00am - 08:00pm) around every 30 minutes. Your ticket allows you unlimited use, meaning you can hop-on and hop-off as many times as you like at any of the designated spots! There is multilingual commentary on this tour. The stop points include:
• La Alcazaba: The Alcazaba (meaning, fortress) was built in the 11th century for King Badis of Granada and served as the palace of the governors of the city. It is regarded as one of the most important buildings from the Moorish era. Inside the palace there is an interesting archaeological museum. The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens with fountains and ruins of a Roman amphitheatre.
• Cathedral: This cathedral was built over a mosque after the Catholic kings conquered Malaga from the Moors. Its construction was first ordered in 1528, but it remained unfinished until 1728. Appreciate its chapels, Capilla Mayor and Capilla del Sagrado Corazon, and the beautiful choir-stalls.
• Castillo de Gibralfaro: Originally it was a palace built by the Phoenicians, but in the 14th century Moorish Caliph Yasuf I constructed a fortress over it. Interestingly, two of its towers are connected by channels with the Alcazaba. It is a great place to enjoy panoramic views of Malaga and its harbour.
• Casa Picasso: This was the place where legendary artist Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born. It became a heritage site in 1983; the Picasso Foundation took over in 1998 and turned it into a research centre. You will come across a collection of Picasso’s prints, ceramics and illustrated books along with pieces of contemporary art by over 200 different artists.
• Museo Picasso: At the museum, you will come across works from all periods in its permanent collection. The museum is dedicated to Pablo Picasso, whose styles and techniques changed the course of modern art. The collection comprises paintings, ceramics, drawings, engravings and sculptures by Picasso and other artists.
• Plaza de Toros (La Malagueta): Situated close to the Malagueta beach, it is an amazing bullring designed by Joaquin Rucoba. Built in Neo-Mudejar style with a seating capacity of 15,000, it is home to some great bullfights in Spain.
• Teatro Romano: The Roman Theatre of Malaga lies at the foot of the Alcazaba in the western part of the city. It dates back to the first century, built during the empire of Augustus. The theatre is 16 metres tall with a radius of 31 metres and has three main stands and gateways.
• Ayuntamiento: City council of Malaga.
• Playa la Malagueta: The beach of Malaga is a nice place to go for a stroll. You could simply lounge on the beach and soak up the sun.
• Santuario de la Victoria: The church is located in the place where catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, set up camp during the siege of Malaga. It was built between the 15th and 18th centuries. It houses the image of the patron saint of Malaga, Santa Maria de la Victoria.
• Cementerio Ingles: It is the first Protestant cemetery in Spain. In the cemetery, you will come across the chapel of San Jorge and a set of burial monuments and tombs.
• Mercado de las Flores: It is a popular flower market in Malaga.
• La Concepcion (Jardin Botanico): It is a beautiful landscaped garden built about 150 years ago by the Marquess of Loring. Declared a heritage site in 1943, it is home to about 5000 different plants.
You may choose to conclude this tour at any of the stops mentioned above as per your convenience.