In addition to its stunning beaches and warm climate, in recent years the Costa del Sol has significantly increased the number of spaces and events on offer across the whole region, making the province of Malaga an ideal destination to visit all year round.
CULTURAL PLANS IN THE PROVINCE OF MALAGA
Do you want to enjoy a city break full of fun, culture and gastronomy? Then read on, because in this guide we suggest several different cultural activities (suitable for all ages, tastes, and budgets), which will allow you to escape the daily grind!
Malaga, the city of museums
When the Picasso Museum opened in Malaga in 2003, it marked the start of the unstoppable growth of the museum offer in the city. Because this museum (the most frequently visited in Andalusia) was followed by many others, over 40 in fact, including the Carmen Thyssen Museum, the Contemporary Art Centre (CAC), the Collection of the Russian Saint Petersburg Museum and the Pompidou Centre.
In addition to these internationally renowned art galleries, the province of Malaga is home to many other museums dedicated to different themes, adapting to all tastes and all types of people. Some of the most noteworthy include:
- The Airports and Air Transport Museum.
- The Interactive Museum of Music of Malaga (MIMMA).
- The Flamenco Art Museum.
- The Wine Museum.
- The Glass and Crystal Museum.
- The Bullfighting Museum in Ronda.
- The Mollina Nativity Museum.
And if you’re travelling to Malaga with the family, don’t miss out on the Alborania Museum – Classroom of the Sea, the Museum of Imagination and Carromato de Max, a miniatures museum located in Mijas Pueblo. The kids will love them!
The Costa del Sol: a picture-perfect destination
If visiting museums is not your thing and you prefer to enjoy the silver screen, you’ll be the star of your own story in Malaga. Besides the numerous film shoots that take place on the Costa del Sol (Netflix has chosen the city of Malaga on several occasions as the backdrop for some of its most successful series), the province hosts some of the most reputable film festivals on the national scene.
Save these dates, put them in your diary and buy your tickets as soon as possible, because we can assure you that they’ll soon sell out:
- Malaga Spanish Film Festival (March-April): With 25 editions under its belt, this festival has become one of the most important film events in Spain. It is worth visiting the Cervantes Theatre in the city of Malaga, if only to enjoy its red carpet.
- International Fantasy and Horror Film Week in Estepona (September): In addition to screenings of the contest’s participating films, during the festival there are conferences, samples and parallel events that are all available free of charge.
- Malaga Fantasy Film Festival (November): Organised by the University of Malaga and known popularly as Fancine, this festival was first launched in 1990, showcasing a wide selection of fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and horror film productions each year.
- Torremolinos Fantasy Film Festival (October-November): Coinciding with Halloween, each year the Torremolinos Conference and Exhibition Centre, located in the heart of the Costa del Sol, hosts a wide variety of films (fantasy, science fiction, suspense, horror, gore, animation, anime, etc.), with particular focus on the work of Malaga-based cinematographers.
- Benalmádena International Short Films and Alternative Films Festival (October-November): Dedicated to auteur cinema and independent films, each year this festival rewards the work of renowned artists on the national and international scene.
- French Film Festival (October): This event is considered one of the most important Francophone festivals in Spain. And it must be true because, year after year, the screens of the legendary Albéniz cinema in the city of Malaga fill up with film enthusiasts.
Pump up the volume: concerts and music festivals
Besides cinema, each year the Costa del Sol hosts several concerts and music festivals. Some of them are well established and internationally renowned, as is the case of Starlite Marbella and the Fuengirola Marenostrum Festival.
Others, by contrast, are less well known by the general public, but are equally attractive and appealing, giving you the chance to listen to first-rate artists of highly varied musical styles.
Here are some examples of the festivals held in different municipalities of the province: Camorock Fest (in Alameda), Ojeando Festival (in Ojén), Reggaeton Beach Festival (in Marbella), Ultra Beach and Fulanita Fest (in Fuengirola), Puro Latino Fest, Canela Party and Los Álamos Beach Festival (in Torremolinos) and Weekend Beach (in Torre del Mar). Of course, the city of Malaga is also home to music festivals, such as the Andalucía Big Festival, the Terral Festival, the Brisa Festival and the famous Oh, See! Malaga.
Dance, theatre, and literature
Performing arts and literature are also an important part of the cultural calendar of the Costa del Sol. Malaga boasts cultural events and activities practically all year round.
To name just a few examples, the Malaga Dance Festival is held each year at the Cervantes and Echegaray theatres in the city of Malaga, between the months of October and December. This festival brings together artists of the likes of Sara Baras and the Spanish National Ballet. Furthermore, the Malaga International Jazz Festival is also held in November, with over 35 editions to its name.
Literature takes centre stage at the different book fairs organised on the Costa del Sol. The most well-known is probably Malaga Book Fair (held at the end of April and coinciding with Book Day), although many others are held in different villages of the province: Marbella, Estepona, Ronda, Antequera, Mijas, Teba…
Gastronomic culture: traditional Malaga dishes
We cannot end this collection of cultural activities in Malaga without mentioning the importance of its gastronomy. Its stews and traditional dishes play a leading role at the different festivities and culinary festivals held each month in the inland villages of the province.
There are culinary festivals to suit all tastes, but the following eight are, without a doubt, our favourites:
- The Slaughter Festival (Ardales)
- Mondeña Soup Day (Monda)
- Wine Festival (Cómpeta)
- Day of the Anchovy (Rincón de la Victoria)
- Day of the Raisin (El Borge)
- Perotas Soups Day (Álora)
- Migas Festival (Torrox)
- Mosto Wine and Cured Meat Festival (Colmenar)
As you can see, there are plenty of cultural activities to enjoy in Malaga all year round. You’ll be spoilt for choice! So, jump on a flight and get ready to wow your five senses.
