Malaga (Spain)

Malaga is a major port city and cruise port to Granada - the capital city of the province Granada (Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain). The city covers a total area of approx 398 km2 (154 ml2). By population (around 580,000) it is ranked Andalusia 's 2nd-most populous (after Granada) and Spain's 6th-largest. Malaga is located on Costa del Sol (Western Mediterranean Sea), approx 100 km (62 ml) east of Gibraltar and 130 km (81 ml) north of Africa.

• Around 6 million tourists visit the city each year. Usually, the most visited are the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and Museo Picasso Malaga, Carmen Thyssen Museum, as well as the old town and the beaches. Malaga harbour is the 2nd busiest cruise port of Iberian Peninsula.
• A nice walk leads up the hill to Gibralfaro castle, offering panoramic views over Malaga city. The castle is next to the old Muslim palace Alcazaba, which in turn is next to Malaga inner city. Other nearby attractions include the Roman Theatre, the Cathedral, the Church of Santiago and the old Jewish quarter.
• Another walk follows Paseo del Parque promenade running alongside a grand park with palm trees and statues. The promenade ends in the major commercial street of the city,  Calle Larios. There is also the curious Museum of the Holy Week, including a display of Baroque ecclesiastical items.
• The area is popular with its amazing beaches and culture. The Holy Week celebration, August Malaga Fair (Feria de Malaga) and Malaga Film Festival are the 3 major events held in the city.
• Malaga is popular as "the capital of the Costa del Sol". The port city is served by Malaga Costa Del Sol Airport, which is one of the first established in Spain and the oldest still in operation. 

Port Malaga

Founded by the Phoenicians, Malaga as port is operated continuously since 600 BC. It is among Mediterranean's busiest seaports and is ranked Spain's second largest (after Barcelona), with annual trade volumes of over 428,623 TEUs (containership cargo) and over 650,000 cruise ship passengers.

• Port's main activities are cruise passenger shipping and cargo import (containerized, break bulk, vehicles).
• The first major port development was in 1900-1910, when the port was extensively reconstructed and modernized. In that period were expanded all quays and was completed the Maritime Station (passenger terminal).

The port has all 10 wharves in operation:

• East Quay (main cruise port)
• Ricardo Gross Quay 1 (dock for megayatchs and small cruise ships)
• Guadiaro Quay 2 (cruise vessels)
• Canovas Quay 3 (Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax vessels / ferries)
• Hereida Quay 4 (RoRo vessels / car carriers, bulk liquid and break bulk cargoes)
• Quay 5 (Floating dock for shiprepairs)
• Romero Oak Grove 1 Quay 6 and Romero Oak Grove 2 Quay 7 (bulk liquids and dangerous cargoes)
• Multipurpose Quay 9 (container ships, Ro-Ro vessels)
• Soft Port 1 (bulk liquid cargoes)

All quays are connected via roads and railways. Port Malaga can be accessed via 2 Highways - A7 (Barcelona-Cadiz, running along the coast) and A45 (Córdoba-Malaga).

• Port's main business is cargo imports, with total annual volumes over 3 million tons. Of these, around 2 million tons are break bulk cargoes, including cement, clinker / waste coal, cereals, grains, petcoke, fertilizers. Exports include processed food and construction equipment.
• The annual boxship cargo trade is over 450,000 TEUs (containers). Annual liquid bulk is approx 70,000 MT (mainly olive oil). 
• The annual cruise passenger shipping traffic is around 211,000 (embarking tourists) and over 220 cruise ship calls. 

The Mario Lopez Shipyard (part of Cernaval Group) was founded in the early 1980s. The yard's current annual business volume is over 40 shiprepairs,

Future port development plans include:

• (Hereida Quay 4) refurbishment and expansion (new 500 car spaces to be added) - budget EUR 33 million
• (Guadiaro Quay 2) building a new cruise terminal, port museum, education centre - budget EUR 22 million
• (Ricardo Gross Quay 1) expansion of the yacht marina, adding new 24 slots for megayachts with LOA length up to 30 m (98 ft)
• (Eastern Quay) the passenger terminal will be redesigned and enlarged (to 1270 m2 // 13670 ft2) to double its existing annual passenger capacity (up to 560,000). The new terminal will include 2 heights and 2 berths (ship docks - Southern and Northern) - budget EUR 21,3 million.

Highlights: Gibralfaro castle, Alcazaba fortress, Granada, Ronda

Malaga cruise terminal

Malaga tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

• La Alcazaba: dates from the 11th century. It is constructed on the Phoenician-Punic origin old fort. Located on the Mount Gibralfaro hill.
• Gibralfaro: the castle name is after a Phoenician beacon.
• Roman Theatre: dates from the 1st century BC. It is built in the Roman city by Emperor Caesar Augustus. Located next to the Cathedral. Castle of Gibralfaro and Alcazaba are in adjacent.
• Picasso’s Birthplace (Museum), Fundacion Picasso: Pablo Picaso was born in 1881 in Malaga. His home is located in the Plaza de La Merced and currently it is the Picaso Foundation’s headquarters and a historic monument with artistic heritage.
• Tivoli World: located in Benalmadena. This amusement park is the perfect place for whole the family.
• The Cathedral: built over a former Great Mosque. It combines Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles.
• Sagrario Church: next to the Cathedral.
• Santiago Church: the church where in 1881 was baptized Picaso. It is on Calle Granada.
• Palace Marqués de Valdeflores: located in calle Carreterría.
• Bishop’s Palace: or Palacio Episcopal. It dates from 1762. Bishop’s Palace is located to the Cathedral. Among the most beautiful places to visit in Malaga.
• Customs Palace: or Palacio de la Aduana. Dates from 1788. It was built to manage the port’s traffic.
• Malaga Bullring: dates from 1867, located in La Malaguerta.