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). By population (around 580,000) the city is ranked Andalusia 's 2nd-largest (after Granada) and Spain's 6th-largest (following Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza).

Malaga is located on Costa del Sol (Western Mediterranean Sea), approx 100 km (62 mi) east of Gibraltar and 130 km (81 mi) north of Africa. Around 6 million tourists visit the city annually. The most visited sites are Museo Picasso Malaga, Carmen Thyssen Museum, the Old Town, beaches. As cruise port, Malaga is Iberia's 2nd busiest (on the (Iberian Peninsula) - following only Barcelona.

A hill walking path leads to Mount Gibralfaro - offering a panoramic view of the entire city and also the Gibralfaro Castle. Other nearby attractions include Alcazaba Palace (11th-century fortification), Roman Theatre, Cathedral, Santiago Apostle Parish Church (16th-century), the old Jewish quarter. Another walking path follows Paseo del Parque promenade - running alongside a grand park (with palm trees and statues) and ending in Calle Larios (main commercial street in downtown).

The city is served by Malaga Airport - ranked by passenger traffic Spain's 4th-busiest (after Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca). The airport (officially Malaga-Costa del Sol) is located approx 8 km (5 mi) southwest the city and connects via international flights to 60+ countries. In 2017, the airport served ~18,6 million pax.

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 TEU-containers (containership units) and 650,000+ cruise ship tourists.

Port's main activities are cruise passenger shipping and cargo import (containerized, breakbulk, 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).

In late-January 2020, GPH (Global Ports Holding Plc) announced the purchase of the remaining Malaga Cruise Port concession shares from Malaga Port Authority for EUR1,5 million. The deal was via GPH's joint venture company Creuers Del Port de Barcelona SA. GPH (2004-founded, UK-based company, currently world’s largest cruise port operator) now holds 62% of Creuers' shares, with the remainder owned by RCCL (Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd). Before 2020, Creuers owned 80% of Port Malaga's concession and on Jan 29 purchased the outstanding 20%. Malaga Cruise Port manages all the 3 cruise ship terminals, which have combined pier length ~1350 m (4430 ft).

Port Malaga 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.

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.