Discover Malaga: Spain's Most Underrated and Sunniest City

Explore the historic city center: Malaga wears its diverse history handsomely. There is something for history buffs of every generation to explore, whether that be the Roman theater, the Renaissance-era Cathedral or the Moorish Alcazaba.

Visit the Picasso Museum: Pablo may have lived most of his later life in Catalunya and France, but he was made in Malaga. The Picasso Museum is not the largest you will find but is very well maintained. If you have time, you can also visit his birth house. Museum lovers can enjoy the Centre Pompidou and the Malaga Museum as well.

Go for a food tour: Have a local guide take you through the central market of Ataranzas. Taste the best seafood in town and local delicacies like eggplants with honey, Malagan salad and much more!

Hikes for days: Being encircled by mountains, basically up to the seas, Malaga and the surrounding area offers plenty of majestic peaks to scale. Run around on it or just admire it from a distance. Popular ones include the Caminito del Rey and Torcal de Antequera. You can also just go for a nice uphill Sunday walk around the walls of the Alcazaba (the moorish fortress overlooking the city center) and up to the Gibralfaro viewpoint.

Take in the sun at La Malagueta (and other surrounding beaches): It would not be a trip to the Costa del Sol (the Sunshine Coast) without some time spent lounging on the beach. The best part is you don't have to go far. You can access it directly from downtown.

Fútbol aficionado? Malaga CF might be in the second tier of the Spanish pyramid, but they made it to a Champions League quarterfinal a little over a decade ago. Regardless of the league they ply their trade in, they routinely sell out their 30-,000-capacity stadium. They have one of the coolest (and most family-friendly) atmospheres I have witnessed in Europe. Plus, a football match in the sun is pretty tough to beat.

Day trips

Malaga is perfectly placed on the Costa del Sol to enable day trips to the rest of Andalucia. Whether you want to experience Marbella's flashy scene, the Alhambra in Granada, the bright lights of Sevilla or explore Gibraltar (and even Morocco), everything is just a drive away! As your Fora advisor, I can tailor whatever excursion you would like.

Restaurante La Deriva: In Malaga's SOHO district, this sleek eatery serves mouthwatering dishes and has a very comprehensive wine selection. Pro tip: order the pulpo.

Kraken: A modern take on tapas, right in the heart of the city's center. Order as much as possible and, as difficult as it will be, make sure to share! On another night, hop across the square to El Gallo Ronco for some classic Malagan dishes and live flamenco.

Tasca La Salita: This old-school taperia is undergoing a renaissance in the Malaga where the locals live.

La Cosmopolita: Experience rural Andalucian cuisine where the market dictates what is served.

La Antxoeta: The place where the markets fuse with haute cuisine and rock and roll!

Tasca Láska: This bistro bar in SOHO is heralded by many for its ability to fuse local Spanish fare with international flavors. They also have great desserts and an extensive wine list.

Sushi lover? Restaurante Carmen is the place to be.

Rooftop drinks: Fancy an aperitif before dinner? Or drinks after dinner? Maybe even a rooftop dinner? Then head to the rooftop of H10 Croma Malaga Hotel or OnlyYou Malaga Hotel.