Málaga, present & future
The city of Málaga has been sung, praised, painted, written about and, of course, loved. Her close to three thousand years of history have made her a modern Mediterranean city, between the cosmopolitanism of a large city and the elegant beauty of past centuries. In Málaga one can lose oneself in the historical old town; its parks and gardens, the Gibralfaro mountain; search for its temples; examine its museums; sasvour its hundreds of taverns...; but one thing is for sure: we will always feel at home, because Málaga is still the warm-hearted daughter of Andalusia. Once the 21st Century has begun, the city is beginning to transform itself, as was planned in 1994, but the aim now is for 2010.

Málaga, touristically speaking, has much to offer at any time of the year. The city and its surroundings form one of the most complete tourist destinations of the Costa del Sol, as it comprises beaches, golf, nature, gastronomy, coulture, monuments, leisure, landscapes, and best of all, its people. Like the anonymous people who walk up and down the Marques de Larios street, who purchase in the Atarazanas market or who enjoy hot chocolate and churros in Casa Aranda. They are the same who, drinking a few glasses of wine in the Antigua Casa de Guardia or enjoying some tapas in el Pimpi, share bar space and conversation with strangers; an entertaining conversation because there are thousands of stories of the legendary people of Málaga. At present Málaga's tourism offer is expanding and improving. Before, the congress and incentive sector was scarcely represented in the city, but now, with the new Palacio de Ferias y Congresos it will become the congress centre of the province and a reference point for Andalusia, because it will be one of the largest (41,000 m2) and most modern of the area. The sun and sand offer is also increased, by the extension of the Antonio Machado Promenade to the East, with eight kilometres more of beaches, added to the existing twelve, and which this year will also offer music.

the present: working for tourism
The historical events of the capital of the Málaga province, coveted by different nations as the gateway to the Iberian Peninsula and devastated by plagues and floods in the 19th century, have greatly mistreated its beauty.
Now, the malagueños are conscious of the tourism potential and instead of being a doorway to invasion, it is now the door open to millions of travellers each year, to become acquainted with the Costa del Sol and Andalusia; be it by air, land or sea. Thus, in 1994 all the administrations, whatever their political view, agreed to think of the city's future and the CIEDES Foundation was created, mainly for the development of Málaga and its future. Thus, tourism is no longer considered as transitory; it is time to plan for the future of Málaga, among other ways, as tourism potential, and thus the Málaga Strategic Plan was born, the basis of which is to create a quality tourism city, with the necessary infrastructures to absorb the influx of travellers and proudly become the capital of the Costa del Sol.
With the new century barely begun, we can now take stock of the progress, and we see that it is not far from the initial expectations, although the largest projects are still under way.

One of the main points of the Plan was the refurbishment of the Historical Centre, the recovery of the monuments and creation of an interesting museum network. Today, the two fortresses that preside over the city, the Gibralfaro catle and the Alcazaba, can now be visited. The Roman Theatre has been recovered, the Cathedral is again in great shape and the building facades have recovered their old splendour. Several museums have opened, such as the Municipal Museum and the Ermita de La Victoria, although the offer is still growing, with the Contemporary Art Museum (calle Alemania) and the Fine Arts Museum, which is planned to be housed in the Palacio de la Aduana, current Sub-delegation of the Goverment.
But the best is yet the old Fine Arts Museum, Museo Picasso de Málaga, in the Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista (calle San Agustín), one of the main points for tourism promotion of the capital and a key element for the international launching of the city as Picasso's birthplace.
However, this planning not only includes the improvement and expansion of the tourism offer, but also the extension and modernisation of the basic infrastructures for air, sea and land transport. Thus, the Málaga Port has been expanded with a new dock in order to welcome the large cruise liners that travel the Mediterranean and to offer its services, as it already receives over 250 cruise liners a year and 135,000 passengers.

But the Special Port Plan goes even further, the enclosure, which for many years was separate from the city, will be opened and large leisure areas will be built. Regarding land transportation, the Public Works Ministry is working on the high speed AVE railway, which will reduce travelling times between the main spanish and European capitals. Along with this, Renfe is planning to take underground the railways that divide the city in two and to expand the current central station. In addition, the new "super-ring road" is planned, which will create a new access and exit from the capital to the western Costa del Sol, and which will join the expressway to Estepona.
The Airport already has a new control tower and works will soon begin on the new runway; witch its services will expand to exced eight million travellers per year.

the future: a city project
Some of these projects are still to be approved, but the truth is that Málaga is developing slowly but surely, into the city project that many malagueños have dreamed of. The city is quickly increasing its metropolitan area to the northeast (Teatinos area), and slowly to the southwest (Guadalmar area). Specifically, the Marina Arraijanal is under construction, part of the Plan Bahia. This large project comprises a large shopping and leisure centre, Plaza Mayor, which is open, and a large golf course next to the neighbouring Churriana.

It is still soon to imagine the future Málaga city, but the aim is for 2010. Thus, the CIEDES foundation, which the main Málaga institutions are part of, is already studying the Strategic Plan II. This Plan comprises four main points, which will begin in this decade, such as: "City of Knowledge", "Culture City", "Coastal City" and "Urban revitalisation". As in the first Strategic Plan, anyone who so wishes can participate in the transformation of the capital. Thus, the democratic principle is taken to the maximum, in oder to have its inhabitants dreams come true, and to make it a desirable spot for visitors.

Basic data:
Size: 385.50 Km²
Metropolitan area population: 750,000
Population: 560,017 (September 2000)
Residents known as: Malagueños
Monuments: Alcazaba, Gibralfaro Castle, Roman Theatre, Cathedral and Cathedral Museum, Birthplace of Picasso.
Geographical situation: On the southern Mediterranean coast, 50 nautical miles from the Straits of Gibraltar and 527 from Madrid.
Tourist information: Central Tourist Office. Avenida de Cervantes, 1.
Phone: 952 604 410 Fax: 952 214 120

Places to be visited:
Alcazaba
This is a Moorish construction of the 11th to 14th centuries, residence of the court and the soldiers that guarded it. It is certainly one of the most important historical buildings in the city, its outstanding architectural element being the tower that was built on Roman stone foundations and reconstructed in modern times. One of the inside arches, built in brick and stone, is especially interesting. Visiting times are 8.30 to 7 p.m. every day except Tuesdays, and entrance is free. Due to restoration work in progress, only part of the building is currently open to the public.

Gibralfaro Castle
The Gibralfaro Castle, due to its strategic position on top of the hill, was an important element in the defence of the city. For this reason, perhaps, the city grew beneath the hill, and here have been found numerous archaeological remains. The recently restored castle now has an Interpretation Centre (not in the language sense) and a museum. Opening hours are 9.30 to 6 p.m., and entry is free.
Roman Theatre
This dates from the 1st century B.C., during the time of the Emperor Augustus. The Germanic invasions of the 3rd century A.D. left the building in ruins, and its stone blocks and columns were later used to build the Alcazaba, currently under restoration.

Catedral and Cathedral Museum
This is popularly known as La Manquita, since one of the towers was never finished. The interior is in the Renaissance style of the 16th century, while the main façade belongs to the 18th century baroque style. Building work began in the 16th century and since then the cathedral has undergone a great deal of restoration work. Of special interest on the outside is the relief sculpture of the Annunciation and the patron saints of the city, San Ciriaco and Santa Paula. Opening hours 9 to 6.45, closed on Sundays and festivals.
Picasso birthplace
The seat of the Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation is here, inaugurated by the King and Queen of Spain in 1988. Housed inside are a total of 2,500 pieces, ranging from ancient Iberian art to the contemporary, along with the Picasso works donated by his heirs. These comprise ceramic and graphic work dating from 1923 to 1971. The Foundation is involved in three different areas of activity: the Documentation Centre that specialises in the works of Picasso, the organisation of events related to contemporary art and the Museum itself. It is situated in the Plaza de la Merced, and opening times are 11 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., opening only in the mornings on Sundays. Documentation Centre

Jardín de La Concepción
These gardens are beside the Park, and are considered to have one of the best collections of tropical and sub-tropical plants and flowers in Europe. It was built by the Malaga nobility in the 19th century, and has a small archaeological museum with pierces from the Roman period. Carretera de las Pedrizas. Open: 10 a.m. beginning of final visit of the day and closing time: 7.30 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Tel: 952 25 21 48.
Museum of Arts and Popular Customs
Antiguo Mesón de la Victoria, built in 1632. Pasillo de Santa Isabel. Opening times: from 10 to 1.30 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. Closed Saturday afternoons and Sundays.

Fiestas:
There are two festivals in Malaga that stand out from the rest: Holy Week and the Malaga feria. The first is essentially a religious event, with processions through the streets during nine days of devotion, and all the solemnity and colour of the traditional Holy Week celebrations. The feria, on the other hand, is fun, and Malaga’s August feria is one of the most famous in all of Spain. People from all over the world come to it, to share in the music, singing, flamenco performances, and to soak in, for a full week, the atmosphere of an authentic Andalusian feria. There are two parts to the feria: the city centre in the mornings and the feria grounds at Cortijo de Torres at night, and the fun goes on until dawn every day. Apart from these two great festivals, there is also Carnival time in Malaga in February, an ancient tradition that had been lost and recovered again about twenty years ago. The Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses) honours the patron saints of the city, San Ciriaco and Santa Paula on June 18th; Corpus Christi is on June 6th, the Night of San Juan is on June 23rd, the processions for the Virgen del Carmen take place on the Sunday following July 16th and the Virgen de la Victoria festival takes place on September 8th.

Gastronomy:
Fried fish is the dish that Malaga is famous for. It comes in all shapes and sizes, fried in many different ways, eaten in many different places - from the beach to the most expensive restaurants – and always served with that friendly flair that is the essence of Malaga City. Seafood is also important in the gastronomy of this city, with Malaga clams a speciality that should be tried by everybody. The land around the city is rich in fruit and vegetables, and the mountains filled with game, and this reflects too in the gastronomy of the city. Cooked with olive oil, this is Mediterranean cuisine at its best, and here one can eat the best of the various dishes that the province and city is known for far and wide: gazpacho andaluz, ajoblanco (made with almonds, garlic, virgin olive oil, stale bread, muscatel grapes, vinegar and salt), gazpachuelo (fish and seafood soup with mayonnaise sauce), the various mountain dishes and. Of course, sardines on the spit.