|
We've indicated the places of interest with numbers that correspond with the description of each place, the blue line represents roads and the green line represents pedestrian areas.
The Tour begins at our Bike Rental office in "calle Victoria".
- 01 - Capilla del Agua (Chapel of the Water)
The "Capilla del Agua", also known as "La Capilla del Rescate" (Chapel of the Rescue) because the statues from the "Semana Santa" (Holy week) procession "Cristo del Rescate y de la Virgen de Gracia" are worshipped here. It is a small chapel that originated from the processions and was constructed in 1800. The chapel is built in the baroque style and is typical of a terraced street chapel of the time. The statues inside were made by Castillo Lastrucci in the 1950's to replace the originals which were lost during the civil war. They are made of multi-toned wood and only the head, hands and feet are carved in detail as the rest of the body is coved in clothing. The building in front of the chapel is the "Casa-Hermandad de la Cofradía del Rescate” (association of the Brotherhood of the Rescue) and houses the thrones in which the statues are placed and prepared before being carried through the city during "Semana Santa".
- 02 - Capilla de San Lázaro (St Lázaro's chapel)
This chapel was founded by the Catholic monarchs in 1491 after the Re-conquest of Málaga and began its life as part of the hospital that was on the site. This hospital was originally built to care for people with leprosy. Today, only the chapel remains as the rest of the buildings were heavily damaged during the floods of 1628. After being repaired, the chapel played an important role during the epidemic of 1637 becoming the main refuge of the affected. The chapel is built in the mudéjar style and has only one nave. Since 1711, the chapel has been home to the “Hermandad Sacramental de Nuestro Padre Jesús de los Pasos del Monte Calvario y María Santísima del Rocío" (Sacramental Brotherhood of our father Jesus Christ of the steps of the Mount Calvary and Saint María del Rocío).
- 03 - Plaza de la Victoria (Victoria's Square)
The name of this square comes from its proximity to the "Santuario de la Victoria" (Victoria's Sanctuary), the patron virgin of Málaga. This square is also known as "Plaza de los monos" (Monkey's square), due to it having been the home to a pair of caged apes that livened up the square and its gardens. At the beginning of spring, the square bears witness to an explosion of blue jacaranda flowers. Also, in this square we can find canary palms, rose bushes, hibiscus flowers and bitter oranges.
- 04 - Basílica y Real Santuario de Santa María de la Victoria (Basílica and Royal Sanctuary of Saint María of Victoria)
The "Basílica" and "Real Santuario de Santa María de la Victoria" is one of the main churches of the city of Málaga, known for housing the statue of Santa María de la Victoria, patron saint of Málaga and her diocese. The church was constructed in 1487 in the place that the catholic monarchs camped out during their siege of the same year. Its stand out feature is the magnificent altarpiece above the main altar. In the crypt below is the family tomb of the Counts of Buenavista who were responsible of the construction of the church in the XVII century.
Heading Down "Calle de la Amargura" until the "capilla de San Lázaro" and turning on to "calle Ferrándiz". The climb to Gibralfaro starts here.
- 05 - Gibralfaro
The Gibralfaro castle is a great fortress with a double enclosure that in its day contained “aljibes” (cisterns) large enough to supply 5.000 men with water. It was constructed during the XIV century, by Yusuf I of Granada, above an old Phoenician enclosure which contained a lighthouse ("faro" in spanish) and provides the name Gibralfaro (Jbel-faro or hill with a lighthouse). Due to the spread of artillery usage it was considered necessary to build the fortress to protect the "Alcazaba" which was left defenceless if attacked from the hills above. The "Gibralfaro" castle and the "Alcazaba" are connected by a set of double walls known as "coracha".
The castle is famous for having being the final stage of the Re-conquest of Málaga by the Catholic monarchs in 1487. After a 3 months siege the kings army managed to take the Gibralfaro which was being defended by 15.000 "gomeres" (Berber tribesmen) and warriors "malagueños". They only gave up after they were starving. After the siege, Fernando el Católico (Fernand, the catholic) set up residence here while his wife Isabel I de Castilla (Elizabeth the first from Castilla) choose to live in the city.
We are now in the highest point of the city from which we can see magnificent views of Málaga. To continue the tour we go back down "Camino de Gibralfaro" until we reach "Paseo de Salvador Rueda" at which point we turn right and follow until we reach the beach.
Malagueta
We are now in a very popular area of the city: the Malagueta beach and its famous neighbourhood. The Malagueta neighbourhood and its beach have always been a favourite amongst the people of Málaga due to its proximity to the city and the port. From the middle to the end of the XIX century it was a busy neighbourhood full of fishermen's shacks which were neither organized nor planned. At the end of the XIX century this chaotic collection of shacks began to have various industries mixed among it, for example, a cannery, a shipyard, a sawmill, a wine cellar and probably the most famous of all, the power plant ("The Málaga Electric Company, Ltd") that was established on "calle Maestranza" in 1888 to provide energy to the entire area. Today, only the chimney remains.
Paseo Marítimo (promenade)
From here, we slowly bike along the pedestrian area, enjoying the sun and an amazing view of the sea. At lunch time, we can stop at one of the “chiringuitos” (beach bars) and try some of the delicious fresh fish and seafood dishes.
- 06 - Palacio de Miramar (Miramar Palace)
On our right hand side is the old “Miramar Hotel”, previously called “Hotel Príncipe de Asturias”. It was built by the celebrated architect Guerrero Strachan, it was built between 1921-1926. It was here that Ernest Hemingway stayed while in Málaga in 1959. In 1987, it was remodelled to house the "Palacio de Justicia" (law courts).
- 07 - La Farola (Lighthouse)
At the end of the promenade is Málaga's lighthouse better known as "La Farola" or street light. It is 33 metres tall and appears to be the only female lighthouse in Spain. She was first turned on in 1817.
- 08 - Plaza de Toros (Bullring)
After "La Farola", we continue along the promenade towards "la plaza de toros" also called "La Malagueta". It was built in 1874 and is in the Neo-Mudéjar style and has a capacity of 14 000 people. The "Museo Taurino" (bullfighting museum) is also housed inside the bullring itself and offers a fascinating look into the world of bullfighting.
- 09 - Hospital Noble (Noble Hospital)
The “Hospital Noble” was built between 1866 and 1870 in the neo-gothic style and is named after Joseph Noble, an English doctor who practised in Málaga until his death from cholera in 1861. The hospital was commissioned and paid for by the widow and daughters of Dr Noble using the inheritance they received after his death. The intention was to give the people of the Malagueta neighbourhood and passing seamen their own hospital. The hospital is currently being used as offices by the Municipal Government.
- 10 - Fuente de las Tres Gracias (Fountain of the Three Nymphs)
Continuing along the pedestrian area of "Paseo de Reding" until arriving to the "Plaza del General Torrijos" with the "Fuente de las tres gracias" in the centre. The fountain (1878-79) consist of three female figures which represents the three nymphs, protectors of fresh water, who hold a scythe and oar which are symbols of reproduction and fertility. The outside border of the central bowl has twelve lions heads symbolizing the twelve signs of the zodiac.
- 11 - Jardines de Pedro Luis Alonso (The Pedro Luis Alonso's Gardens)
Built in 1945 and named after Málaga´s first post-civil war mayor, these gardens, along with the majority of public gardens and many of the buildings of Málaga were designed by Guerrero Strachan. The park is laid out following the design of a traditional latin garden. The aviary and the large pond in the centre of the park offer refuge to swans and other birds.
- 12 - Jardines de Puerta Oscura (Gardens of the Dark Gate)
The "Jardines de Puerta Oscura" are located at the foot of the castle. These lovely gardens were also designed by Guerrero Strachan to transform the rugged slopes outside the castle walls into a series of terraces, paths and arbours. The gardens are not suitable for bike riding but you will not regret coming here another time to take a stroll along the intricate paths.
- 13 - El Parque de Málaga (The Park of Málaga) / Paseo de los Curos
"El parque de Málaga" is located between the "Paseo de los Curas" and "Paseo del Parque" and goes from the "Plaza del General Torrijos" and the "Plaza de la Marina". More than a traditional park, it's a walkway with gardens on either side. The layout is that of a Mediterranean garden with numerous subtropical plants and trees. It's one of the most important parks in Europe with concern to its exotic flora. The park was made between 1897 and 1921, and has since gone through various changes.
- 14 - Ayuntamiento de Málaga (Málaga City Hall)
Again, designed by Guerrero Strachan and his partner Manuel Rivera Vera. The building was inaugurated in 1919 and was built to satisfy two needs, the first being to provide the administrative space needed by the quickly developing city and secondly, to enhance the image of the city and convey the idea of progress and prestige. Not only did this building house the city hall it also contained the provincial high court and the first instance courts.
- 15 - Banco de España (The Bank of Spain)
The building next to the city hall is the Bank of Spain, constructed between 1933 and 1936 and is built in the neoclassical style.
- 16 - Edificio del Rectorado de la Universidad de Málaga (Málaga University's Vice-Chancellor's Office)
Was designed in 1923 by Teodoro de Anasagasti to house the post office and is constructed in the "neomudéjar" style and has since become an architectural landmark. It was used as a post office until 1986. In the basement of the building remains from the phoenicians, romans and arabs can be found and give an insight to the different periods and cultures in Málaga's history.
- 17 - La Casa del Jardinero (The Gardener's house)
The house was built in 1908 and served as the residence of the city hall's head gardener. Nowadays, it houses the office in charge of spearheading Málaga's desire to be cultural capital of Europe in 2016.
- 18 - Palacio de la Aduana (Custom's Building)
Going up “calle Nogales” we reach the “Plaza de la Aduana” just in front of the old “Palacio de la Aduana”. The building was designed in 1788 to replace the older customs building in “Puerta del Mar” and was finished in 1829. It was built to handle the port´s traffic. It was built in the Italian renaissance style with a central patio overlooked by the first two floors and the third floor is set back allowing for an open gallery. It is soon to house the Museum of Fine Arts.
From here if you wish to go to the historic centre of the city, go along "calle Císter" which will take you to the cathedral. To finish the tour and return to the office of bike2malaga continue up "calle Alcazabilla".
On your right is the Alcazaba and the ruins of the roman theatre. On your left is the back of the "Palacio de Buenavista", home to the Picasso museum and next to that the famous "Bodega El Pimpi" in which you can relax and celebrate the end of the Gibralfaro tour with a glass sweet wine while enjoying the view of the Alcazaba.
- 19 - Alcazaba (Arab Fortress)
The majority of the Alcazaba was constructed in the XI century, it was a palace/fortress for the muslim governors of the city. It is built on the summit of a hill and it's adapted to the relief. It is formed by two walled areas, the lower of which is a large space that follows the topography of the hill and surrounds the upper part completely. The latter, within which the palace and the archaeological museum are found, is also adapted to the lines of the hill and has strong defensive elements at each end. After the 1487 catholic re-conquest of Málaga, the Alcazaba was used as the royal palace and military barracks. At the end of the XIX century it was abandoned.
- 20 - El Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre)
The Teatro Romano is located at the foot of the Alcazaba. It was discovered in 1951 when a garden was being made outside the "Casa de la Cultura" (Cultural House). The theatre was built in the time of Augustus, in the I century B.C. and was used until the third century. After which it was used as a quarry by the Moors to restore the Alcazaba in which roman columns can still be seen.
- 21 - Museo Picasso (Picasso Museum)
This is Pablo Ruiz Picasso's museum in Málaga. Close to 200 artworks from the Málaga born painter are on permanent display here in the old "Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista" (Palace of the counts of Buenavista). The museum is located on "calle San Agustín" next to the pedestrian street "calle Granada".
- 22 - Bodega El Pimpi (El Pimpi Wine cellar)
In front of the Roman Theatre and next to the Picasso Museum is the famous bodega (wine cellar) "El Pimpi". This bar gives us the option of sitting inside one of its many interior rooms or on the outside terrace where you can try some of the typical tapas of the region with a glass of sweet wine and Málaga olives. Other specialities of this bodega are the cold soups such as "salmorejo" and "ajo blanco" which are typical of Andalucía.
Continuing along calle Alcazabilla to the Plaza de la Merced.
- 23 - Plaza de la Merced (Merced Square)
In this square we find both the obelisk that commemorates General Torrijos and the birth house of Picasso which also houses the Picasso Foundation. The square was an empty lot just outside the city wall and was used as a market and at the time was called "Plaza del Mercado" (Market Square). Later on, this square was known as "Plaza de Riego" in memory of the progressive XIX century general that lived in the square. Also in the XIX century the square became a recreational area for the bourgeois class. During this time there was a fountain in the middle of the square which was removed to make space for the neoclassic obelisk dedicated to General Torrijos and his men who were shot to death on Huelin beach on the 11th of December 1831.
- 24 - Casa Natal del Pablo Ruiz Picasso (Pablo Ruiz Picasso's birth house museum)
The house in which Picasso was born is located in the "Plaza de la Merced" and is also a museum with a permanent collection of lithographs and ceramics from various periods of the painter's life. This museum also has a collection of books illustrated by Picasso.
- 25 - Galería de la Fundación Picasso (Picasso Foundation Gallery)
Next to Picasso's birth house is the art gallery of the "Fundación Picasso" which organizes temporary expositions of contemporary artists with an emphasis on artists from Málaga. The admission is free.
Here we are at the end of our Málaga-Gibralfaro tour. We hope you have enjoyed! To reach our office continue up "calle Victoria" to number 15.
* This tour is put together as a Do-It-Yourself bicycle tour. We will not take responsibility for any inaccuracies of the map or possible complications during the tour, nor the state of the roads used for this tour. You are free to choose the paths and places in which you visit and are responsible for the well-being of the bicycle. We appreciate any suggestions or corrections to improve the tour for future travellers.
Sources: www.malagaturismo.com, Ayuntamiento de Málaga, Wikipediaand our own experiences with the local cuisine and bicycle tours.
-go up -go back to the page with tours |
SELF GUIDED TOURS 
