Alcazaba, Malaga

Advantages: Spectacular site, fascinating history, beautiful buildings and gardens
Disadvantages: Crowds, especially guided tour parties

...the stream, or west over the modern city as it sprawls out onto the plain. The outer walls enclose the crest of the hill, perhaps 750 metres long by 250 at its widest point, not a vast area but one that encompasses a great variety of relics from different periods. At the western extremity, closest to the city, is the Alcazaba, the main keep or fortress. Next, working west to east, come the Nasrid palaces (yes, plural), the palace subsequently built by Charles V, the Partal gardens, the parador of San Francisco and the ruins of the convent of the same name, with still more gardens, and many significant defensive towers. Then, in case you haven't had enough Moorish architecture and horticulture, on an adjacent hill is found the Generalife, a retreat of courtyards and gardens where the sultans could seek solace from the cares of office... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: everything about the place is an advantage.
Disadvantages: the non smoking policy (for some)

...With the exception of Tenerife I usually tend to holiday places only once, preferring to try new places rather than return to ones I have already visited. I have been to torremolinos twice now though and a large part of the reasoning behind that is this wonderful hotel (Sol Principe). This hotel is situated alongside the beach of Playa mar approximately 2km outside the city of torremolinos. It is served by Malaga airport which is a little over 4 miles away and takes only a 15 minute transfer by coach to reach. On approach to this hotel the first thing that caught my eye was the size of the grounds it stood in but it soon became apparent why. This hotel is actually part of a complex which includes as well as the hotel itself the Apartments Sol Principito, a fairly large private car park, a sports area, gardens, a supermarket... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Cheap, lively, Spanish
Disadvantages: Dirty, noisy

...Malaga, despite its position and the popularity of its airport with tourist charter flights, is a genuinely Spanish city. It is not full of ancient monuments, but has a long history which goes back to Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans; there's an Arab castle dominating the town and the views fron the upper part, the Gibralfaro, are stunning. Don't miss the cathedral and the port (ferries to Morocco if you fancy Africa), but the best thing about Malaga is the centre for an authentic local shopping experience. Try the market hall for meat, vegetables and local specialities. It's not expensive and you can extend your evening with sweet local white wine, a visit to the novilladas in the bullring (start 11.00) and some real flamenco in Pasaje Chinitas, where even Lorca used to hang out.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful