Car Hire Links

Car Hire Home >> Site Map >>

Malaga, with the name ‘Malaka' (fish salting place), was founded by the Phoenicians about 800 BC. Malaga was named Flavia Malacita by the Romans when they arrived in 202BC , They turned Malaga into an important city, as it was connected with other Roman centers on the Peninsula and harbours of the Mediterranean Sea. The Roman Theatre, at the bottom of the Arabian fortress 'Alcazaba', is from this era, and despite its small dimensions, is one of the most ancient in the entire Spanish region.Malaga fell under the Arabs’ domain in 743, and was converted into a flourishing town, surrounded by a wall with five huge gates. Numerous suburbs composed the town with a route across from east to west connecting the harbour and the Alcazaba with the interior district of the wall.

Though the first attempts of conquest took place in the 14th Century, it was not until near the end of 15th Century when the Catholic Kings managed it. Malaga was conquered on the 19th August 1487 (the last town to be conquered was Granada in 1492). Along with the conquest, religious communities were fundamental in urban growth, as they produced the integration of the surrounding suburbs. A period of optimism was followed by a downturn in Malaga's fortunes. The 16th & 17th centuries were plagued by epidemics & bad harvests, in addition to economical crisis as a result of the expulsion of the Moors.

Some more info on Malaga

The harbour was constructed in the 17th century and was extended later on. Although the works on the Cathedral started in 1528, it was not finished until the 18th Century, when Baroque was in an advanced state. Another extension of the harbour was completed at this time, hoping to bring back some of the growth from before. In the 19th Century, Malaga began an important development of urban planning where one started to notice a clear difference between the industrial area and residential. The main streets ‘Calle Marqués de Larios' and ‘Alameda' were opened.

The first decades of the 20th Century were not very prosperous but from the Sixties onwards, the tourist boom in Spain has transformed Malaga. Millions of people have chosen Malaga as the town for their holidays, and thousands as their ideal place to live. Malaga has become the fifth most important town of Spain, and is one of the modern European capitals, enriched by international diversity and a mix of different cultures. Since 1992 Malaga has enjoyed a huge boost in it’s infrastructure, and it’s airport is one of the most important in Europe.

The present city of Malaga,with its approximately 550 000 habitants, is the second largest city of Andalusia,(it lies about 370 km to the south of Alicante along the Costa del Sol.) One of the nicest areas of Malaga is the Harbor. Particularly so because it has a lovely park alongside it where you can relax from the sometimes busy city. The Paseo del Parque pathway leads you from the Plaza de Marina to the Plaza de Toros (bullfighting arena.)

Malaga’s Old Town is west of the cathedral. Worth a visit, the market hall with its impressive marble entrance door, displays some of what the city has to offer. Outside the market hall, you will find many nice bars and restaurants in case you are of need of refreshment yet.... Malaga, actually all of Spain, loves it’s Ferias and Fiestas