With just over a week to go until Christmas, Málaga city centre is bustling with festive fun and excitement!
A walk through the streets of the city’s historic centre at Christmas time is an experience we would recommend to all who visit the Costa del Sol at this time of year. The stunning Christmas lights, mouth-watering gastronomy and magical ambience make for a truly wonderful visit to the Coast’s capital.
There’s lots going on in Malaga over Christmas; however, the four suggestions listed below are absolute musts:
#1: A Walk through the city centre to see the Christmas Lights
Málaga is well known for its impressive Christmas light displays and this year is no exception. The ‘Ayuntamiento’ (City Council) has splashed out (over 1,400,000€) on a breathtaking display of lights throughout the city, with the bulk of this budget going to the city’s main shopping street, Calle Larios. This year’s ‘Celestial Angels’ theme is made up of 4-metre-tall angels glimmering with gold and crystal sequins.
As if this wasn’t impressive enough, this year we welcome back the spectacle of a stunning light show to the sound of music. If you visit Calle Larios at 6:30pm. 8:00pm or 10:00pm, every evening until the 6th January, you’ll be able to watch the lights flicker to the sound of Christmas favourites like ‘Carol of the Bells’ and ‘Jingle Bells’.
The lights over Calle Larios will lead you up to the ‘Plaza de la Constitución’ where you’ll find a colourful 18-metre-high Christmas tree standing tall in the centre of the square. This is an ideal spot to grab that cherished holiday photo.
If you have time, make your way down to the ‘Muelle Uno’ shopping centre which is also beautifully lit up with Christmas lights. Located within Malaga’s main port, this really is the perfect place to enjoy a gentle stroll and make the most of the stunning views of Malaga City.
#2: Follow the Route of the Nativity Scenes
Nativity scenes form the backbone of Malaga’s Christmas traditions. These ‘Belenes’ or ‘Nacimientos’, as they are referred to locally, make for fascinating viewing.
Every year visitors have the opportunity to follow a special route to see many of the nativity scenes (Belenes) which have been put on display at various locations within the city’s historic centre. There are approximately 80 of these ‘Belenes’; however, if you don’t feel like looking at all of them, just make sure you don’t miss these particularly beautiful and, in some cases, unusual examples:
- The Belen in the Town Hall which is 150m2 in size!
- The Belen in the main Cathedral.
- The Belen in the Glass and Cristal museum which is made up of 140 Lladró figures.
Here’s a link to a page you can print with all the Nativity Scenes and their address.
#3: Visit the Traditional Christmas Markets
Malaga’s most famous Christmas market is located along the main avenue in the centre of the city (Avenida del Parque), this traditional Christmas market offers a wide and varied selection of products. If you’re looking for those last-minute Christmas gifts, this is your place. You’ll find Christmas decorations, jewellery, arts and crafts, decorative items for the home and lots more!
Another popular Christmas Market is the one located in the ‘Muelle Uno’ Waterfront. You’ll find fantastic arts & crafts for sale and you get to take in the amazing scenery of Malaga Port and it’s famous lighthouse.
#4: Visit the Botanical Gardens
Malaga’s La Concepción Botanical Gardens have put on a stunning Christmas light show again this year. A two-kilometre fixed route through the gardens offers visitors a magical experience with soothing music and a specially designed light display unlike anything you’ve seen before. There’s an entrance fee to see these lights but it’s well worth it! Be sure to book in advance as it can get busy as it’s been a real hit amongst locals and tourists alike.
If you’ve never visited Malaga at Christmas time, this is the perfect time to do so. From Sunset Beach Club you can just jump on the train or catch a bus (nº110 stops just outside the hotel and takes you to the centre of Malaga) and you’ll be enjoying the Christmas lights in Malaga City centre in no time. Don’t forget to let us know what you think in the comments below!
Merry Christmas!
P.S. If you’re looking for somewhere special to spend Christmas, take a look at the wonderful programme we have prepared here at Sunset Beach Club…
>> Click Here to see our Christmas Programme
