Malaga is a populous city in Andalusia and is the southernmost sizeable city in Europe. It is on the Costa del Sol which is a popular holiday destination due to its sunny climate and beautiful beaches. The subtropical climate makes the Malaga area very popular with retirees during the mild winter months with average temperatures reaching 17C (63F).
Malaga was founded about 2,700 years ago by the Phoenicians and its history covers Roman, Moorish and Christian eras. As well as tourism, Malaga has a high tech Science Park and many of the 568,000 residents are employed in the construction industry. As well as its historic harbour and beaches, Malaga is surrounded by mountains and is situated on two rivers, the Guadalmedina and the Guadalhorce. Malaga was the birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso and the Museum of Picasso has a fine collection of his celebrated modern artworks.
Malaga's oldest attraction is the remains of the Roman theatre which was only uncovered in 1951. There is a pleasant walk up the hill to the dominating castle on Mount Gibralfaro and the old Moorish Alcazaba fortress which once defended the city from pirates. The magnificent baroque-style cathedral and the Episcopal Palace in the city are both well worth visiting.
The most popular attractions in Malaga are the beautiful beaches in the area which boast fine golden sand and warm blue Mediterranean waters. Surfing, windsurfing, swimming, tennis and golf can all be enjoyed in this sunny region. There is also a popular palm-lined promenade for strolling through the Paseo del Parque to the harbour.