Today we did something new for us – we each took a shore excursion with the ship.  These always cost considerably more than doing a tour with a third party, or exploring on your own.  However we had some credit, so my tour was effectively free, and Ian’s was cheaper than I could find elsewhere.  Both had the advantage of departing from and returning to the ship, rather than from a meeting point in town.  We’ve heard mixed reviews of these excursions, but figured the only way to find out for ourselves was to actually go on one.  Ian chose a guided hike of the famous “Caminito Del Rey” trail, in the mountains about an hour north of Malaga; he will write about this separately.  My tour was in Malaga town, visiting the Gibralfaro Castle, the Alcazaba Palace and Gardens, and the Cathedral. 

We were sorted into groups in the theatre, before being ushered to our respective coaches.  Ian’s group had about 14 people, while mine had 52.  My expectations were low. Our bus was completely full, and I expected to be shuffled around in sheep-like fashion.  As soon as our guide, Juan, got onto the microphone, I realised two things.  1 – he was a bit of a character with a fun sense of humour; and 2 – he knew his stuff.  We had a quick drive through town, seeing the beach and the expensive apartments, the lovely palm-lined waterfront park, and some grand civic buildings.  We quickly figured out that Juan’s favourite saying was “Very Nice!”

The bus wound its way up the steep narrow road to Gibralfaro Castle, where only the walls remain. We could see people walking slowly upwards, via the trails that snake through the forest between castle and town.  The temperature was already in the high 30s, so I was glad not to be doing that today.  Our stop was not to see the castle, but to look out over the city and the famous Costa Del Sol and its many holiday resorts stretching as far as we could see.  We could also see Malaga’s bullring – bullfighting is still popular here, although in other parts of Spain and Europe it has been banned, or watered down so that the bulls are not killed in front of the audience (of course they are slaughtered for meat afterwards).

Returning to the centre of the city, we left our bus behind for the next couple of hours.  The Alcazaba Palace was built using the same structure as the Alhambra in Granada.  There are a myriad of pathways, corridors and courtyards, with gardens, fountains, balconies, archways and staircases everywhere.  We were taken from top to bottom as we explored the labyrinth. 

After emerging at ground level, we saw the Roman ampitheatre and the little glass pyramid, in the middle of the marble-paved pedestrian shopping street. Our guide ducked through a doorway, beckoning us to follow.  Inside was a sumptuously decorated float used in the annual Processional parade, requiring a lot of very strong men to carry it on their shoulders.  Next we visited the square opposite the house where Pablo Picasso was born; there is a statue of the famous artist.  Antonio Banderas was also born in Malaga, but he doesn’t have a statue; nor did I see him in the flesh, sadly. 

From here it was a short walk to the Cathedral, a magnificent structure inside and out.  Inside it was dark and mercifully cool.  The ceiling soared high above our heads.  Everywhere we looked were stained glass windows, rich paintings and sculptures, cedar carvings, and silver and gold.  Outside were enormous columns of rose marble.

En route we spotted a temperature display on a building, which read 45 degrees!  In the sun it felt like a furnace; mercifully there was a sea breeze wafting between the buildings. Now we had some free time to devour a delicious orange and choc chip icecream (the bear made me do it…), before being bussed back to the ship and the pleasure of chilled facecloths, cold drinks, and air conditioning.  I’d found the tour much better than I expected, and Ian reported the same.

We had plans for a stroll along the pier, but the heat put paid to that; it was still in the high 30s when we sailed away at 7pm.  Despite the baking heat, Malaga is a beautiful city, pedestrian friendly with lots to see and do.  I’d be happy to have a return visit some day.  Maybe not in August though.