Malaga, Spain

 26/11/2025

Another stunning Spanish Port on Costa del Sol, we berthed at Malaga (home of Pablo Picasso) at 7 am on another very nice day. Rather than spend the day in town we opted for a tour that takes us to a small mountain side village with great views over the Mediterranean Sea.

The village of Mijas is about 45 minutes west of Malaga on the side of a mountain. 


Our tour is a walking tour, but for those who need a bit of help getting around, donkey taxis are available.


It is a very attractive village with whitewashed buildings terraced up the hillside and cobblestone streets.


Town Hall

With a population of around 4,000 the town is built on several levels of which commercial activity seems to be confined to about 3 levels. on the lower level is the Town hall, bus arrival areas and shops and restaurants. It is the level we arrive on (below) also has a viewing platform.








Looking out over part of the village from the viewing platform

Next we visit a chapel built out of local stone, the Chapel of the Virgin of the Rock. It was built by Mercedarian Friars in 1548.





The chapel is quite small inside





Statue of the Virgin


The view from alongside that chapel was also quite spectacular.

Walking up to the next level of the town, we go through cobble stone streets with plenty of commercial activity. This village is obviously popular with tourists.


Old Flour Mill that is now a museum 



Cars, pedestrians, donkeys and horse driven carts all compete for space on the roads, not all of which are as wide as the one below.




Pastries and anything sweet are popular here


Formerly the Town Hall this building now houses the Municipal museum



The white building up on the hillside is the Calvary Chapel, quite a climb, but apparently great view


Lotteries are big here, especially the Christmas Lottery 


Leather goods seem to lead the handicrafts with many stores selling pretty much the same stuff







This walkway takes us to yet another lookout


Looking out over the Western side of the village

Finally we reach the upper level of the village where the feature is the Church of Immaculate Conception, built in the second half of the 16th century and renovated since.






This colourful fountain was added later, replicating a similar one in Barcelona. It has one interesting feature, the mosaic picture design replicates the church behind the fountain. 

On this level there is also an open air theatre (below)


The view at this level is also the best. We can see the Strait of Gibraltar


Gibraltar Strait

The twin peaked mountain on the left side is Jebel Musa, in Morocco, and the Rock of Gibraltar can be seen as a silhouette on the right hand side of this photo.

Also on this level is the Bull Ring, the only Bull Fighting ring in Spain that is oval in shape, not round.


Some of the seating is visible from the street



Ticket Sales


Main Entrance

After a few hours of walking and sightseeing, we are off to visit a local restaurant for some tapas and a glass of wine to tide us through till lunchtime. The restaurant was a real surprise as we entered through a small laneway door, went through a cosy indoor area to a sign that said Secret Garden and we emerged into a lovely courtyard garden where we settled in for our snack.



Once the tapas and wine is consumed, we have some free time to wander around or shop before meeting back at the level we arrived on at 1.15 pm for our trip back to the ship.

It was a very nice way to spend a morning, very relaxed and great scenery.

It was about 2.15 pm by the time we were back on board. The city centre of Malaga is a good 45 minute walk from the ship or there is a shuttle bus. We decide we have done enough for the day and stay on board and relax.

Viking Saturn cast off at around 6 pm for our journey back to Barcelona to complete this cruise. Tomorrow is an at sea day and we plan to berth in Barcelona at 7 am on 28th.



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