Recently, I journeyed to Malaga, Spain for the World Sailing Conference. During my visit, I took some time to tour a couple of the Vincci Hotels for Zig Travel, as well as explore the local sites.
The Vincci Hotel Brand
For my brief 5-day stay, I reserved a room at the Vincci Seleccion Posada del Patio, located right on the edge of the historic center of Malaga. This property is one of 44 hotels under the ownership and operation of Vincci Hotels. With properties situated in prime locations across Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Tunisia, Vincci Hotels offers a diverse range of boutique establishments. Each hotel boasts distinctive décor and personality, yet all share a dedication to excellence, top-notch customer service, a commitment to environmental sustainability, and the preservation of heritage.
Photo: Hotel Vincci
The Vincci Seleccion Posada del Patio, where I stayed, provides an excellent example of the hotel brand’s commitment to showcasing the historic features of the property. During an intense renovation in 2015 the construction crews came upon the ruins of an ancient Arab wall! This discovery placed a halt on the hotel opening date, as the archeologists unearthed the largest and best-preserved section of the city’s Arab wall. The hotel meanwhile redesigned the property to capitalize on this amazing find and make it a focal point of the hotel. As you enter the lobby, you notice the clear glass floors that look directly down on the ruins of the wall. The hotel invites the public to come in and tour the underground maintained area of the wall.
During the week, I toured the Hotel Larios Diez, one of the newest Vincci properties. Located just about a 5-minute walk from where I was staying and right in the middle of the historic city center, this hotel opened about a year ago and was recently awarded the 5-star hotel recognition. The hotel is contemporary and modern in style, yet still preserves the historic details from its construction in 1821. The hotel has a total of 69 rooms. Six of the beautifully decorated suites even have private hot tubs on the outdoor balconies.
If you are visiting Malaga during any of the festivals, you will want to stay at the Hotel Larios Diez. The hotel has prime views of the month-long Malaga Christmas Festival of Lights. The 7 days of Easter processions in Malaga also go directly in front of the hotel. I was so impressed with the property when I visited, that I made it a point to go back to have dinner at their rooftop restaurant – I have to say, it may have been one of the best meals that I enjoyed while in Spain.
Malaga City Center
Both Vincci Hotel properties are ideally located for exploring Malaga. You are within walking distance of everything that you would want to see. You can explore a myriad of local shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. One of my favorite stops was at the Atarazanas Food Market. Besides fresh fruits and vegetables, the market has every type of seafood and fish you could imagine (and some that you may have never seen!) Butchers are showing off huge selections of meats. Everywhere you look, you see marinated olives, fresh olives, and olive oil from the local region.
For art enthusiasts a visit to the Picasso Museum and the Carmen Thyssen Museum is a must. According to locals, these two museums played a pivotal role in the growth of tourism in the city. Surprisingly, few of the museums required advance ticket purchases, so you can just walk in at your leisure.
The historic walls of La Alcazaba, a Muslim fortress, are also nearby. If you are feeling energetic, go up the hill to view the ruins of the Castillo de Gibralfaro, a Moorish castle from the 1300’s. The steep walk is worth it to experience the amazing fortress walls, castle, and views.
You can’t visit Malaga without going to the Port. During my visit, the Port was home to some beautiful yachts, including the 330’ M/Y “Dynasty” and a beautiful 150’ sailing vessel. The Port is a beautiful area to walk around. However, most of the restaurants and shops there had more of an American influence. If you want a more authentic experience, I recommend spending most of your time within the City Center.
Day Trip
My last day in Spain, I opted to rent a car and go to Alhambra, an easy 1.5-hour drive. After a few wrong turns in Granada, I eventually made it to the Alhambra parking lot where my private guide was waiting. With minimal prior research on Alhambra, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but it turned out to be an incredible afternoon. During my 4+ hour tour I learned so much more than I could have ever imagined about the era of the Nasrid Dynasty and the numerous rulers of that time. The artwork, tiles, and intricate stucco designs were breathtakingly beautiful. The guide did an excellent job highlighting how the Muslim and Christian cultures both influenced the palace. I was most amazed at the intricate systems and techniques used to move water throughout the palace. The fountains at Alhambra still function today using the 13th century engineering!
A few tips: Visiting Alhambra requires a lot of walking, so make sure that you have appropriate shoes. Also, advanced reservations and a passport are required for every foreign visitor. Make sure to go to the top of Alhambra, as the views are breathtaking.
Having just a short time left before having to return to Malaga, I took the opportunity to walk through the streets of Granada to visit some local shops and to stop by the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The Cathedral was completed in 1884 and is an important symbol of the city. It still serves as the main Catholic Cathedral for Spain and conducts weekly services.
Takeaways
I had never been to Spain before, but I can unequivocally say that I am looking forward to visiting again. Just a few small takeaways from my visit:
- Ride sharing, and taxis are readily available. Due to the traffic and the layout out of the streets (NARROW), I would not recommend renting a car.
- If you do rent a car, don’t speed in Spain! They have cameras everywhere. You may end up with a speeding ticket from the rental car company a week or so after you return home, as one of my fellow travelers did.
- The local cuisine in Malaga is quite good, especially if you enjoy seafood. Be prepared to eat late and stay late. The Spanish enjoy lingering after dinner for a glass of sherry and good conversation.
- Lastly, if you learned to speak Spanish in the US, like I did, then do not be surprised if you cannot understand a word of the Spanish that they speak! They speak in a “slang” type dialect that is very different from the Spanish spoken in the US and Mexico.
-Ty Christopher Olsen, December 20, 2023