Málaga Local Customs

August is Fiesta time in Malaga and the Malagüenos love the build up during the month. On the outskirts of the city a huge "village" is erected where the local businesses and the higher class resident will rent a Casita, a small marquee usually decorated in the family tradition, to hold their own party every night throughout the 10 days of Fiesta. They wil pasear up and down the central street of the village, in beautifully decorated horse and carriages, or on horseback with the señorita in full flamenco dress sitting behind her escort for the evening. In the city the locals will stroll the streets till the early hours dressed in their Malagüenan finery, stopping for a glass of malaga wine, a sweet sherry type wine, a plate of tapas and listening to the many musical groups playing throughout the town. Anything from Flamenco to heavy rock...theres something for everyone.
Now the downside to this as any expat living in Malaga will appreciate is that come August Malaga closes as does the majority of other Spanish cities! Very few offices or professional services are operating, you cant order any furniture, book an appointment, get your house painted...because its August! But hey...enjoy!!

Tapas...those great little plates of food served at the side of a drink. The word "tapa" comes from th old, old days of when a local would go in an old bar, order his glass of wine or beer, and to keep the flies off, the barman would place, normally, a slice of chorizo or salchichon ontop of the glass to cover it (Tapar:to cover) Sadly this free offer of tapas hardly exists anymore in Malaga especially in the tourist areas. Lots of surrounding villages still carry on the tradition, but dont expect it everywhere. Its still widely practiced in Granada tho!

Please don't confuse Malaga with the other 'British' holiday resorts along the Costa del Sol, Malaga is typically Spanish - you will not find a restaurant in the centre cooking 'Full English Breakfast' and unless you know some Spanish you will need to take a good phrasebook with you and swat up on the plane beforehand - just a few basic phrases will do!!

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This is a big thing in New Orleans where we hail from. We have never taken one since we have not had small grandchildren with us, But if you have the time (and the money) that is the good life. (We have by-passed gondolas too for the same reasons). Apparently the best place to hire one is alongside the South side of the Cathedral (nicknamed theHorseman's Door?)

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We visited Malaga during the days before Easter but unfortunately were not taken (there or in Seville) to watch the celebrations (too crowded for tourists or what?) Unlike the floats in a Mardi Gras these are man carried instead of on wheels. Note the long carrying bars! They must weigh plenty! Tons of flowers and other decorative materials are added and many carved statues and effigies from the churches. In the Paeo and the Alameda chairs and stands are erected for the upper classes.

I think that the most incredible thing about the Malaga customs is the way people celebrate Easter. If you have never been to this kind of celebration in the south of Spain before, I definitively RECOMMEND you to come here and see how amazing this is. I live in the north of Spain, and the way we celebrate easter has nothing to do with the way people celebrate easter in the south. You will see so many 'procesiones' every day!!! It´s impossible walking around without coming across with at least 3 or four procesiones. Each 'procesion' (i don't know how to translate it) consists of two thrones: Christ's Throne and the Virgin' throne. These thrones are very heavy, so about 100 people or so (i have not counted them but they are a lot!!!) are needed to carry it on their shoulders. The Christ's throne comes on the first position and behind him comes his mother who cries for his son. And between them there are lots of Nazarenos carrying candles, music bands...

100km from malaga,frequent direct buses...

TO AVOID:
*queuing for hours at alhambra booking office...
*an entrance ticket for hours later or...day(s) after!

EARN TIME,BOOKING ON INTERNET,with a credit card,choosing yourself date and best moment to visit!

with your internet copy,when in alhambra site,go first to the ticket office and change your copy into an entry voucher...

YOU ARE READY TO VISIT...

interesting web pages:
www.andalucia.org
www.webmalaga.com
www.granadatur.com
www.turiscordoba.es
www.promojaen.es
www.almeria-turismo.org
www.sevilla.org
www.turismoderonda.es
www.cadizturismo.com
www.sierradecadiz.com