The Festive Lights of Malaga 2024

SUMMARY

Dates: Thursday 28th November to Sunday 1st December  – 3 nights

Guide: Encarna Castillo, local guide

Walking Grade: Goat 1

Base: The Mariposa Hotel, C/Casas de Campos, 17 Malaga 29001

The Mariposa is on a pedestrian street in central Malaga. A short walk to the sea and the promenade where there are many seaside cafes and bars. Also very close to the street of lights with the fantastic festive light show.

Arrival: for 15.00 check in, settle in and meet at the Mariposa for a 18.00 briefing with your guide in the rooftop bar (tapas provided) A taxi costs approx 20 euros from the airport to the Mariposa hotel or there is a train into the city centre where its a 20 minute walk to the hotel or a 5 min taxi ride. The train is only a few euros

There are many flights or trains to Malaga so travel to suit you. We can organise additional nights at the hotel if you would like to stay longer in Malaga or we can help with planning a longer stay in Spain to soak up the winter warmth.

Departure:  Sunday December 1st – Sunday is the day when many museums are free. Encarna will brief you on what is available so people can choose their preference. We will have lunch together before departure so we recommend flights after 16.00 ( later if you are staying for lunch!)

Price:£960 per person in a solo occupancy room. If you bring a partner or friend and share a room the price is £760 per person. We will adjust invoices to reflect the  room you have booked once you have paid your £200 deposit .

What is included in the cost of your holiday:

• B and B ensuite hotel accommodation in a 4 star boutique hotel with spacious rooms, a buffet breakfast loved by previous guests. This accommodation was given 5 stars by our WW guests.
• Welcome drink and tapas on Thursday evening
• Thursday and Friday evening meals
• A Flamenco Show and tapas on Saturday evening
• A traditional Spanish Sunday lunch
• Guided walks – English speaking local woman guide
• Local experiences in restaurants and bars run by women

Not included:

• Travel to the Mariposa Hotel, Malaga
• Additional Drinks
• Travel Insurance – essential to have.

Download the brochure »

DETAILS

Malaga is a seaside city on the southern coast of Spain and known as one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Often passed by as people arrive at the airport and go straight to the beaches of the Costa del Sol. In December it comes alive with light and this trip will include a night walk to experience the festive illuminations known as some of the best in the world.

During our stay we will experience life as a local and walk the streets of the old city, stroll along the sandy urban beach and stop to experience the multitude of tapas restaurants and seafood shacks. We will learn about some of Andalucia’s most famous women.

For art lovers this is the birthplace of Picasso and there is the Picasso Museum to visit.  For market lovers there is a traditional old covered market where you can taste tapas galore and try Spanish wines.

There are parks, gardens, beaches and streets all to be walked and with sunshine most of the year we hope for some winter warmth.

Last year we swam in the sea, sat in the sun, ate at women run restaurants and had a fantastic sunset walk along the coast. Of course we were also blown away by the festive light show not to be experienced anywhere else.

ITINERARY

Our itinerary may change depending on the weather but you can expect to have a fun weekend in Malaga and the weekends programme includes:

Thursday  – Meet at the Hotel Mariposa from 5pm with a briefing with Encarna at 18.00 in the rooftop bar.

Airport train Renefe Train  to city centre costs only a few euro. It is a 20 minute walk from the Malaga Central Station to the Hotel Mariposa or a 5 minute taxi ride from the station. A taxi directly from the airport costs approx 20 euros. We will connect travellers so you can share taxi’s or travel into Malaga together.

Evening short neighbourhood walk and see the fabulous festive light show which is  quieter on a Thursday evening. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Friday

Breakfast 9-10.30am. After breakfast we visit the Mercado – a traditional market in the historical centre of Malaga . A chance to wander and try some local produce. We will stop for coffee/lunch at the Cafe Bruselas in the Plaza de Merced.

There will be free time in the afternoon to rest, to swim, to shop or to wander around or just sit and relax and watch the Malaga world go by!

Evening  – we walk from the hotel to the coastal area of El Palo – 6.4km approx. A beautiful coastal walk where we hope to see a gorgeous sunset. We will experience coastal Malaga and have dinner at Casa Manuel de la Lonja. After dinner there is an option to visit La Variopinta – a nearby brewery run by women.

We can either walk back to the hotel or there are regular buses or it is possible to get Ubers.

Saturday

Breakfast 9 to 10.30am.

Todays walk is  up Mount Gibralfaro the highest point in Malaga with views across the city and the bay. We will also visit the Alcazaba Castle.

There will be time to rest before an evening Flamenco Show in El Gallo Ronco.

Sunday

Breakfast 9-10.30am

Sunday is the day museums are free and there will be options given to visit specific museums as a group or to go and explore to suit your own taste.

Late Spanish lunch together.

Departure in the afternoon or stay longer to enjoy Malaga or further afield in Spain.