Malaga Lights 2026

SUMMARY

Dates: Friday 4th to 11th December  – 7 nights/ 8 days

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 great 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.

(If you would like to join us and stay in a cheaper hotel let us know as we have contact with the Hotel California that may have rooms too.)

Arrival: There will be a WalkingWomen welcome at the airport from 14:00 on Friday and they will help with directions to the Hotel Mariposa and also will travel with you.

Check in to the Mariposa at 15:00, settle in and then meet at the Mariposa rooftop bar for a 18:00 briefing with your guide Encarna.

Getting there:
A taxi costs approx 20 euro from the airport to the Mariposa hotel. Or an Uber / Cabify approx 15 euros.

There is a train into the city centre to Maria Zambrano Station – a 20 minute walk to the hotel or 5 minutes by taxi (there are many at the station) You can check out trains here Renfe Train. To the city centre it costs only a few euro.

There is also a bus from the airport to the City Centre – approx 4 euros.

There are many flights or trains to Malaga so travel to suit you. NOTE: We can organise extended stays in Spain if you wanted to visit the Alhambra in Granada, go to Seville , Madrid …

Departure: Friday December 11th departures after breakfast ( which is until 11am )

Price: £1700 per person in a solo occupancy room for 1 week

If you bring a partner or friend and share a room the price is £1,400 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&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 drinks in the roof top hotel bar on Friday.
• 6 Evening meals ( one evening free )
• A Flamenco show
• All activities on the itinerary – entrance fees
• All local transport required
• Guided walks – English speaking local woman guide
• Local experiences in restaurants and bars run by women

Not included:

• Travel to the Mariposa Hotel, Malaga
• Lunches ( there is a substantial buffet breakfast and meals on 6 evenings. You might want a lunch time snack)
• Additional drinks
• Travel insurance – essential to have

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.

Read what a guest had to say last year Malaga beyond the airport

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.

You may enjoy a swim 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 week in Malaga at a time when there is usually blue skies and warm air! There is time to be with the group and also time for yourself as you immerse yourself in the southern spanish life.

Friday:  Arrival , Settle in and orientation

18.00 Meet at the Hotel Mariposa for a briefing with Encarna and welcome drinks in the rooftop bar. 

Evening short neighbourhood walk and see the fabulous festive light show to kick off your festive season. Dinner at a local restaurant Las Niñas del Soho.

Saturday – Mercado and historical Malaga

Morning 11am : After a late Spanish buffet breakfast at the hotel we visit the Mercado – a traditional market in the historical centre of Malaga. A chance to wander and try some local produce.

We also visit the historic center of Málaga. We will stop for coffee/lunch at Cafe Calle de Bruselas in the Plaza de la 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: A promenade walk from the hotel to the coastal area of Pedregalejo – 6.4km approx. A beautiful coastal walk. We will experience coastal Malaga and have dinner at Restaurant El Merlo.

Sunday: Gardens and Museums 

Morning 11am: Guided tour of the Botanical Garden of La Concepción

Evening: Museo Thyssen  + Dinner at Café Chinitas (historic restaurant in the historic center)

Monday:  Malaga Views and more 

Morning: Today’s walk is up Mount Gibralfaro, the highest point in Malaga with views across the city and the bay. We will also visit Alcazaba Castle

Evening: Guided tour of  Museo Picasso

Dinner at La Mesonera.

Tuesday : Caminito del Rey – a spectacular walk 

Bus to Caminito del Rey for our guided walk. Lunch in a local restaurant

Evening free

Wednesday : a local winery 

Morning: Guided tour of the winery “Bodegas Quitapenas”, with more than 140 years of history .

https://quitapenas.es/visita-momentos/

Dinner: Restaurante La Fontana 

Thursday : Glass, Crystal and Flamenco 

Morning: Guided tour to the Glass and Crystal Museum

Night: Dinner + Flamenco Show (Gallo Ronco

Friday : Departures after a late breakfast in the hotel served until 11am