Under the watchful eye of the Gibralfaro Castle lies a bustling and happy city, full of beautiful locations, such as the Alameda Principal or the La Farola promenade. As the capital of the Costa del Sol, it is one of Spain's most important tourist destinations, thanks to its weather, beaches, and excellent golf courses.
 
Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans... over two thousand years ago the main Mediterranean civilisations found in Malaga a desirable enclave to establish commercial routes, thanks to the strategic location of its port. La Alcazaba (18th to 19th century), in addition to being an icon of the city, is also one of the greatest Arab fortresses in Andalusia. This structure is home to the Archaeological Museum, which contains valuable pieces from the Phoenician and Roman times. From the Gibralfaro Castle (14th century), joined to the Alcazaba by a stretch of wall, one can get the best views of the city, which opens up to the sea at the port and the La Farola promenade, one of the city's main leisure centres. At the feet of the Gibralfaro lie the Roman Theatre, the bullfighting ring (known as La Malagueta), and the historic centre of the city. In the city centre one also finds the Cathedral (16th to 18th centuries), also known as "la Manquita" ("the one-armed lady") due to its right tower which is not finished. This temple, constructed in a beautiful renaissance style, preserves an interesting group of shrines containing good examples of Andalusian imagery. The old neighbourhood is also home to other churches such as Santiago (15th to 18th centuries), with a beautiful Moorish tower, de los Mártires, Sagrado Corazón, and Santo Cristo de la Salud. Historic Malaga has many typical places to offer its visitors. Once can admire the façade of the City Council, built at the beginning of the 20th century, or the Merced square, presided by the Torrijos Monument, home also the birthplace of painter Pablo Ruiz Picasso. The journey through the old city centre passes through the popular Pasaje de Chinitas, Granada street, the Fine Arts Museum, or Larios street, the main street through the city. Malaga also has many green areas, such as the Park, the Alameda Principal, and the Puerta Oscura and Pedro Luis Alonso gardens.