Dear guests,
We have tried to put together some hopefully useful information here that we try to update, but we cannot guarantee that prices, opening hours and services etc. are always up to date.
Basic information for your stay:
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bed linen and towels incl. beach towels are at your disposal free of charge
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cleaning service during your stay is available on request against payment
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you will find some things for your arrival such as coffee, milk, water and toiletries, otherwise there are shopping facilities in the immediate vicinity and until late at night
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check-in is from 3pm (also possible at night) and check-out anytime until 11am, earlier/later possible depending on how the house is booked (please ask). You are welcome to leave your luggage in the house on arrival or until your departure by prior arrangement.
Casa Valparaíso is located in the El Palo district, in a quiet one-way street at the beginning of a cul-de-sac (stairs at the end) with free parking in the streets of the residential area and possibility to unload next to the house (please read below regarding parking).
In a short walking distance you will find many cafés, restaurants and all kinds of services and shops, among others:
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The market hall is only 150 meters away and always worth a visit. We like its bakery, its fishmonger "Navarrete" (who also prepares/dissembles the fish like everyone) and its bar with very good quality fish. Here you can also buy a few things from 8am for breakfast. Or you can have a first cup of coffee in the nice lively café
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Very close supermarkets in Calle Villafuerte: Coviran 100m walk (9am-9:30pm every day, closes sometimes between 3.30-7pm on Saturday) and Carrefour Express 250 m (Monday –Saturday 9-10pm, in July/August also Sunday).
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The closest "bazar" (bargain shop) with also some groceries is in Calle Villafuerte in front of the Coviran: opens 9/10 am- 12pm every day. There are several very large "bazar" that have nearly everything: e.g. in Calle Ortega Munilla/corner of Calle Soria Lucia (between house and beach) or the "Market Universal" on Calle Juan Sebastian Elcano (between house and Mercadona supermarket).
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Post Office
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Bus stop, three bus lines take you to the city centre of Málaga in 15-20 minutes
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Taxi rank
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Pharmacies
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Greengrocer, e.g. Frutería Axarquía with vegetables, fruits from the area or their own garden and olive oil from own production.
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Alieco Health-food shop, with a good variety of eco fruits, vegetables, wholemeal bread, etc.
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Health Centre "Centro de Salud" in 200 m distance
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Copy shops etc.
From the airport:
by taxi (20 min drive): next to the arrivals hall approx. Unitaxi € 30 depending on time and day, but these do not always have child seats available (or you have to ask for one). There are sometimes large taxis (up to 8 persons) at the same price available, but it's not certain that one is available.
Private taxi online in advance, especially if you need several child seats or a large taxi, e.g. https://www.suntransfers.com (choose "El Palo" as destination).
by public transport:
The train station is next to the arrivals hall. Line C1 takes you to the city center in 11 minutes, stop "Málaga - Centro Alameda" (aprox. € 2, very punctual, runs every 20 minutes). Then walk about 200 m to Alameda Principal, from where the buses to El Palo (lines 3 and 11) depart. Get off at "Juan Sebastián Elcano-Iglesia” next to church/market hall in El Palo or one stop earlier (after having passed Mercadona supermarket). The stairs leading to Calle Valparaiso are opposite the market hall.
https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/suburban-malaga/timetables
(the ticket is needed again at the end, so keep it)
Car rental:
When booking through platforms with very cheap prices, pay close attention to the conditions, the companies often charge an unforeseen surcharge when picking up the car. We have good experiences e.g. with www.allincarhire.com (airport shuttle).
Parking in the residential area:
is free of charge. Often you have to do a few laps, but you can always find something after a few minutes or if you accept a 5-7 minute walk, you can also park directly. Unloading/getting out just next to the house is no problem as it is a dead-end street.
Then stay around Calle Valparaíso and Calle Villafuerte and their small and quiet side streets. A little higher up in Calle Francisco Guillón you can almost always find a parking space (in July and August, of course, like everywhere else on the coast, it can be very difficult). Please do not drive down Calle Luis Taboada (parallel street) all the way down to Avenida Juan Sebastián Elcano, but turn into Calle El Palustre beforehand, otherwise you would have to take a detour down the street.
Unfortunately it is not possible to rent a parking space close to the house. A parking space under the market hall costs approx. €18 for 24 hours, there are no weekly prices.
Parking in the city centre of Málaga:
preferably in one of the underground car parks, for example at the port
Bus to the city centre of Málaga
The next bus stop is down the street next to the church " Juan Sebastián Elcano-Iglesia” (150m from home) and the lines 3, 8 and 11 take you every few minutes to the old town of Málaga in about 15-20 minutes. Price per trip €1.40 from the age of 3 years (pay appropriately if possible or with a € 5 note max.).
You don't need to tell the bus driver where you want to get off, the price is always the same. You can also buy a rechargeable bus card for all lines (except airport) at the kiosk, which you have to recharge with at least 10 trips (price approx. €8.40 for 10 trips).
Pushchairs (pram, stroller) can easily be placed in the centre section of the bus.
Good option to get off is at Paseo del Parque (just after the roundabout).
There are buses of other companies going east (e.g. Cala del Moral/Rincón de la Victoria etc.): Get on the bus at Avenida Salvador Allende stop and on return, get off at the stop near the house, in front of the church).
Buses to the west coast have to be taken in the city centre of Málaga near the harbour.
Taxi
Taxi rank in Calle La Estación: Going down the stairs on the other side of the street (150 m). Price to the city centre approx. € 10 during depending on day/hour. Sometimes you have to wait a bit, depending on hour/day. The taxi can also pick you up directly at the house. www.unitaxi.es
Book via website oder app (check on website) or whatsapp 0034 952 33 33 3 (but just 1 taxi per booking for max.4 persons).
Day trips to Granada or Córdoba: Please check for trains and buses e.g. under www.trenes.com
Tickets for Alhambra has to be booked early in advance!
Bike rental
The shop "MYS BICICLETAS" in Calle Girasol (80 m from home) offers bicycle rental at a good price. www.mysbicicletas.com/
Also in Kayak & Bike El Palo (on the seafront) you can rent bikes, canoes, Paddle www.kayakybike.es
Unfortunately it is still difficult to get several children's bikes in El Palo, so rather in the city centre of Málaga.
www.uber.com (e.g. to Totalán white village)
Boat trips / watersports:
https://www.malagaseaexperiences.com/
https://www.clickandboat.com/en
https://www.checkyeti.com/en/v/11/boat-tours
https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=boat+trip+malaga&searchSource=3
https://city-sightseeing-spain.com/en/24/malaga/2400/boat-tour-malaga
Restaurants, cafés and bars
In the El Palo district and on the beach promenade you will find numerous restaurants, tapas bars, cafés, churrerías and ice cream parlors (a folder with recommendations for some restaurants is at your disposal).
Childrens playgrounds
There are many playgrounds both in the neighborhood, along the seaside promenade and on the beach to the city centre, or east direction, for example in the Peñón del Cuervo and several on the beaches of Cala del Moral, etc. In the centre of Malaga there are also several parks, e.g. in the port in Parque Alameda.
Going up the street, at the end there is a small park with also possibility of soccer and basketball.
“Alberto Suárez Pipi Park”. It is large with very recent equipment and the natural shade of Ficus trees.
The playground next to the Aviva gym (past the Arroyo Jabonero towards Malaga).
You don't necessarily need a car, as there is a lot to do in the surrounding area.
From El Palo you can do great walks along the sea, e.g. to the city centre of Malaga, 5 km (you could also walk partly and then take the bus, there are bus stops every few hundred m), or go by bike or also towards the east /Cala del Moral, here you pass the small port El Candado at the end of El Palo (bar with good tapas) and then you could walk or cylce to the nice bay El Penón del Cuervo (there is a playground) to the villages La Cala de Moral and El Rincon de la Victoria, where there is a bike path in the sand and a wide promenade. We recommend to stop at Antonio Moreno restaurant in the small neighborhood of La Araña (opposite the cement factory) with its sea-view terrace and good food.
After crossing the bay of La Cala del Moral (the new “playground” for young and old “Parque Balumba” is really great!), the cycle path goes through a series of tunnels carved out of the rock. It is also great to walk as there are beautiful paths with stairs that go up and down the cliff edge.
Day trips to the mountains or mountain villages are of course more pleasant when it is a little cooler.
The nearest mountains - Pinares de San Antón
Going up with the car through "Los Pinares de San Antón" (Residential neighborhood and mountains that begin above the motorway access) and turning at the beginning left into Calle Almendros you reach the recreation area of "Lagarillo Blanco" where you can park and enjoy views of the Bay or follow trails around the hill (good climbing site). You can take easy walks with children that we have always done.
Since it is part of the urban area, you can also get a taxi for around 6 € (“San Anton, Cortijo Lagarillo Blanco, zona de barbocoa”), you may be dropped off 100 m before, if the taxi driver is not supposed to drive up the last rocky path. But preferably not on Saturdays and Sundays, because there are many people going there from noon (from around 1 p.m.), otherwise during the week there is rarely anyone there. You would then only have to organise a taxi for the way back or walk down…
Los montes de Málaga
The nature park "Los montes de Málaga" with numerous hiking and biking trails of all levels of difficulty and views over the whole of Málaga can be reached in about 45 minutes by car (Carretera de Olías starts in El Palo).
There are several "Ventas" (countryside restaurants) along the road that are worth visiting. In winter the chimneys are lit and the most famous dishes are the migas and the “plato de los montes”. Especially beautiful in the winter months and during the almond blossoms.https://www.visitcostadelsol.com/malaga-costa-del-sol/green-nature/natural-park-montes-de-malaga-p21171
E.g. a short hike that is easy to do with children and offers beautiful views: There is a small viewpoint next to the Ecomuseo Lagar de Torrijos. If you walk a little higher from there, you will come to a nice hiking trail.
Totalán
The nearest white mountain village for a short trip is Totalán, about 20 minutes by car/taxi and a wide road leads up. Motorway heading east, exit Totalán/Cala del Moral, then go up Camino Totalán/MA-3202.
Antequera and El Torcal
We also recommend a trip to the spectacular El Torcal Natural Park (good with kids) and to the nearby beautiful town of Antequera. Just don't arrive too late at El Torcal to get a parking space. After a short hike in the Torcal we recommend a visit to the town of Antequera, here are the coordinates of a well-located car park (please turn left when you have driven down the road from the Torcal car park): Aparcamiento Alcazaba
The “pantanos del chorro” / Conde de Guadalhorce / El chorro reservoirs
are about 50 km northwest of Málaga and a great alternative to the beaches in summer, as it is always quiet even in midsummer and there is natural shade from the pine trees. It is also a nice starting point for discovering archaeological sites and for hiking. But due to the drought there may be little water left at the moment. From the “Bar Mirador”, you have a beautiful view.
https://www.fincagrancerros.com/el-chorro-lakes/?v=3a52f3c22ed6
Caminito del Rey Trail (from 8 years, needs reservation)
If you are not afraid of heights, one hour from Malaga, this route is spectacular from beginning to end, running through cliffs, canyons, and a large valley. It crosses the landscapes of Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a gorge carved out by the river Guadalhorce, with walls 700 metres high.
Maro Cliffs Nature Reserve
The beach coves behind Nerja are about 30-40 minutes drive east and the scenery is very different from Malaga. As the beautiful area is still undeveloped, access to the beaches can be difficult at times. Ideal for diving! Without children we used to go to Cala del Pino and with children easier to Playa de la Lapa or Playa de las Alberquillas.
Río Chillar river walk
The river hike in the Río Chillar is a popular destination in Nerja. The trail goes through the Chillar River, which flows through the Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama National Parks. On your journey you will go through a marble gorge, you can swim in natural pools that were created in the river and you will meet a great waterfall. Check before whether it is open, it has been closed once due to drought.
https://www.survivingmalaga.com/hiking-in-malaga-rio-chillar-river-walk/
Alhama de Granada - Natural Hotspring (great durig the winter months)
Hot pools that run alongside the Alhama river, just below the bridge and before the entrance of the
official spa. The thermal water comes out of a cave and has formed a two natural pools (each with their own distinct temperature) and at final leading to the river that runs parallel to it.
https://www.exclusivegranada.com/tourist-guide/natural-hot-springs/thermal-baths-of-alhama/
Fiestas and Ferias
23 June: Night of Juan
The night of San Juan in Malaga celebrates the summer solstice.All-night celebrations on the beaches in Malaga. https://www.malagaweb.com/espanol/blog/eventos/noche-san-juan-malaga/
Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen in July and El Palo Feria
On July 16th, the towns and fishing villages along the southern coast of Spain honor La Virgen del Carmen, the protector of seamen. An effigy of the virgin is paraded through the streets and taken for a sail on one of the colourfully adorned boats in the harbor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALqXg5e0cVk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbHdjyeaiJk&t=87s
Málaga Fair - Feria de Málaga (August)
One of the biggest events in Malaga takes place in August and for many locals and tourists, August means feria time. The annual city fair is an exuberant week-long street party with plenty of flamenco and 'fino' (sherry).
https://www.guidetomalaga.com/events-in-malaga/summer-in-malaga/all-the-fun-of-the-malaga-fair/
https://www.andalucia.com/festival/malaga-feria.htm
Semana Santa / Easter
One of the biggest events of the year, Easter in Malaga offers a week of processions. Known as Holy Week in Spanish (Semana Santa), it’s one of the most unusual events in Malaga of the year and well worth seeing.
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