Sights

Alcazaba
A short walk up from the Plaza de Aduana are the solid fortified walls of La Alcazaba, a major landmark of the city. This fortress dates back to the 700s, although much of the structure belongs to the mid 11th century. The entrance is through the gateway known as the Puerta del Cristo (Christ's Door), where the first mass was celebrated following the Christian victory over the town.
This pathway leads up through attractive landscaped gardens punctuated with bubbling fountains, carrying on through the gateways of Puerta de las Columnas, Arco del Cristo and Arcos de Granada. Several terraces offer magnificent views of the town and harbour. A small palace within the inner perimeter is now the home of the Archaeological Museum.
Just below the entrance to the Alcazaba are the ruins of an amphitheatre dating from Roman times. This dates back to the second century AD, and are currently under restoration. Above here there is a steep path that leads to the castle which crowns the Gibralfaro Hill.

Castillo de Gibralfaro
This magnificent building dates back to the beginning of the 14th century when it was built by Yusef 1 of Granada on a former Phoenician site and lighthouse from which the castle's name was derived - gebel-faro (rock of the lighthouse).
The castle is famous for being the site of a three month siege by the citizens of Malaga against the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. This came to an end only when hunger led to capitulation, after which Ferdinand occupied the site while his queen took up residence in the town. All that remains of this historic monument today is the series of solid ramparts which rise majestically among dense woods of pines and eucalyptus.

Cathedral
Malaga´s cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782 on or near the site of a former mosque. While original plans had allowed for two towers, lack of funds resulted in the completion of only one, giving rise to the name by which the cathedral is affectionately referred to, La Manquita, loosely interpreted as 'one armed woman'.
The interior has influences of the Renaissance and baroque styles. The notable 17th century choir stalls of mahogany and cedarwood were designed by Luis Ortiz. After his death the 40 finely carved statues of the saints behind each stall were completed by Pedro de Mena, one of Spain's most celebrated wood-carvers of the time, who spent some years in Malaga. Some of the chapels leading off the aisles also contain works by Pedro de Mena and his tutor, Alonso Caro.

Picasso
Pablo Picasso is the city’s famous son (not counting Antonio Banderas of course!) and there are several galleries showing his work, including the 16th century Museum of Fine Arts, adjacent to the Cathedral.
Spain's celebrated painter was born in 1881 in the corner house of an elegant yellow-toned block on Plaza de la Merced. His birthplace was declared an historic-artistic monument in 1983 and in 1991 it became the headquarters of the Picasso Foundation. The centre has been created to foster cultural activities including the promotion of contemporary art with a special emphasis on Picasso himself.