Sightseeing in Malaga

Sightseeing in Málaga is a small old town and a large hinterland. Ronda's bullring dates from the 1780s and is by José Martín de Aldehuela, who also designed the Puente Nuevo, finished in 1793. Nerja's Balcón de Europa is said to have been named by Alfonso XII in 1885, and the cave system behind the town was found only in 1959. The Rock of Gibraltar rises 426 metres, and its Great Siege Tunnels were begun at the end of the siege of 1779 to 1783.

Málaga sightseeing tours split three ways. In the city, a guided walk of five and a half hours takes in the Alcazaba and its Nasrid palace, drives up to Gibralfaro and ends with a catamaran along the coast, for two guests at most. Four phone-guided games, from one to three hours, cover the same streets without a guide. By road, private cars with an English-speaking driver take up to seven, a sedan for three guests, a minivan for four, a van for the rest, to Ronda, Nerja and Frigiliana, Marbella or Seville. A coach day joins Ronda, a white village and Seville in thirteen hours, with the cathedral and Alcázar seen from outside. The Gibraltar day, with entrance fees included, runs on demand once six people have booked.

Practical. Málaga's July and August afternoons average 31C and the nights 22C; January afternoons reach 17C. The Gibraltar day crosses a border, so check passport and visa requirements before booking. The olive-oil day in Ronda refunds in full up to seven days ahead, and in full if the operator cancels for weather. The phone games start at any hour and can be paused until the next day, and the Seville day by private car is for guests aged 13 and over.