This year, I spent a week in Málaga, Spain. My son has just started learning Spanish at school and needs a good level for his IB, so we went there for some Spanish lessons.
I’ve done this a few times in my 20s and always thought it was a fun way to learn a language—meeting new people and discovering a new city. This time, I chose Málaga, a city I had visited briefly a long time ago but didn’t know well. Our school was a few kilometers out of Málaga in the village of El Palo.
It felt a bit strange being a student again among so many young people, making me realize how much older I am now. But I loved it as much as before. Using your brain to learn something new, while exploring a new culture and city, is a great combination.
Málaga is on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain, near popular tourist towns like Torremolinos, known for beach parties. But Málaga has kept its charm with lots of beauty and history.
Málaga is also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and there are several museums dedicated to him. I enjoyed the Museo Picasso Málaga, which has the city’s oldest architectural remains in its cellar—the Phoenician city walls.
Calle Larios is one of the main shopping streets, and the Alcazaba is a palatial fort built by the Hammudid dynasty in the early 11th century. Center Pompidou Málaga is like a smaller version of the one in Paris.
These days, I don’t just judge cities for tourism but also as future places to live. We’re happy in Singapore now, but it’s not permanent. Once my son finishes middle school, we can move anywhere. Málaga is a good contender for winter since it never gets really cold. It’s close to mountains for weekend sports and recreation. Plus, I love the Spanish people and traditions—they still sing and dance on the streets, with a great sense of style.
I enjoyed a boat ride with other students in Málaga’s harbor and met Sacramento, who has a blog called Mis Papelicos. She moved here 1.5 years ago and feels right at home.
I had a fantastic week in Málaga and will definitely return, maybe even next year. Have you ever visited Málaga?