Sunshine and culture: A weekend escape to Málaga

 
 
Málaga, a pretty port city just a short plane-ride away, is a treasure trove of stunning architecture and golden sandy beaches. Known as the hometown of Pablo Picasso, Málaga offers a vibrant mix of history, culture, and relaxation.

I recently enjoyed a sunny weekend exploring this beautiful Spanish city on a FAM trip organized by Avenue Sales, Small Luxury Hotels, Palacio de Solecio and the Costa Del Sol Convention Bureau.
 
 

“On-site Balausta restaurant offers the perfect place to sample the delights of Andalusian cuisine.”

The flight from London Gatwick with British Airways took around two hours and 45 minutes. With just a 15-minute transfer from the airport to the heart of Málaga’s Old Town, I was soon checked in and ready to explore. I stayed at Palacio Solecio, a boutique 18th-century Andalusian palace that has been meticulously renovated to preserve its original architecture and artistic style.

As a proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the hotel offers 116 modern, yet beautifully opulent bedrooms and suites, with exceptional views over Málaga’s old town. For those planning, events, the hotel has three meeting spaces accommodating up to 45 people theatre-style, plus a stunning rooftop terrace available for private events. On-site Balausta restaurant offers the perfect place to sample the delights of Andalusian cuisine.
 
 
 
 

“The hotel offers 116 modern, yet beautifully opulent bedrooms and suites, with exceptional views over Málaga’s old town.”

Exploring a city on foot is the best way to truly experience it. And so bright and early the next morning, I joined Experience Box for a fun iPad Rally team-building activity around the Old Town, discovering its fascinating history. After working up an appetite, I enjoyed lunch at the Trocadero Casa De Botes, located within the port in the recently renovated Casa de Botes building. The restaurant serves a delicious fusion of Mediterranean cuisine with an Asian twist, and its rooftop terrace has fantastic views across the port and beach.

I was really happy to have some free time for shopping, with a delightful mix of Spanish chain stores, quirky boutiques and shops selling traditional products. A visit to the Flamenco Show is an absolute must to experience the passion of a traditional performance and become immersed in the electrifying music and dance. After olive oil tasting, I had dinner at the incredible Los Patios de Beatas, a restaurant with a specialist wine cellar and shop in the heart of the old quarter. with over six hundred hundred wines to choose from, every corner is a shrine to wine. Beside the main dining area, there are smaller private dining rooms for small performances, meetings, and other events on the first floor.
 
 

After a blissful night at my Andalusian palace, I faced the Caminito del Rey, or ‘King’s Little Path,’ a thrilling activity and one of Andalucia’s top attractions. El Caminito del Rey is a narrow hiking path known for its two-mile stretch of man-made boardwalks and glass footbridges that cling to sheer cliffs and hang over river gorges. Requiring cooperation and trust, it’s a fantastic team-building activity, and a chance to soak up breathtaking scenery.

No trip to Spain would be complete without tapas, which we savoured at Palecios Rooftop before saying our goodbyes and returning to the hotel and the airport.

A huge thank you to Avenue Sales, Small Luxury Hotels, Palacio de Solecio and Costa Del Sol Convention Bureau. If you’d like to know more about Málaga, please do get in touch.. I’d love to share more about my experiences there.

 
Ella Blundell