The double walls
Two stepped defensive rings with bent gates — Andalusi fortress engineering complete.
Fernando — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bybbisch94 Christian Gebhardt — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bybbisch94 Christian Gebhardt — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bybbisch94 Christian Gebhardt — CC BY-SA 4.0
Málaga's Alcazaba is the best-preserved Islamic citadel in all Spain — and unjustly less famous than it deserves: a palace-fortress raised by the Hammudids and Granada's Zirids in the eleventh century on Mount Gibralfaro's slope, with stepped double walls and bent entrances for defence, and at its heart Nasrid-manner palaces of orange courtyards, pools and perfect horseshoe arches. Climbing between the walls is the visit's pleasure: every gate opens a new vista of harbour and white city, gardens scaling the ramparts beside you. At its foot lies the Roman theatre — the site alone a lesson in layers: Rome below, al-Andalus above. At four euros (six combined with Gibralfaro) it is the cheapest of Andalusia's great jewels — and free entirely on Sundays after two.
Two stepped defensive rings with bent gates — Andalusi fortress engineering complete.
Pools, oranges and horseshoe arches — a little Granada without its queues.
Every gate opens sea and white city from a higher angle.
Calle Alcazabilla 2, 29012 Málaga
Roman TheatreAt the Alcazaba's foot lies Málaga's Roman theatre of Augustus's age — the city'1 minute walk4.7
Museum of MálagaMálaga's provincial museum, bringing an archaeology section and a fine arts sect2 minutes walk4.6
Museo Revello de ToroA museum devoted to the work of the Málaga painter Félix Revello de Toro, in a s3 minutes walk4.7
Museo Picasso MálagaIn his mother city Picasso's declared dream came true: "a museum for my works in3 minutes walk4.2
Municipal Heritage MuseumA museum showing the art collection Málaga's city council assembled over centuri4 minutes walk4.5It is the truer-preserved little military sister: the Alhambra greater in palaces, this completer as fortress and incomparably lighter in crowds. Granada-bound travellers should see both faces of the coin — coast-bound ones get al-Andalus's full essence here for four euros.
Alcazaba unhurried in the morning, the free Roman theatre below, then the wooded path up Gibralfaro for late afternoon — or lift and taxi for ease. Sunset from Gibralfaro closes the complete Málaga day.