Malaga Spain Cruise Port Guide

Location:

The Malaga cruise terminal is brand new.

The Eastern dock (Pier 1) is used by the cruise ships. The walk to the city center around Plaza de la Constitucion and Calle Puerta de Mar is 15 minutes, about 2km. The Port Authority of Malaga offers a shuttle bus from the cruise terminal to Plaza de la Marina in the center of the city. Buses run every 15-20 minutes and costs about € 5 per person.

The modern terminal building has all necessary facilities for cruise passengers: a shopping mall with duty-free shops, souvenir stores, a tourist information center, ATM, exchange office, public phones, wheelchair assistance, Wi-Fi, elevators, toilets, etc.

Also one can take the little solar train for 3 Euro.

If you are heading for the beach, just walk to the lighthouse, about 200 meters away from the dock and relax on a nice sandy beach.

As your hand luggage is checked by the port authorities itself before entering the modern terminal, there is ample of opportunity to stock up on your favorite alcoholic beverage in the competitive priced tax-free shops before boarding. No carry-on bags will be checked when boarding the ship. Some cruise lines i.e. NCL apparently have negotiated that the duty free store in the terminal remains closed or partially open as not to jeopardize their on board sales.

A new 900-square-metre terminal (Pier 2) is set over two floors and can accommodate smaller cruise ships of up to 200 meters in length. It also has a specially designed mobile passenger loading bridge which connects to the cruise liner from the pier. This terminal is right in town, located at a pretty boulevard.

Printable map to take along

Hotels near the Cruise Terminal

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video.

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Malaga Spain

Sightseeing:

Head for the lovely gardens around the Alcazaba, which houses the local archaeological museum.

High above the Alcazaba next to the Parador lie the ruins of an ancient Moorish fortress. There is a path all the way up, the climb is severe, however, there is a lift to the palace which is half way up. Malaga's hop on, hop off bus tours stop there if the walk is too much for you. Inside there is an interesting military museum and the views across the city are spectacular.

A short walk from the Cathedral on Calle San Augustín is the magnificent Buenavista Palace housing the Museo Picasso, opened in 2003, with some of the most valuable collections of the artist.

The annual Malaga fair in August is an exuberant week-long street party with plenty of flamenco and 'fino'(sherry).The fair commemorates the re-conquest of the city by Isabella and Ferdinand in 1487 and traditionally runs from Saturday to Saturday on the third week in August.

There are several tourist information offices.

Tours Excursions Transportation:

There are two things that you should know about public transport in Málaga: It is plentiful and very cheap.

In Malaga you can rent a bike and there are hop-on-hop-off tourist buses: A ticket is valid for 24 hours and you can hop on and off at 13 stops. The well planned route takes in 13 of the most important sights. First departure is at 9.30am from the bus station. The bus station is only a few meters from where the cruise shuttles drop you off. The Hop On/Hop Off bus picks up right at the terminal.

Third party shore excursions.

Nearby Places:

Ronda, Mijas and Marbella and Granada. Buses are your best option here, they are faster and more plentiful than trains.

Train schedules. Keep in mind that the buses are a much faster, therefore trains are not recommended.

If your ship is docked from morning till early evening, a trip to the Alhambra in Granada is a good option.

First make a reservation in advance and have your visit to the Nasrid Palaces (the highlight of your visit) planned for early afternoon. Euro 14, Euro 11 for 65+.

Take a taxi to the central bus station in Malaga (estacion de autobus) about 4 Euro.

Buy a bus return ticket to Granada in the station or in advance. The Supra busses are very comfortable, includes bottle of water, snack, free WiFi and reserved seats. About 27 euro return.

The bus station in Granada is about 3 km from the center of town. Taxi to city center is about 7 Euro, to the Alhambra about 11 Euro. From the city center it about a 25 minute uphill walk, but there are plenty taxis.

Plan at least 2 hours to see most of the Alhambra.

Shopping and Food

A good shopping option is to be found in the Historical Quarter and you will be able to combine your shopping trip with a visit to this historical area, with its many pedestrian thoroughfares, making your shopping tour all the more enjoyable. It is the city's largest commercial area, with over a thousand establishments that will vie for your attention with the incomparable monumental and museum attractions. The whole area forms a semi-circle that extends out from its central axis at Calle Larios to the banks of the River Guadalmedina and to calles Carretería, Álamos and Alcazabilla.

In Malaga you will find tapas to suit all tastes: from the most traditional and perfect to the most innovative and imaginative. We will not recommend any in particular because each establishment offers their own particular style (no two Malaga salads taste the same). Let your intuition guide you, your nose and your ear, based on what they "sound" like. The problem will be deciding on which one

Currency:

The euro

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Communication:

Plenty of free WiFi-spots around in Malaga at around 50 newspaper stands (somewhat slow connection) and at fast food restaurants.

Spanish is the official language in the entire national territory. However, other languages coexist with Spanish in certain regions of Spain. These are: Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, Euskera/Basque in the Basque Country, Valencian in the Valencia Region and a particular variety of Catalan spoken on the Balearic Islands.

Emergency number: Dial 112 free of charge (valid throughout Spain). Service is given in Spanish, and also in English, French and German in some tourist areas.

Opening Hours and Holidays:

The most common business for shops and businesses hours are Monday through Saturday, from 9.30 h to 13.30 h, and from 16.30 to 20.00 h.

Big shopping centers and department stores open from 10.00 h to 21.00 or 22.00 h uninterruptedly. These big stores open sometimes on Sunday.

In coastal cities, in high season, shops are usually open passed 22.00 h.

Pharmacies open from 9.30 to 13.30 h, and from 16.30 to 20.00 h. In all major cities you can find pharmacies that open 24 hours. Pharmacies follow a rolling late-hour schedule, which is published in the newspapers, and is posted at all pharmacies.

The following are the national public holidays:
• 1 January, New Year's Day.
• 6 January, the Epiphany.
• Good Friday.
• 1 May, Workers' Day.
• 15 August, the Assumption.
• 12 October, Feast of El Pilar.
• 1 November, All Saints.
• 6 December, Constitution Day.
• 8 December, the Immaculate Conception.
• 25 December, Christmas Day.

Local holidays in Malaga:

19th August Incorporation of Malaga to the Crown of Castile
8th September Festivity of Our Lady Virgen de la Victoria

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