Málaga

Málaga’s Fiestas and Gastronomy

The holiday calendar of the city of Málaga revolves around two large and well-attended celebrations: the Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Feria de Agosto (August Fair). There are other festivities, however, that are deeply ingrained in popular tradition, such as Carnival in late February, Corpus Christi in late May or early June, St John’s Festival on 23 June, St Judas Cyriacus and St Paula (Málaga’s patron saints) on 18 June, the Virgen del Carmen celebration with its marine procession in mid-July, the Festival of Virgen de la Victoria (Málaga’s Patroness) on 8 September, including a flower offering and a procession from the Cathedral to the Virgin’s Chapel, and the Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales (traditional “verdiales” music festival) on 28 December in the district of Puerto de la Torre, where you can enjoy the traditional verdiales competition while sampling local wines and pork loin.

During Semana Santa, Málaga becomes a gigantic stage where the brotherhoods (cofradías) with their floats enact the Passion of Christ out in the street, amid popular fervour that runs the gamut of emotion. Grandeur, devotion, luxury, sobriety, frantic activity, singing of saetas, Baroque atmosphere, silence, cheers and applause... A combination that is hard to explain with words but easily grasped by whoever experiences it.
 

The Feria de Agosto commemorates the taking of Málaga by the Catholic Monarchs back on 19 August, 1487. It has come down to us as the Great Summer Festival – an open, cosmopolitan celebration that mirrors the spirit of the one of leading travel destinations in Europe: Málaga City, the metropolitan area and the Costa del Sol.

The Fair comprises a wide array of events, like the opening ceremony and firework show; the parade to the Chapel of La Victoria, featuring horsemen, carriages and lots of locals who accompany the standard-bearer; the Central Fair, where you can sample wines and tapas as you dance to the sound of music in the historic district; the Fairground with its kiosks, live shows and attractions; and the most spectacular bullfights at La Malagueta.

Málaga’s Gastronomy

Due to the open and tourist-oriented nature of Málaga and its large number of restaurants, one can sample almost any type of food here, whether native, regional or international. Likewise, the establishments run the full range of categories, from the most modest and economical to the most select and exquisite.

Visitors generally seek local specialties, and there is absolutely no doubt that “pescaíto frito” (fried fish) is the star dish in this category. “Pescaíto frito” can be of various species but “boquerones” (anchovies), “jurel” (horse mackerel), “salmonetes” (red mullet), “calamares” (squid), and “pijota” deserve special mention, and so do grilled sardines, clams and “coquinas”. “Pescaíto frito” is mostly served in beach bars, but you can order it anywhere in town.

Other typical Malagueño dishes are “gazpacho” and “ajoblanco” (cold soups), “gazpachuelo” (fish soup), “ensalada malagueña” (salad with boiled potatoes, codfish, oranges, hard-boiled eggs, olives, onions and olive oil) and “plato de los Montes,” which you can try at many of the taverns in the surrounding area, consisting of fried potatoes, pork loin in lard, blood pudding, fried peppers and fried eggs.