Possibly my favourite thing to do while in Malaga is to climb to the top of this hill. Complete with a 14th century fortress at the top, the hike up is nothing less than breathtaking. Bring your camera and see these spectacular views from Gibralfaro viewpoint.
Getting There
I walk from the historical centre through the oddest tunnel and end up at a large zigzag staircase to begin my climb. I’m sure there are other ways to approach this hike, but for me this is the direction google sends me in.
The tunnel is pedestrian safe on either side of the traffic, playing loud classical music and virtually empty of people when I did this walk around 9am on a weekday. Just a bizarre experience.
Path
Once you have reached the base of these stairs, your climb begins. Parts of the path are steep and I noticed a few people becoming winded and having to stop for a rest. There are plenty of benches along the way and small landing spots, perfect to take in the view and have a breather.
Lower down, part of your path may be through a terraced garden. At this time of year, there is not much to see here, perhaps in the spring, this will be a bounty of colour.
The Fortress
You will notice most of the climb is beside the ancient walls of the medieval Moorish fortress, that will be on your left as you ascend. At the top, there is a gate to enter the fort, once you have paid the current admissions price of €4.
The Views
Now for the best part. Stop at regular intervals, and take a look out. The path traverses the side of Gibralfaro Mountain, so the views evolve as you move forward.
Early on, looking back on the city is a stunning sight. Seeing just how large and sprawling Malaga is, is amazing. Trying to spot your accommodation, the cathedral or other landmarks you have become familiar with is always fun.
The marina is the next thing to watch out for. You might get lucky and see a cruise ship pulling into the port. This is a massive area and one to explore on foot too. Its well developed down there, with several areas dedicated to eateries and entertainment.
Next, take in City Hall and the glorious manicured Pedro Luis Alonso Gardens in front. This building is a stunner and was glowing in the morning winter sunlight on the day I climbed Gibralfaro.
Finally, near the top now, you will see a different part of the city, a newer area. The most spectacular sight is of La Malagueta, the bullring! I could not believe how huge that building is and nestled right behind those tall apartment buildings separating it from the beach.
The best time to see this particular view is later in the day when the sun is directly above the ring. It was clouded in shade for me, but I have seen other photos at midday and it really is a spectacular sight.
Descent
There is a road to walk down and you can even take a bus if you wish. I chose to walk back the way I came so I could relive all of those amazing views I had just seen. When ever I came to a fork, I did choose an alternating path to the way I had come, but all led back to those concrete zigzag stairs at the beginning.
Don’t forget to take in the pine forest, plants, birds, flowers and other sights in your immediate path. They all combine to create this wonderful outing that was definitely a highlight for me.
This climb or hike will take about half an hour, or more if you are stopping to take photos. There will be people running and using the space for exercise. It was not crowded by any means when I was there, but perhaps later in the day it might be. To come for sunset would indeed be a great idea. I’m so glad I found this climb and saw these images of Malaga, they really took my breath away.
