After Class Activities

Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, and everyday life after your class is over. Throughout the city many historical monuments stand as tokens to the rich legacy held by Malaga. Most notably are the Cathedral, the Alcazaba (Moorish Castle), the fortress Gibralfaro, and the Roman Theatre. The city s most famous son is Pablo Picasso who was born in Malaga in 1881. His birthplace at the Plaza Merced has been converted into a museum honoring his life and work. Get yourself started for a trip to Malaga with the links below:

Malaga's City Park and Other Gardens

Malaga city park is one of the few exterior botanical places in the Europe that maintains species totally acclimated from tropical and subtropical regions. Constructed by the local architect Fernando Guerrero Strachan, it was built between 1912 -1919. The Gardens of Puerta Oscura and Pedro Luis resemble the gardens of Malaga during Muslim times. The first one falls like a stairway over the hillside of Gibralfaro and the other one is next to City Hall. These gardens are full of orange trees and graceful green arches, you can admire the Castle up above and the Alcazaba next to it, it is also a good place to sit down and rest.

Bullring

Situated in the residential area of the Malagueta and very near downtown, this ring is not just for bullfights, it also holds music concerts and many famous artists have performed here.

Moorish Castle

Malaga s Alcazaba or moorish fortress is one of the mightiest and most extensive, and dates from the eighth century. It overlooks the recently restored Roman Amphitheatre just below, illustrating the city´s rich history. You can continue following the city´s fortunes over the centuries inside the Alcazabar, in the Archeological Museum, which houses Phoenician, Roman and Moorish artefacts.

Fortress Gibralfaro

This magnificent building dates back to the beginning of the 14th century when it was built by Yusef 1 of Granada on a former Phoenician site and lighthouse from which the castle s name was derived - gebel-faro (rock of the lighthouse). The castle is famous for being the site of a three month siege by the citizens of Malaga against the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. This came to an end only when hunger led to capitulation, after which Ferdinand occupied the site while his queen took up residence in the town. All that remains of this historic monument today is the series of solid ramparts which rise majestically among dense woods of pines and eucalyptus.

Roman Theatre

It was not discovered until 1951 in spite of it s size with a radius of 31 meters and height of 19 meters. Studies have shown that it hasn t been used since the 3rd century and that the Moors used elements from the Theatre in the construction of La Alcazaba. It is in the process of a carfeul restoration that will preserve the cities roman heritage for generations to come.

White Villages of Andalusia

The white villages of Andalusia are probably most peoples stereotype of a traditional Spanish village. Perched upon a hill side with picturesque with the small villas divided by narrow alleys and streets. Surprisingly it is still possible to find villages such as this on the Costa del Sol.

Alpandeire - the place where Fray Leopoldo was born. Júbrique - situated on the top of a mountain, giving a fantastic views of the Sierra Rondeña. Pujerra - famed for its fine work with leather. Carratraca - famous for its natural sulphur spas. Alfarnatejo - with the ruins of its Muslim castle. Totalán - a little village of great interest for its natural beauty and for its archeological treasures. Sedella and Archez - full of monuments and Moorish retreats of great value and historical interest.

Ronda

Ronda is a picturesque old town that straddles a breath taking gorge. Perched high on a rock precipice 150 metres (just under 500 ft) above the gorge below the town sits on both sides of the gorge with the old Moorish town of La Ciudad (literally The City ) to the South and the newer El Mercadillo (Little Market) district to the North.

Three bridges span the ravine, the most impressive being the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) which was built in the 18th Century. This is where most tourist activity can be found and where the most dramatic photos can be taken.

Marbella

Marbella has been and continues to be the most prestigious spot on the Costa del Sol ever since, a half century ago, Max Hohenlohe, married to woman from a wealthy Málaga family, invited his European friends to his seaside house, which was later transformed by his son Alfonso into the select Marbella Club. Marbella boasts luxury estates, yacht basins, stately residences and villas like palaces. This town, now one of the most popular tourist destinations, is famous for its "Golden Mile" with its luxury hotels, gardens and the residences of aristocrats, society people and businessmen.

Seville

One of the largest cities in Spain, bearing numerous traces of the 500 years of Moorish occupation. Seville is the romantic heart of the country, the city of Carmen and Don Juan; its cathedral is the largest Gothic building in the world and has a superb collection of art and period stonework. Christopher Columbus is buried here. The cathedral bell tower, known as the Giralda from its crowning weather vane was originally a minaret and observatory. The climb is worth the effort for the commanding views.

Cordoba

During the early Moorish period it was reputed to be the most splendid city in Europe. The Great Mosque built between 785 and 1002 is the main tourist attraction. Highlights include the Great Hall, characterised by delicately carved horseshoe arches of alternating white stone and red brick, the Patio de Los Naranjas, the Ablutions Courtyard still shaded by orange trees and cooled by fountains, and the Mihrab, (prayer niche). In the 16th century the mosque was transformed into a Christian church with the building of a Renaissance Choir. Other reminders of Cordoba s history are the old Jewish Quarter which boasts a 14th-century mosque (one of only three in Spain), the Archaeological Museum with its substantial Roman and Moorish finds and the area by the river.

Granada

Outstanding monument is the Alhambra, the palace fortress built by the Nasrid rulers in the 13th-14th centuries. The most popular tourist attraction in Spain, tickets must be booked at least 24 hours in advance. The highlights include: the Palacios Nazarís, its halls, courtyards and loggias decorated with painted enamel tiles, delicately fretted arches, stalactite vaulting, marble sculptures and stucco ornament; the Alcazaba, an 11th-century hilltop fortress, and the Generalife, the gardens of the summer palace.

Gibraltar

Situated in the western entrance to the Mediterranean about 2 hours west from Malaga, the 5km-long (3 mile) rock contains 143 caves, over 48km (30 miles) of road and miles of tunnels. An internal self-governing British Crown Colony, Gibraltar has given its name to the Bay and the Straits which it overlooks. The town of Gibraltar is an 18th-century British Regency town built on a 15th-century Spanish town. Well worth a visit is St. Michael s Cave, part of a complex series of interlinked caverns, which is used for concerts and ballet.

Morocco

Ferry services operate from Soutrhern Spain ports and you can spend the weekend in in Morrocco. A ferry leaves daily from the port of Gibraltar to the port of Tanger, Morocco and is the quickest crossing by boat. The crossing time is normally about 70 minutes depending on weather conditions. The ferry normally leaves a few times daily during the week and once at the weekend.

Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada, meaning "snowy range" in Spanish, is a mountain range in the region of Andalusia in Spain. It contains the highest point of continental Spain, Mulhacén at 3,479 m.

It is a popular tourist destination, as its high peaks make skiing possible in Europe s most southern ski resort in an area along the Mediterranean Sea predominantly known for its warm temperatures and abundant sunshine. At its foothills is found the city of Granada and, a little farther, Málaga and Almerí­a.

Parts of the range have been included in the Sierra Nevada National Park. The range has also been declared a biosphere reserve. The Sierra Nevada Observatory is located on the northern slopes at 2800 m.

Tapas-Tour

Enjoy this guided tour to one of the many popular and typical Spanish tapas bars. Enjoy and learn the many tastes of Spanish tapas and share in what is a large part of Spanish Culture. A specialty is the "Vino de Malaga" (Muscatel port whine) which we will taste in the bodegas of Malaga.

Home of Picasso & Museum with exhibits

The home where the painter was born, is now a museum and is located in the plaza. On show are prints and pottery made by this city s most famous artist, on the ground floor there is a temporary exhibition of the works of other artists.

Cathedral & Cathedral Museum

It is called the Cathedral of the Incarnation, built in 1528, in the gothic style above a former Muslim mosque. Contains almost all the architectural styles from the 16th to the 18th century since a lot of different architects participated in it s construction.

Cervantes Theatre

In the second half of the 19th century, a terrible fire destroyed nearly all of the Teatro de la Libertad, which was previously called Principe Alfonso and which had first been opened to celebrate a royal visit paid by Queen Isabella II to Malaga . After losing this emblematic building to fire, a prominent group of people with strong ties to the city s artistic and cultural life got together for the purpose of gracing the city with a new home for the performing arts, to be made as a symbol of the city s economic and cultural growth and for the purpose of satisfying, at the same time, the recreational needs of the upper class.

The project to create Teatro Cervantes, which was drawn up to grace the city of Malaga with a grand theatre, was commissioned to city architect Jeronimo Cuervo, who had previously created significant urban architectural landmarks. Cuervo was aided by the Valencia-born painter living in Malaga , Bernardo Ferrandiz, and the two of them designed the building s decoration jointly. However, due to the haste with which the construction was carried out, they were forced to get help from another painter, the malagueño Muñoz Degrain.

Work on the new theatre took place from April to November 1870. The grand opening took place on 17th December with an interpretation of the William Tell Overture. The local press highlighted the theatre s capacity (2,300 to 2,400 people), the stage s exceptional dimensions, as well as its ornamentation, which created a truly suggestive atmosphere in the building s interior. But without a doubt, the building s most striking feature was its conception of space, in which the architect showed his great stature and training. Shortly after the Spanish Ministry of Culture initiated proceedings to do so, the Teatro Miguel de Cervantes was declared a Historical and Artistic Monument.

Local Cuisine

Fried fish is the favorite dish: fresh anchovies, red mullet, whiting, baby squid ... In addition there is a great variety of gazpachos (the typical cold vegetable soup) like ajoblanco, made with almonds and grapes. Also native to this area are angler fish soup and vegetable soup.

A typical dish on the beaches is sardines grilled on spits of bamboo over charcoal. Sea bass and gilthead are prepared with salt; angler fish, with garlic. Spanish food can be explored in a Paella cooking lesson with our in-house cook.

Flamenco Shows

Learn to dance the famous and classical Flamenco ("Sevillanas") and Salsa directly in our school or visit a Flamenco show in one of the many bars around old Malaga.

The Three Kings

Traditionally, the three wise men visit children on this evening to bring them their presents. The Procession is made up of three carriages which parades around town with three "kings" riding inside, distributing sweets out to the children in the crowds.

Eve of San Juan

This celebration is made up of various performances at Parque del Oeste and different beaches around the city to commemorate summer solstice on San Juan s eve (in June). This involves orchestral performances and fireworks.

Fiestas de Carnival

This carnival is celebrated in mid February before the 40 days of Lent and usually involves elaborate costumes, a parade and dance, and a "Carnival Queen" contest. Some of the activities that are involved in this carnival include: Carnival Singing Contests, Street Parade, Piñata Sunday and Children s Fancy Dress Contest among others.

Malagueñas Contest

Malaga s City Council, along with Federación Malagueña de Peñas, organize a festival ñat Parque del Oeste traditionally referred to as Certamen de Malagueñas de Fiesta "Memorial José Mar­ía Alonso". This is a contest to encourage people to sing and dance Malagan folk music. A competition is held among those who compose and then perform their compositions, either as solo performances or in a group or choir performance.

Easter Week

Easter, Semana Senta, is an important time for Catholics and in Malaga, as in the rest of Spain, a lot of time and effort goes to preparation for this week. Huge processions fill the city s historical artistic center and as the processions march through the city, art work such as paintings and sculptures representing Christ are carried on decorated thrones. These processions are held both during the day and at night.

Malaga Fair

People in Andalusia or known for their carefree lifestyle, the most important thing is to meet friends and discuss daily life while enjoying local food such as Tapas with a beer or red wine, preferably in one of the many bars by the beach. This way of living is best reflected in the Malaga Fair (Feria of Malaga) which takes place between the 2nd and 3rd weekend of August. One of southern Europe s longest summer fairs, this 10-day celebration begins when shops close up and everybody heads to see the firework displays that kick start the festival at the opening ceremony. During the day, parades are held all over the city streets and one that is especially pretty to see is the Arabian horses pulling along brightly colored carriages.

This festival combines traditions with modern every day live, locals dance Flamenco in the streets while others dance to house music in the clubs. Singing, acting and dancing performances are held constantly, as well as other events listed on the celebration program. This festival has many modern aspects to it, but also retains traditional celebrations such as bullfighting and gipsy flamenco music and dancing. After 10 days of continues festivities and the ending celebrations on Sunday, people in Malaga take an extra holiday on the Monday after, it is called "Hang over day", in Spanish: "d­ía de resaca", which says it all.