Málaga — Art and Coast on the Costa del Sol

Gay Malaga differs from the well-known party places on the Costa del Sol because the gay life here is spread out in the middle of a lively Andalusian city instead of on a single bar alley. The queer scene is concentrated especially in the historic center around the Plaza de la Merced and the streets around the Teatro Cervantes, plus the neighboring Soho district near the harbor and promenade. In this network of old town alleys, gay and mixed bars, cafés and smaller clubs are close together, so that an evening can be easily spent on foot. A concentrated club mile is more likely to be found in nearby Torremolinos. You can get there by bus or Cercanías train in about half an hour.

Malaga also scores with everything that makes a city trip. Because the city beach La Malagueta is right on the doorstep, the compact old town with its cathedral, the Moorish Alcazaba and the Picasso Museum can be easily combined with beach days. In the center, in the Soho and on the beach, queer couples move uninhibitedly, the atmosphere is relaxed and cosmopolitan. The most important date in the queer calendar is Malaga Pride in June, which fills the center for a few days. Spring and autumn are particularly suitable as a travel time because the weather remains mild and the city is less crowded. In midsummer it gets hot and crowded, but the beach and nightlife season is at its peak.