For many vacationers, the query of Granada vs Malaga is an existential one when planning a journey to Spain. I ought to know, as a result of it was for me. The excellent news, not less than so far as I’m involved, is that it isn’t an particularly shut contest. The higher information? Even when you make the choice to base your self in simply one among these cities—and also you most likely will—it’s straightforward to go to the opposite on a day journey.
No matter which alternative you make, you’ll have an incredible place to name house as you discover the japanese lobe of Andalusia, which for my cash is Spain’s greatest area. There’s loads to see right here, nonetheless, so I believe we should always get began.
My Experiences in Granada and Malaga
Nothing tells the story of my time in japanese Andalusia than the completely different hospitality I acquired in every metropolis. In Granada, I arrived to my boutique lodge close to town’s huge cathedral when the receptionist was on siesta. She nonetheless appeared as I stood there ready, as if alerted just by my presence, and went out of her method to assist me at each stage of my keep, usually anticipating my questions, even considerably non-traditional ones. She spoke no English, however her intentions got here by means of clearly.
The defining expertise of my time in Malaga, then again, was an ill-fated meal I loved (or tried to get pleasure from) at a tapas restaurant within the metropolis middle. In addition to the truth that neither the meals nor the sangria was excellent, the server was wholly inattentive, to the extent that I did one thing I by no means do. Unable to get my test, not to mention to pay, I dined and dashed. I had a bus to catch, and wasn’t about to overlook it as a result of another person did not do their job.
Malaga
Ways to Compare Malaga vs. Granada
Attractions
Which is to not say it is best to let private experiences of mine (curated ones, no much less) make your determination. On the opposite hand, the fact is that not a single attraction in Malaga compares to Granada’s world-famous Alhambra, which is itself actually solely the start of what there’s to see within the metropolis. If you needed to performed one touristic factor in Malaga, I’d most likely hike as much as Gibralfaro Viewpoint.
Hotels and eating places
To me, that is an space the place Malaga vs Granada is simply no competitors. Whether you keep in bohemian San Nicolas or down towards the Cathedral, each accommodations and tapas eating places in Granada are genuine, cozy and cute—for accommodations, I really like Casa de Reyes and the marginally extra upscale Palacio de Santa Paula. In Malaga, then again, what you’re actually taking a look at its lodging and eating (and nightlife, when you’re into that) geared towards the bottom overseas denominator.
Cityscape
Malaga is on the ocean, which ordinarily would give it the nod for me. Unfortunately, Malaga’s city-center shoreline is reasonably industrial, and fewer than charming in consequence. Granada, in contrast, not solely spreads gently over the hills that run by means of its middle; the whitewashed buildings of San Nicolas (probably the most picturesque a part of Granada) nearly look like they’re an outgrowth of the character.
Local vs. vacationer vibe
If selecting between Malaga or Granada is a matter of wanting a extra genuine expertise, there’s actually no context. While Malaga is a bigger metropolis and has loads of “real” neighborhoods, these are sadly amongst Spain’s most harmful and least enticing. While Granada is seemingly designed extra for vacationers, the fact is that the upper caliber of vacationer it attracts when in comparison with Malaga makes any artificiality simpler to disregard.
Day journeys
Because it’s bigger, Granada is barely higher positioned for taking day journeys inside Andalusia. It’s lower than an hour from Nerja, lower than two hours from Granada and about 90 minutes from Ronda as nicely. You can take all these day journeys from Granada, too, however journey occasions shall be barely longer, and buses might or might not depart as usually. In each circumstances, take into account that the bus station is outdoors town middle and requires a tram, bus or taxi journey.
Other Destinations in Andalusia
I’ll be trustworthy: Andalusia is just too huge to have only one base, be it Granada or Malaga. These cites actually solely permit you to discover the japanese “lobe” of the area. Once you end right here (or earlier than, relying upon what path you journey), I like to recommend heading to Seville. In addition to being one of the best place to base your self in western Andalusia, I additionally personally discover Seville to be Spain’s most satisfying metropolis, on the entire.
From Seville, you’ll be able to go to many various locations on day journeys. To the north is Cordoba, well-known for its church that also retains an excessive amount of aesthetic reminiscence from its previous as a mosque. Heading south, in the meantime, takes you to coastal Cadiz and to Jerez de la Frontera, a metropolis that’s well-known each for its sherry manufacturing in addition to for its heritage of equestrianism.
Granada
Other FAQ About Visiting Malaga and Granada
Which is healthier to go to, Granada or Malaga?
Granada is a way more fascinating, genuine metropolis than Malaga, though you wouldn’t know that primarily based on the hordes that crowd the city middle and seashores of the latter. I’d advocate basing your self in Granada after which visiting Malaga (assume you do) on a day journey.
Malaga is value visiting when you merely need to go there to say you’ve been. However, when you’re merely on the lookout for a seaside, I like to recommend visiting close by Nerja as an alternative, or going elsewhere in Spain totally. The actuality—and I imply no shade by saying this—is that Malaga feels much less like southern Spain and extra like someplace in England, the pure surroundings however. Keep this in thoughts earlier than you ebook a visit there.
The Bottom Line
I believe it’s fairly clear the place I fall on the Granada vs Malaga debate. While Malaga has sure issues going for it—truly only one, its location alongside the coast—it simply doesn’t maintain a candle to Granada, a metropolis mired in fantasy and overflowing with vitality, the place magic is as thick within the air as the warmth through the summertime. In order to reduce your disappointment, I’d advocate staying in Granada and, when you select to go to Malaga, doing so solely on a day journey.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications reminiscent of “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Leave Your Daily Hell, gives a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays masking the extra esoteric points of life as a traveler.