Although we officially waved goodbye to summer on the 22 September, on the Costa del Sol the warm weather will continue to hold for a couple more weeks. The days may be starting to draw in and the temperatures may be dropping slightly, but this is the perfect time to breathe in the nature in the province and discover towns and cities away from the crowds. In this guide, we’ll list the best activities to get the most out of the autumn and winter months in Malaga.
Discovering the local wine tradition
One of the best ways to bring in the autumn and winter months is to discover the best wineries in the Malaga area. Heavy with juicy grapes in the early autumn, the vines will lead you to white farmhouses and charming production buildings. The province boasts a number of wine areas, but one of the most popular is Ronda, where you can visit Milamores, La Melonera, Málaga Virgen, Quitapenas, Bodegas Doña Felisa (Chinchilla) wineries as well as savour warming soups and learn some of the best kept secrets from the world of wine.
Visiting the quintessential whitewashed villages of inland Malaga
Delve into the past of the Costa del Sol, soak up the tranquillity in the widest sense of the word and enjoy the traditional cuisine that dates back centuries. The inland areas of the province of Malaga are absolutely stunning. If you like doing something a little bit different when you travel, why not take one or several or the many routes that will take you on a discovery of the whitewashed villages of the hinterland. This route, for example, skirts Sierra de las Nieves natural park and passes through other natural wonders such as the Guadalhorce valley, the Sierra de Grazalema natural park and Reales de Sierra Bermeja natural park, among others.
Hiking through the natural parks and landscapes of the Costa del Sol
Autumn, together with spring, is the perfect time to get out in the great outdoors and enjoy nature. The countless natural parks and landscapes in the Costa del Sol attract thousands of keen walkers to Malaga in autumn with incredible hiking trails. If you love to walk, but you’re just starting out, we recommend you try any of the sections of the Gran Senda de Malaga or the Senda Litoral, which are clearly signposted and list the duration of the walk and the level of difficulty. Another easy yet stunningly beautiful walk is the Caminito del Rey. Walking 100 metres in the air over a river with limestone cliffs isn’t an experience you’ll easily forget. Another interesting walk for autumn is through the Bosque de Cobre in Genal valley. In autumn and early winter the leaves of the chestnut trees paint the county in a technicolour of all the yellows, reds and browns you can imagine. There are also countless trails connecting the different municipalities in the county. Just head to the edge of a village and start walking towards another.
Soaking up culture in the museums of the capital
With the piping hot temperatures of the summer behind us, any kind of cultural outing sounds like an incredible idea. Luckily, there are infinite options available in the capital of the Costa del Sol, which boasts around 40 museums focusing on the most varied array of topics. If you love art, you simply have to visit Museo Carmen Thyssen and its inspirational collection of works from the Andalusian tradition. You can also see the collection at Museo Ruso de San Petersburgo and Museo Automovilístico y de la Moda, which combines collections of cars and fashion. The Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga (with free entrance), on the other hand, houses an extraordinary permanent collection of contemporary art in addition to temporary exhibitions, performances and installations. In Centre Pompidou you can gaze at works by artists of the calibre of Frida Kahlo, Miró and Picasso. And, of course, a must-visit is Museo Picasso, where you can see some of the Malaga-born artist’s most important works of all time.
Going on safari… in Malaga!
Just 10 kilometres from the municipality of Marbella, Eco Reserva de Ojén looks like it’s come right out of a fairy tale or film. An extraordinary forest that is home to different species of animals which you can spot as if you were on a safari. If you’re lucky, you’ll see deer, fallow deer, mountain goats, foxes, wild boars and much more. The Eco Reserva offers different types of excursions on foot and in a 4x4 (or combining a bit of both). During your adventure, you’ll even be able to feed some of the animals.
Source: Eco Reserva Ojén
Culture, gastronomy, nature: there are a whole load of ways to enjoy Malaga this autumn and winter. Now the temperatures have dropped to pleasant levels, it is certainly one of the best times of the year to visit the Costa del Sol. Though it hardly needs saying: the area is wonderful at all times. Discover the best ways to enjoy the province of Malaga 365 days a year.
