Málaga is the perfect place to go shopping for unique gifts off the beaten track. In the traditional crafts department, you can find pottery, earthenware and objects made with glass, wood or esparto. Local wrought-iron mongers are gifted craftsmen and women, selling nice things to take back home.
Antiques and collector’s items can be found in most flea markets on the Costa del Sol. These open-air markets, held at weekends, usually hide real treasures at very convenient prices.
Buying wine en primeur
If you are fond of wine making, then a visit to one of Ronda’s wineries is a must. Some offer the possibility of buying wine en primeur, that is, when a vintage is still in barrel, before it is bottled. This way, they invite you to taste their wines (and invest in them) before they reach the market.
If you are coming to Ronda, go to the long-standing patisserie in Plaza del Socorro and buy Ronda yolks. These sweets have a flavour as unique as that of those made by the cloistered nuns in Antequera.
In the culinary department, Málaga is also famous for its sweet wine and its olive oil. The best villages to get them are those with a Moorish past in Montes de Málaga or Axarquía. And to get the best raisins, get lost in the vineyards or the whitewashed farmhouses in El Borge, Moclinejo or Cómpeta.
Markets
In the Guadalhorce valley, they usually hold organic food markets. Here you’ll find top-quality, local fresh produce, plus a series of interesting side activities. If you prefer something heartier, head for Cártama, whose pork products are finger-licking good – especially the renowned salami from Málaga.
The Atarazanas Market in Málaga City is also a great place for off-the-beaten-track shopping. As the vendors announce the contents of their stalls, you will come across all sorts of fine foods and delicatessen.
The market has a small bar (no seats) to refresh yourself with a drink and a tapa prepared with local ingredients, as you overhear the lively talk among vendors. A genuine Málaga experie
