September surprises!

September may herald the end of summer and a welcome change of pace from the hectic hedonism of August, but there are still plenty of things to do. We pick some of our favourite events and places in Malaga, now that the madding and frequently maddening crowds have gone.

Cala Mijas Festival
After a blistering debut last year that saw Artic Monkeys, The Chemical Brothers and Liam Gallagher take to the stage, the three-day Cala Mijas festival is back between August 31 and September 1 and 2.

Highlights this year include Arcade Fire and queen of Punk, Siouxsie on Friday, New York guitar band and live legendsThe Strokes on the Saturday and the iconic and magical British band Florence + The Machine, plus the internationally adored Glasgow band Belle & Sebastian on the Sunday. As well as the headline acts, Cala Mijas will also feature more than 50 other artists, as well as a huge cross section of DJs in the La Caleta dance area.

Festival de Guaro
If you prefer you festivals a little less frantic, then head to the pueblo blanco of Guaro. This white village, less than 20 minutes’ drive from Marbella on the road to Coin, is the venue for the Festival de Guaro - or Festival de la Luna Mora. Taking place on the nights of September 9 and 10, Guaro is lit up by 25,000 as it recreates the ambience and atmosphere of al – Andalus, the 700-year-period when the Moors ruled most of Spain. The event that mixes live music, workshops, heritage visits and storytelling for children, but be
advised. From its humble beginnings a decade ago, the Festival has become incredibly popular!

Malaga Fashion Week
Fashionistas take note! Malaga Fashion Week takes place between Friday 15 September and Saturday 16 September. Highlighting the latest fashion trends and talents from around Spain but with a particular focus on Malaga based designers, Fashion Week is fast becoming one of the most exciting nationally.

Malaga Fashion Week also sees the city’s most famous street, Calle Larios rolling out a bright blue carpet and becoming a huge catwalk. The event is free, but seats are limited, so it is best to get there early!

World Tourism Day
Wednesday, September 27 is World Tourism Day so, as a city that has seen an incredible transformation into a major tourist destination over the past 20 years, it comes as no surprise that Malaga will be celebrating!

Many of Malaga’s museums and monuments offer free admission on the day, including activities and guided tours. This is the perfect opportunity to take a cultural tour through the city and learn about its main places of interest.

Art galleries such as the Pompidou, Picasso Museum and the Carmen Thyssen Museum are all free to enter, as well as historical landmarks. This means that you can Roman Theatre and Interpretation Centre, then transport yourself to Muslim Malaga through a visit to the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro Castle, built in the 14th century to protect the Alcazaba and the city. And if you really want to get the most out of your day, visit the Basílica de la Victoria, one of Malaga’s most iconic churches, constructed on the site where the Reyes Católicos (Catholic Monarchs) camped during the siege of the city during the Reconquest.

Finally, if you fancy a little September sport, a visit to La Rosaleda, home to Malaga CF – the city’s football team – should be on your list. These are, however, troubled times for Malaga. The team, which just over a decade ago reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League, was last year relegated to the third tier of Spanish football. The Malaga supporters – boquerones – are still as passionate as ever, however, and the team enjoys great support from the foreign population, making each game a loud and lively event!