Some fifteen towns and villages in Málaga province were represented at Fitur 2025 in Madrid last month. I know them all. They range from the sublime to the ridiculous.
FITUR is an important trade fair held annually in Madrid. Tourism bodies from around the world attend and set up “stands” to promote their “wares”.
Fitur 2025 [Photo: Diputacion de Malaga]
Málaga province had a major presence. In January 2025 15 towns and villages were represented under the umbrella heading "Andalusian Crush".
Fitur 2025 [Photo: Diario de Sevilla]
Malaga presented some 15 towns and villages at Fitur 2025.
Part I takes a look at the first tranche (below), while Part II, coming soon, will "run a slide-rule" over the remainder.
"Promoting Malaga" - Part I
Málaga’s top spots
I wouldn’t really quibble with any of the places promoted, although one or two are conspicuous by their absence, eg Cómpeta, Frigiliana, Torrox and Málaga City itself, although the first three come under the Axarquia (qv).
Frigiliana, Malaga [Photo: Malaga Hoy]
Antequera
This important Roman settlement sits at the crossroads of southern Málaga. Sort of in the middle of nowhere, it rises majestically above the surrounding area.
The Alcázar atop the Casco Antiguo is a delight. A working town Antequera is popular with tourists but not over-run. It is home to important archaeological remains, and boasts a delightful modern parador within walking distance of the town.
Roman Antequera [Photo: 20Minutos]
Link:
Axarquía
This is a largely rural area to the north-east of Málaga City. It includes the following towns which all featured at FITUR 2025:
Nerja
Cards on the table! I love Nerja. I shouldn’t, as it’s full of foreigners, both residents and tourists, but I can overlook them.
I’ve been to Nerja many times and with many different people: two wives, a girlfriend, family and friends – not together, I must stress.
I love the coast, the caves of Nerja, the old town and the ambiente.
Nerja, Malaga [Photo: La Sexta]
Link:
NERJA - A LITTLE GEM - Help me, Ronda
Rincón de la Victoria
This is a surprisingly large coastal town and very Spanish. I don’t know it particularly well as it’s somewhat shabby and neglected. But as in all Spanish towns the vibe is good.
Vélez-Málaga
I’ve been to Vélez two or three times.
My English colleague, John, who became my buddy, bought a house here after he left teaching (sound familiar?).
I visited a few times. Vélez is not particularly attractive, yet I understood why John and his wife Maggie chose it. Really down-to-earth, and right up John’s street.
Vélez-Málaga [Photo: KAYAK]
A brilliant luso-hispanist (Portuguese and Spanish) John left teaching and set up his own translation agency in the aftermath of a cycling accident, which left him physically disabled.
John sadly died of cancer aged just 59 in 2010.
Link:
OUR DAY OUT - on the Costa del Sol - Help me, Ronda
Benalmádena
The first time I went to Benalmádena, to attend my Welsh cousin’s birthday booze-up (Dai was touring there with his male voice choir from Neath, South Wales), we couldn’t find the Welsh bar where the event was being held. I asked several passers-by but none of them were Spanish. We eventually found the bar and had a nice time.
We were not impressed with this large British-infested tourist resort.
Welsh pub, Benalmadena [Facebook]
I’ve since passed through, and occasionally stopped, and it seems to be "on the up”. The council is spending some money to upgrade and move the town up-market.
Costa del Sol Occidental
The western Costa del Sol, ie to the west of San Pedro de Alcántara, is much less built up than the eastern bit,
This stretch includes Casares and Estepona. After that we’re in Cádiz province, so beyond the scope of this article:
Casares
There are two settlements: Casares up in the mountains, some 30 minutes from the coast, and Casares Playa.
I’ve been to Casares Pueblo several times. It’s a beautiful, if hilly, place. Again, two wives and a girlfriend, have accompanied me there and it’s always good.
Casares Playa only came onto my radar when friends Nick and Julia – he English, she Hungarian – bought a holiday home there.
It’s front-line and on a peaceful and private urbanizacion (gated community).
Casares Pueblo [Photo: Spain.info]
We’ve visited Nick and Julia a few times and even got to stay for a few nights free of charge as “payment” for a service rendered.
Link:
Away Days on the Costa del Sol - Help me, Ronda
Estepona
This is a bit of a jewel in the crown. An older established resort it has a fabulous main beach, a delightful fishing harbour and other smaller coves. Its Old Part is to die for and it has a classier feel than, say, Benalmadena, Fuengirola or Torremolinos.
Only my two wives have been here with me. Jeryl, the kids and I first came here on a day trip from Ronda, after we had bought an apartment in the City of Dreams in 2001. We loved it!
Estepona main beach [Andalucia Rustica]
Many years later, I have been a couple of times with Rita and she doesn’t like it at all! I still do, however, and can happily while away time there on my own.
Link:
ESTEPONA - Help me, Ronda
© The Spanish Fly
Links:
Bars and Restaurants at or near railway stations in the Serrania de Ronda - Help me, Ronda
GAUCIN - El Balcon de la Serrania - Help me, Ronda
GENALGUACIL - El Pueblo Museo - Help me, Ronda
MALAGA CITY - Help me, Ronda
My Top 10 places to Visit around the Serranía de Ronda and Beyond - Help me, Ronda
SERRANIA DE RONDA - Help me, Ronda
Photos:
Andalucia Rustica, Diario de Sevilla, Diputacion de Malaga, Facebook, KAYAK, La Sexta, Malaga Hoy, Spain.info, Wikipedia
Tags:
"Andalusian Crush", Andalucia Rustica, Axarquia, Benalmadena, Casares, Casares Playa, Casares Pueblo, City of Dreams, Costa del Sol, Diario de Sevilla, Diputacion de Malaga, English, Estepona, Eye on Spain, Facebook, Fitur 2025, Fuengirola, Help me Ronda, Hungarian, Jeryl, KAYAK, La Sexta, Malaga Hoy, Nick and Julia, "Promoting Malaga", Rita, Ronda, San Pedro de Alcántara, Secret Serrania, Spain.info, The Spanish Fly, Torremolinos, Wikipedia
áéíóúü