CLAMBERING up the steep steps to the Alcazaba, my husband Leon and I decide that a head for heights is vital – and this 11th-century fortress in Málaga is definitely worth the effort.
Its craggy exterior gives no clue to the beauty of the shaded pools, fountains and geometric tiles waiting for us inside.
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And the views overlooking one of the world’s oldest cities and the port are unbeatable.
Entry costs £3 (Alcazabamalaga.com).
The Alcazaba, with the Roman Theatre at its foot, is Málaga’s most-visited monument.
Luckily for us, we are with knowledgeable guide Nahuel, who deftly steers us through the crowds and the city’s criss-cross streets, and fills us in on Málaga’s intriguing past, including eight centuries of Muslim rule.
A three-hour tour costs from £26 per person (Malagaguiada.com).
We’re awed by Atarazanas Market, too – the giant, ornate stained-glass doors conceal a riot of colourful stalls heaving with fragrant spices, fresh produce and foodie gifts galore.
The fish market is a true spectacle and the best place to sample local speciality boquerones (white anchovies, and the nickname for native Malagueños), which are fried fresh to order.
Culture vulture
The museum at the house where Pablo Picasso was born in 1881 is fascinating – entry costs from £3.50 (Museocasanatal picasso.malaga.eu).
But the Museo Picasso Málaga, on the site of a former palace, is truly unmissable with its incredible collection of the artist’s work.
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Entry costs £10.50, but is free on Sunday afternoons (Museopicassomalaga.org).
Our favourite lunch of our mini-break is at Blossom in the historic centre.
Each dish on the innovative tasting menu, including silver snapper ceviche and Angus sirloin with pickled mushroom and beetroot and duxelle cream, is a work of art.
Four courses, including water and coffee, costs £43, and you can add a wine pairing for £22 (Blossommalaga.com).
Later, we snap the striking street art in the Soho Barrio de las Artes area, then duck in for a dram of sweet wine at the city’s oldest winery, La Antigua Casa de Guardia.
With barrel-lined walls and Wild West vibes, it’s a memorable experience – our drinks tally is chalked up on the bar and bells ring each time someone tips (Antiguacasadeguardia.com).
Hello, hot tub!
Home for our trip is the Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol resort, set on a rugged hillside in Mijas Costa, 45 minutes from Málaga by rail (which costs just £1.70), or 30 minutes in a taxi.
The landscaped grounds are bursting with fragrant hibiscus flowers and banana palms, there’s a heated outdoor pool and a free hop-on train to get around.
We’re staying in a deluxe Grand Residences Suite, which sleeps up to six people.
Both bedrooms have flat-screen TVs and ensuite bathrooms with The White Company toiletries, plus there’s a whirlpool bath in the master and a decent kitchen.
But the best bit is the vast terrace with hot tub and views of the glittering Med.
With its rainforest vibes, Safari is the resort’s main restaurant, serving tapas like spicy burgos black pudding and chistorra (spicy sausage) platters, £11.50, come evening.
There’s chargrilled fish, pasta and pizza on offer too, with nightcaps and live music in the Grand Lounge & Bar.
It’s also worth hitting Fuengirola town – just five minutes’ drive from the apartments – and not just for its 7km of sandy beaches.
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We spy the castle, before heading downtown to buzzy La Galeria Culto Al Mercado, an open-plan food hall to devour delectable fried Spanish frieduría – gourmet croquettes filled with pork and molten cheese – from £4.20, at Pequeños Placeres, washed down with a glass of La Bordelesa’s local vino, £3 (Mercadolagaleria.com).
Postcard pretty
The next day, we head 20 minutes inland to Mijas Pueblo and amble through the bougainvillaea-lined, cobbled streets of this whitewashed village, which handily also has a signposted selfie route (Turismo.mijas.es/en/selfie-route).
Following the ruins of the fortress walls, framed by picturesque gardens and scrambling monstera plants, we soak up the spectacular panoramic vistas before sipping beetroot-hued pink vanilla lattes among striking wildlife photography at cute Coffee Art Mijas (Coffeeartmijas.com).
Later, we find a fab lunch spot in Pampa Tablas y Tapas, with its Argentine-Spanish tapas and sharing boards.
We opt for a rainbow-bright salmon poke bowl, £13, and fish and chips taco, £4, a lip-smacking nod to the British fave but with tangy mango and tomato salsas.
Melt-in-the-mouth Argentinian steak, £8, is perfectly seasoned, with a buttery, celeriac mash garnished with edible flowers.
The tables out front are perfect for people– and donkey– watching (Facebook.com/pampattmijas).
At nearby Mayan Monkey Mijas, we indulge in heavenly organic cherry ice cream topped with shards of hand-made chocolate, from £3.50.
There are even chocolate workshops you can join at the Happiness Factory (Mayanmonkey.es).
But really, the Costa del Sol has proved to be a happiness factory in itself.
Psst…Order a local Larios G&T, £7, on the 15th floor of the AC Hotel – you may spot Málaga native Antonio Banderas on his penthouse terrace nearby!
FYI
Seven nights at Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol costs from £379 per apartment, sleeping up to six people (Idiliqhotels.com).
Plan your trip at Visita.malaga.eu.
Flights from the UK to Málaga cost from £63 return.
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