SPAIN

Location - Western Europe; Capital - Madrid; Population - 46 million; Currency - Euro MORE SPAIN

From La Linea on the Gibraltar border it's a 2 hour coach ride to the beach resort of Fuengirola, where I spent a year working back in the 90s. Then it was to Madrid via Malaga, an underrated city on the Costa del Sol - October 2011.

Spain is part of the Euro-zone

Heading for the bus station at La Linea, the Spanish town on the border with Gibraltar

Fuengirola beach on the Costa del Sol

The resort has a pedestrian-only street full of restaurants which gets busy in the evening - Fuengirola

The church at Plaza Constitucion - Fuengirola

Boats at the small marina in Fuengirola

A café on Puerta del Mar, a street in the old town - Malaga

The old town's Plaza de la Merced - Malaga

The birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso is on the corner of Plaza de la Merced - Malaga

The old town is a picturesque area full of shops, galleries, museums, bars, restaurants and nightclubs - Malaga

In the heart of the old town is the cathedral - Malaga

Plaza del Obispo, in front of the cathedral, has a few outdoor bars from which to admire the view - Malaga

More bars and cafés in the old town - Malaga

The pedestrian shopping street of Calle Marques de Larios - Malaga

The street expands into Plaza de la Constitucion - Malaga

More nightlife in Malaga

A German-style beer festival had come to town for a few days; this is the main tent - Malaga

To get to the city beach head along Parque de los Curas - Malaga

..Or along Paseo del Parque. The Alcalde Pedro Ruiz Alonso Gardens lie between the two walkways - Malaga

Playa Malagueta is only a few minutes from the centre - Malaga

It's well worth taking the trail up to Gibralfaro Castle - Malaga

Take in Malaga Port and the city from the trail - Malaga

..And a brilliant view of the bull ring, Plaza de Toros de la Malagueta - Malaga

There's not much left of Gibralfaro Castle except for the ramparts - Malaga

Malaga is the gateway to the Costa del Sol but merits a visit in itself

The yellow(ish) Ayuntamiento (Town Hall, front left) and Malaga Cathedral (back right) as seen from the castle walls - Malaga

Malaga Cathedral - Malaga

Mountainous scenery lies away from the city - Malaga

A bird's eye view of the old town's Plaza de la Merced - Malaga

Down from the castle, and linked to it, is the Alcazaba - Malaga

The 11th century Alcazaba was a Moorish fortress - Malaga

The gardens of the Alcazaba are substantial - Malaga

Reflections of the Alcazaba's Palacio Nazari - Malaga

Below the Alcazaba are the remains of a Roman theatre - Malaga

A lively place of an evening in Madrid are the streets off Plaza Santa Ana

The ME Madrid Reina Victoria Hotel on Plaza Santa Ana - Madrid

The Gran Via is a major boulevard in the city centre. The clock face belongs to the Telefonica building - Madrid

Further along the Gran Via is the Metropolis building, topped by a winged statue - Madrid

Opposite the Metropolis building and overlooking the Plaza de la Cibeles, is the Palacio de Communicaciones (Post Office) - Madrid

Head south from the plaza, down Paseo del Prado, to Madrid's famous art museums

The Museo del Prado is Madrid's premier tourist attraction and one of the top art galleries in the world. Apparently. I didn't go in.

When it was built the 18th century Puerta de Alcala was Europe's biggest city gate - Madrid

Boating on Parque del Buen Retiro's lake - Madrid

330-acre Parque del Buen Retiro was created in the 17th century - Madrid

The Crystal Palace at Parque del Buen Retiro - Madrid

Peaking through a waterfall - Madrid

Plaza de la Puerta del Sol, where Madrilenos mass to see in the new year.
Recently it's also been the scene of protests in 2011 - Madrid

Some demonstrators against education cuts congregate in the Plaza Mayor - Madrid

Plaza Mayor originally dates back to the 17th century, though it has been reconstructed since. It's the tourist centre of Madrid and packed with bars and restaurants

Calle de Toledo leads off the Plaza Mayor - Madrid

Mercado de San Miguel is an indoor market behind the Plaza Mayor - Madrid

The 17th century former Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) is on Plaza de la Villa - Madrid

Calle del Arenal is a pedestrian shopping street leading off the Plaza de la Puerta del Sol. It opens into the Plaza de Isabel II, site of the Teatro Real, Madrid's opera house

The opera house also looks on to the Plaza de Oriente, shown here with the statue of King Felipe IV - Madrid

This street musician was quite spooky. He played guitar but his head and torso were packed away somewhere, replaced with a mask - Madrid

The 18th century Palacio Real (Royal Palace) - Madrid

Next to the Royal Palace are Jardines de Sabatini - Madrid

The Nuestra Senora de la Almudena Cathedral - Madrid

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LINKS

www.spain.info - Spanish tourist board

http://spainguides.com

www.visitaspain.com

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.