Parque de Malaga (Park of Malaga), Malaga (must see)

Málaga Park was created in the late 19th century as part of the city’s broader effort to modernise and improve public spaces. It occupies land reclaimed from the sea after port expansions, transforming what had once been shoreline into a landscaped green corridor between the historic centre and the harbour. Conceived as both a botanical garden and a place for leisure, the park reflected contemporary ideas about urban health, order, and civic pride.

The park is laid out as a long promenade running through its centre, flanked on either side by formal garden areas inspired by Baroque and Renaissance design. Wide paths, fountains, and carefully planned plantings define the space, while benches decorated with Sevillian tiles add a distinctive local touch. Its subtropical character is one of its defining features, with palms, ficus trees, jacarandas, and many exotic species introduced from different parts of the world. In total, the park covers approximately 30,000 square feet, incorporating the rose garden, the tree-lined areas near the City Hall, and the gardens of the Dark Gate.

Málaga Park offers a welcome pause from the surrounding streets. Shaded walkways provide relief from the heat, benches invite short rests, and monuments and sculptures dedicated to writers, politicians, and local figures appear along the route. Rather than focusing on a single landmark, the park functions as a connective space, allowing anyone to experience a slower, greener side of Málaga while moving naturally between the historic centre and the sea.