Málaga

Málaga was a small, beautiful, touristy beach city with a lot to offer.

These are all the posts I made about the city:

Overall, I loved being by the coast and everything that comes with that: fresh air, ocean breezes, and not-as-hot weather.

I really enjoyed the restaurants we found—I would say the quality didn’t reach as high as Sevilla but they were still great. We went back to Mesón Mariano, El Pimpi, and Mesón Antonio a few times; I wish we had a chance to go back to El Tintero.

It was quite a hike, but I really enjoyed the sights from Castillo de Gibralfaro (and to a lesser extent, the Alcazaba). The Catedral was nice but doesn’t compare to the Catedral de Sevilla. The Picasso museum was fun to walk through and isn’t that large.

Our Airbnb in the city center was perfect, and the main part of the city is so small it’s easy to walk around everywhere. We used the bus system to get down to El Tintero; we learned to just use the local bus system’s app instead of depending on Apple or Google Maps (both seemed incorrect).

Overall, I’d be happy to come back to Málaga, and I’d be really excited to stay along the coast to soak up the full beach vibes.

Panoramic view of Málaga from a high vantage point, showing a vibrant cityscape bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on the left and mountains in the background. Notable landmarks include the Málaga Cathedral with its prominent tower, the Alcazaba fortress below it, and the port with docked cruise ships. The foreground features lush greenery and historic buildings, while the sprawling urban area stretches out under a clear blue sky.Close-up of a richly decorated entrance to the Málaga Cathedral, featuring a marble lion statue in the foreground holding a shield. Behind it, the grand wooden doors are framed by intricate stonework, twisted columns, and a colorful coat of arms with religious figures carved in relief. The composition emphasizes the detail and craftsmanship of the Baroque façade.View looking up at the Málaga Cathedral’s bell tower with a clock, framed on the left by traditional Spanish apartment buildings with wrought-iron balconies. The tall tower, with visible bells and ornate stone details, stands against a partly cloudy sky, capturing the architectural elegance and vertical prominence of the structure.Front façade of the Atarazanas Market featuring a large, colorful stained-glass window depicting historical scenes, including ships and classical buildings. The window is set within a cast-iron frame of the market’s industrial architecture. A lively crowd of people walks, cycles, and shops in the foreground, adding energy and movement to the scene.Downward view from a balcony onto a narrow, shaded street lined with classic Andalusian buildings with iron railings and wooden shutters. The perspective leads the eye through the pedestrian path below, where a few people stroll or push strollers. Soft light and pastel-colored walls give the image a warm, inviting feel.Corner of a weathered stone wall built from a mix of stones and bricks, shown against a deep blue, cloudless sky. The aged texture and rustic construction suggest historical significance, evoking the character of ancient fortifications.Close-up of decorative floor tiles featuring a geometric pattern composed of interlocking stars. A central blue hexagon is surrounded by black and brown triangles forming a six-pointed star, repeated across the surface. The symmetry and bold color contrast create a visually striking and intricate design.

2025-05-30

On Monday we went to the Monasterio de San Jerónimo in Granada, a 16th-century monastery that was occupied by Napoleon’s troops during his occupation of Spain in the 19th century. Wild!

Around the cloister garden, dozens of tombstones marked the graves of monks from centuries ago.

Ornate view of the main altar from the nave, showcasing the intricate gilded altarpiece with multiple tiers of religious figures framed by elaborately carved architecture. The domed ceiling above is richly decorated with painted panels and reliefs, while stained glass windows cast colored light into the grand interior. Towering columns and mural-covered walls add to the sense of grandeur.Upward perspective of the stone bell tower and ornate facade, seen against a clear blue sky. The structure features Renaissance-style carvings, a sculpted relief above the main entrance, and detailed coats of arms, emphasizing the building’s historical and architectural richness.Marble grave marker inscribed with the name “Fr. Carlos Dávalos” and the year 1652, set among worn terracotta tiles. The engraved stone stands out against the earthy floor, evoking the long history of the site and its monastic inhabitants.Peaceful courtyard garden with neatly trimmed hedges and rows of lush orange trees laden with fruit. In the background, the upper structure of the monastery rises with stone balustrades, arched windows, and decorative pinnacles under a vivid blue sky.Simple monastic dining hall with long wooden tables and benches lining both sides of the room. Soft natural light enters through small square windows, highlighting the whitewashed walls and brick floor. Religious paintings, including a rendition of the Last Supper, adorn the walls beneath exposed wooden beams.View of the bell tower rising above a courtyard of orange trees, with sunlight filtering through the foliage. The tower’s stone facade features arched openings and a small cross at the top, while the vibrant greenery below creates a serene contrast to the golden stone.Side-angle view of the richly detailed altarpiece, composed of multiple niches filled with polychrome religious statues and gold accents. The vaulted ceiling above is intricately carved and painted, adding depth and drama to the vertical space.Close-up of the upper portion of the altarpiece, highlighting expressive sculpted figures arranged in narrative scenes. The gold-trimmed architectural elements frame each panel, while painted reliefs and figures convey intense emotion and devotion.Fresco of a winged saint painted on a column, depicted in ornate armor holding a shield and sword while standing atop a defeated dragon. Surrounding floral motifs and decorative patterns enrich the scene, reflecting the artistic detail throughout the church interior.Altarpiece framed by soaring columns and detailed frescoes, featuring statues of saints and biblical figures set against a painted backdrop. Above, three arched stained glass windows illuminate the richly decorated apse, bringing light and color into the sacred space.

2025-05-30