Such a superb report! But why could you not bring home the tinned seafood–it’s oak to bring them into the US…
You make me want to return to Malaga!!
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Aren’t Chiringuitos a great time?! I should have tried the one up the street (Cachalote) as well but ran out of time. I saw grilled fish go by at Tropicana and intended to go back to the beach later but ended up at la Bouganvilla since it was closer to home. My legs were complaining about all the walking and climbing.
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I thought it was an “agricultural” product and I would have to declare it? I may buy a few tins in Madrid, that way I won’t have to carry them around the train stations. I am in Cordoba for 3 days, then back to Madrid for 3 more, then home on the 2nd.
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You can definitely bring back tinned foods, at least into Canada so I expect it to be the same for the US. Good idea to wait till you get back to Madrid to buy your conservas
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And you were there at those chiringuitos at just the right time, when they become much more lively in the spring during and after Holy Week (kind of dead and forlorn in winter). The official sardine season is just about to start (May to October) although they grill them all the time for visitors. (Shawn, Azahar Seville reminded me about this).
Tinned items are perfectly fine to carry back to the US and Canada. We did this for years, and prices here are much lower for Ortiz bonito and ventresca (and most any tinned item) than you would pay purchasing them online at La Tienda or other online US based gourmet shops.
For example, we purchase Güeyu Mar tinned seafood here at ECI (which is still pricey) at a fraction of the price of the GM products available at De España brand foods in NY.
Since you’ll be in Madrid for 3 days, you’ll find plenty of latas in the indoor markets, at the El Corte Inglés basement supermarkets (the most expensive brands are found in the ECI Gourmet Experience or Club del Gourmet upstairs) and specialty branded shops like Doña Tomasa or gourmet delis, such as the venerable and beautiful Mantequerías Bravo.
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Thank you for letting me know I hit the sardine season fairly well! They were a great treat and the location is perfect!
I am kind of mad at myself for winging most aspects of my trip. I found out yesterday that I am leaving Cordoba the day before the Royal Stables has its next show on the 30th. I had hoped to see the Andalucian horses at work and play during my stay. But I did see these beauties this morning.
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The final Malaga post is one i am not sure i should post because it is not a food related event. But it is so much a part of Spain, for me, that it is impossible for me not to think about.
I went to a bull fight and it was one of the most incredible spectacles i have ever seen. It was a bit of history, it was a ton of machismo, it was older folks in suits and best dresses and young people in jeans, it was simply incredible.
It started poorly, the youngest matador made a botch of it with his first bull and the crowd was whistling and calling out what sounded like insults.
Then the second matador appeared and made a much cleaner kill.
Not sure if i will go again but i am really glad that i went. It is not for everyone but …
I kind of rambled a bit there to create a spoiler alert.
My next posts from Cordoba and Madrid will be under a different thread.
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I’m cribbing all these notes from Malaga, we might be doing a last minute detour from nice because of the rain.
Any recommendations for areas to visit or stay? Or can’t miss spots to eat other than what has been posted upthread @ZivBnd @Maribel
Also is a car recommended for a 4 day trip? Or is there enough to see within the city so that a car would be less needed?
Chiringuito El Chachalote on the beach(or any of the other ones), go just as it opens if you don’t have a reservation.
Araboka, not too hard to get in with last minute or no reso.
La Cosmopolita was probably my favorite meal in Malaga.
And Anyway Wine bar as previously mentioned.
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Thank you @PedroPero!
What area of Malaga did you stay in? Central part? Did you journey out to the surrounding areas?
I stayed at the Hotel Molino Lario, which is the central part I guess. I did tons of walking, the furthest I got was way down the beach where I thought I could grab a table at El Caleno, didn’t happen, no reservation. :(. I didn’t make it to the surrounding areas unfortunately, only had 6 days in Malaga.
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HHH, i stayed at an AirBNB very close to the Museo de Arte Flamenco in the Centro Historico/old city and really liked it. Two downsides were that it is a studio, with no separate bedroom, and it has 3 large window/doors overlooking a busy street (C. Ramon Franquelo) w 3 cafes so a bit noisy. About $180US per night. But i walked all over the downtown area in less than 10 minutes and it was just a 20-25 minute walk to the train station.
I do not know how to do an AirBNB link so here is the header picture of the place. And the Chiringuitos are well worth visiting more than once!
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Thank you both for this info, we are deciding whether we need a car but it sounds like walking around town is really pleasant!
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A car is def not needed if you’re just gonna stay in town, and if y’all want to venture out a bit further taxis, buses and Uber are an option. I even contemplated renting an E-bike , but I decided I’d rather do extra steps instead.
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Great info yes maybe we will uber or just rent a car for one day for a day excursion
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You could rent a car for a one day excursion, but you may find plenty to do at least for 3 days in town.
Malaga has over 30 museums, including two that are reachable by city bus: the Automobile and Fashion Museum (which both of us really liked) and the Museo Ruso, with works from the Hermitage.
Plus there’s the Centro Pompidou, the Carmen Thyssen, the Picasso, the magnificent Roman artifacts in the Museo de Málaga, the Roman Theater, the Alcazaba fortress high above the city with splendid views, the Cathedral, Museum of Stained Glass / Crystal, Wine Museum, etc.
You´ll want to stay in the center, close to the Alameda Principal and the pedestrianized and very pretty Calle Molina Larios. Much of central Malaga is highly pedestrianized, which makes strolling around a breeze.
And if you´d like to enjoy a great and authentic rice dish, I highly recommend Beluga, whose chef hails from Alicante. He just won a Repsol sun.
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Thank you @Maribel!
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