The sun and the sand are not the only things that attract tourists to Malaga. Malaga was founded by the Phoenicians and was an important city during the Moorish era. Much destruction occurred in Malaga during the Spanish Civil War, but still many remains were left from the Moorish time and the area is rich in the history of the period.
There are many historic monuments in Malaga that are well worth visiting. The Baroque Cathedral is one of these monuments. It is fondly referred to as "La Manquita," meaning "One Armed Women" as it appears somewhat lopsided due to a missing bell tower on its eastern side. The Parador (the state run hotel) is also a place that is well worth a visit. In fact, if you can manage to stay over for a night it is a fascinating accommodation option. It is rich in historical significance as it was once a Moorish castle. If you cannot manage to sleep in the Parador, at least make the effort to go there for lunch one day. It has gorgeous panoramic views over the city of Malaga and you can see all the way across the port, out to sea. The Moorish Alcazaba fortress is open to the public. It dates back to 1065 and features an appealing archeological museum.
Malaga was the birthplace of the famous artist, Picasso and in 2003 the Picasso Museum opened its doors to the public. Tourists now flock to the area for this special treat. For those who are interested in architecture, the city is full of beautiful old churches that are worth looking at. There are also a number of stunning well-kept gardens that are worth a visit. If you are looking for a basic tour around the city, you can join in on the Official Malaga Tour Bus. It will take you to all the major sites and historical attractions of the city.
The hotel to stay in when you are visiting Malaga is the five star Larios Hotel which was built in 1009. It is where you will bump into all the famous people who visit the city. It is quite central so a good option if you plan to explore Malaga on foot. There are a number of other accommodation options in Malaga. There you will find a variety of hotels ranging from five stars all the way down to budget hotel options. During the summer months, thousands of students flock to Malaga from all over the world to attend a language course at the university. Due to this, many cheap accommodation options are available as well. There are companies that specialize in finding shared apartments for people. They will offer short term or long term (at least three months) options. If you are a single student, you can also find accommodation with a host family. All of these choices ensure that staying in Malaga is well within the budget of any tourist.