One of the most recognisable names in modern art, Pablo Picasso was born in the beautiful city of Málaga. Art aficionados flock to the city to retrace the steps of the great man, and while much of his life was spent elsewhere it is impossible to avoid the intangible magic of Picasso. Check out our guide to 24 hours in Picasso’s Málaga!
MORNING
Pablo Picasso was born on the second floor of Plaza de La Merced 15 in 1881, although they moved just around the corner early on in Pablo’s life. The building in which he was born has since been turned into the Casa Natal de Picasso, an homage to the early years of the painter including some of his earliest works. Check this out first thing and be sure to spend a little bit of time on Plaza de La Merced, the square in which Picasso spend his early years. If the creative urges start kicking in, get yourself a coffee from the excellent Cafe con Libros.
AFTERNOON
From Plaza de La Merced head to Calle Granada and check out the humble Santiago Apostle Church, the 16th century building in which Picasso was baptised. His full name? Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso. We’ll stick with Picasso for now. Our next stop will be the Picasso Museum in the old Buenavista Palace, the number one stop for Picasso lovers in his hometown. All things Picasso are celebrated here, with much of the man’s best work on show. This will take time, so give it the attention it deserves.
EVENING
Picasso was a known lover of bullfighting and the traditional Spanish sport featured heavily in his work. It is known that Pablo spent many an afternoon and evening at Málaga’s La Malagueta bullring. The bullring was undergoing extensive renovations at the time of writing, but Picasso aficionados should take a little trip to the area to check it out nonetheless, to breathe in the air that Picasso so loved. You get to walk by the sea too, which is always a delight.
NIGHT
Head back towards the very centre of the city and make a beeline for Antigua Casa de Guardia, widely regarded as Picasso’s favourite bar and a fantastic place to enjoy some sweet Málaga. It also happens to be the oldest bar in the city, originally established in 1840, and it is easy to understand why Pablo enjoyed it so much. History is difficult to ignore, after all.
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