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Feria Málaga Begins: Five Days to Opening and What's Coming This Weekend

Feria Málaga Begins: Five Days to Opening and What's Coming This Weekend

Five days to Feria Málaga 2026. Here's the day-by-day plan for the opening weekend, plus the hotels still bookable this week for anyone deciding last-minute. And: how to combine it with Starlite Estopa Saturday in parallel. Opening weekend programme August 14-17. The official opening of Feria de Málaga is Saturday August 15 at 14:00 on Plaza de la Constitución with the mayor Paco de la Torre's speech plus the official fireworks-start signal.

Hiking Sierra de las Nieves: 4 Routes Through Spain's Newest National Park

Hiking Sierra de las Nieves: 4 Routes Through Spain's Newest National Park

Since June 25 2021 Sierra de las Nieves is officially Spain's 16th national park — UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1995, protected for the pinsapo (Spanish fir), an endemic conifer that has only grown here since the last ice age. For hikers from the Costa del Sol: four routes for different levels, perfectly organised from Marbella. Route 1: Refugio de Juanar (1100m) — Beginner route, half day. The easiest entry from Marbella: drive to Ojén (20 min from Marbella centre), then 15 min up the mountain to Refugio de Juanar. From the refuge car park you walk a 6 km circular through pinsapo forest. Elevation gain 200m, easy on 80% of the path. We do this route every November with our kids — perfect for families with children aged 8+. Length: 6 km loop, 2 hours Elevation: 200m Level: beginner, family-friendly Food: Refugio de Juanar restaurant — menu del día €18 with local wine Tip: depart Marbella before 09:00 to avoid arrival heat Route 2: Pico del Torrecilla (1919m) — The king route. For experienced hikers: the main route to Pico del Torrecilla — the highest peak in Sierra de las Nieves (1919m). Start at Refugio del Tajo de los Pingajos (car-accessible via Yunquera), 18 km out-and-back, 700m elevation. Plan 6-8 hours including lunch on top. We did this route in October 2023 with a friend — what stood out: the silence at 1700m, and the 360-degree view from the summit across the whole Costa del Sol plus the Strait of Gibraltar. Length: 18 km out-and-back, 6-8 hours Elevation: 700m Level: experienced hiker (15+ km/week training) Required: sturdy shoes, 2L water pp, sun protection, map Tip: start before 07:30 to be on top before 14:00 — avoid summer heat Route 3: Cañón de las Buitreras — Forest plus water route. The Cañón de las Buitreras route (departure from Yunquera) is for those who want water in nature — a deep wooded gorge with river, griffon vulture nests above the cliffs. 12 km out-and-back, 350m elevation. Best months: April-June and October (in July/August dry and hot). Seeing the vulture breeding in May is a highlight — we went in May 2024 with binoculars and spotted 12 griffon vultures circling at once. Length: 12 km out-and-back, 4-5 hours Elevation: 350m Level: intermediate Highlight: vulture spotting May/June Tip: bring binoculars, some paths slippery after rain Route 4: Pinsapar de Tolox — The pinsapo cathedral. From the village of Tolox (20 min from Yunquera) a 8 km circular runs through the 'pinsapar' — the densest pinsapo forest in the park. Some pinsapos here are 400+ years old, 30 metres tall. No serious elevation (100m) but a lunch stop at the Las Cabras spring. We always do this route in December when the others are often wet — the pinsapar stays dry thanks to canopy cover. Length: 8 km, 3-4 hours Elevation: 100m Level: beginner-intermediate Best months: September, October, December (avoid after rain) Tolox special: balneario with thermal springs — €8 for 2 hours (after the hike) Practical: planning + transport from the coast. From Marbella: A-355 + MA-485 to Ojén (20 min), or A-7 + A-366 to Yunquera/Tolox (60-75 min) From Málaga: A-357 + A-366 to Yunquera (50 min) Best months overall: April + May + September + October (summer = 35°C+, winter possible snow above 1500m) Permits/entry: none, free for the whole national park Lunch en route: Refugio Juanar (Ojén route), Restaurante Cuatro Estaciones Yunquera (Buitreras), Bar Las Tres Acequias Tolox (Pinsapar) Tip: book a stay at Refugio Juanar (€95-150/night, 22 rooms) as a 2-day hiking base — book 4 weeks ahead for weekends --- Photos: Juan Pablo Olmo (CC BY 2.0), rjime31 (CC BY-SA 2.0), Antonio from Mijas (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons; Google Maps contributors.

Twelve Days to Feria Málaga: What We Booked and What's Still Possible

Twelve Days to Feria Málaga: What We Booked and What's Still Possible

Today is day-12 before Feria de Málaga 2026. Málaga centre hotels: 90% booked since last Thursday. But options remain — if you move this week. Here's what we booked yesterday and what's still possible. What we booked: Friday 8/14 through Monday 8/17 in the centre. Booked for Feria de Málaga: three nights August 14-17 at Hotel Vincci Selección Posada del Patio (€225/night, breakfast included). Friday 14/8 14:00 arrival, Friday evening quiet in Mercado Atarazanas area, Saturday 15/8 main opening 14:00, Sunday 16/8 Romería plus lunch, Monday 17/8 day-feria before we drive back. Reason for this pick: Vincci is 5 min walk from Calle Larios and the Cortijo de Torres bus stop. Hotel Vincci Selección: €225/night through 17/8 Arrival tip: Friday 14/8 train from Marbella 11:30 → Málaga 12:50 (€8 one-way) Avoid: Hotel Larios Centro or Hotel AC Málaga Palacio — we find them overpriced for Feria peak What's still possible this week — Four hotel recommendations. Checked this morning for 14-22 August availability in Málaga centre: Hotel del Pintor (Calle Álamos): 60% still available, €165-220/night — small, 4-star, 3 min walk to Calle Larios. Book this week. Petit Palace Plaza Málaga: 40% still available, €195-260/night — boutique, modern, 1 min walk to Plaza Constitución. Book before Friday 8/8. Apartment Cervantes (booking.com): 70% still available, €110-160/night (no breakfast) — 2-person flat, 4 min to Atarazanas. Good budget option. Hotel Las Vegas Málaga: only 22/8 still available (after Feria) — not recommended for Feria week itself. Tip: Airbnbs in the El Perchel district (south of centre, next to Atarazanas) are 30% cheaper than centro but 5-7 min walk — best option for lower budget. Cortijo de Torres night — How to get there. The night-feria happens at Cortijo de Torres, 4 km south of the centre. During Feria, free shuttle buses run continuously from Plaza de la Constitución from 21:00 until 04:30. No taxi needed. We have planned two evenings in Cortijo (Saturday 15/8 and Thursday 20/8) plus Sunday 16/8 day-feria in the centre. Shuttle bus: free, departs every 15 min Plaza Constitución Caseta entry: €2-5 cash Food: chiringuito tents in Cortijo do pescaíto frito (€8-12) and specialties Tip: move from caseta to caseta in groups of 4-6 — most fun Starlite Marbella Saturday 8/2 — Lola Índigo booking deadline. We're going Saturday 8/2 to Lola Índigo at Starlite Marbella — we booked category 3 yesterday (€120 ticket). Lola Índigo's flamenco-pop is one of the most commercial Starlite shows, but her Eurovision legacy makes it accessible. For anyone joining: today is the last day to book category 3; category 4 (€65) closes this week. Today is the cat-3 deadline: without it you wait through Saturday Cat-4 still available through Friday 8/8 Next Starlite show: Estopa Saturday 8/9 (sold out completely) Tip: Starlite Beach Club dinner beforehand €70 pp menu (no entry included) Mercado Atarazanas during Feria week — What changes. Mercado Atarazanas is open during Feria week but with a strongly altered schedule: Mon-Fri 08:00-13:00 (closes 2 hours earlier than normal), Saturdays fully closed (all market traders are Feria participants). For anyone wanting fresh fish for an Airbnb kitchen: buy Monday 17/8 or Tuesday 18/8 morning. For Feria food: head to Calle Beatas (parallel to Larios) — tapas bars at €3-5 a piece. Atarazanas open during Feria: Mon-Fri 08:00-13:00 only Tip: Calle Beatas bars for lunch — not Feria prices Next Ocean Club: Tale Of Us Saturday 8/1 (last Saturday, sold out zones 1+2) What to book this week (August 3-9). Hotel Málaga 8/14-22: before Thursday 8/6 — book today Lola Índigo cat-3: today is the last day (€120) Lola Índigo cat-4: Friday 8/8 deadline (€65) Ocean Club Charlotte de Witte 8/23: zone 2 still open, book before 8/10 Train tickets Marbella ↔ Málaga 8/14+22: AVE rail book now, no station queue stress --- Photos: amata_es (CC BY-SA 2.0), Itelchan (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons; Google Maps contributors.

Feria Málaga Begins: Five Days to Opening and What's Coming This Weekend

Five days to Feria Málaga 2026. Here's the day-by-day plan for the opening weekend, plus the hotels still bookable this week for anyone deciding last-minute. And: how to combine it with Starlite Estopa Saturday in parallel. Opening weekend programme August 14-17. The official opening of Feria de Málaga is Saturday August 15 at 14:00 on Plaza de la Constitución with the mayor Paco de la Torre's speech plus the official fireworks-start signal. Day-feria begins then on Calle Larios + surrounding streets, and night-feria at Cortijo de Torres opens the same evening at 21:00. Fri 8/14 evening: pre-eve, central restaurants open extra-late Sat 8/15 14:00: official opening Plaza Constitución Sat 8/15 21:00: Cortijo de Torres night-feria opens Sun 8/16 11:00: Romería de Santa María (horse procession) Mon 8/17: rest day — Casco Antiguo usually quieter Hotels: Hotel del Pintor (€175 still available), Petit Palace Plaza Málaga (€220 still 30%) Estopa Starlite Saturday 8/15 — How to combine both. The problem for Marbella-based attendees this Saturday: Starlite Marbella has Estopa Saturday August 15 at 22:00 — the absolute peak show of the season for flamenco-rock fans, and Feria Málaga begins that same afternoon. Our solution: drive from Marbella at 11:00 to Málaga for the opening speech (14:00), eat lunch on Calle Beatas (tapas bars €3-5 a piece), back to Marbella at 19:00, then Starlite Estopa show from 22:00. Logistics: car Marbella 11:00 → Málaga 12:30 → return 19:00 → Starlite 21:30 Allow: 30 min parking-search time Málaga centre Tip: AC Hotel bus to Málaga (€8 one-way) as alternative — no parking stress Estopa cat-3: sold out, only via Hotel Don Pepe concierge Mercado Atarazanas in Feria week — The schedule. We asked Mercado Atarazanas late last week — the regular market closes entirely Saturday 8/15 (all traders in Feria), reopens Sunday 8/16 as a 'mercado especial' from 09:00-14:00 only for tourists, and then returns to a normal Mon-Fri 08:00-13:00 schedule through Friday 8/21. For Airbnb kitchen shopping in Málaga: Mon 8/17 or Tue 8/18 morning are the best windows. Sat 8/15: closed Sun 8/16 09:00-14:00: Feria special, limited products Mon 8/17 — Fri 8/21 08:00-13:00: early-close (2h earlier than normal) Sat 8/22: closed (Feria closing) What to do on rest day Monday 8/17. For anyone skipping Feria on Monday (calmer): the Muelle Uno port promenade is one of the few places in Málaga that isn't packed on Feria Monday. Walk from Mercado Atarazanas to Muelle Uno is 10 min, terrace by the sea with view of Centre Pompidou. Lunch on the terrace 13:00-15:00 for €25 pp. Then back to the centre from 16:00 — that's when we re-embrace Monday-Feria energy. Open Feria-Monday: Muelle Uno fully Restaurants: Plaza, La Cocina del Mar, La Mesa del Mar all open Tip: rest + late-lunch + then back-to-centre is the best Feria-recovery formula What's STILL bookable this week (August 10-14). For late deciders: Hotel del Pintor: €175 Monday-Sunday (4 nights), 5 rooms free Hotel Las Vegas Málaga: only 8/22 night (€140) — for anyone coming just for the closing Apartment El Perchel (Airbnb): €95-130/night, 7 listings free for 8/14-22 Airbnb Pedregalejo: €110-145/night (East Málaga, 15 min taxi to centre) Train Marbella ↔ Málaga 8/15+22: €8 one-way, book now for specific times Not recommended. Hotel AC Málaga Palacio: €420/night for 8/14-22 — abusively expensive, skip Apartment Calle Larios direct: noise 24/7 during Feria, not for families Car parking Málaga centre 8/14-22: avoid, use train or out-of-centre parking --- Photos: montuno (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons; Google Maps contributors.

Hiking Sierra de las Nieves: 4 Routes Through Spain's Newest National Park

Since June 25 2021 Sierra de las Nieves is officially Spain's 16th national park — UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1995, protected for the pinsapo (Spanish fir), an endemic conifer that has only grown here since the last ice age. For hikers from the Costa del Sol: four routes for different levels, perfectly organised from Marbella. Route 1: Refugio de Juanar (1100m) — Beginner route, half day. The easiest entry from Marbella: drive to Ojén (20 min from Marbella centre), then 15 min up the mountain to Refugio de Juanar. From the refuge car park you walk a 6 km circular through pinsapo forest. Elevation gain 200m, easy on 80% of the path. We do this route every November with our kids — perfect for families with children aged 8+. Length: 6 km loop, 2 hours Elevation: 200m Level: beginner, family-friendly Food: Refugio de Juanar restaurant — menu del día €18 with local wine Tip: depart Marbella before 09:00 to avoid arrival heat Route 2: Pico del Torrecilla (1919m) — The king route. For experienced hikers: the main route to Pico del Torrecilla — the highest peak in Sierra de las Nieves (1919m). Start at Refugio del Tajo de los Pingajos (car-accessible via Yunquera), 18 km out-and-back, 700m elevation. Plan 6-8 hours including lunch on top. We did this route in October 2023 with a friend — what stood out: the silence at 1700m, and the 360-degree view from the summit across the whole Costa del Sol plus the Strait of Gibraltar. Length: 18 km out-and-back, 6-8 hours Elevation: 700m Level: experienced hiker (15+ km/week training) Required: sturdy shoes, 2L water pp, sun protection, map Tip: start before 07:30 to be on top before 14:00 — avoid summer heat Route 3: Cañón de las Buitreras — Forest plus water route. The Cañón de las Buitreras route (departure from Yunquera) is for those who want water in nature — a deep wooded gorge with river, griffon vulture nests above the cliffs. 12 km out-and-back, 350m elevation. Best months: April-June and October (in July/August dry and hot). Seeing the vulture breeding in May is a highlight — we went in May 2024 with binoculars and spotted 12 griffon vultures circling at once. Length: 12 km out-and-back, 4-5 hours Elevation: 350m Level: intermediate Highlight: vulture spotting May/June Tip: bring binoculars, some paths slippery after rain Route 4: Pinsapar de Tolox — The pinsapo cathedral. From the village of Tolox (20 min from Yunquera) a 8 km circular runs through the 'pinsapar' — the densest pinsapo forest in the park. Some pinsapos here are 400+ years old, 30 metres tall. No serious elevation (100m) but a lunch stop at the Las Cabras spring. We always do this route in December when the others are often wet — the pinsapar stays dry thanks to canopy cover. Length: 8 km, 3-4 hours Elevation: 100m Level: beginner-intermediate Best months: September, October, December (avoid after rain) Tolox special: balneario with thermal springs — €8 for 2 hours (after the hike) Practical: planning + transport from the coast. From Marbella: A-355 + MA-485 to Ojén (20 min), or A-7 + A-366 to Yunquera/Tolox (60-75 min) From Málaga: A-357 + A-366 to Yunquera (50 min) Best months overall: April + May + September + October (summer = 35°C+, winter possible snow above 1500m) Permits/entry: none, free for the whole national park Lunch en route: Refugio Juanar (Ojén route), Restaurante Cuatro Estaciones Yunquera (Buitreras), Bar Las Tres Acequias Tolox (Pinsapar) Tip: book a stay at Refugio Juanar (€95-150/night, 22 rooms) as a 2-day hiking base — book 4 weeks ahead for weekends --- Photos: Juan Pablo Olmo (CC BY 2.0), rjime31 (CC BY-SA 2.0), Antonio from Mijas (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons; Google Maps contributors.

Twelve Days to Feria Málaga: What We Booked and What's Still Possible

Today is day-12 before Feria de Málaga 2026. Málaga centre hotels: 90% booked since last Thursday. But options remain — if you move this week. Here's what we booked yesterday and what's still possible. What we booked: Friday 8/14 through Monday 8/17 in the centre. Booked for Feria de Málaga: three nights August 14-17 at Hotel Vincci Selección Posada del Patio (€225/night, breakfast included). Friday 14/8 14:00 arrival, Friday evening quiet in Mercado Atarazanas area, Saturday 15/8 main opening 14:00, Sunday 16/8 Romería plus lunch, Monday 17/8 day-feria before we drive back. Reason for this pick: Vincci is 5 min walk from Calle Larios and the Cortijo de Torres bus stop. Hotel Vincci Selección: €225/night through 17/8 Arrival tip: Friday 14/8 train from Marbella 11:30 → Málaga 12:50 (€8 one-way) Avoid: Hotel Larios Centro or Hotel AC Málaga Palacio — we find them overpriced for Feria peak What's still possible this week — Four hotel recommendations. Checked this morning for 14-22 August availability in Málaga centre: Hotel del Pintor (Calle Álamos): 60% still available, €165-220/night — small, 4-star, 3 min walk to Calle Larios. Book this week. Petit Palace Plaza Málaga: 40% still available, €195-260/night — boutique, modern, 1 min walk to Plaza Constitución. Book before Friday 8/8. Apartment Cervantes (booking.com): 70% still available, €110-160/night (no breakfast) — 2-person flat, 4 min to Atarazanas. Good budget option. Hotel Las Vegas Málaga: only 22/8 still available (after Feria) — not recommended for Feria week itself. Tip: Airbnbs in the El Perchel district (south of centre, next to Atarazanas) are 30% cheaper than centro but 5-7 min walk — best option for lower budget. Cortijo de Torres night — How to get there. The night-feria happens at Cortijo de Torres, 4 km south of the centre. During Feria, free shuttle buses run continuously from Plaza de la Constitución from 21:00 until 04:30. No taxi needed. We have planned two evenings in Cortijo (Saturday 15/8 and Thursday 20/8) plus Sunday 16/8 day-feria in the centre. Shuttle bus: free, departs every 15 min Plaza Constitución Caseta entry: €2-5 cash Food: chiringuito tents in Cortijo do pescaíto frito (€8-12) and specialties Tip: move from caseta to caseta in groups of 4-6 — most fun Starlite Marbella Saturday 8/2 — Lola Índigo booking deadline. We're going Saturday 8/2 to Lola Índigo at Starlite Marbella — we booked category 3 yesterday (€120 ticket). Lola Índigo's flamenco-pop is one of the most commercial Starlite shows, but her Eurovision legacy makes it accessible. For anyone joining: today is the last day to book category 3; category 4 (€65) closes this week. Today is the cat-3 deadline: without it you wait through Saturday Cat-4 still available through Friday 8/8 Next Starlite show: Estopa Saturday 8/9 (sold out completely) Tip: Starlite Beach Club dinner beforehand €70 pp menu (no entry included) Mercado Atarazanas during Feria week — What changes. Mercado Atarazanas is open during Feria week but with a strongly altered schedule: Mon-Fri 08:00-13:00 (closes 2 hours earlier than normal), Saturdays fully closed (all market traders are Feria participants). For anyone wanting fresh fish for an Airbnb kitchen: buy Monday 17/8 or Tuesday 18/8 morning. For Feria food: head to Calle Beatas (parallel to Larios) — tapas bars at €3-5 a piece. Atarazanas open during Feria: Mon-Fri 08:00-13:00 only Tip: Calle Beatas bars for lunch — not Feria prices Next Ocean Club: Tale Of Us Saturday 8/1 (last Saturday, sold out zones 1+2) What to book this week (August 3-9). Hotel Málaga 8/14-22: before Thursday 8/6 — book today Lola Índigo cat-3: today is the last day (€120) Lola Índigo cat-4: Friday 8/8 deadline (€65) Ocean Club Charlotte de Witte 8/23: zone 2 still open, book before 8/10 Train tickets Marbella ↔ Málaga 8/14+22: AVE rail book now, no station queue stress --- Photos: amata_es (CC BY-SA 2.0), Itelchan (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons; Google Maps contributors.

Supermarket versus Local Market on the Costa del Sol: When to Use Which

Supermarket versus Local Market on the Costa del Sol: When to Use Which

One Mercadona visit compared to a morning at the Mercado Atarazanas teaches you the difference: at the supermarket you buy packages, at the market you buy the product. Both have their moment. Here when to use which, plus the price table for the ten most-bought tourist items. Mercadona — Standard supermarket, for weekly basics. Mercadona is Spain's largest supermarket chain — usually the first choice for expats and long-stay tourists. Own-brand (Hacendado) prices are 30-40% lower than name brands. We use Mercadona for: pasta, rice, breakfast items, basic meats, soft drinks/water, and almost all household goods. What NOT: fresh fish (poor turnover), fresh produce (worse than market), seasonal flowers. Open: Mon-Sat 09:00-21:30, closed Sun (across Andalusia, almost always) Own brand: Hacendado — take this, no name brands Tip: go before 11:00 or after 19:00 to avoid checkout queues Mercado Atarazanas Málaga — For fresh fish + jamón. Mercado Atarazanas is Málaga's covered central market — 19th-century iron building, three sections (fish, meat, produce). For fresh fish this is the call: same-day catch, prices 20-30% lower than supermarket. Jamón ibérico (€60-180/kg depending on bellota grade) is sliced for you on the spot. We come every Friday morning at 09:30 for weekend shopping — our usual fishmonger has known us since 2019. Open: Mon-Sat 08:00-15:00, closed Sun Best time: Friday morning 09:00-11:00 for fresh fish Tip: ask the jamón cutter for 'cebo' grade (€60/kg) — better value than bellota Lunch on the spot: tapas stalls in the central hall from €6 per plate Mercadillo Fuengirola — Tuesday fashion + leather + craft. Mercadillo de Fuengirola every Tuesday morning is the largest open-air market on the western coast — 300+ stalls. Not a fresh-produce market; rather clothing, leather (real vs faux), ceramics, jewellery. We buy leather bags (€20-45) and craft ceramics (€15-50 a piece) here — three-quarters of Marbella centre prices. For fresh products: go to Atarazanas or the supermarket. When: Tuesday 09:00-14:00 Best haggling: from 13:00 (near closing) Tip: bring cash — many stalls no card Mercadillo Marbella Monday — 350 stalls of clothes. Mercadillo de Marbella every Monday (Recinto Ferial, next to the N-340) is for anyone wanting holiday basics on a budget at the start of a trip. No designer, basics only: swimwear (€10-25), summer dresses (€15-40), sun hats (€8-12). A tourist outing that delivers real value. Not for fresh products or specialty items. When: Monday 09:00-14:00 Tip: combine with a Casco Antiguo walk — market first, then coffee in old town San Pedro Market — Thursday, more local-friendly. San Pedro Market on Thursday (Recinto Ferial San Pedro Alcántara) is the smaller but more local sibling of the Marbella market. 200 stalls — less clothing, more fresh produce from land-owners in the Sierra Bermeja. We come every Thursday morning for courgettes/tomatoes/honey — direct farmer-to-buyer. Plus: less crowd than Marbella Monday. When: Thursday 09:00-14:00 Best season: March-June for citrus, July-September for plums Tip: arrive early (before 10:30) for best products and parking Practical tip table: price comparison 10 items. Mercado vs Mercadona price indication (in €): 1L milk: Mercadona €0.85 / Market n/a 500g tomatoes: Mercadona €1.50 / Market €0.80 8kg watermelon: Mercadona €5 / Market €3 Whole cleaned chicken: Mercadona €5 / Market €7 (but fresher) 500g white prawns: Mercadona €8 / Market €11 (fresher, better) 100g jamón ibérico bellota: Mercadona €4 / Market €4 (sliced on the spot = better) 1kg oranges: Mercadona €1.20 / Market €0.90 (local) Olive oil 1L extra virgin: Mercadona €5-7 / Market €8-12 (single estate) Bread 500g pan rustico: Mercadona €1 / Market €2.50 (home baked) Bunch of flowers: Mercadona €5 / Market €3-4 (locally grown) Muelle Uno craft markets (monthly) are again a separate category — art and specialty products, not for weekly shopping. --- Photos: Google Maps contributors.

August on the Costa del Sol: Feria Málaga, Velada Santa Ana and What's Still Bookable

August on the Costa del Sol: Feria Málaga, Velada Santa Ana and What's Still Bookable

August is the absolute peak of the Costa del Sol year. Feria Málaga fills a week, Starlite closes its season, and Velada Santa Ana (Marbella's lesser-known patron saint festival) runs through Thursday July 30. Here's the complete August calendar — what to book now, what to skip. Velada Santa Ana Marbella — Through Thursday July 30. Today is day 5 of Velada Santa Ana — Marbella's patron saint festival for Saint Anne, celebrated in the Casco Antiguo from Saturday July 25 through Thursday July 30. Smaller scale than Feria de San Bernabé (June) but insider-rated as more authentic. We attended the procession Saturday — 200 wagons, local priests, plus the street decoration on Calle Carmen that stays for the whole week. Day programme: Casco Antiguo 11:00-23:00 through Thursday 7/30 Wednesday 7/29 concert: Joaquín Sabina cover band Plaza de los Naranjos 22:00 Thursday 7/30 closing: fireworks from Avenida del Mar 23:00 Tip: Tuesday-Wednesday quieter than Saturday (yesterday) Feria de Málaga August 15-22 — The main fiesta of the year. The Feria de Málaga starts Saturday August 15 at 14:00 and runs through Saturday August 22 at 04:00. That's 9 days of non-stop fiesta: day programme in Centro Histórico (Calle Larios, Plaza de la Constitución) until 22:00, then night-feria at Recinto Ferial of Cortijo de Torres. We're going three days this year: Friday 8/14 (arrival evening), Monday 8/17 (day-feria immersion), and Thursday 8/20 (Cortijo de Torres). Centre hotels are still 30% available; from August 5 sold out. Day-feria: Calle Larios + Plaza Constitución 11:00-22:00 Night-feria Cortijo de Torres: daily 22:00-04:00 Highlights: Saturday 8/15 (opening), Sunday 8/16 (Romería), Saturday 8/22 (closing + fireworks) Hotels: Hotel Vincci (€180-260/night), Hotel AC Málaga Palacio (€150-240) Tip: book NOW — in a week the centre is sold out Starlite Marbella — August headliners. Starlite Marbella has its season-closing shows in August. Confirmed line-up: Saturday August 2: Lola Índigo (flamenco-pop) — category 3 €120 still available Saturday August 9: Estopa (rock-flamenco duo) — sold out since late May Saturday August 16: Pablo López (piano-pop) — category 2 €180 still Saturday August 23: Rosalía (closing) — sold out since March, only via Hotel Don Pepe concierge Saturday August 30: Joaquín Sabina farewell set — category 4 €65 still available We booked cat-3 for Lola Índigo and cat-4 for Joaquín Sabina yesterday (total €185 for two shows). For anyone still wanting in: Tuesday deadline for Lola Índigo, Friday for the others. Ocean Club Marbella August — Solomun's done, what's next. Ocean Club Marbella had Solomun yesterday (Sunday 7/26) — sold-out weekend of the whole season. August line-up: Saturday August 1: Tale Of Us — sold out zones 1+2, zone 3 still open Saturday August 8: Black Coffee b2b Tale Of Us — completely sold out Sunday August 16: Adam Beyer — €180 sunbed (Feria Málaga weekend, also booked) Saturday August 23: Charlotte de Witte (techno) — zones 2+3 still open Sunday August 30: season closing, Carl Cox b2b Adam Beyer For anyone wanting the August peak: Charlotte de Witte 8/23 is the call. For more rest: Adam Beyer 8/16. Concurso de Paella Estepona — wrapped May 31, but.. The 2nd Concurso de Paella Estepona ran Saturday May 31 in Estepona's Casco Antiguo — 14 contestants, and the winner (Restaurante La Sirena, Paseo Marítimo) is now serving the winning paella on the summer menu. For €18 per person (including gazpacho starter) you eat the paella that won in May. We're going Friday 8/1 — book ahead. Restaurante La Sirena Estepona: Paseo Marítimo Pedro Manrique 18 Reservation: +34 952 802 451 Tip: ask specifically for the 'paella concurso 2026' menu version Practical August tips (book NOW). Hotels Málaga 8/15-22: book this week — in 7 days fully booked Starlite Lola Índigo 8/2: book by Tuesday Ocean Club Charlotte de Witte 8/23: book by 8/10 Avoid: Caminito del Rey, Ronda day trip (40°C+ all August) Do: early beach 06:30-10:00, beach-club afternoons, evening-feria Next big actueel article: Feria Málaga opening (publishing 8/10) --- Photos: Tyk (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons; Google Maps contributors.

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August on the Costa del Sol: Feria Málaga, Velada Santa Ana and What's Still Bookable

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