As hard as it was to leave Córdoba, the next stop of my Andalusian adventure was calling: the coastal oasis of Málaga. Being as it was the mid-stop of my excursion, I didn’t have too high of hopes. I was exhausted and needed some much needed time to soak up the Spanish sun. My two goals for Málaga were to relax on the beach and to start 2018 off on a positive note…and it delivered. I made the journey to Málaga on December 31st and really had no plans to do anything special for the night.
Without regret, I had myself a relaxing last day of 2017. I treated myself to a nice dinner, did some mid-travel laundry (backpackers know that this is a great feeling to have fresh and clean clothes!), and enjoyed a casual night of journaling and reading in my hostel’s lounge. Upon the end of the evening, I met Jeong, a fellow backpacker from South Korea. He had been exploring Europe for the past three months and Spain was his last stop before heading back home. At the end of the night, he invited me to wake up early and seize the new year by heading to the beach to watch the first sunrise of 2018. So that’s what we did!
There was something really beautiful about waking up early to see the sunrise because it was celebrating the new year in the opposite way that most people do. While we were walking to the beach it was still a little dark and many people were drunkenly wandering home from the bars. The sunrise was absolutely magical. It was so calming to just sit on the beach, listen to the waves, and watch the candy colored sky brighten with each minute that passed.
After we finished aweing over the sunrise, I talked Jeong into having brunch with me. Brunch is easily one of my favorite things on earth. It’s a way of life! I was lucky that I could talk him into splurging and forgetting his travel budget for the moment.
AND OMG guys, if you are in Málaga, please go to Brunchit Espana because it will change your life. Literally it’s the cutest brunch spot and the food is to die for. As most of you know, if a place to eat is aesthetically pleasing, then I am already in love with it because I need those basic foodie photographs.
Precisely Jeong and I on the first day of 2018. Credit: Parks & Recreation
Unfortunately Jeong was leaving that day, but we spent the whole day together until his train just relaxing on the beach after brunch and eating gelato.
After my pal Jeong had to leave, I meandered through the hued and winding streets. I will honestly say that Málaga was not my favorite city only because I don’t like the “beach life” very much, but it was a great “treat yo self” city. There is fantastic shopping and a wide variety of restaurants. The city is very obviously made up of Northern Europeans and people from colder climates on vacation because I heard more Russian and Nordic languages than I did Spanish.
As I said before, I was very lazy in Málaga and there wasn’t anything that was really tugging at my heartstrings that I absolutely had to see. I mostly stayed in the center and by the beaches. However, just in the center you can visit the beautiful cathedral complete with the orange trees that I live for, La Alcazaba Moorish castle, and a few gardens. If I had to compare it with a U.S. city I would compare it to Miami. It’s definitely all about the beach and party, so if that’s your thing, then check it out!
Where I Stayed
Feel Hostel City Center
Before you go…see what I had to say about the start of a new year (in case you missed it) : GOODBYE 2017, HELLO 2018
a good place to start
What goals did you make for the New Year? I would love to hear all about them. Comment below!
With love,
Molly ♥
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