Welcome back, Tattooed Travelers! Get ready to join us on an unforgettable three-day adventure to the sun-soaked city of Málaga, Spain. Our journey began at Cologne Airport, where we boarded a Ryanair flight. Although our original departure time was set for 9:00 PM, fate had other plans. A delay pushed our takeoff to 10:30 PM, and we finally touched down in Málaga close to 2:00 AM, tired but excited to begin our escapade.

Hotel Picasso Málaga

Packing light with just carry-ons, we swiftly navigated through the airport, following the clearly marked signs to the Uber pick-up spot. Before we knew it, we were en route to our cozy home base for the weekend—Hotel Picasso Málaga. The hotel’s name alone had us dreaming of artistic inspiration, but all we could think about was catching some much-needed sleep. After a smooth check-in, we sank into our beds and drifted off almost immediately.

Morning arrived with the promise of new adventures, and we started the day with a breakfast at the hotel. For 12 euros each, we enjoyed a modest spread of pancakes, eggs, and coffee. While the breakfast was simple, it was just enough to fuel us for the day ahead.

We took some time to explore the hotel grounds, and let me tell you, it was a charming oasis. The hotel’s exterior boasted elegant beige stone, while the interior greeted us with warm red tile floors and inviting seating areas that felt like a cozy living room. Our room was a welcome surprise, especially with its powerful air conditioning—a rare luxury in Europe!

The king-sized bed was a dream, and the sliding glass door leading to the front of the hotel added a touch of openness. However, we did have a tiny visitor in the form of ants, but the hotel staff promptly addressed the issue with a quick clean-up and some ant spray. Crisis averted!

Taste of Málaga Tour Walking Tour

Refreshed and ready to explore, we hopped into an Uber and headed to the highlight of our trip: the "Taste of Málaga Tour: Tapas, History, and Local Customs," booked through

Viator. Our meeting point was the famous Calle Larios, a bustling pedestrian street lined with shops and restaurants, offering a cool respite from the sun under its shaded walkways.

There, we met our tour guide, Elise, whose infectious enthusiasm and humor instantly set the tone for a fantastic experience. We were joined by a lively group of ten fellow travelers, all hailing from Denmark. Together, we embarked on our first stop, the iconic Mercado Central De Atarazanas, a vibrant marketplace brimming with local flavors and cultural treasures.

Mercado Central De Atarazanas

At Mercado Central De Atarazanas, our taste buds were in for an adventure. We started with Padrón Peppers and a chilled glass of gazpacho, a classic Spanish cold soup made primarily from ripe tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil.

While the peppers had a pleasant kick that Will enjoyed more than I did, the gazpacho wasn’t exactly a hit for us—it tasted overwhelmingly of tomatoes and not much else. However, the rest of our group seemed to savor it with delight, proving that taste truly is subjective! As we wandered deeper into the marketplace, we were greeted by a vibrant display of fresh seafood, fruits, and local delicacies. Our next stop was a stand offering Marcona

almonds, a uniquely sweet and buttery variety that reminded us a bit of sunflower seeds. We also sampled a selection of olives, though they weren’t exactly our cup of tea.

Mercería Aranchata

From there, we strolled through the charming streets of Málaga until we reached Mercería Aranchata. The heat inside the restaurant was almost unbearable, but we soldiered on, eager to experience the local cuisine. A table was set up for our group in the back, laden with an array of traditional Spanish delicacies.

On our plates, we found an assortment of treats: creamy goat cheese, slices of Iberian ham (jamón ibérico), morcilla ibérica (a type of black sausage), spicy Iberian chorizo, and a glass of vermouth to wash it all down. Iberian ham, made from free-range pigs that feast on acorns, is renowned for its rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, which is what makes it so popular in Spain. While Will was a fan of everything on the plate, I found myself enjoying the goat cheese and the Iberian ham, despite it being a bit on the chewy side.

Even though the scorching heat made it a challenge to fully enjoy the meal, the experience of tasting these authentic Spanish flavors was well worth it.

El Gallo Ronco

After indulging in the delightful array of Spanish delicacies and braving the intense heat, we continued our gastronomic journey through Málaga. Our next stop took us past the stunning Málaga Cathedral, a towering masterpiece that added a touch of historical