Part II: Málaga & Marbella
Alicante was my first answer.
Then summer arrived, and the Mediterranean called again.
This time, through music.
I have always admired people who travel abroad just to attend a concert. And suddenly, I was one of those people. I was flying to Spain to finally experience Juan Luis Guerra live.
The concert was in Marbella, but getting there meant travelling through Málaga. So I decided to make Málaga part of the experience too.
One day in Málaga. One day in Marbella. Simple.
Málaga : a little more than a stop along the way
I arrived in Málaga at 22:45. I checked in at Coeo Hernán Ruiz. It is a very central, compact and functional space. Perfect for two nights. I was tired, so I called it a night.
Buenos días. It is a beautiful day.
Naturally, my first stop the following morning was the Mercado Central de Atarazanas.
Papaya, mango, fresh juice, sunshine.
Málaga immediately felt laid-back.
I wandered through the city, admired Málaga Cathedral and eventually made my way towards Gibralfaro with the hop-on, hop-off bus, taking in the views across the city.
But one of the experiences that stayed with me most was the flamenco dance at the Museo Interactivo de la Música Málaga—MIMMA.
I had read about it, but I wanted to experience it live—to feel the music, movement and expression for myself. And it was breathtaking.
The energy. The passion. The confidence within the expression. It felt soulful.
Later, I wandered through Málaga’s Old Town and found El Rincón de los Pintores, a tiny, picturesque wine bar facing the street.
Olives, aubergine, bread, a virgin cocktail and a small brioche with tuna and jam.
I sat there watching people pass and simply allowed the atmosphere to enter my system.
Apparently, I liked it enough to return for dinner. :)
The rest of Málaga carried me through the lush courtyards of the Alcazaba, the port, Calle Marqués de Larios and even a small art exhibition before I finally called it a night.
Because tomorrow was the reason I came.
Welcome to Marbella
Today was concert day. But first, I had Marbella to explore. I took the bus from Málaga to Marbella, which took about 50 minutes.
My accommodation was right beside the Old Town, and my first impression was simple: Picturesque.
The narrow streets, flowers, architecture, sunshine... I was smiling.
Eventually, I found myself at Playa de Río Real.
Luckily, I already had my swimsuit underneath my clothes.
Floating, playing in the water, spotting fish and simply allowing the sea to hold me—that was all the pleasure I needed.
I could have stayed all day.
But Juan Luis Guerra was waiting.
After a much-needed nap, I returned to the Old Town, and the atmosphere had completely changed. Restaurants had opened their terraces, people were dining, laughing and walking through the streets.
It felt dreamy.
I had dinner at The Farm, inside one of Marbella’s oldest buildings, wandered through Parque de la Alameda, picked up a lemon sorbet and watched the Old Town come alive around Plaza de los Naranjos.
And then... it was time. Let’s go.
The reason I answered
Starlite Marbella sits inside a natural quarry in the hills above Marbella.
Even arriving felt like an event. The stairs. The setting. The open air. The red-carpet moment.
I found my seat. And then it was finally time.
JUAN LUIS GUERRA!!
The music. The atmosphere. The people. The venue. I had such a blast singing and dancing, feeling the energy of it all.
I had never experienced a concert setting like it.
¡Maravilloso!
And somewhere inside that moment was the reason this entire trip existed.
After all that energy, I took a quiet evening walk before heading back to the apartment.
The following morning, I took one final stroll through Marbella.
I would have loved more time there.
But I came to experience Juan Luis Guerra live. And that is exactly what I did.
Barcelona made me curious.
Alicante & Valencia became my first answer.
Then Málaga, Marbella, the Mediterranean and music gave me another reason to return.
Thank you, Spain.
The rhythm of the Mediterranean was exactly what my soul needed.
With love,
Abigail
See this story in motion: I Flew to Marbella to See Juan Luis Guerra
