What would Malaga be like to be based in for 3-4 months from may?
I've traveled around a lot of Spain but stayed inland from Ronda to Cartagena so never saw the lower coastal area.
What's the biking like?
what's the monthly rental cost of a half decent apartment?
will it be really hot?
is it just full of "culturally challenged" ex-pats?
where is a good area to be based for biking?
etc etc
any opinions gratefully received
Cant help with accomodation and prices and such like but Malaga city is as nice as most other decent cities in Spain. The old town is typically Spanish and not at all "brit abroad". The nasty bits are on the coast towards Fuengirola. Go a bit inland and the villages are very nice and of course the cycling is good. I wouldnt say no to a few months there myself.
Riding is great - try mtbmalaga.com for links.
Inland there is stacks to go at. As Mackem says, the old town is cool - just steer clear of the Costa unless you want the Union Jack boxer shorts and all day roast beef experience. In fact keep clear of everything coastal west of Malaga until you get to Tarifa which is very great.
Local riding inland is good and places like Sierra Nevada, El Chorro for climbing and biking are all nearby.
BUT... May to September is far too hot to make the most of the countryside. It's probably the only time Spain isn't the place to be...
Bit's I forgot...
Summer is Feria season in Spain - if you want local colour and 24hr partying you'll have a great time.
AND it's the world cup so those few weeks will be amazing if you hook up with a good bunch of locals in a suitable tavern!
Only been once so not conclusive but its a pretty, historic city with some nice bars. There is fantastic riding nearby, inland towards the hills. Lots of MTB companies based around there. A few month stay would be pretty good IMHO.
I spent a week at Fuengirola (not far from Malaga) with Sierra Cycling last May. We did plenty of rides that finished within a short road ride's distance of the town and the guides knew a lot of rides in the area.
Riding-wise there's a good variety of trails but generally things are (unsurprisingly) dusty and pretty loose. It's not my favourite trail surface but I expect if you spend a few months in the area you'll get used to it and will soon be drifting around corners quite happily. 🙂
Do you mean Malaga city (500,000 population)or Malaga province? Malaga city is a busy port town, very Spanish with a vibrant feel to it. Fairly expensive compared to the other coastal towns.
Malaga province is a much larger area including the Costa-del-sol all the way uo to Ronda with plenty of local villages and towns.
If you are coming over the summer I would suggest you stay near the coast as the temperatures are cooler.
We´re [url] http://www.sierracycling.com [/url] based in Fuengirola (60,000 population)which we find is a very pleasant Spanish seaside town, you really don´t need to get involved with the Btitish scene. In August the Spanish pack the town out coming down from Cordaba & Madrid to cool off.
2-bed apartment around 500 Euros per month, menu of the day around 10 Euros.
The biking here is as good as anywhere in Spain, you would be welcome to hook up with us when you are over. If you need any more info just get in touch.
Try the Sierra Espuna in the Murcia region, we go every year and I have yet to find better in Spain, it is part of the costa calida and has the best climate in Europe according to the World health organisation.
We stay at a great biker friendly hotel and sometimes we rent their apartment in the next village up the mountain (400€ a fortnight and sleeps 6).