Malaga

This Month in Malaga:

Shopping: La Recova (5 Pasaje Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de San Juan, Malaga) is a cavernous treasure trove of a shop spread over two large rooms. Antiques such as rustic-style wardrobes and carved back chairs sit side by side with classic bicycles, straw baskets and bowls, brass framed mirrors and vintage clothing. This is somewhere where you definitely need some serious browsing time.

Sightseeing: Córdoba is famous for its beautiful Moorish patios; the walls covered with pots of brilliantly coloured geraniums. Every May, the city holds a contest and the most beautiful patios open their doors to the public. The tourist office can provide you with more information and a map (2-13 May).

Key areas: The nature reserve of the Parque Natural Torcal is located just south of Antequera (another great place to visit) and is a real lunar landscape of extraordinary rock formations dominated by a looming mountain. There are several marked trails, so lace up those trainers and get ready to stride out.

Day trips: Just northwest of Antequera is the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, Andalucia's largest natural lake and one of Europe's main breeding grounds for the greater flamingo. The chicks generally hatch around this time of year and the flamingoes stay until the summer when the lake dries out.

Malaga News & Gossip

Asian Spa

MALAGA

Asian health spas may be wonderful, but they are rather far away, so here's a thought: why not bring the essence of them closer? So goes the happy logic behind Shanti-Som, a recently opened Thai-style retreat near Malaga. With its fusion Asian restaurant and Buddha-rich decor, it's easy to forget it's in Spain.

Owner Kezia Jacobsen founded the spa in the hope of finding peace after her son was injured in a serious accident. "However much money you have, if your spirit isn't calm, you have nothing," is her mantra. To make it accessible to as many people as possible, Kezia has kept the five-star resort's prices comparatively low, as well as offering free treatment days to local carers. Visitors can choose from detox, weight-loss and yoga retreats - or custom make their own. Prices start from €1,595 for seven days. shantisom.com

Malaga Trivia

• May: Although some 14 million people fly into Málaga annually, most still turn right rather than left at the airport heading straight for the coastal resorts. It's a great shame as the Costa capital has rapidly evolved into a sophisticated city with a vibrant, aesthetically-restored historic centre.

• April: There are more than 400 restaurants and tapas bars in Málaga's historic centre, giving it one of the highest concentrations of restaurants of any European city.

• March: Málaga is home to several teterias (teashops). But these have little in common with lacy tablecoths and Devonshire cream teas and are more Moroccan in atmosphere, with low-slung cushioned seating and a wide choice of teas, ranging from classic mint to invigorating Darjeeling.

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