The "Feria de Malaga" is perhaps the most open fair in an  Andalusian capital city, but perhaps less authentic or  has less preserved its traditions. Maybe because it is done in the middle of August, at the peek of summer season,  and because of its location in the heart of the Costa del Sol which makes it be the super attraction of the millons of turist that visit the province these days.





For starters, you should know that Malaga fair is original because it is a party that is on two fronts: the downtown and the fairgrounds (out of town), which creates confusion among visitors and difficulty in understanding what is it about. Not to forget that fairs in Andalusia, in origin, are country fairs. Were organized to sell cattle, and incidentally to show off  power of horses, costumes, and family gatherings.

Throughout the twentieth century the Fairs were evolving into a festive, social, economic and urban event, in which the issue of women's Flamenco suit takes on a special role. (Read my post Understanding Flamenco Dress). The most important fairs are those of Seville, Cordoba, Jerez and Malaga, the latter being the only one that takes place in summer, and the only spreading its celebrations in the streets of the city, apart from the fairground.

Calle Larios decorated for the event

Today these parties have a character so important that it has become a topic of municipal politics, where decisions and set in order the municipalities depend. And say pro Malaga, that their city has gone a little out of hand, as it is becoming less flamenco and salsa.


If you come for the first time, I tell you what to do at the fair in Malaga:

1. I advise you start by urban fair that develops from Larios Street and beyond. You'll see the city decorated, you will find booths in the Plaza de la Constitution, and the prettiest for me is the adaptation of the bars to the spirit of fair in decor and service, that means that  all center becomes The Fair, but mixed with daily life because there are people still moving parallel  doing their daily life.
The time to start may be the Spanish lunch hour (starting at 14). You can have a beer in the stands of the streets and then test in some bars. At every step you can meet  bands playing rumba-flamenca or sevillanas.

But you could try some flamenco concert a little earlier in the Plaza de la Merced, where every day a group live acts from 13.30.

The spirit and the environment will continue all day long, so if you resist you can continue until night, or go to the FairGround

2. I would dedicate a different day for the fairground, called in spanish "Recinto Real" or "el Real de la Feria" . I would go at noon to enjoy the horse walk, and live a little original atmosphere of a fair in Andalusia. Here eating and drinking is done in the stands that are managed by different clubs. The horses are removed at 18:30.

At night, at 23, there are concerts in the Booth Hall Verdiales, dyes rather flamingos, while at the Municipal Auditorium always shine Malaga artists, most of the "poperos" (pop stars) and balladeers.

3. Displacement and cars: like all massive event, the big problem is ordinary mortals directions. I do recommend if you are in the Costa del Sol, go with the train to the capital, Renfe has extended hours, and you have service until midnight.
The exhibition grounds can be reached by car and also buses from the center of Málaga, where we have the same problem: parking downtown. A good option is to leave the car at the promenade, near Maria Zambrano train station, and from there you can take buses to the fair. Both 4 and 24 going on Avenida de Andalucía, and then go through the train and bus stations. There is also a special bus that goes to the fair and that part of the Alameda