You can see Africa from Malaga. In Benalmadena, for example, you can take a cable car to about 800 meters up the side of a mountain. With the right weather conditions, you can see Morocco in Africa.
Some would resort to traveling to Gibraltar to see the coast of Africa.
The cheaper option would be going to Malaga. Local trains from many cities stop in Benalmadena. From here, you can take a cable car up to the mountains and see Africa.
Once up, you can see the coast of Morocco. This, of course, should be in great weather conditions.
Also, it would not be easy to see Africa during the day.
The ideal time of the day would be in the early mornings. This is the time when the air is cold and clear. During this time, one can easily see Africa.
Visiting another continent is an amazing experience. But what is more amazing is seeing another continent while in another. This is like seeing Africa from Europe.
You can see Africa from a lot of vantage points in Europe. This is as long as you stay within the Strait of Gibraltar zone. In Europe, these places are Gibraltar, Tarifa, and Malaga. There is also Algeciras as well as Marbella.
The Strait of Gibraltar is a channel of water that separates Europe from Africa.
Here, we talk more about seeing Africa from Europe.
For some areas, it would help if you have binoculars. But for most of these in the Strait of Gibraltar, you can see Africa with your naked eye.
The Distance from Spain
Some parts of Spain are close to Africa.
The shortest of that distance is about 14 kilometers away. This is where the Strait of Gibraltar is at its narrowest.
From this part of Spain, one can take a ferry for 35 minutes and reach Africa.
Suffice to say, when you are in the Strait of Gibraltar, you can see Africa from Europe.
If you position yourself in these parts of Europe, you would see Africa well.
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How do you go to Malaga?
One can reach Malaga by plane or train. There are flights from New York, Atlanta, or Miami to either Barcelona or Madrid. Trains from these cities travel to Malaga.
Unfortunately, there are no airports in Malaga that service airlines from the US.
But fret not because Barcelona and Madrid just train rides away.
Flying into Barcelona/Madrid
When flying into El Prat Airport in Barcelona, one can travel from most major American cities.
For example, Delta Airlines travels from New York direct to Barcelona. The same airline also travels from Atlanta to this part of Spain. The Atlanta flights, however, are seasonal.
The level has flights from Boston, New York, and San Francisco to Barcelona. On the other hand, United Airlines also flies from Newark in New Jersey to El Prat.
The Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport in Madrid also services flights from the States. New York, Dallas, and Miami all have direct flights from the US to Madrid.
Delta also flies from Atlanta and New York to Madrid.
From either Madrid or Barcelona, one can fly domestically or take the train to Malaga.
Flying into Malaga
The Airport of Malaga (AGP) sits right smack at the center of Costa del Sol. While the airport services international flights, none are from the US as of this time. Most are from London and other European nations.
There are, however, domestic flights. Fortunately, there are flights from Madrid or Barcelona to Malaga.
So, you can fly to either Madrid or Barcelona from the US, then off you go to Malaga.
Going to Malaga from Madrid by Train
The fastest from Madrid to Malaga is by taking the AVE high-speed train if you are traveling by train. The travel time takes about 2 hours and a half from Madrid.
Reservation fees can range from 10 Euros to 23 Euros. The price depends on whether you choose a first- or second-class seat. You can either make reservations online or at the train station.
When making reservations online, visit eurail.com/en/book-reservations.
This is the high-speed train. Other trains are not as fast. They come cheaper, though.
Going to Malaga from Barcelona
Barcelona is a bit far off from Malaga. But some trains travel from here.
Trains from Barcelona to Madrid take about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Tickets would cost around 60 to 120 Euros. Buses from Barcelona to Madrid are cheaper at 30 to 40 Euros.
So, if you are traveling to Malaga via Barcelona, your route should be Barcelona to Madrid to Malaga.
When flying domestically, different airlines travel from Barcelona to Malaga. When pressed for time, flying from Barcelona should be faster.
Depending on the airline, plane fares can be anywhere from 40 to 110 Euros for a one-way ticket.
Madrid’s plane tickets may be a bit more expensive. The cheapest starts at 50 Euros or so for a one-way ticket to Malaga.
But no matter the time it takes or the amount you pay, Malaga is beautiful.
Plus, you are in for a great experience of seeing Africa.
What else is there to do in Malaga?
Malaga has a lot of activities in store for travelers. You can visit cathedrals, hike up cliffsides, or visit the Picasso museum. There are also food markets and wine tasting that will fill your days with fun and excitement.
Malaga is a vigorous city. Set in the coastlines of the Costa del Sol, it offers travelers a lot of activities beyond the beach.
It is a port city and is famous for one of the greatest artists to have ever lived – Pablo Picasso.
When in Malaga, you can explore its laneways and plazas. You can munch on the many flavors the city has to offer. Plus, you can also enjoy its many bars and restaurants all over the city.
There are cathedrals, museums, and galleries. And finally, it also has landscapes and gardens that leave one in awe.
So, when in Malaga, what are the best tourist spots?
Here are five of them.
Cathedral de la Encarnacion de Malaga
The design of the cathedral is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.
It used to be a mosque of Aljama. In its ruins, the cathedral was then built.
Its construction spanned a couple of centuries. It started in the mid-16th century until the late 18th century. Despite the years of construction, this was never finished because of financial constraints.
Even if unfinished, the cathedral remains to be one of the most beautiful in the country.
Housed within the cathedral building is Museo Catedralicio.
The Museo houses some of the greatest works of art and objects related to religion.
The cathedral is at the Calle Molina Lario in Malaga. It is open on weekdays from 10 AM until 6:45 PM. On Saturdays, the cathedral is open from 10 AM until 5:30 PM. The cathedral is not open on Sundays.
Caminito del Rey
If you are up for an adventure, you might as well try the King’s Pathway. They call it the Caminito del Rey. This was once considered to be one of the most dangerous hikes in the country.
There are multilayer landscapes that pass through reservoirs and mountains. It goes through gorges and valleys.
This was again opened in 2015. Since it opened, you can see the original trail below as it juts out from the cliff.
This is open from Tuesdays until Sundays from 9:30 AM until 4:30 PM.
Mercado de la Merced
Sitting right in the center of the square in the old part of Malaga is the Plaza de la Merced. It has cafes and open spaces. You can explore the Plaza and bask at all the architecture in the square.
Walk on to the northern part of the Plaza, and you will find the birthplace of a famous artist, Pablo Picasso.
Just a wee off the Plaza de la Merced is the Mercado de la Merced. Here, you will find a lot of dining options you will love.
Eat your way through the market. It has fish and vegetables. It has cured ham and different types of cheeses. Plus, there are tapas bars to your fancy.
You can find the market at the Calle Merced. It is open from Mondays until Wednesdays from 7 in the morning until eight at night. On Thursdays, it is open from 7 AM until 1 AM. Fridays and Saturdays, it opens from 7 AM until 2 AM. The market does not operate on Sundays.
Museo Picasso
Malaga is popular for its famous artist, Pablo Picasso.
Picasso is one of the most popular artists of today. In honor of their famous artist son, Malaga opened a museum that displays his works.
The museum houses more than 200 pieces of Picasso’s artwork. The pieces date back to his childhood until his adult years.
The museum provides its visitors an understanding of Picasso and his works of art. It is airy and is something you should not miss when you are in Malaga.
You can find the museum at the Palacio de Buenavista in Calle San Agustin. It opens every day from 10 AM and closes at 7 PM.
The Malaga Wines
Malaga is famous for its sweet wines.
When in this town, one can never run out of wine bars and bodegas. It is in these places that one can taste only the finest wines in the land.
The town’s wine industry goes back to 3,000 years before. The town has always been a wine producer ever since.
In Malaga, there is a traditional wine bar. It is one of the oldest in the town as well.
Antigua Casa de Guardia was actually established in the 1840s. From then on, it served a wide array of wines from its bodega in the nearby hills.
This traditional wine bar is at the Alameda Principal. It is open from Mondays to Thursdays from 10 AM until 10 PM. On Fridays and Saturdays, it opens from 10 AM to 10:45 PM.
On Sundays, it opens from 11 AM and closes at 3 PM.
Which part of Europe has the clearest view of Africa?
Gibraltar has the clearest view of Africa. When one wants to see Africa from Europe, one has the clearest views at the Rock of Gibraltar.
Gibraltar sits in the southern part of Spain. It lies in the coastal parts of Europe and is just a few miles away from Africa.
Gibraltar is a mere 14 miles away from the African continent. As such, the territory is one of the ideal places to see Africa from Europe.
There is one place in Gibraltar you should prefer to see the African continent clearly. This limestone rock formation is what people call the Rock of Gibraltar. It soars up to about 1,398 feet.
The Rock of Gibraltar faces the Strait of Gibraltar. Before landing, this should be the first that one notices of the country.
Options to go to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar
- You can ride a cable car or ride a cab. If you so choose, you can also choose to hike to the top. There are also tour guides who would be able to bring you to the summit of the Rock.
A cable car can take you up to the top in 6 minutes. But the other options provide you with the experience to explore the area.
- Cabs, hikes, or tours can provide you with numerous stops along the way. There is the Moorish Castle to think of. Plus, there are also tunnels from the Second World War.
What is interesting is that along the way, you can also drop by the Apes Den. This is where you will find the apes.
Once you are on top of the Rock of Gibraltar, you will have the best views by then. This includes a view of Africa just a few miles away from the territory.
You will also be seeing the coastal towns of Algeciras and Tarifa in the west. To the north lies Costa del Sol. There is also the Sierra Nevada Mountains farther up north.
So, can you see the coast of Africa from Europe?
The answer is yes.
You can be in Malaga or any of the coastal towns in Spain. Or you can also be on top of the Rock of Gibraltar.