10 February, 2016

By VIVA Team

malaga-capital-costa-del-sol-2main

Stunning, affordable, friendly, accessible and blessed with that Costa del Sol climate, Málaga is a real gem of a city.

Can’t get no satisfaction? Then head to Málaga – the Andalusian city has been ranked as Spain’s best city in terms of providing its citizens with a ‘satisfactory’ lifestyle, and also ranks as one of the best in the EU for good living.

Data from a new Eurobarometer survey has found that Málaga places 11th of 79 European cities when it comes to quality of life, perhaps surprisingly beating out all other Spanish cities in the process…

The European Commission-backed survey asked 500 people in each city polled to rank certain aspects of life in their metropolis, including cultural attractions, affordability, safety, education, healthcare and social harmony.

Of those polled for Málaga, a whopping 97% remarked that they feel “satisfied” with life in the city, while its performance was noticeably strong in regards to good quality and affordable accommodation. Málaga is also very adept at making foreigners feel welcome, placing seventh overall – a performance no doubt boosted by its international airport and close proximity to the Costa del Sol’s world-famous resorts.

In recent months, Málaga’s stock has undoubtedly been on the rise. Often overshadowed by its Andalusian cousins of Seville and Granada, and overlooked by the sun-seeking hordes that turn right at the airport all summer long and head to the beaches and bars of the Costa del Sol rather than the quaint squares of the city, Málaga is enjoying its moment in the sun.

From new cultural attractions to a revisionist love for all things Andalusian, the media, travellers and even Spaniards have begun to appreciate just how fantastic the city is. For Brits looking to enjoy life overseas in one of the brilliant resorts of the Costa del Sol, Málaga’s presence nearby often serves as a welcome slice of big-city bustle after months on end of laid-back living.

Its location, architecture, services and attractions are perfectly complementary to the rest of the region, and surveys like this are its just reward. So if you’ve never been further into Málaga than the outskirts of its airport, why not make 2016 the year that all that changes? You will not be disappointed.