IF you fancy some winter sun but don’t want to travel far, then Malaga could be the city break for you.
The city gets up to six hours of sunshine per day in January, average highs of 17C and what’s even better is you can be there in under three hours.
Winter is a hard time for Brits as during January we can get just one and a half to two hours of sunshine each day.
Compared to the UK in the winter months, Malaga gets around five to six hours of daily sun and averages over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually.
Meanwhile, the UK gets around 1,350 to 1,500 hours of sunshine each year.
In the winter, Malaga can get an average of four times more sun than the UK.
So, if you want a spot of sun, you can jet off to Malaga in under three hours.
One-way flights in January start from £15 with Ryanair from Stansted Airport – so you won’t even have to spend a lot to get there.
According to Wise, you can get a local pint of beer for as little as €2.50 (£2.17).
A cappuccino is estimated to cost €1.90 (£1.65), and the price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can be as little as €12 (£10.40).
Malaga is the sixth largest city in Spain and it has it all, a beautiful city and incredible sandy beaches so you can enjoy the sunshine anywhere.
The most popular beaches include La Malagueta which is beyond a palm-tree lined promenade and is a great spot whether you want to sunbathe or paddle in the water.
Another is La Caleta which sits between Malagueta and Pedregalejo.
For quieter spots, head further out to fishing villages like Pedregalejo & El Palo which are known for their family-friendly, urban beaches with shallow and calm water.
For some culture, you might fancy heading up to the top of Gibralfaro Castle for incredible views across the port and city.
This fort was built in the 14th century to house troops and protect the Alcazaba – entry will cost €7.
You can’t miss the Malaga Cathedral either, the huge monument stands in the middle of the city.
It was originally built in 1528 and visitors can even explore inside or head up to the rooftop.
While in Malaga, pop into the Picasso Museum – as the city is the birthplace of famed artist Pablo Picasso.
When it comes to shopping, check out the bustling pedestrian streets like Calle Larios for big brands.
For modern shopping malls, there’s Muelle Uno on the waterfront promenade.
There are vibrant old town areas with independent shops on streets like Andrés Pérez.
Check out on Sun Writer’s top eats in Malaga…
The Sun’s Assistant Consumer Editor Lana Clements recently visited Malaga – and here are her top eats…
Lana said: “Almost all tastes are catered for on the beachfront, but seafood should be the order of the day here. Make sure you have at least one serving of pil-pil prawns, which features on most menus here.
“I loved Majumi Beach Club, which has a relaxed vibe and dishes up some excellent local grub. Try the sardines, which are grilled on an outdoor fire. The tomato salad with anchovies is also a hit with visitors.
“For a nice evening meal, Los Marangos in the old town serves top paella, tapas and other authentic dishes from the region. Picasso Bar Tapas has a really buzzy atmosphere.
“As the name suggests, you can enjoy tipples such as fruit-loaded sangria alongside tapas-style nibbles. Or if you’re looking for more of a party vibe, there are plenty of late-night venues in Torremolinos including Irish bars and karaoke venues.
“I preferred to take advantage of the Cosmos Sky Bar at my hotel — Hotel Costa Malaga — which poured me freshly shaken cocktails while I soaked up the excellent views from the rooftop.”
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Plus, check out one of Spain’s most underrated cities, which is in the ‘Garden of Europe’.