This was our second Christmas spent in Finland 🎄. Last year, we had just arrived in Finland, and everything was still so new, so we spent the whole Christmas holiday quietly at home. But this year, we decided we had to go out and experience a different festive atmosphere!
The world feels like a huge walled city: friends in the south long to visit Northern Europe during Christmas to find Santa Claus and chase the Northern Lights, while we, living in the north, keep dreaming of heading to the sunny south to find a touch of warmth.
Even living in Espoo, the southernmost part of Finland, the daylight hours in December are still frustratingly short: the sun doesn’t rise until after 9 AM and sets around 3 PM. Add to that the cloudy skies, and seeing a bit of sunshine at noon already feels lucky. So, after consulting travel agents and GPT, we decided to embark on a complete sunshine escape—to Málaga, Spain!
Instead of rushing around to tick off sights, we decided to truly slow down and enjoy the holiday. This time, we planned to spend an entire week in Málaga, letting the sun and sea fill our lives. As a result, the preparations became remarkably simple: we booked a six-day seaside room first, then used Booking.com to reserve plane tickets, and we were ready to go!
On the afternoon of the 24th, we arrived punctually at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Everything was as usual, until, as my daughter lay on the chair, eagerly awaiting the journey, a Santa Claus strumming a guitar walked out from a plane, spreading festive cheer through the terminal with his tunes, instantly lighting up the atmosphere!
Santa Claus playing guitar at the airport
After a layover in the Netherlands, we arrived at our Málaga hotel late at night. It was pitch black outside, and we couldn’t see anything. But the next morning, when we opened the curtains, the view took our breath away—blue skies, the sea, distant mountains, palm trees, and even a plane gliding across the sky! This was the holiday of our dreams!
The view from the hotel balcony
Our destination this time was Málaga, a sunny and vibrant Mediterranean city in southern Spain, often called “Europe’s backyard.” Not only is it the top choice for Europeans’ winter vacations, but it also boasts stunning blue skies, beaches, and a rich historical and cultural heritage—Phoenicians, Romans, Muslims, and Christians have all left a deep mark here. As Picasso’s hometown, Málaga perfectly blends artistic spirit with Mediterranean leisure.
Compared to Barcelona and Madrid, Málaga has fewer Chinese tourists, which made us realize that there’s limited information about this city on social media. Few people share its stunning views and Mediterranean charm, making this hidden gem all the more special. This understated beauty makes Málaga’s scenery and culture even more precious. We felt lucky to be able to record and share the allure of Málaga.
Málaga’s city center isn’t particularly large, and its main attractions are concentrated in one area, which might be why many people only spend 1-2 days here. But since we had plenty of time, we spent three days slowly exploring the city center.
Larios Street (Calle Marqués de Larios), Málaga’s main pedestrian street
This street, located in the city center, is Málaga’s most famous pedestrian street and serves as the city’s commercial and social hub. During Christmas, it hosts a breathtaking lighting ceremony, with thousands of lights adorning the street like a dream. Although we couldn’t capture this event, we still felt the festive warmth and excitement.
Málaga truly is a city filled with energy and joy! Leaving Larios Street, we came across two men dressed in cartoon costumes, full of childlike enthusiasm. They held handmade giant bubble machines, creating colorful bubbles that shimmered in the sunlight, attracting countless children and tourists. Adults eagerly took photos and videos, while children cheered, chased, and jumped, turning the square into a lively fairy tale world.
Two bubble masters we encountered
One bubble was particularly enormous, glowing with a rainbow-like aura in the sunlight, gently floating in the air and becoming the center of attention. Its fleeting beauty left us in awe. Moments like this are the magic of Málaga!
The largest bubble I’ve ever seen on the street!
At the other end of Larios Street stands Málaga’s most famous landmark—the Málaga Cathedral (Catedral de Málaga), also known as “Cathedral of the Incarnation” (Catedral de la Encarnación). This cathedral is immensely grand and spectacular. Even with a 14mm wide-angle lens, I could only capture part of it.
The majestic Málaga Cathedral
At the bustling end of Larios Street, the cathedral acts as a serene barrier, temporarily pulling people out of the hustle and bustle. Visitors stood quietly, admiring its magnificence with curiosity and reverence. Despite the surrounding crowds, the atmosphere remained calm, as if everyone instinctively slowed down to immerse themselves in this tranquility and beauty.
Outside the cathedral, we met a kind elderly woman. She noticed my daughter’s red Chinese-style dress and walked over with a warm smile, saying, “You look absolutely stunning. What a gorgeous dress!” A simple sentence, yet it felt like a ray of sunshine on a winter’s day, melting the cold. Her kindness seemed magical, not only touching us but also filling the corner of the street with warmth.
A little later, we saw her stop by another violinist, standing casually on the street. The violinist dressed in a tailored suit, checkered trousers, and a perfectly tied bowtie played with poise and elegance. He tilted his head slightly, lost in his performance, each note narrating Málaga’s story. The elderly woman gently placed a few coins into his case and softly sang along to his melody. At that moment, the eye contact between the elderly woman and the violinist seemed like that of old friends reunited after years apart—tacit and warm. Their impromptu duet captivated passersby. After the song, the elderly woman thanked him softly and walked away, her steps light and joyful. Even in her twilight years, she radiated sunshine and love, as if injecting happiness into everyone she encountered.
The elderly woman singing along with the violinist
Moments like these are deeply moving. I believe only a place as sunny and warm as Málaga could nurture such warmth, confidence, and an unreserved ability to spread love.
Perhaps, when creating this sunny city, even God was moved. In addition to its warm sunshine, friendly people, and enchanting streets, did you know that the famous painter Picasso spent his childhood here? Although Picasso only lived in Málaga for a short time, the sunshine and Mediterranean atmosphere left an indelible mark on his memory, serving as an inspiration throughout his life’s artistic creations.
Indeed, how could a place like this not have a museum dedicated to Picasso? The Museo Picasso Málaga pays tribute to this world-renowned artist. Located on the other side of Larios Street, the museum showcases numerous original works by Picasso, spanning his early to mature periods, including paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and prints, demonstrating his diverse creative style.
The museum’s core collection mainly comes from generous donations by Picasso’s daughter-in-law Christine Ruiz-Picasso and his grandson Bernard Ruiz-Picasso. They gifted family-owned paintings, sculptures, and pottery to ensure Picasso’s art could be permanently displayed and commemorated in his hometown.
Artworks displayed in the Picasso Museum
For people like us, with little artistic sense, visiting the museum was more about joining the crowd or using the opportunity to appreciate Picasso’s charm. Although we couldn’t deeply understand the story behind each piece, the vibrant colors, bold lines, and mysterious aura of some works made us pause and admire. Watching our child mimic a “pensive” pose in front of the artwork, it seemed that the subtle influence of art had already begun.
Apart from the city center’s attractions, there’s an excellent scenic spot to the east—Mount Gibralfaro (Monte Gibralfaro). At the top stands the Gibralfaro Castle (Castillo de Gibralfaro), a Moorish fortress built in the 14th century to protect the Alcazaba and port below. Not only is it steeped in history, but it also offers panoramic views of the city and port. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a full view of Málaga, especially at sunset when the golden light bathes the Mediterranean in breathtaking beauty.
At the foot of the mountain lies Málaga’s port, where the vibrant blue Mediterranean contrasts with the bustling port. In the distance, you can see the bullring (Plaza de Toros) and the entire city center. From this vantage point, Málaga’s vitality and elegance are fully on display. Although we spent three days in the city center soaking up Málaga’s passion, we still didn’t fully explore its heart. The city’s concentrated attractions make it manageable in a short time, but every corner brims with surprises, making one or two days insufficient to truly experience its charm.
In addition to exploring Málaga’s city center, we also took a short day trip to the surrounding areas, visiting the Frigiliana Village and Cueva de Nerja (Nerja Caves). Initially, we only planned to see the caves but were unexpectedly captivated by Frigiliana, known as one of the most beautiful white villages in Andalusia. Its whitewashed buildings, colorful tiled mosaics, red-tiled roofs, lush greenery, and flowers everywhere—what could be more relaxing and delightful?
Frigiliana is a classic Andalusian “white village” (Pueblos Blancos). Every whitewashed building exudes cleanliness and quality, contrasting beautifully with the blue skies, green hills, and vibrant flowers. The winding cobblestone alleys and shadows play across the walls, with blooming bougainvillea in shades of red and purple weaving a dreamlike canvas. It’s impossible not to slow down and savor the little surprises at every turn.
A stunning view from the top of Frigiliana village
Despite being located on a hillside, the walk from the parking lot to the top of the village is relatively easy, even for older visitors. When you reach the highest point, the view will take your breath away: the vast Mediterranean meets the green valleys, with white walls and red-tiled roofs dotting the landscape like a meticulously painted masterpiece.
If you’re tired of the city’s hustle and bustle, Frigiliana is the perfect escape. The air is filled with the aroma of olive oil, cane honey, and blooming flowers—refreshing and relaxing. The narrow alleys feel like a timeless fairytale world, with surprises around every corner. The warmth of the local residents and their care for decorating their homes and courtyards only add to the charm of this small village.
When children use simple words to express their amazement at the scenery, it reminds us of the true essence of traveling—creating memories and feeling connected to the beauty of the world.
Our daughter stood atop Frigiliana, gazing at the blue skies, whitewashed buildings, and endless valleys, exclaiming, “It’s so beautiful here!”
While we were still enchanted by the tranquility and romance of Frigiliana, a short 15-minute drive (about 6 kilometers) transported us to a completely different world—the Nerja Caves (Cueva de Nerja). If Frigiliana is a poetic ode to Andalusia, then the Nerja Caves are nature’s epic masterpiece.
The discovery of the Nerja Caves is itself an intriguing story. In 1959, a group of local boys, chasing bats into a hillside, stumbled upon a narrow opening. Fueled by curiosity, they lit torches and crawled through the entrance, eventually emerging into the main chamber of the caves. What they saw left them in awe—massive stalactites, ancient cave paintings, and remnants of prehistoric human life, such as bones and pottery.
This accidental discovery quickly caught the attention of archaeologists. Named “Cueva de Nerja,” the caves became one of Spain’s most significant prehistoric cultural sites. What began as a small, unassuming entrance on a hillside is now a world-renowned subterranean wonder, filled with natural beauty and historical significance.
The world’s largest stalactite inside Nerja Caves, with a human figure in the lower-left corner for scale—breathtaking!
For someone like me, with no prior experience in caving, the grandeur of the Nerja Caves was beyond imagination. It’s hard to believe such a vast, cathedral-like underground space lies hidden beneath an unremarkable hill. Here, the world’s largest stalactite rises to 32 meters (105 feet) in height with a base diameter of 13 meters (43 feet), officially recognized by Guinness World Records. Under the spotlight, it stands like a silent giant, commanding awe and reverence.
As you gaze upward, the densely packed stalactites hang like swords from the ceiling, each one massive and imposing, narrating the mysterious stories of Earth’s depths.
Looking up, the cave ceiling is adorned with majestic stalactites, captured with an ultra-wide-angle lens to emphasize their overwhelming scale.
Additionally, the caves contain numerous prehistoric wall paintings, dating back around 40,000 years. Depicting mostly animals, these artworks showcase the creativity and survival instincts of early humans.
Being inside the caves is a blend of awe and respect for nature’s power. This journey was not only a visual feast but also a fascinating experience of traveling through time and space.
We also dedicated a day to visiting Benalmádena. If you have additional time in your itinerary, this destination is highly recommended! At the Benalmádena Bay, you can spot iconic windmills, stroll along golden beaches, and feel the refreshing sea breeze.
Benalmádena’s iconic windmills
But the highlight of the trip was taking the Benalmádena Cable Car (Teleférico Benalmádena) to the mountain summit. Initially, we thought it would be a standard cable car ride, but its duration and steepness far exceeded our expectations. As the cable car ascended, climbing the steep mountain slopes, it gradually unveiled panoramic views of the Benalmádena Bay. From the cabin, golden beaches and the azure sea intertwined like a dynamic painting, leaving us in awe.
At the summit, the view stretched endlessly across the Mediterranean and the majestic mountains—scenery so stunning it made every moment of waiting worthwhile. What’s even better is that the summit features observation decks and hiking trails for nature enthusiasts. If you’re lucky, you might even catch an impressive bird of prey show!
The summit reached by the Benalmádena cable car
Whether it’s gazing at the sea, climbing heights, or experiencing the thrill and magnificence of the cable car, Benalmádena is undoubtedly one of the best choices for exploring Málaga’s surroundings.
This was our second Christmas in Finland and our first time, like many locals, escaping winter by flying south to embrace the sunshine. At first, we didn’t fully understand why people would invest so much time and effort in seeking sunlight during the cold months. Why not simply spend the winter quietly at home, as we used to? But during this trip, we came to realize it’s not just about seeing the sun. It’s about a unique and optimistic way of life—actively creating opportunities for healing rather than waiting for them to come.
In the long, dark nights and cold air, sunshine becomes a rare gift, and the meaning of traveling goes far beyond “escaping winter.” It represents a balance in life—a way to proactively reconcile with the season. The warm sun of Málaga, its vast bays, and tranquil villages filled every moment with light and passion.
Perhaps winter isn’t just about stagnation; it’s a time to seek warmth and discover new meanings in life. As we chased the sun, life’s rhythm quietly became lighter, and we began to uncover more of our inner brightness.
May every winter be filled with light and warmth, brought to life by our actions and discoveries.
