Málaga may be located right on the water, but don’t show up looking for pooka shells, ukuleles, or any muppets singing Kokomo. With an airport, bus and train stations, and a major coastal port, Málaga has become a center for both tourists and urban living. If you turn your back to the waves, you’ll get lost in the tall buildings, popular plazas, and wide avenues. With so many people coming down to Málaga, you can benefit from a wonderful array of restaurants, some of the most comfortable accommodations around, and the hopping variety of student-filled late-night destinations.

The hometown of Pablo Picasso, this city takes a great deal of pride in their Cubist, and you can enjoy plenty of sights and references to the artist around every corner. The rich Moorish and Roman history may not be as prevalent as in the nearby cities of Granada or Córdoba, but the combination of Arab, Christian, and Jewish cultures still provides a richness and variety that can only be found in Andalucia.

Málaga essentially wraps up a nice collection of vacation destinations all in one. Get a tan, stuff a shopping bag, and sip some sangria—this is the real deal.