Antonio Banderas' Hometown Málaga Through His Eyes and His Recommendations

The Jewel of the Costa del Sol, Málaga

Hello again, it's me Liz. One of the cities that left a mark on my heart is Málaga, The Jewel of the Costa del Sol. I want to share this beautiful city with you, inspired by the way we explore places at VAGMAG – through the eyes of locals – and from the "Trailblazers" episode featuring Antonio Banderas, who calls Málaga home. CNBC’s Trailblazers is an exciting TV series that allows us to explore some of the world’s key cities through the eyes of the celebrities who live there.

A few years ago, questioning my sense of belonging, I gave myself a gap year. You might remember this as my Eat, Pray, Love journey. Actually, I was almost forced to gift myself this year. Back then, I was far from the life I had intentionally built, and most importantly, I didn’t feel at home. I didn’t feel connected to my life, the people around me, or the city I lived in, New York.

As you know, I locked my life in a storage unit and hit the road. The reason we’re talking about Málaga today is that the way Banderas described his hometown in the travel program deeply touched my heart.

– Antonio Banderas

Have you found your place, the one that makes you feel at home? Or are you as fortunate as Banderas to describe your hometown in this way?

– Antonio Banderas

Having been used to moving around or rebuilding his life in new cities from a young age due to his family’s business, how deeply do you resonate with these words, just like our founder Ideal? Do you feel more at home in places where everyone knows each other, or do you prefer places where no one knows you?

In this episode, Antonio Banderas introduces his hometown of Málaga, sharing both the city’s cultural richness and his own personal projects. To contribute to the city’s artistic life, he opened the Teatro del Soho Caixabank and staged the musical A Chorus Line.

It is never easy to showcase a piece of your vision in the place you were born, grew up, or feel connected to. Banderas himself says that when he was younger in this very city, he would never have believed anyone who told him he would do these things one day.

– Antonio Banderas

After suffering a heart attack in 2017, Banderas gained significant insights into his life, leading him to reassess his priorities. During this process, he stated:

This change in his health also led Banderas to make adjustments to his lifestyle. For example, he reduced his consumption of red meat and started exercising regularly. He now runs 10 kilometers every two or three days to maintain his heart health. Additionally, he mentions that cooking helps him relax and brings mental balance.

Banderas’s lifestyle aligns perfectly with the way we at VAG Club want to explore cities by running. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll organize a run in Málaga with a group, and Banderas will join us! (manifesting)

– Antonio Banderas

Here are some of the places Banderas loves and recommends in Málaga. You can find them in our Antonio Banderas' Hometown Málaga Through His Eyes on Mindtrip.ai:

• El Pimpi: Located in a historic building, this restaurant serves traditional Andalusian cuisine. Inside, you’ll find wine barrels signed by famous personalities, including Antonio Banderas.
  

  
  

  

  
  

• Museo Picasso Málaga: This museum showcases the works of the world-renowned painter Pablo Picasso, one of the city’s cultural landmarks.
  

  
  

  

  
  

• Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castles: These two castles reflect Málaga’s history and offer panoramic views of the city.
  

  
  

  

• La Malagueta Beach: A short distance from the city center, this beach is perfect for those looking to enjoy the sea and sun.
  

  
  

  

• Calle Marqués de Larios: Famous for its boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, this street is one of the busiest spots in the city.
  

Finally, I’ll end my post with another quote from Banderas. I’m already looking forward to visiting Málaga again soon.

– Antonio Banderas

Attraversiamo, Liz