While Cycling in Malaga you have the chance to experience both the wonderful landscape the area has to offer and also its food. Why not stop at various locations in and around the Malaga area to try different dishes, talk to the locals and appreciate their culture. Food is always an event in Spain and the locals love to talk about it too!
If you are staying in Malaga and want to make a stop at a traditional white village, take the coastal road and then inland to the village of Competa. You may like to stop en route for breakfast in the resort of Torre Del Mar before the climb up to Competa. Torre Del Mar is a Spanish Tourist coastal resort known for its many Chiringuitos (beach side bars) serving sardines on a spit. Order a traditional breakfast such as toast with olive oil and tomato (tostada con tomato y aceite).
After breakfast continue along the coastal road until Algarrobo and then turn left up to the village of Competa about 15km of gradual inclining road. Once you’ve reached the village, the main square is a great place to stop for lunch. It is a hive of activity with a few bars serving both traditional tapas and main meals which will be much needed after the steep climb to the village and the final ramp to the square!
Tapa is always available and my favourite dishes are below named in both English and Spanish.
Tortilla Espanola (Spanish Omelete)
Tortilla Española is the most commonly served dish in Spain and is also known as a tortilla de patata or potato omlete. It is such a popular dish, some call it “the national dish of Spain.” It is made of 3 simple ingredients: eggs, potatoes, and onions. It is not only served as a tapa, but also as a main dish and often you can see it as a filling in a crusty bread sandwich.
Calamares a la Romana (Fried Squid Rings)
Calamares Fritos are such a simple but delicious tapa. They can be served on their own or with chips & salad garnish to make a main meal. Make sure you ask for some Ali Oli a white garlic sauce which you can dip the Calamares in.
Gambas Pill PIll (Prawn Pil Pil)
Gambas Pil Pil is one of the most common and most popular tapas in Andalucia, as it’s quick, easy and full of garlic flavour. Fresh shrimp are sautéed in olive oil with plenty of garlic and a dash of cayenne pepper which gives this dish a little heat and of course the Pil Pil sauce. Its best eaten with a loaf of crusty bread to dip in and mop up the oil!
Patatas Bravas (Bravas Potatoes)
Patatas bravas is one of the classic Spanish tapas dishes. Fried potatoes are covered in a tomato-based sauce which has a slight bite from Tabasco, hence the name bravas, which means “fierce” in Spanish.
Jamón, Queso y Chorizo con Pan (Ham, Cheese, and Chorizo with Bread)
Jamón, queso y chorizo con pan is a simple but delicious appetizer or tapa that everyone enjoys. A tapa of Spanish ham combined with cheese and chorizo and bread with Olive oil makes of great snack.
Pulpo Gallego (Grilled Octopus)
Pulpo gallego is a grilled octopus that’s a traditional tapa from Galicia, served all over Spain today. It is very simple: cooked octopus that is served with boiled potatoes, olive oil, and sweet Spanish paprika.
You don’t need to travel far to find any of these dishes. All over Malaga there are places which serve them at the bar and sometimes a smaller version is served free with a beer to entice you to order more. The most popular bars in Malaga you will find the locals standing at the bar with a beer, a tapa and a small basket of bread, putting the world to right!
Why not stop for lunch and order a selection of tapas and bread to dip and share with your cycling friends whilst enjoying the beautiful sunshine and fabulous landscape that the Malaga area has to offer.
Cyclemalaga are happy to not only provide bike hire but also due to our extensive knowledge of the area we can advise on the best tapas bars and coffee stops in the Malaga province.
