My explorations of the city often lead me to striking and surprising places.
This time was no exception, as I was taking a walk, which could be considered touristy, when I came across this picturesque street. But not because its walls were rarely painted, but because the shops there give it life, colour and variety of goods.
The streets of the historic centre are absolutely touristy, often impossible to pass through due to the amount of people everywhere.
Crossing small streets I came across the so-called Calle Santa Maria, which at first I had no idea of its name, but it was only at the end of my walk that I was able to see the sign at the top of the street that gave me a description of it.
To my pleasant surprise, both at the beginning of this exploration and at the end, I was able to find this type of decoration, all allusive to this country and its customs.
The street was narrow, but many others crossed it, and they are full of restaurants and places to enjoy, have a drink or chat with friends or family.
On this occasion I was accompanied by a friend, in this adventure of discovering new things, which I love.
We quickly found a big corner, but very big, with many windows and in each one of them there was like a display of boxes.
It was the intersection of Calle Santa María and Pasaje de Chinitas.
We went over to see what it was all about, because the boxes were attractive to look at because of their decorations and drawings, and as you know I love art, especially antique art.
It turned out to be a shop, a big shop of sweets, of various kinds, and the boxes had, in many of them, names of different countries.
The presentation was exquisite and the way the shop windows were arranged was a luxury to see, all very delicately placed and well illuminated.
I don't know how the sweets tasted, but I can assure you that the boxes are beautiful, you can see for yourself.
A lot of art, originality, creativity and good taste in this beautiful shop.
Returning to the street I was walking along, I noticed that it was full of shops of various kinds, but mostly souvenir and decoration shops, all things that tourists buy to take home or to give as gifts after a trip.
Continuing on my way I came across this shop, which had a little bit of everything inside, caps, scarves, stamps, key rings and much more.
But what really caught my attention was a machine that made a medal out of coins. All you had to do was insert a one euro coin and a five cent coin and choose the model of the medal. This is made on the second coin and the first one is the payment.
Very original and I love these things.
Another shop had inside, dresses and hats, very colourful.
On the outside they had very original hair clips in the shape of flowers. I loved them.
As I looked to the side this little street crossed the one I was exploring, I love those old floors.
On the next corner was one of the many shops called Sabor a España, they sell exquisite jams and sweets and are very popular with tourists. There are many in the historic centre and they are all very busy.
Look at these apples, they look very tasty.
Right next to this sweet shop, there was another one selling souvenirs and handicrafts, and they are my weakness, so I decided to go in.
More than clothes and shoes, I prefer to look at handicrafts.
And this one had so many things that my eyes were not enough to see everything.
They had sculptures of all shapes and colours, from bulls, felines, angels, to Don Quixote.
I love the sculptures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza and there were many of them.
There were also sculptures of Hindu culture, very beautiful, by the way.
Wooden objects and many other materials were there to look at, admire and buy.
If I had to choose favourites, it was the ones about Don Quixote and horses.
After leaving the shop, I continued my tour, looking at the balconies and the wooden doors, which I also like very much.
That's how I found this spice and essence shop, a very rustic herbalist's shop where outside there were various types of tea on display, all handmade and very well put together.
Walking through the place was great, because there were a variety of aromas that enraptured the sense of smell.
If I looked back, which I usually do, I could see my way and just before the end of the walk, again these decorations, I think they are for the walls. I love them.
When I come out of the street is when I could see the name and it ends just in one of the corners of the Cathedral of Malaga.
Its tower is always amazing, day or night.
The surrounding buildings fill us with old balconies and style.
Every day I enjoy more and more these walks exploring and getting to know new parts of the city.
Thank you for joining me in today's exploration. Best regards to all of you and see you next time.
Amonet.
All photographs are my own.
Separators created by me in Photoshop.
Used translator Deepl.com free version.
[//]:# (!worldmappin 36.72097 lat -4.42059 long A sweet walk with handicrafts and essences in Santa María street 📷 Málaga - Spain d3scr)