Yesterday we trekked to Málaga to see the Christmas lights. And honestly? They didn’t really impress me.
They were pretty, yes. But the city center was packed as usual, and when you’ve seen these lights year after year, the magic just doesn’t hit the same anymore. It’s hard to feel awe when something spectacular becomes routine. Málaga is bigger, but somehow it felt flatter this year. The lights were done in very muted tones to keep everything stylish, and while I get the idea, that’s also what took the charm away. Surprisingly, the city center itself had very few lights.
For the first time ever, after the main Christmas light show, we followed the crowd to the cathedral Christmas lights show. And that actually surprised me in a good way. It was beautifully executed, spectacular, and the atmosphere felt more festive than the main event. I loved that part.
The trend here seems to be flashing lights combined with Christmas songs, but something still felt missing overall. Maybe Málaga has become a victim of its own success. People will come anyway, so the effort doesn’t need to be pushed as far anymore. It’s considered a must-see in Spain. But is it really?
When I compare it to Mijas, which I wrote about a couple of days ago, the difference is quite clear. Mijas felt warmer and more Christmassy. They’ve copied the Málaga concept better. The songs were more Christmas-carol-y, the lights were more colorful, and the whole town center felt genuinely festive because real effort had been put into decorating. The atmosphere was better. And it was less crowded too, which always helps.
Did I freeze a little? Yes.
Should I have worn more clothes? Absolutely.
Still, Mijas was the better experience for me overall. No fighting through massive crowds, just a beautiful, festive town that actually made me feel something.
