The Art of Slowing Down
I ditched Amsterdam at the very last minute. The forecast said –7, snow and high risk of transport disruption (aka getting stranded!). General misery didn’t feel like the kind of challenge I needed. So, I pivoted and headed south instead - trading icy canals for sunshine and sea air in Málaga.
From the moment I arrived, the city invited me to slow down. I wandered through the Old Town with no real agenda, letting my feet do the planning. The Picasso Museum, the harbour, cobbled streets humming with life. It all felt effortlessly welcoming.
Somewhere between getting my bearings and people-watching, I bought a freshly made Portuguese tart for €2. Possibly the best €2 I’ve ever spent. That set a precedent. I finished the day with a swim and sauna at the hotel, already wondering why I ever thought frozen temperatures were a good idea.
Málaga has a way of making you feel like you belong very quickly. Mornings began at Atarazanas Market, where breakfast came from bustling stalls and the atmosphere felt as nourishing as the food. I wandered around the Alcazaba, surrounded by orange trees and parakeets, fully committing to the fantasy that I now lived here. No forwarding address required.
There was a catamaran trip around the Bay of Málaga, which was theoretically relaxing …… I lay on the big net at the front, staring at the sky, while simultaneously convincing myself it was about to give way and I’d be dragged into the sea, only to reappear on the front page of a UK tabloid newspaper!
Back on land, I watched street performers do their thing and quickly confirmed that tango dancing will never be my calling. The thighs, the coordination, the confidence - I respect it deeply, but from a safe distance.
Days were powered by açai bowls and curiosity. A bus ride across the city led me to the botanical gardens - peaceful, green, and grounding in a way that felt like a reset button.
Later, I walked along Malagueta Beach, wandered through the marina markets, and watched the sunrise catch very energetic street performers mid-routine. The rhythm of the city was infectious without ever feeling overwhelming.
The final stretch of the trip unfolded slowly and intentionally. I walked the castle walls at Gibralfaro, taking in the city from above, letting the views stretch my perspective a little wider. I spent time with powerful contemporary works at Centre Pompidou Málaga, then returned to the beach - no plans, no rush, just being. Swimming, sauna sessions, staring at the sea, and yes, consuming an entirely reasonable number of Portuguese tarts, now firmly established as a daily requirement.
What this trip gave me wasn’t just sunshine. It was a creative reset. Days shaped by art and gentle wandering - galleries, gardens, street performers, markets, orange trees, sea air. Letting curiosity lead instead of schedules. Getting far too excited about not needing a coat and briefly considering moving there.
Castles, city views, warmth on my skin, and a timely reminder to slow down, feel more, and trust that creativity shows up when it’s ready.
Málaga, thank you.
