Málaga (then known as Mālaqah) spent eight long centuries under Islamic rule, but much of Islamic Málaga has been resigned to the bin of history. Not so its most iconic and magnificent structure of course — the positively palatial Alcazaba. This 11th century fortress (‘Alcazaba’ literally translates as ‘citadel’) is the great cultural attraction of the city, a fabulously well-preserved citadel that is as good as it gets when it comes to Islamic architecture in 11th century Spain. The fortress is found at the foot of Gibralfaro Hill and is made up of two walled enclosures (an outer and inner citadel) that give a whisper to the magical past of this city. This may well be the first port of call for culture vultures heading to Málaga for the first time.