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There are two things we love the most at Connecto: Malaga, the jewel of Andalusia where we provide private airport transfers year-round, and creative grassroots efforts that leave you admiring someone else’s personal dedication.
In today’s edition, we interviewed Mr. Alejo Tomás, founder of Malaga Top, who has single-handedly established a popular portal for visitors to Malaga and promotes it as a destination with unique guides based on personal experiences.
We hope this feature inspires more individuals to take up direct roles in the promotion and betterment of their cities in ways that can be surprisingly impactful.
Tell us a bit about your journey into the world of travel and travel writing. How did you decide to create Málaga Top?
I’ve always loved traveling, but it was during my Erasmus stay in Genoa in 2004 that I realized travel would be a central part of my life. Later, I moved from Málaga to Madrid for work, and that’s when I launched my first travel website, 21wonders.es, aiming to visit the 21 Wonders of the World as defined by the New7Wonders Foundation. To make it more challenging, I added the 14 finalists too.
Over the years, I would plan trips to visit one or two wonders and share my experiences on the site. In 2014, I decided to take a round-the-world trip for a year to complete the challenge—traveling solo for 11 months.
A few years later, in 2018, I returned to my hometown, Málaga, and decided to create a website about my city: Málaga Top. It’s a guide by a local, for locals, tourists, and curious minds, drawing on my experience traveling through over 30 countries and living in four (Denmark, France, Germany, and Italy).
Málaga is an increasingly popular destination and has been experiencing record growth in tourist arrivals recently. Do you have any issues with overtourism like in Barcelona?
Yes, we are starting to see similar patterns. The main challenges are loss of local identity and gentrification, which push residents to the outskirts as city-center prices soar. Visiting downtown has become more of a special occasion due to the high costs imposed by the hospitality sector.
It’s a strange and sad feeling to feel like a tourist in your own city: everywhere you look, it’s the same as anywhere else—franchises, clothing stores, similar menus—and people often look at you as if you were an outsider.
What are the most interesting places in Andalusia that one could visit with a well-placed day trip from Málaga, whether using a private transfer or public transport?
Two must-see day trips from Málaga are Caminito del Rey and the Nerja Caves, both unique in Spain. Nearby towns like Comares, Casares, Mijas, or Frigiliana are also worth visiting for a taste of traditional Andalusia.
A bit further afield, Córdoba and Granada are spectacular destinations just an hour away, offering rich culture and heritage few cities can match.
Do you have any cooperations with local institutions like the tourist board, churches, NGOs, or cooperatives?
In the past, I’ve collaborated with the City Council to promote urban art routes in Soho and Lagunillas, and with associations like ARRABAL or ONCE to make urban art accessible to everyone.
Nowadays, I prefer to maintain full independence on the website and collaborate only occasionally, always without turning it into advertising.
In your personal opinion, what is the one hidden gem of Málaga, that not many people end up experiencing but should?
Many visitors don’t realize that Málaga province is full of mountains and scenic viewpoints.
One of my favorite hidden gems is to watch the sunset from Monte Victoria, Monte Coronado, or Monte Tortuga, all within easy reach of the city center.
You can also explore hiking trails in the Sierra de las Nieves or the Montes de Málaga, which offer breathtaking views and a completely different side of the region from the beaches and city life. It’s a side of Málaga that most tourists miss but is perfect for those looking to combine culture with nature.
What is next for Málaga Top? Do you see yourself ever changing the enthusiast basis of the website and transitioning to a commercial guide or agency?
That’s a big question, and I’m still figuring it out. The digital landscape is changing fast, especially with AI, and I want to explore ways to keep Málaga Top engaging while possibly experimenting with hybrid models in the future.
For now, my focus is to continue sharing passionate, local-driven content—guides, hidden gems, and personal insights from someone who has traveled extensively and lived in several countries.
The goal is to keep Málaga Top a resource that both locals and visitors can rely on, while exploring new ideas as the project grows.
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We are grateful to Mr. Tomás for sharing these insights with us, and we hope his example inspires more creative individuals around the world to develop their own local resources.
