We will be in hotel Iberostar Costa del Sol for 3 nights (Sept 20-23)/2 full days with Gate 1 Tour. The first full day (Sept 21) is at leisure on our own. Gate 1 also provides optional half day (5 hours, $55/pp) tour to Malaga in the morning of Sept 21.
The tour is described as following:
join the optional morning tour to Malaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. Visit the Picasso Museum with over 285 works donated by members of Picasso's family. View the Paseo de la Alameda, Paseo del Parque & the Barrio de la Malagueta. A walking tour through this historical town is accented by views of the Malaga Cathedral, the second highest in southern Spain. Head over to Cathedral Square before returning to your hotel.
We are debating if we should take this optional tour or not. We are on a 2 week Spain tour in this trip that covers Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Toledo, etc. So we would be seeing a lots of famous museums, cathedrals, and palaces in these places. I wonder if it is still worthwhile to see the sights in Malaga described in this optional tour or if we should just relax at pool and beach of this hotel for this day. Your input would be greatly appreciated.
I would also appreciate it if you have info for the following questions:
1. What is the beach condition near the hotel; is water warm enough and safe to swim?
2. Is there any other small town that is within shorter distance (with public transportation) that we can wander around on our own?
Thanks very much for your help!