Stage 19 of La Vuelta a España 2026 rolls out on Friday, September 11 from Velez-Malaga to Peñas Blancas above Estepona. Drivers should treat it as a rolling shutdown, not a single blockage: police will close each stretch shortly before the caravan arrives and reopen once the last riders and team cars have gone. Being a Friday at the beginning of September, expect possible tailbacks forming around late lunchtime. Many schools plan to close early to avoid problems during the school run, so don’t get caught unawares.

Morning start in the Axarquia

Parking bans in Velez-Malaga already run from 7am Thursday until about 5pm Friday around the bus station, Mercado Mayoristas, Blas Infante, Axarquia and Carretera de Loja. Cars left there risk a tow. Neutralised riding begins about 11.50am; the official start is due at 12.06pm after 8.3km through town, then the N-340 towards Benajarafe and Rincon de la Victoria. Access cuts can start 40 minutes earlier. More detail on the start zone is in our Velez-Malaga traffic briefing.

Malaga city from late morning

Barriers go up from 11.30am. Riders are expected on Carretera de Almeria around 12.40pm and to take roughly half an hour through the east, centre and west: Juan Sebastian Elcano, Pintor Joaquin Sorolla, Paseo Maritimo Picasso, Canovas del Castillo, Plaza Torrijos, Paseo del Parque, Alameda Principal, Avenida de Andalucia, Blas Infante and the A-357 towards Cartama. Most EMT bus lines will divert; 15, 18, 22, 27 and 28 are the usual exceptions. Use the rondas if you can.

Westbound A-7 and the finish climb

San Pedro Alcantara sees the race mid-afternoon, around 3.30pm to 4.26pm. Cadiz-bound A-7 traffic at km 1053, just before the Ronda exit, will stop for about 30 minutes. Queues can build from 2pm. See our A-7 San Pedro warning.

Estepona streets are due between 4.20pm and 4.28pm, then the MA-8301 climb to Peñas Blancas. Finish times sit roughly 5.14pm to 5.47pm. That mountain road stays shut far longer than a town-centre hop. That sound very precise as though it has been planned with a great deal of experience. Let’s hope that experience has taken the Costa del Sol’s famous potholes into consideration.

Leave early, skip the race line, and watch DGT plus local police feeds. Official distances and maps are on La Vuelta’s route page and DGT traffic. Probably the biggest disruption will be between San Pedro Alcantara and Estepona on the A7 at around 4pm.

Calling all Grandparents, parents and those who just love a bit of Disney, you have something very special coming you way this September as IMAGILUSION brings its wonderful inclusive Disney tribute, “Around the World”, to Opera Benalmadena.

What is IMAGILUSION “Around the World”?

IMAGILUSION is a family-friendly stage musical that pays tribute to many of your beloved Disney classics, while managing to weave in a super positive message about growth, kindness and togetherness. The story takes the shape of a flight adventure around the planet, with Mickey Mouse as the pilot and Minnie Mouse as the cabin crew, guiding children and adults through a colourful journey of fun music, dance and incredible illusion.

Audiences can look forward to appearances from all their favourite characters from the iconic Frozen, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Moana and Encanto, all characters being brought to life through live singing, choreography and magic tricks. The 80-minute show is performed in Spanish and includes live Spanish Sign Language (LSE) interpretation, with organisers stressing that the production is designed to be enjoyed by deaf and hard-of-hearing guests as well as hearing audiences.

This inclusive approach has already won over families in the Valencian Community, where the production has toured successfully, and organisers say fantasy and emotion should reach every heart.

When and where to see the magical show

The Costa del Sol will get a sprinkling of sparkle and shine on Saturday, 19 September 2026, with a 5pm start at Opera Benalmadena (Auditorio de Benalmadena) in Arroyo de la Miel, a nice early time for the youngest of visitors wanting a piece of the action. Tickets are sold via the venue’s official booking platform, where they prepare you for the fun journey you are about to embark on, “Fasten your seatbelt, the adventure begins!”. For more information visit the website.