Where is Mijas?
Situated around 30 kilometres south west of Malaga, Mijas lies on the Costa Del Sol in the south of Spain.
What kind of place is Mijas?
The area which is overseen by the Town Hall of Mijas actually encompasses three very distinct locales – Mijas pueblo, Las Lagunas and Mijas Costa. Whilst Mijas Costa is made up of a 12 kilometre coastal stretch and is very much a modern day resort, Mijas Pueblo sits further inland and is the original old town. Las Lagunas lies between the two and is the home of the area’s main sporting and cultural facilities.
The old town of Mijas is one of the region’s white towns, whose small population is swelled by tourists during the summer months. Every building is painted dazzlingly white and the houses and streets are bedecked with colourful flowers. From its elevated position, almost the whole village affords magnificent views over the coast.
Mijas Costa, also known as La Cala, with its long beaches of soft, golden sand, has a significant population of ex-pats from the UK and other countries, who have moved here in their retirement years to escape the climates back home. Hence it offers a good range of facilities.
What is there to do and see in Mijas?
Starting in Mijas pueblo, this extremely pretty and welcoming little town is ideal for a stroll around it narrow back streets, where the visitor can get a better idea of what traditional village life is like. There are few cars and the town centre is pedestrianised, which not only makes it safe, but quiet. The local form of transport, if you don’t feel up to the walk, is the ‘burro’, or donkey taxi.
As you explore the streets, you will come across an ancient spring at the entrance to the village, the 16th century Church of La Concepcion and the 17th century Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Pena.
For a town of its size, Mijas offers plenty of shopping opportunities. As well as shops selling a variety of imported goods, you will find local arts and crafts, including some very colourful local pottery and ceramics, handmade linen and wicker items. The town also provides a good selection of excellent and well-priced restaurants.
In Mijas Costa, meanwhile, you will find quite a different view of life. Very much centred around the tourist industry, this popular resort offers a variety of watersports, bars, restaurants and all the other trappings of modern day tourism. Two street markets are held here every week.
What is there to do and see in the area generally?
Like much of the Costa del Sol, the area surrounding Mijas and Mijas Costa offers golfing opportunities galore. La Cala North and South golf courses lie just inland from Mijas Costa, as does the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, but a few minutes’ drive will take you to numerous others.
Malaga city itself is within a 30 minute drive and well worth visiting, as are the coastal resorts of Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola.