Mijas is one of the most extensive municipalities in the province of Malaga and due to the fact that it consists of three very different urban centres its actual location can be a bit confusing, depending on which one we are speaking about.

Mijas Pueblo in the mountains 430 metres over sea level, maintains the charm of the typical white Andalusian village, Las Lagunas, in Mijas Costa, is the newest part of the municipality, where is situated the industrial and commercial area and La Cala, which is the coastal area with 12 km of beaches and many residential developments. The municipality of Mijas is right next to and actually merging with Fuengirola, which is one of the most populous municipalities along the Costa del Sol.

Mijas Pueblo has a typical appearance of the Moorish epoch, situated half up mountain, with its white houses in vivid contrast with the green of the pine trees.

The town is on one side of the motorway linking Malaga city and Marbella. It is necessary to drive up a mountain road, dotted with white farmhouses, to reach the white village. 

Mijas is a place worth be discovered on foot. Right next to the village entrance there is a large parking where you can park your car (Malaga car hire). Close by is the stand of the famous burro taxis (donkey taxis). By now, it is nearly half a century ago, when some workers returned to their homes with donkeys and were required by visitors to be photographed or for a walk. Almost always, the tips exceeded their salaries. So was originated a new job. Nowadays, the donkey taxis are a typical institution of Mijas and one of its main tourist attractions. The donkeys have a special “parking” for them in the shade when they are not working and as well there has been created an institution for “retirement” in a dignified place for “elderly donkeys” which are no longer able to work.

Today the golf courses have changed the landscape that just two decades ago consisted of small orchards and farms.

The old Mijas village, whose neighbors were devoted entirely to farming, is at present day a multinational community with a 40% of foreign population, the highest rate of foreign residents in the municipalities of Malaga.

Attracted by the climate and the local color of a town that retains the memory of its past, the foreign community has become part of Mijas and participates in the conservation and protection of the historical and artistical site. No wonder. Mijas is one of the most awarded Andalusian municipalities in acknowledgement of the care the villagers put in the maintenance of streets, squares and monuments.

Mijas Pueblo requires some time by the visitor as it has a lot of beauty to offer which unfolds best with a slow walk and so he can appreciate all the charming details.

There are many nice bars and restaurants in this charming village and so there are a huge number of wineries of exquisite andalusian wines.

Mijas Costa has developed from a former small fishing village into a beach resort and although the municipality offers some very good installations, it has at the same time managed to maintain a little bit of its original charm and it is not so overrun either as many other resorts along the Costa del Sol. Mijas Costa has over 12 kilometres of coastline and over 200 developments spread through the territory, which offer all sorts of possibilities for leisure and sports such as golf, tennis, racetrack and a Water Park.

Thanks to our soft climate in winter when the in rest of the continent there are no races, here you can find galloping the best horses. In summer, the nights of the Hippodrome are quite a sight. The Costa del Sol Racecourse is located in the urbanization El Chaparral in Mijas Costa, 30 km from Malaga airport and 25 km from Marbella.

The same philosophy applies to Golf, as you can play here throughout the year. In the municipality of Mijas there are a total of 7 excellent Golf Courses, such as La Cala and Mijas Golf, Santana Golf and El Chaparral, which are available for non members; tuition is available and equipment can be hired. Here you can find for instance as well the Golf Hotel Byblos Andaluz, a five star hotel-spa with excellent sporting facilities and an 18 hole golf course.

The central point of Mijas Costa is La Cala de Mijas, which has developed from a tiny fishing village into a beach resort with a high percentage of British population.

There are no trains going to Mijas Pueblo or La Cala. The next suburban train station is Fuengirola, from where you will have to take either the bus or a taxi. The busses run quite often and take about 25 minutes. Who doesn´t want to depend on public transport, which especially in summer can be crowded and annoying in the heat, can rent a car at Malaga airport, which is conveniently situated only 25 km away. Marbella and Puerto Banus are situated in the same distance to the west.

Holidays in Mijas

If you are travelling with children you might be interested to know about theme parks in the close by resorts, such as the Tivoli amusement Park in Torremolinos, the Fuengirola Zoo and Selwo Sea Life in Benalmadena. These three resorts are as well known for their animated night life.

In La Cala de Mijas there is every Wednesday and Saturday a street market from 09:00 to 14:30. There you can find everything from fresh vegetables to clothes, shoes, nuts, olives, ceramics and all kinds of articles apart from typical southern Spanish lifestyle. Typical products from Mijas are Honey (Miel de la Sierra), Olive oil, Avocadoes, sweets and pastries, local pottery, wicker, silver, artistic jewelry and forge.

Some of the local activities in summer are the Sardine festival in La Cala the 1st of May, San Juan on the 23rd of June, the Fishermen´s procession on the 16th of July, La Cala Fair from the 15th to the 31st of July and in Mijas Pueblo there is every Wednesday Flamenco at noon in the village square (except July and August when it is also at 21.30 h) where spectators are offered a free glass of Malaga wine, courtesy of the Mijas Tourist Office.

On the second or third Saturday in May there is held the Mijas International day. People dress in traditional clothing, there is dancing, music and a great atmosphere. There are stalls for each country where you can try traditional food and drink, usually a small snack size for one Euro.

In the first week of August there is a Theatre festival. And every Saturday from September to May thee are free guided walks in the rural area of the municipality, organized by the town hall.

For further information visit   www.vivemijas.com