If you’re just itching to get to the sunny Costa del Sol as soon as possible, don’t forget to include Mijas on your itinerary! There’s so much to see and do in our little corner of the Costa del Sol -it really is the jewel in Andalusia’s crown.

Things to Do in Mijas

Mijas is both a village and a municipality, with distinctly lovely things to see and do in each. Mijas Pueblo, or the village of Mijas, sits at the base of the Sierra de Mijas mountains, about 600 metres above sea level and 20 km from the coast. With a small population of just around 7,500 permanent residents, it’s quite a popular tourist spot, well-known for it’s typical whitewashed village look and feel, history (dating back millennia!), and gorgeous mountain and sea views from almost every winding cobblestone street. If you’re visiting Mijas Pueblo, some attractions that can’t be missed include:

• The Mijas Bullring (Plaza de Toros) – Uniquely oval instead of traditionally round, the bullring in Mijas is one of the oldest in Spain. Visitors are encouraged to go inside and look around and the on-site bullfighting museum is worth a visit if taking in the sights in Mijas Pueblo.
• Ermita Virgen de la Peña Chapel – Named after the patron saint of Mijas, the Ermita Virgen de la Peña chapel was carved directly out of the rock in the 17th century by a Carmelite monk and is a truly peaceful and beautiful site with stunning views!
• Donkey Taxis – Mijas Pueblo is well-known for its donkey taxis, which will take you through the historic centre of town either on the back of a donkey or in a donkey-drawn cart. If you prefer not to participate in a donkey taxi ride, you can always stop into the donkey taxi rank to give these iconic animals (their breed is the oldest in Europe) a pet, or take a photo next to the statue in tribute to them at central plaza.
• Mayan Monkey Mijas – Once the smallest chocolate factory in the world, a trip here to see how handcrafted chocolates are made plus the chance to make your own is a must!
• Artisan Market – On Wednesday mornings, a trip to the Plaza Virgen de la Peña means a stroll through the local market, full of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. A handicraft market also takes place here on Tuesdays and Thursdays in July and August from 8pm to midnight.
• Carromato Miniature Museum – Full of oddities in miniature (boast-worthy exhibitions include stuffed dressed fleas, a ballet dancer carved out of a toothpick, a naval battle on the head of a pin, and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper on a grain of rice), you can’t come to Mijas Pueblo without stopping in for the sheer fun of it!
• Centro de Arte Contemporaneo – Focusing on 130 different art pieces by Pablo Picasso, this modern art museum is considered the 2 nd best in the world for Picasso’s ceramic art.

 

Mijas Costa

The coastal area of Mijas municipality is reportedly one of the richest in Spain and includes well known resort areas such as La Cala de Mijas, Riviera del Sol and Sitio de Calahonda. It’s a popular place for those that love the gorgeous blue flag beaches it offers, a number of international golf courses, incredible gastronomy and loads of history and laid-back Spanish-style living. Outside of Mijas Pueblo, there’s a few “musts” that can’t be missed on your visit to Mijas:

• The beach – it doesn’t really matter which one, since most beaches along the Mijas coast come with clean, soft sand, lovely beach bars (chiriguitos) and bathing and shower facilities.
• El Castillo de Clomares – A massive monument to Christopher Columbus that took just two bricklayers seven years to build. Built in a number of styles Spain is known for (roman, gothic, moorish and renaissance), it also has a tongue-in-cheek oriental pagoda that symbolises Columbus’ search for China when he encountered America.
• Parque Acuatico Mijas – A fun day of splashing about, especially for the little ones, including a wave pool, mini-golf, water slides, grassy areas for resting in the shade and live entertainment will help you beat the Costa del Sol heat that comes early in the year and lasts well into autumn.
• Golf – for the adults, a round of golf or two is easily had in Mijas. If you’re a real golf fan, you’ll have to spend quite a bit of time here to play at all 24 courses Mijas has!
• Restaurants – local, international, casual to luxury gastronomy is all available in Mijas. Fresh seafood plays a bit part of the cuisine here (make sure to try the local favourite of espetos, skewered sardines barbecued over a wood fire), but gazpacho was also invented here and thus is some of the best in Spain. Or go the tapa route and try a bit of everything, all washed down with an ice cold beer or top-notch glass of wine.

Buying a Home in Mijas

If you’ll be visiting Mijas to scout around for a home, Mijas Properties would be more than happy to arrange a tour of our amazing properties while you’re in town too! No matter if you’re looking for something along the coast, in the mountains, or anywhere in between, a holiday home, rental investment, or permanent residence, we have a number of incredible properties for sale that are worth a visit. Get in touch with our helpful real estate agents to discuss your wants, needs and budget and we’ll put together a complete list of properties for sale in Mijas that meet them, then arrange viewings for those you are interested in on the days and times that suit you.

We can’t wait to show you around our beautiful corner of Andalusia!