Mijas

The municipal district of Mijas consists of several very different areas:

• Mijas Pueblo, an Andalucian white village a few km inland, up on the hill side.
• Mijas Costa, a 12 kilometre stretch a long the coast.
• La Cala de Mijas, a separate village and small resort by the sea to the west.
• Riviera del Sol, urbanization between La Cala and Calahonda.
• Calahonda, a popular urbanization st the far west end of Mijas.
• Las Lagunas, a modern commercial area with some local industry. Located right behind Fuengirola.
• Other wll known areas are Miraflores, El Chaparral and El Faro.

Mijas Costa

Mijas Costa is the part of the municipality of Mijas which covers the 12 kilometre stretch of coastline joining (from East to West) El Chaparral, La Cala de Mijas, and the two major urbanizations, Riviera del Sol and Sitio de Calahonda. Although just a twenty minute drive from little village of Mijas which is still steeped in the old Andalucian traditions and customs, the residential and beach life of Mijas Costa is very much 21st century. Holiday rentals available range from small studio apartments for holiday rentals to major villa developments with a sea and mountain view from the private pool. The beach life offers water sports ranging from jet skis, waterskiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, parapenting and more.

There are also several very good golf courses in Mijas.

The two large urbanizations, Sitio de Calahonda and Riviera del Sol are catchment areas forming large villages in their own right and have all the amenities such as commercial centres, supermarkets, golf course, sports centres, bars and restaurants for every day living. Many British and other foreign residents live here permanently and in summer, it is also very popular with holidaymakers in hotels and rented properties. Due to the great number of English speaking residents and visitors, it is easy to find English medical centres and most people there can speak English.

La Cala de Mijas - the Centre of Mijas Costa

La Cala de Mijas is the central point of Mijas Costa and although it has grown and been built up, especially over the last decade or so, it still maintains something of its Andalucian seaside village atmosphere. From being a tiny fishing village originally, its population has increased to 10,000 - many of whom are British. There are schools, a health centre, public library, post office, shops and cultural centre, as well as many excellent bars and restaurants.

There is a very popular street market ('el barratillo') every Wednesday and Saturday from around 09:00 - 14:30. The market stalls offer everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to local crafts, clothes, ceramics and pottery, flowers and plants, and lots more.

La Cala celebrates its own festivals, such as the annual fair which begins on 25 July, when the village is all decked out for a week of festivities, and you can sample traditional wines and tapas, listen to local music, and enjoy the dancing.

Saturday nights in the hot summer months of July and August are magical in La Cala. The promenade becomes a venue for classical music and flamenco dancing. With the outline of the old 16th-century watchtower of Torre Vieja as a backdrop, and moon reflecting down on the expanse of sea, the village celebrates a season of Noches de Luna y Playa (Nights of Moon and Beach).

A coastal boardwalk as part of the Senda literal de Malaga (Malaga Coastal path) running 6km west to 400m short of Cabopino port (Marbella municipal boundary) was opened in 2015 and has proved to be very popular.

Mijas Pueblo

One of the jewels of the Costa del Sol is the beautiful little village of Mijas Pueblo, which nestles comfortably in the mountainside at 428 meters above sea level; it is a superb choice for either holiday or full time living. Of the 7,500 population, there are so many foreign and English speaking residents in and around the pueblo that the Town Hall has a very helpful Foreigner's Department, which caters for the many needs of those who do not speak Spanish.

When you wander through the narrow cobbled streets of this Andalucian village, you can understand what has attracted foreigners to settle here over the years. Many artists and writers have made it their home, enjoying the benefits of an excellent all year round climate, without being part of the busier, more commercial coastal towns just 7 kilometres down the mountain side. Despite its huge popularity with tourists, Mijas Pueblo has somehow managed to retain much of its traditional Andalucian way of life, the locals displaying their unabashed passion for all things festive and an unmistakable relaxed 'mañana' outlook on anything that can be put off for another day.

The craft shops have some wonderful hand made pottery and often affordable paintings and prints by acclaimed local artists, such as Don Clarke and Michele Lehmann. A holiday memento could turn out to be a sound investment.