This Andalusian municipality extends from the Sierra de Mijas to the coast bathed by the Mediterranean. The municipality is divided into three nuclei: Mijas Pueblo, located in the mountains; Lagunas de Mijas, which includes a modern area with various urbanizations; and Mijas Costa, a coastal stretch of 12 km that extends from Marbella East to Fuengirola.

What makes Mijas special? Many consider it one of the most beautiful villages in Andalusia. That's always a matter of personal taste, of course. But what cannot be disputed in any way is that it possesses the typical charm of Andalusian villages. Its white walls, sky-blue pots, and colourful flowers adorning the balconies of houses are the hallmarks of this place. So, if you're looking for picturesque spots for great photos, you'll find plenty in Mijas.

Mijas has been known since the Bronze Age. The first to settle in this area were the Greeks and Phoenicians, around 900 B.C. Why did they specifically choose this place? Because of the vast amount of water from its mountain springs and minerals in the area, especially zinc and marble. In fact, the Cathedral of Malaga was built with marble extracted from Mijas.

Later, these lands were inhabited by the Romans, Visigoths, and, of course, the Muslims (let's not forget that Andalusia has a strong Arab history). The latter occupied the area until the 15th century when it was reconquered by Queen Isabella.

Those who inhabit Mijas today are mostly people from other European countries and around the world. This municipality hosts one of the largest British colonies in Andalusia.

Most travellers who visit Mijas do so as part of a journey through the Costa del Sol of Malaga or a route through the white villages of Andalusia. Whatever the case may be, the most practical way to visit the village is by car, either on your own or rented. From Malaga, the journey takes about 30 minutes and is done via the A-P7.

From Marbella, you can also take the A-7 and follow the signs, then take the A-387 towards Mijas. If your starting point is the tourist city of Benalmádena, the route is navigated via the A-368, which leads directly to Mijas Pueblo. In the heart of Mijas, there is a private parking area to leave your car all day.

The white houses of Mijas are scattered amidst the green mountains, just over 400 meters above sea level. At the same time, only 7 km separates the mountainous area from the coast. The historic centre of Mijas covers the entire town. Its network of winding streets that go up and down at will is extremely charming. At the same time, the contrast between the flowers adorning the facades and the pristine white of the buildings makes for a beautiful sight. If you add to that the magnificent views of the Mediterranean, Mijas becomes a dreamy enclave. Some of the most photogenic spots in Mijas are El Callejón de los Gitanos or the Street of the Flowers and Plaza de los Siete Caños.

The town of Mijas is not too large, so in 3 or 4 hours, you will have covered its most important attractions. While we always say that the charm of these places lies in wandering aimlessly, if you prefer to do it with a map, you should go to the Tourist Office. The building is in Plaza de la Virgen de la Peña, next to the exit of the covered parking lot in Mijas. There, you can pick up a map with the most important points of interest in the village.

Plaza de la Virgen de la Peña: The best place to start your walk through Mijas is at Plaza Virgen de la Peña, located in the heart of the village. Around it, you will find some important monuments and buildings, such as the Town Hall and the hermitage that gives the square its name. You will also see a bronze statue of a donkey, the symbol par excellence of Mijas, and a beautiful panoramic terrace. If the day is clear, it's like seeing a beautiful postcard of the Malaga coast.

The view from the square is completed with a good gastronomic offering, thanks to the bars where you can have breakfast or a drink.

Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña: Carved into the rock and next to the mentioned viewpoint, this hermitage houses the image of the patron saint of the village.

Behind this hermitage, there is a whole story. According to the legend, the Virgin appeared to two children from Mijas in the year 1586. Many say that the children were following a white dove, which led them to a small statue of a hidden virgin among the bushes. This event was considered a miracle, so a friar from Mijas spent much of his life excavating the rock next to which the statue was found to exhibit it. Today, the Ermita de la Virgen Peña has become an emblem of Mijas. Besides being a very beautiful spot, the hermitage is famous for the weddings held there and its beautiful gardens, which are often used for photographing brides and grooms. Entry to the Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña is free.

The Carromato de Mijas: Mijas boasts several interesting museums, although this is one of the most distinctive, not only in the town but in the whole of Spain. To reach the Carromato de Mijas, you only need to cross the garden in front of the Ermita and ascend the street just opposite. The museum's history began in 1972 when Professor Max, a well-known hypnotist, settled in Mijas and exhibited a collection of miniature artworks to the public. This collection included pieces from over 50 countries and was truly fascinating.

The original museum was set up in a wagon used by comedians of that era. At that time, it was known as Max's Carromato. Nowadays, the original wagon has been replaced by a replica known as the Carromato de Mijas.

Some of the collections displayed in the museum include dressed taxidermized fleas, a ballet dancer carved on a toothpick, Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper on a grain of rice, a naval battle on the head of a pin, and more. These exhibits are housed inside acrylic spheres placed on a counter in the museum's single room. To make viewing easier, many pieces are accompanied by magnifying glasses and other magnification tools.

Constitution Square: The picturesque Constitution Square is another of Mijas' most famous spots, accessed by ascending stairs by elevator.

It's one of the liveliest corners of Mijas, surrounded by craft shops, restaurants, and bars that provide a vibrant atmosphere. Furthermore, from here, one of Mijas Pueblo's most beautiful streets begins, Calle Muro, where typical white houses are adorned with blue flowerpots.

An interesting detail about this street is that next to one of the houses' doors, there's a photo displaying how the same street looked in 1910. Despite the years that have passed, Mijas has not lost its essence.

Mijas Wall Walk: Taking Calle Muro, a few meters ahead, the street divides into two. The left path leads to the Mijas Wall Walk, a beautiful panoramic route. In addition to being picturesque, this panoramic corridor allows you to see what remains of the ancient medieval wall that surrounded the village and a recently reconstructed tower. Moreover, there's a small walkway filled with plants around the walls, leading to the stairs that ascend to the tower. Climbing these steps and enjoying the beautiful views of the town and the oval Plaza de Toros de Mijas is a pleasure.

These gardens built on cliffs are one of the most beautiful visits to make in Mijas. The walk connects Calle Muros with the Bullring Plaza; it's truly a must-visit.

The next stop on your route through Mijas will be at the Inmaculada Concepción Church. Don't worry; you won't have to walk much, as it's very close to the previous point. This temple is a former Mudéjar mosque converted in the 16th century. Therefore, you can see this style in it (for example, in the bell tower) mixed with many Baroque details. Inside the temple, there are 8 very beautiful Baroque frescoes.

The bell tower of the Inmaculada Concepción Church served as the old Torre de la Vela, where the townspeople took refuge in case of a city attack.

Mijas Bullring: Opposite the church lies another of Mijas' distinctive features: its curious Bullring, constructed in the year 1900 with a unique oval shape (it is said to be the only one in Spain with these characteristics). It is believed that the bullring has this unusual shape due to the lack of space at the chosen location when the construction work took place. This resulted in the grandstands around the arena being built only at the ends.

If you wish to visit the Mijas Bullring, you can do so from Monday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (in winter) and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in summer.

Calle de Coín and Callejón de los Gitanos: Before reaching Constitution Square, you will see two streets on the left. The one closest to the square leads to the Mijas Municipal Market. A bit further down, you will come across Calle de Coín. This corner of Mijas is indeed one of the best places to grasp the charm of the white villages of Andalusia. The cobbled ground and white facades on both sides are the hallmarks of this historically rich and beautiful community.

The Mijas Ethnological Museum is situated in the former Town Hall building on Liberty Square. It was inaugurated in 1995 with the aim of recreating the way of life in Mijas in times gone by. Therefore, the collection includes farming and fishing tools, a wine cellar, olive mills, a representation of a typical Mijas kitchen, and much more. At the same time, the collection features samples of itinerant art and local craftsmanship.

One of the most curious elements of the museum is the cubicle where Manuel Cortés, better known as the "Topo de Mijas," supposedly hid. According to the story, the last Republican mayor of the 20th century, after becoming a "topo" (a term referring to someone in hiding), was forced to conceal himself for 30 years in a small cavity behind the wall. The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

THINGS TO DO IN MIJAS

Explore the steep streets of the village in a donkey taxi. Donkey taxis are one of Mijas' great curiosities and tourist attractions. This tradition began in the 1960s when workers returned home riding donkeys. Curious tourists would stop to take photographs or ask the animal owners for permission to go for a ride. As often, the tips left for photos exceeded the wages; the tradition turned into a profession.

Today, donkey taxis are a true symbol of Mijas. Animal owners ensure they are well cared for, only work half a day, and carry up to 80 kg. In total, the town has about 60 donkey taxis that offer rides around the village for a price of 15€. In a few years, the opportunity to do this activity might not even exist, but for now, you can simply take a photo with these noble animals to have a memory.

Have a fun time at the Mijas Water Park (ideal for families with children).

Watch a flamenco show at the Plaza de la Virgen de la Peña. These shows take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Browse the stalls at the Craft Market, which is set up every Wednesday next to the Tourist Office.

Go shopping. Despite its size, the streets of Mijas Pueblo are home to numerous shops selling crafts, jewellery, ceramic and wicker items, clothing, cosmetics, and more.

Visit some of the art workshops set up by national and international artists.

Go hiking in the Sierra de Mijas. Mountain enthusiasts will find an extensive network of trails that traverse the southern slope of the mountain range. The routes start from the Mijas Pueblo Viewpoint and have varying levels of difficulty, each one marked with a different colour. If you want to learn more about each hike, you can visit the Mijas Tourist Office, where they will provide you with a map for each one.

Savour the best of Mijas' cuisine. Food is always a fundamental part of every journey. In this regard, the town of Mijas won't disappoint you, as it boasts a wide variety of bars and restaurants serving both national and international cuisine. If you want to try a typical local dish, we suggest ordering “salmorejo”, “gazpachuelo”, “cachorreña” soup, or “maimones” soup.

MIJAS COSTA

The municipality of Mijas encompasses two other areas, one of which is Mijas Costa, a stretch located between Fuengirola and Marbella, covering 12 kilometres of beaches. If your visit coincides with the summer season, you most likely won't want to miss this corner of Mijas. Even if it doesn't, we still recommend visiting it, as it holds a lot of beauty.

To get from Mijas Pueblo to Mijas Costa, you can hop in your car and drive along the A-7 for 20 minutes, or you can take the M-122 bus to Fuengirola and then transfer to the M-220.

Once you arrive in this coastal area, you can explore several small urban centres to discover interesting stops and savour some local dishes with a taste of the sea.

Throughout the municipality, you'll find stone Watchtowers lining the seaside, vigilantly gazing out at the horizon. While the coastal defence system has its origins in the Muslim era when the Moors arrived on the Iberian Peninsula, in the mid-13th century, the coasts of the Kingdom of Granada received attention. Therefore, the Granada monarchs ordered the construction of watchtowers, which later became part of the 16th-century Christian coastal defence system.

Coastal Path: Undoubtedly, the most eye-catching feature of this municipality is its beaches. To fully appreciate them, we recommend taking a stroll along the Coastal Path of Mijas, a beautiful seaside promenade bordered by wooden walkways running parallel to the sea. This route can only be traversed on foot or by bicycle, and it's truly marvellous. As you progress, one of Mijas' coves and beaches appears after another.

Among the well-known beaches, you'll find Calahonda, with its crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkelling; Butibamba, which comes to life in the summer; Sheriff Beach, ideal for surf and kitesurf enthusiasts; Calaburras Lighthouse Beach, excellent for birdwatching; and on the border with Fuengirola, Peñón del Cura Beach.

THE GOLF VALLEY

The municipality of Mijas is a golfer's paradise. It boasts some of the best courses to choose from, catering to players of all levels. What sets this destination apart is its climate and location. Mijas offers 12 excellent golf courses, collectively known as the Mijas Golf Valley.

The tourist proposition, leisure activities, and the aim to provide an unforgettable experience to visitors in this extensive and beautiful municipality are highly compelling. Its expansive golf courses rank among the most prestigious in Europe and the world. Whether you want to immerse yourself in Andalusian architecture, relish its flavourful cuisine, go hiking in the mountains, or relax on the beach, Mijas is a place you'll never completely uncover; there's always something on the agenda for a return visit. It's truly fascinating.