If you are looking for a destination that has it all, Mijas is an excellent option. Located on the Costa del Sol, this white town offers a perfect blend of history, culture, nature, and beaches for all tastes.
In addition, its proximity to Malaga and other tourist spots in the area make it an ideal destination for a family or friends vacation.
Mijas is a municipality in the province of Malaga, located on the Costa del Sol, with a population of 89,502. It has three urban centers: Mijas Pueblo, Las Lagunas, and La Cala de Mijas.
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History of Mijas
Mijas dates back to the Bronze Age, as it has evidence of settlements dating back to that time. After the Arab invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, they occupied Mijas sharing territory with the Mozarabic inhabitants who, over time, achieved good coexistence.
Mijas had three fortified enclosures to protect the town from enemy attacks. Today, only the tower of the fortress of Mijas remains, along with some pieces of walls that were an important structure for vigilance and protection.
After several influences from different periods, the town was mainly dedicated to agriculture and fishing until the explosion of the tourist boom in the 1950s. Since then, tourism and construction have been the drivers of the local economy, increasing the population.
Today, Mijas is a multicultural municipality with a large population of foreign origin and one of the main centers of residential tourism in Andalusia.
What to see and do in Mijas
If you visit Mijas, you can’t miss some of its main tourist attractions:
What to see in Mijas
Whether you prefer the coastal area or visit a rural environment, Mijas is divided into different areas of great tourist attractions.
Mijas Pueblo
This area of Mijas with a rural atmosphere has beautiful white streets and emblematic views of the sea, it is undoubtedly a place that you cannot miss.
Located in the heart of the town, the Plaza de la Constitución is the meeting place for its inhabitants. This corner has several bar terraces where you can have a refreshing beer and continue the walk through the old town and its white streets.
Continuing the tour, you can reach the Wall of Mijas, a tower on top of the hill that has a viewpoint and a beautiful garden. Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to this place to see the emblematic views of the town’s coast and mountains.
One of the most outstanding places is the Hermitage of the Virgen de la Peña, which was built into the rock by Mercedarian friars in 1548. This center of worship has a very unique interior built of rock.
In its surroundings, you can find a viewpoint with telescopes to contemplate the impressive views of the town and the coast since it is located on the top of a hill.
If you are passionate about art, you cannot miss The Contemporary Art Center of Mijas, with temporary exhibitions by national and international artists and permanent exhibitions by famous artists such as Picasso or Dalí.
- Address: C. Málaga, 28, 29650 Mijas, Málaga
- Price: 3 euros, free for children under 5 years old
- Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Phone: 952 59 04 42
Mijas coast
If you want to get closer to the coast, you can discover this area of Mijas.
A summer plan that you cannot miss is to go to Aquamijas, this water park has a great variety of attractions, slides, and pools. Additionally, you can eat at the park’s bars. It is an ideal plan to spend a day with family.
- Address: Autovía del Mediterráneo, Km. 1016, 29651 Las Lagunas de Mijas, Málaga
- Price: around 20 euros
- Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Phone: 952 46 04 04
The price of the park admission varies according to the season, in addition, there are always offers and promotions for groups, families, and reduced admission.
Another quieter option is to go to the Miramar shopping center, a modern space where you can stroll among its shops and restaurants. It also has a cinema and different recreational areas.
Nature and hiking
Mijas is also an ideal place for nature and hiking enthusiasts.
Botanical Garden in La Muralla de Mijas Pueblo
In the botanical route you can find different species of vegetation and animals in the wild. It has illuminated stone gardens and waterfalls at night, making it an iconic place that you definitely have to visit.
The municipality has numerous hiking trails that run through the nearby mountains and valleys, offering spectacular views and impressive natural landscapes. We show you the most outstanding routes in Mijas:
Cañada de Gertrudis Route
The route has a total distance of almost 4 kilometers. It starts at the parking lot of Mirador de Mijas and following the indications of the yellow sign route, you can find the Ermita del Calvario, a small chapel that has a viewpoint with views.
Following the route, you will find a climb until you reach the intersection of directions. When you get to this point, follow the blue route towards the route of Puerto Málaga and descend to return to the hermitage until you reach the road.
Cantera Cañada de los Canteros Route
With a distance of about 6 kilometers, this route begins next to the parking lot of the Old Quarry of the Cañada de los Canteros and ends on the carril de la Sierra under the peak of Mendoza, near Puerto de las Canteras.
This trail offers spectacular views of the coast and the village. During the walk, you will be able to find a great variety of flora and fauna characteristic of the area.
Sierra de Mijas Route
If you are looking for a more challenging trail, this circular route of medium difficulty has a total of 11 kilometers and starts at the Cantera de los Arenales. Following the directions to Mijas, you will find a beautiful viewpoint with views of the village and the sea.
You can take the same path back, as the difficulty level may increase in the final stretch.
Beach and sun
Mijas is a popular tourist destination for its beaches, with more than 12 kilometers of coastline. One of the most outstanding beaches in Mijas Costa is Butibamba beach, a very family-friendly and quiet cove.
A few meters further away is Cala beach, with a wide coastline perfect for a family day out. All of these beaches have a wide range of tourist services, including restaurants, beach bars, umbrellas, and sun loungers.
If you are looking for a quieter beach away from the urban center, Calahonda beach is your ideal destination, located 10 minutes from Cala de Mijas. It is characterized by its fine sand and crystal-clear waters.
Popular festivals and cuisine
Mijas organizes some popular festivals that attract people from all over the region, such as the Romería de la Virgen de la Peña celebrated at the beginning of September in Mijas Pueblo. It is a week full of festivities in honor of the patron saint of the village, where you can find attractions, parades, concerts, and dance performances.
A festival that you cannot miss is the Feria de San Juan, a nighttime party held at the end of June. On this important date, you can find various activities such as dances, live music, and the traditional Quema de Júas, where large bonfires are made.
According to tradition, they burn the old and the bad to make way for new opportunities and wishes. To end the day, a fireworks show begins at midnight.
As for cuisine, something very typical is the Tapas Route in Mijas. It is a selection of bars where you can taste the best dishes in the area, the ideal plan for a meal after a morning walking through the white streets of the village.
We suggest having dinner at the best restaurants in Mijas, where they offer a great variety of typical Andalusian dishes such as salmorejo, gazpachuelo, fried fish, or the ensalada mijeña, which is a very popular cold dish in this region.
How to get to Mijas
Flights to Mijas
Mijas does not have its own airport, so it is not possible to fly directly to this destination. However, you can choose to fly to the nearby Malaga airport, which is only 20 minutes away from Mijas. From there, it is possible to reach Mijas by bus or hire a car at Malaga airport itself.
How to get there by public transport
If you want to get to Mijas by bus from the center of Malaga, the best option is to take the EMT bus 11 with a stop at the Faculty of Law. The ticket price is 1.40 euros. Once there, take the bus M-114 towards Mijas Pueblo, the price of this journey is around 2 euros and in a total of one hour, you will be at your destination.
If you prefer to go to Mijas Costa, you will have to get off in advance at the Rotonda Ford stop on the way to Mijas Pueblo.
If you want to arrive by train, you can do so from the Malaga Maria Zambrano train station, on the C1 train towards Fuengirola. Once there, take the bus M-122 towards Mijas Pueblo and in an hour you can reach your destination.
If you want to get to Cala de Mijas from Fuengirola, take the bus M-220 towards Mijas Costa. The bus ticket price is around 2 euros and the train ticket price is around 3 euros.
How to get there by car
If you prefer to travel by car, it will take you around 20 minutes from Malaga, and you can reach it by the A-7 highway towards Marbella, then take the A-387 exit towards Fuengirola/Mijas.
The best option is to rent an automatic car at Malaga airport, as you would not have to depend on public transport schedules and you can enjoy Mijas and its neighboring towns such as Alhaurín el Grande, Fuengirola, and Monda.
Map of Mijas
In summary, Mijas is an ideal tourist destination for those looking to enjoy nature, beaches, and Andalusian culture in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. Below is a map of Mijas with the most relevant points marked:
Relevant information
Best time of year to visit: Spring-Summer.
You can’t miss: Walking through its streets until you reach the Wall of Mijas and enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains and the coast. In the afternoon, you can visit the promenade in La Cala and try the crispy and fresh fried fish in the chiringuitos in the area.
Nearby places to eat: In this post, we show you some of the best restaurants in Mijas.
For more information, please visit the Mijas City Council website: https://www.mijas.es/portal/
