BEST THINGS TO DO IN MIJAS, SPAIN: YOUR GUIDE!
BEST THINGS TO DO IN MIJAS, SPAIN: YOUR GUIDE!

INTRODUCTION: BEST THINGS TO DO IN MIJAS
Are you thinking of taking a trip to the Mediterranean Coast and you’re looking for a great destination? If you are considering Mijas, Spain, then look no further as this post will outline some of the best things to do in Mijas and help you plan the best vacation ever on the Costa Del Sol. As someone who has lived in the area for over a decade, I’m glad to give you my insight and insider information on this beautiful town on the Mediterranean Sea.
Mijas is a municipality in the Province of Malaga, located on the south coast of Spain, about halfway between Marbella and Malaga. It is made up of 3 main parts: Mijas Pueblo ( a small hillside town), La Cala de Mijas (a small village on the coast), and Las Lagunas (a commercial and suburban area west of Fuengirola). Mijas has 17km of coastline, and 12 beaches, benefits from the Mediterranean Climate, and enjoys over 320 days of sun a year.
(To find out more about this region see our related posts: Costa Del Sol, Guide to the Coast of Spain, Guide to the Mediterranean Coast)

WHAT ARE THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MIJAS?
Explore the Historic Mijas Pueblo
Mijas Pueblo is located 4km inland from the coast, in the Sierra de Mijas mountain range, and sits at about 430m above sea level, giving the town some excellent views over the surrounding landscape and coastline. This is a beautiful town made of whitewashed Andalusian houses, narrow cobblestoned streets decorated with colorful flowers, and a small town square (Plaza de la Constitucion) with cafes and restaurants. The town is built on the side of the hill, so you will have to do a bit of “climbing” but if you are feeling adventurous you can hire a tuk-tuk taxi or even a horse and carriage to explore Mijas Pueblo.

Relax at Playa de La Cala
Playa de la Cala is about 35m wide. It runs approximately 2km making this a great beach for sunbathing and swimming. Along its entire length is a nice promenade where you will find restaurants and several chirinquitos (beach bars). You can rent beach chairs and parasols, there are public toilets and change facilities and showers at various locations on the beach, and lifeguard service in the summer. The section of the coastline is a great place for multiple watersports (such as windsurfing or paddleboarding) and you can rent equipment at some of the local shops.

Visit the Mijas Wine Museum
Visit the Mijas Wine Museum (Vinoteca Wine Museum, located right in Mijas Pueblo) and find out about some of the wine history of this area, which stretches back to Roman times. You can sample a variety of wines from the region right at the museum (Right!!!). You can also purchase wine at the museum as souvenirs.
Take a Donkey Taxi Ride
As mentioned above, Mijas Pueblo is on a hillside so getting around can be a little physically challenging….unless you have a donkey!!! Available in Mijas are guided donkey tours of the town, a perfect activity for the kids or for the whole family. If you were looking for the ideal photo opportunity, this could be it. You can ride the donkey directly or ride in a donkey cart. The prices are reasonable and the memories will be priceless. Follow this link to find out more directly from the taxi company, “Mijas Burrostaxi”. http://wp.burrostaxidemijas.es/ (Note: I am not making money on this, I just think it’s a great idea and want to support the town!)

Discover the Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña
Visit the chapel of “Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña” located directly beside the scenic lookout point “El Compas”. The chapel was built right into the rock by a monk back in the 17th Century.
Hiking
Located right on the side of The Sierra Mijas mountains, Mijas is a great starting point for several hiking trails into the mountains. There are various trails with varying difficulty levels and distances.

Experience Local Cuisine at a Tapas Bar
One of the traditions in this area is to go on a tapas tour or “Ir de Tapas” which involves visiting several bars and restaurants and sampling different foods and drinks. In Mijas, you can visit Tomillo Limon and el Mirlo Blanco and go from there. Remember, Mijas is right on the coast, so you will have the chance to try out various fish dishes which are a specialty of this region.

Visit the Carromato Miniatures Museum
This Museum located in Mijas Pueblo houses a collection of miniature curiosities, that cover a wide spectrum of themes but that are all intricately hand-crafted. As interesting as the collection is, the history behind the origin of the collection is just as interesting.
Golf
There are 12 golf courses in this municipality and more if you venture out further on the Costa Del Sol. With the Mediterranean climate and over 320 days of sun a year, this region is a great place for a golf vacation all year round.

Water Sports
With so many sunny days, a Mediterranean climate, and being directly on the water, there are naturally a lot of water sports and activities that you can do: swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, kite-surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, paddle boarding, parasailing, wakeboarding, and sailing. If it can be done on water, it can be done here. Rentals are available at various shops in the area.
Visit the Mayan Monkey Mijas Chocolate Factory
You read that right: Chocolate AND Monkeys! Right in Mijas Pueblo. (Ok, I was told there are no Monkeys, but they do have chocolate! “Mmmm, Chocolate!”) Visit this small chocolate factory right in Mijas Pueblo and try some of the quirkiest and best chocolates ever made. You can take a tour of the chocolate-making process, create your own custom chocolates, and taste samples of chocolates made right there. They have various chocolate-making workshops for individuals or the entire family so you can actually make your own chocolate creations. You can also participate in a wine pairing of chocolate with different wines.
Tip: Make sure to check out their ice cream selection (Did I mention the “monkeys”!)

Day Trip
Marbella
Located only 30km away is Marbella with a population of about 104,000. Marbella is a great day trip destination as it offers a wide range of high-end shops and boutiques for shopping, you can stroll through Puerto Banus and admire some of the luxury yachts, or head into the city in the evening to enjoy the nightlife.

Malaga
The Capital of the Costa Del Sol lies only 20km west. If you are looking for a big city experience on the Mediterranean coast then a trip to Malaga is definitely worth it. With several historical sites right in the “Old Town”, a bustling shopping district, and lively nightlife, Malaga is a great day trip destination. (see related post on Malaga to find out more)

Gibraltar
A piece of England right in Spain and only about 70km away. Gibraltar, with its iconic “Rock of Gibraltar, is an excellent day trip option. It has a rich military history, an incredible natural park (with monkeys, come on!), an English-speaking community and market, and on a clear day a view of Northern Africa.

Local Andalusian Cuisine
When visiting the Costa Del Sol make sure you try these Andalusian favorites:
Gazpacho
Gazpacho which is a cold soup made of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, garlic, bread, olive oil, wine vinegar, and salt. This is a standard meal in this region, in particular during the hot summers.
Tapas
One of the traditions in this area is to go on a tapas tour or “Ir de Tapas” which involves visiting several bars and restaurants and sampling different foods and drinks.
Seafood- Espetos
Being on the coast, you will find that fresh seafood (caught daily) features quite high on most menus. One of the local delicacies to try out is Espetos which is skewered sardines cooked over a beach fire.

Best Time to Visit and Travel Tips
Peak Tourist Season
July and August are the peak travel months in this area, when most regions of Europe have their school breaks. This of course is when the weather is at its hottest and when the Costa Del Sol is at its busiest. The end result is that millions of Europeans end up heading to the coast all at the same time so make sure to plan ahead.
Tip: If you are looking for a less hectic experience, you might want to consider traveling in May/June or in Sept/October. The weather is still exceptionally nice and you can escape the large crowds.
Transportation options
Flying
The Malaga airport is only 15km away making this town a convenient place to travel since it’s only a short taxi ride away from the airport.
Driving
You can reach this municipality by using the AP-7 and the A-7 highway.
Train
The main train station for Mijas is in Fuengirola.

Accommodations
The main industry in this city is tourism so there is no shortage of hotel accommodations in the area. However, as mentioned above, summer is the busiest time in the area so I recommend that you book well in advance. Your best bet is to check online for available places and book as soon as you can. Check out the link below for places available right now.
FINAL THOUGHTS: BEST THINGS TO DO IN MIJAS!
Mijas is an excellent vacation destination on the coast of Spain. With a combination of the Mediterranean Coast and the Sierra Mijas mountains, you have a wide range of activities to do and sites to see. From Mijas you are within striking distance of some major centers like Malaga and Marbella, making for some great day trip opportunities. With the Mediterranean climate, over 320 sunny days a year, and an ideal location, this area is an excellent holiday destination.
“Don’t Just Dream It! Do it!”
How about experiencing the Mediterranean first hand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your next Mediterranean vacation right now!
Reg Auge
Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.