Whether you are seeking sun
and sand, golfing, or quaint villages, you can get it all in the Mijas
area on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain.
Close to Fuengirola and 34.6
kilometres from Málaga city, Mijas is the ideal spot to get settled
into your choice of the best Mijas
villas or apartments available on the coast and inland, and then get
out there exploring.
Mijas Costa
Sun-seekers and beach lovers
will enjoy Mijas Costa, with its endless sandy beaches and around 12 kilometres
of holiday resorts, including El Chaparral, La Cala, El Combo and Calahonda.
Besides lazing on the beach,
there are many popular water sports on offer all the way down the coast
and loads of “chiringuitos” (beach restaurants) serving the freshest catch
of the day.
Close by, there is always
a convenient supermarket or beachwear shop for those last minute items
and the larger residential areas like, for instance La Cala, offer several
shops and restaurants. |
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 Mijas
Golf
Those wishing to tee off for
a great round of golf will enjoy the lush green golf courses along what
has been appropriately dubbed the “Costa del Golf,” in an area called "Mijas
Golf."
Los Lagos and Los Olivos
are two courses on offer in the Mijas valley, conveniently located north
of Fuengirola and only 3.5 kilometres from the beach. The courses
were totally refurbished back in 2012, but have kept the original design
of Robert Trent Jones Sr.
There is also a practice
area, restaurant and shop available on the premises.
 Mijas
Pueblo
For a real treat, visit the
original village of Mijas Pueblo, one of the beautiful White Villages of
Andalucía, nestled up on the hillside, just above Fuengirola.
Mijas Pueblo is a perfect
place, either to spend your holiday, or as a day trip up from the coast,
with its narrow winding streets, lined by beautiful white-washed houses.
The balconies drip geraniums and bougainvillea, making a colourful statement
against the white walls. As you walk you encounter bars and cafes, perfect
for a restful drink, cooling ice cream or tasty snack.
 The
town also offers several excellent restaurants ranging from Spanish to
various international cuisines.
As a brief idea of the attractions
available in the town, you can visit what is possibly the best miniature
museum in the world, the Miniatures Museum Carromato Max, or on a different
scale, practice your rock climbing skills on a sheer rock face hidden away
in the botanical gardens. While you are there you can, of course,
also look at the many species of plants, clearly labeled, and enjoy the
excellent views available from the edge of the cliff.
 The
Mijas Plaza de Toros, or bullring, pictured above right, is an interesting
visit as it is one of the smallest in Andalucía, but boasts the
very best views right across Mijas and the hillsides. There is a
museum within the building, giving a little of the history behind the bullring.
At the entrance to the village,
you can visit the enigmatic Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña,
a sanctuary and quaint chapel carved into an existing cave in the existing
rock. The legend behind it is that two young children were led to
the spot by a dove back in 1586, and on arriving there, the Virgin appeared
to them, showing them her hiding place.
The childrens' father worked
as a builder and he dug into the cave, discovering the long-lost statue
of the Virgin. The charming little chapel was then formed around
the inside of the cave where today you can see displays of the ceremonial
robes, ornate silver crosses and other religious items used in the various
processions through the village each year.
 To
see Mijas Pueblo at a leisurely pace, ride in one of the famous Mijas burro
or donkey taxis, or for a few euros more, do the town in an elegant horse-drawn
carriage. This is definitely the way to see the old-fashioned streets
in style.
While talking transport,
there are regular buses running up to Mijas Pueblo from the coast, and
for the coastal locations, they can be reached using the coastal bus service.
Taxis (the normal kind) are, of course, always available.
Wherever you choose to stay
in the Mijas area, you are assured of plenty of things to see and do and
will have a wonderful holiday.
All photos besides La Cala
Beach, courtesy and copyright © Anne Sewell, All Spain Rural Accommodation
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