Things To Do in Mijas

An impoverished mountain village until the 1950s, Mijas has blossomed into the very embodiment of the picturesque. Its whitewashed houses make it look like a stack of sugar cubes set against the mountain, which is heavy with pine trees. From many points in Mijas, there are lookout points. On a clear day you can see across the Mediterranean to the Rif Mountains in Morocco. The best place for a view is cuesta de la villa (slope of the town).

It can be overrun during the day but reveals its magic before bus groups arrive in the morning and after they depart in the afternoon. Do yourself a favor and stay the night.

The easiest way to get around Mijas’ cobblestone streets is to walk. Some tourists opt to rent a so-called “donkey taxi,” but the burros are more photo op than transport. Most visitors who don’t want to walk hire pedicabs instead. The tourist office (Plaza Virgen de la Peña; tel. 95-258-90-34; Mon‒Fri 9am‒3pm) provides a great walking tour map with scenic overlooks and all the attractions.

The two principal stops are a small 17th-century chapel carved out of the mountain, Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña (Paseo El Compás, open 24 hours, free), and the Plaza de Toros (Paseo de las Murallas, s/n; 📞 95-197-95-46), the historic oval bullring open for visits Monday to Friday 11am‒9pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am‒7pm (winter daily 10:30am‒7pm). Admission is 4€. There are no longer bullfights here, but the space sometimes hosts flamenco shows in the summer.

You might also stop in at the Iglesia Parroquial de la Inmaculada Concepción (Church of the Immaculate Conception), found at Plaza Constitución, site of Plaza de Toros (the bullring). The church is not rich in treasures, but it has a beautiful terrace and gardens, from which you can enjoy panoramic views.

The town's location alone continues to draw visitors, even if much of the town's original charm has been erased by tourism. The overgrown village clings to the side of a mountain. The easiest way to get around the cobblestone streets is to rent a burro taxi.

If Mijas is too overrun with souvenir shops for your taste, head for the park at the top of Cuesta de la Villa, where you'll see the ruins of a Moorish fortress dating from 833.