Bars, beaches, landmarks and local spots in Mijas — a hyperlocal guide to where to go.
The water park on the Mijas side of Fuengirola — slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and toddler areas. Summer season only (roughly May to September); check opening dates before you go.
Calle San Sebastián, Mijas Pueblo
A restaurant in an 1870s village house with a walled garden at the back — tables under old olive, fig and orange trees, and a menu of barbecued Andalusian meats, seafood, pasta and tapas.
Plaza Virgen de la Peña, Mijas Pueblo
The village's best-known and most-debated tradition since the 1960s — donkeys and donkey carts for hire from the main square. Many visitors now prefer to photograph the bronze donkey statue instead; the town hall regulates working hours and conditions.
A small contemporary-art centre in the village with a notable collection of Picasso ceramics, alongside works by Dalí and changing exhibitions. A cool, quiet hour away from the souvenir shops.
Urbanización Calanova Golf, La Cala de Mijas
A scenic, undulating 18 holes just inland from La Cala de Mijas, with wide fairways and views to the sea and the Sierra de Mijas.
Avenida del Compás, Mijas Pueblo
A quirky museum of miniatures in a caravan-shaped building — a painting on a grain of rice, sculptures on pinheads and other oddities collected by a travelling hypnotist. Twenty entertaining minutes.
Plaza de la Libertad, Mijas Pueblo
The village folk museum in the old town hall — rooms recreating traditional Mijas life, from the olive press and wine cellar to a country kitchen. Small, inexpensive and genuinely local.
La Cala's busiest beach restaurant — sardine espetos off the fire, fried fish and cold beer with your feet near the sand. Straightforward, popular and exactly what a chiringuito should be.
Plaza de la Constitución, Mijas Pueblo
A village institution since 1968 — traditional Basque cooking with some Andalusian dishes, served on a terrace overlooking the square. The classic choice for a long lunch in Mijas Pueblo.
Urbanización Torrenueva, Mijas Costa
A polished adults-only beachfront hotel between La Cala and Calahonda whose pool club and restaurant are open to day visitors — sunbeds by the water, à la carte dining and regular live entertainment.
A tiny chapel carved into the rock in the 17th century to house the image of the village's patron — on a clifftop viewpoint with one of the best panoramas over the coast.
A short, steep path from the top of the village up through the pines to a small white hermitage on the hillside — about half an hour up, with a fine view back over Mijas and the coast.
Plaza de la Constitución, Mijas Pueblo
The parish church beside the Muralla gardens, built in the 16th century on the site of the old mosque and castle — its bell tower was once a defensive tower.
Landscaped gardens along the remains of the old Moorish walls at the top of the village, with a clifftop path and sweeping views down to Fuengirola and — on a clear day — across to Africa.
Plaza Virgen de la Peña 3, Mijas Pueblo
A lively bistro on the main square with a globe-trotting menu of tapas and plates — calamari, wok prawn noodles, tacos, burrata and BBQ ribs — and a good terrace for watching the village go by.
Plaza de la Constitución, Mijas Pueblo
The table with the view — a modern Mediterranean menu in a Moorish-styled dining room a minute from the main square, looking out over the whole coast. Ask for a window or terrace table.
Urbanización La Cala Golf, Mijas Costa
The largest golf resort in Spain — three 18-hole courses (América, Asia and Europa) in the hills behind La Cala, plus an academy, hotel and spa.
One of La Cala's best-rated restaurants — a proper Italian for fresh pasta, pizza and Mediterranean plates, with warm service and a loyal resident following.
A relaxed beach restaurant and lounge on La Cala's seafront for a long lunch, sunbeds and sundowners — easy-going and popular with residents.
A British-style café tucked into a small courtyard off the main street — breakfasts, brunch, cream teas and cakes, with good vegan and gluten-free options. A peaceful hidden corner.
The glossy option at Riviera del Sol — a beach complex with an infinity pool, sunbeds, a restaurant with wide sea views and a fitness area, open from brunch until late.
Plaza Virgen de la Peña, Mijas Pueblo
A working chocolate factory, shop and café on the main square — single-origin chocolate, handmade ice cream, serious hot chocolate and short make-your-own-bar workshops that children love.
Camino Viejo de Coín, Mijas Costa
Two long-established courses in the valley behind Fuengirola — Los Lagos, wide and watery, and the tighter Los Olivos — both originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
A small, very highly rated spot in the village for sharing boards, tapas and grilled meats with a glass of wine — friendly, informal and worth booking.
Sierra de Mijas, from Mijas Pueblo
The 1,150m summit of the Sierra de Mijas, topped by a white weather 'golf ball' — a steep, signposted half-day hike from the village with views from Málaga to Gibraltar. Take water; there is little shade.
Sitio de Calahonda, Mijas Costa
The sandy beach below the residential hills of Calahonda and Riviera del Sol at the western end of Mijas — sunbeds, beach bars and the far end of the coastal boardwalk.
The main village beach of La Cala de Mijas — sandy, well kept and right in front of the square and the tower, with sunbeds, showers and chiringuitos along the back.
Faro de Calaburras, Mijas Costa
A rocky, low-key stretch below the Calaburras lighthouse between Fuengirola and La Cala — more for rock pools, snorkelling and windsurfing than sunbathing.
The long beach running east from La Cala — a mix of sand and rocky patches, quieter than the village beach and good for a walk along the shore.
Paseo de la Muralla, Mijas Pueblo
A curiosity from 1900 — a small bullring that is oval rather than round, squeezed onto the rock at the top of the village. Visit for the odd shape, the little museum and the view from the stands.
Plaza Virgen de la Peña, Mijas Pueblo
The main square of Mijas Pueblo and the natural starting point — café terraces, craft shops, the tourist office and the free Wednesday flamenco show, with the lanes of the white village climbing away behind.
Bulevar de La Cala, La Cala de Mijas
A wine bar on La Cala's high street with a long list of Spanish wines and gins, tapas to match and regular Andalusian wine-and-tapas tastings.
The well-regarded Indian in La Cala de Mijas — a broad menu of curries, tandoori and vegetarian dishes, popular with the village's resident British and Irish community.
A flat wooden boardwalk along the shore from La Cala de Mijas west towards Calahonda — around six kilometres each way, past coves, watchtowers and beach bars. Easy, pushchair-friendly and at its best early or at sunset.
The pine-covered mountain behind the village is laced with colour-coded walking routes of all lengths, starting from the old quarry road above the pueblo — the easy way to get some altitude and shade.
A small, consistently top-rated restaurant in La Cala for carefully cooked international and Mediterranean dishes — the kind of place residents book for an occasion.
A friendly café-restaurant in the village known for breakfasts, light lunches and homemade scones — an easy stop between the square and the viewpoints.
Plaza del Torreón, La Cala de Mijas
The squat 18th-century watchtower on the seafront at La Cala de Mijas — the village's symbol, now a small interpretation centre on the coast's defensive towers, in the square by the beach.
A stylish beach club and restaurant on the sand at La Cala de Mijas — sunbeds, cocktails and Mediterranean plates, a step up from the traditional chiringuitos either side.