Andalucia is full of fascinating white washed villages that adorn the area from Almeria - Cadiz on the coast and to Seville Jaen and Cordoba to the north.

One of the most famous and popular of these is Mijas Pueblo. Nestled in the mountains this stunning little town looks down over the coastal resort of Fuengirola and in the distance Benamadena and Torremolinos..

For many years Mijas has been a popular excursion for holiday makers wanting to escape the husssle and bustle of the beach resorts of the Costa del Sol. It has despite this onslaught of modern tourism been able to retain its charm that makes this little gem so special

In recent years the town has become increasingly popular with foreign residents choosing this quiet little corner of Spain as their new home and the population has swelled to over 7,500.

In response to this the Town Hall has set up a very helpful Foreigner’s Department who are on hand to assist the non Spanish speaking residents and visitors.

The narrow you narrow cobbled streets and the beautiful whitewashed houses give visitors to Mijas a real taste of the “Real Spain.” The locals of the village still enjoy their passion for the relaxed lifestyle and the traditional “manana” outlook on life.

It is a popular place with artists and sculptures and many have made Mijas their home and the towns craft shops hold a good stock of wares from these artists..

The village though small has many great attractions for tourists

The Murella Gardens are stunning with flowers in bloom all year round and it provides a great place to sit and soak up the relaxed atmosphere. Take a hamper and relax in the sun.

The main centre of the village is dominated by the Plaza de la Virgen de la Pena with its bandstand. Located across the road from the townhall and the bus station this lovely square plays a central role in the life of the village. It is also the centre of activity during Fiesta time.

Other attractions the village has to offer include Plaza de la Paz (Peace Square) where you can relax in one of the street bars and soak up the atmosphere. This plaza is marked by a white statue of a hand and a dove.

La Plaza de la Constitucion is in the heart of the village and in the centre of the square is a beautiful fountain from which the birds drink. This fountain was carved by Galiano. The square is surrounded by cafes and shops.

The Santuario de la Virgen de la Pena, is a tribute to the patron saint of Mijas has been carved out of solid rock Dating from 1586 this shine was set up when an image of the Virgin miraculously appeared there. Following this event an image of the Virgin was found concealed in a recess in the tower where it had been hidden for 500 years

For the more energetic visitor then the long walk up the mountain to the Shrine of the Calvario dating since 1710where you can see some impressive views of the surrounding areas in on Easter Sunday the interior of the shrine is opened up to the public

There are some great museums in the town including the Mijas museum which is located in the old town hall and hosts a spectacular collection of work from local artists. In the town you will also find a very good museum dedicated to the history of bullfighting which can be found at the village bullring which ws built in 1900 and still hosts bullfights and horse displays.

A trip to Mijas would not be complete without taking a trip around the village on the village taxi service, operated by donkeys. A sole donkey will cost 6 euros or you can if you prefer take a trip in a small cart pulled by the donkey which will cost 12 euros

The people of Mikas enjoy a peaceful lifestyle but also when it comes to having a party, they do not hold back. There are many fiestas during the year.

The main being
17th January - Typical fair celebrated in the area of Osunillas, including a pilgrimage to the San Anton Shrine.

March-April - Semana Santa (Easter Week) the biggest celebration in Andalucia.

8th September (aprox.) - Annual

The townalso hosts many musical and cultural events thoughout the year

More information on the village can be obtained from tourist office in the village

The Mijas Village Tourist Office, (Plaza Virgen de la Peña)
Tel: + (00 34) 952 58 90 34
Fax: + (00 34) 952 48 66 94
Opening Hours:
Winter: 09:00 - 19:00 Weekdays Summer: 09:00 - 15:00 and 16:00 - 20:00
Saturdays: 10:00 - 14:00