Three Towns of Mijas

Mijas is more like three towns than one: Mijas Pueblohandmade pottery and paintings by acclaimed artists
has the character of one of the Andalucian Puebloswho live locally. Instead of the usual tourist trash, you
Blancos, high in the mountains and whitewashed. Lascould bring home a memento of your trip that, years
Lagunas is the modern and commercial section of thedown the way, turns out to be a sound investment.
town. And Mijas Costa is really a twelve-kilometerAn open theater is built into the fortress walls; this is
long stretch of villages down the coast. All threea center of the village, where theatrical festivals and
areas are governed from the town hall of Mijas.other entertainments are held.
Also throughout the winter and spring months, theApproaching Mijas Pueblo, you'll see a small white
Hipodromo Costa del Sol has weekly horseracing onbuilding high above the village. This is the shrine of
Sunday mornings (Saturday evenings during summerCalvario, a place of worship visited by Carmelite
months). As well as watching the horses, you can eatmonks for reflection and contemplation. If you want
at the restaurants and bars located here, or taketo visit, there's a path to it through the trees,
classes on horse riding and other equestrian themes.marked with iron crosses. The view is remarkable, a
Mijas Costapanorama of coastline, sea, and mountain on both
Mijas Costa is composed of El Chaparral, La Cala, Elsides of the sea.
Combo, Calahonda, Riviera del Sol and Sitio deThe Virgin of the Rock on the Paseo El Compas is a
Calahonda. Right down the street from the quaintshrine to the patron saint of Mijas, and it's set right
medieval Mijas Pueblo, Mijas Costa is very moderninto the rock. There is also the Church of the
indeed. You can rent vacation properties ranging fromImmaculate Conception built on the ruins of an old
beachfront studios to major villas, or you can stay inMoorish castle, and using one of the old Moorish
hotels convenient to the beach. And wherever youtowers as the church bell tower. Pillars supporting the
stay, you'll have wide access to water sports fromthree naves of the old building sport frescoes
just swimming and soaking up sunlight to jet skiing,depicting the Apostles dating from 1632. The San
wakeboarding and surfing, windsurfing, and boating.Sebastian Church is one of the most-photographed
Sitio de Calahonda and Riviera del Sol are each largeparts of the Costa del Sol because of the beauty of
villages by themselves with all the amenities:its setting. And the Shrine of Our Lady of Los
supermarkets, golf courses, bars, restaurants, hotels,Remedios has retained its simplicity, becoming a
and shopping districts. It's easy for English speakingshrine to the old village way of life as well as to the
tourists to find what they want here; this part ofVirgin.
Mijos caters to tourists.You'll also find several museums here, including the
At the center of Mijas Costa is La Cala, which still hasBull Fighting Museum and the Museum of Miniatures,
some of the quaintness of the traditional seasidewhich holds stuffed dressed fleas among other
Andalucian village. It was once a fishing village, andminiature and miniaturized items. The Paseo de las
today still maintains a street market on WednesdayMurallas, the local bullring, is yet another part of
and Saturday with everything from flowers andAndalucian culture.
plants to fresh produce to ceramics andA unique pleasure is the Mijas donkey taxi service;
locally-produced clothing. Try some of the traditionalyou can ride a donkey, a donkey and trap, or a
local sherries and wines here. On Saturday nights incoach pulled by horses. It's a particularly authentic
July and August, you'll find classical music andway to see Mijas.
flamenco dancing throughout the promenade as theIf none of this is to your taste, then maybe the fact
village celebrates Noches de Luna y Playa.that Mijas is a golfing paradisw will be. There are
Mijas Puebloseveral world-class courses in this area, with a
At the top of the quaint white village of Mijas you'llperfect year-round climate for golfing and high
find fortress walls, gardens, and excellent vantagerecommendations from many pros. Nowhere in the
points as you wind through narrow cobbled alleys andarea are you more than a few minutes' drive away
streets. Artists and writers from everywhere havefrom an excellent golf course. If you don't know golf
chosen to settle here in Mijas Pueblos. The town haswell, there are also several renowned golfing schools
retained most of its traditional Way of life,in the area. In addition to the courses, several
celebrating festivities with vigor and facing life in aworld-class hotels have been built in the area to cater
laid-back manner. You'll find wonderful crafts includingto the golfing traffic.