Mijas Pueblo was the very first place we visited in Andalucia. We can say with full confidence that it’s one of the most charming places in the south of Spain and a place to very easily fall in love. Mijas Pueblo is a typical Andalusian white village packed with a maze of narrow cobbled streets and charming corners, whitewashed houses decorated with colorful flower pots, and many beautiful views over the surroundings. Even though Mijas Pueblo is currently one of the most visited white villages, you can still feel the authentic Spanish vibe there. Let’s go and discover the best things to do in Mijas Pueblo, Spain.
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Mijas Pueblo, Spain FAQ
Mijas Pueblo is located in Andalusia in the province of Malaga on Costa del Sol. It’s located at the foot of Sierra de Mijas, at 430 m a.s.l. Mijas lies only 30 kilometers from Malaga and is a great starting point to explore other places in the region like Benalmadena Pueblo, Ronda, Caminito del Rey, Marbella, or Antequera.
There is only one answer here – of course! Mijas Pueblo is an Andalusian white village that can’t be missed while in the area. Narrow streets, whitewashed houses, colorful flowers, stunning views, tasty regional food, some museums and attractions… What’s more, Mijas Pueblo was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1969. Think no more and add Mijas to your bucket list, you won’t regret it.
Mijas is best known for being one of the most beautiful white villages in Andalusia that can offer not only a mesmerizing maze of quaint streets but also stunning views over the Costa del Sol and on clear days even on Morocco.
One day is enough to explore Mijas Pueblo and to see everything the village has to offer.
No, Mijas Pueblo doesn’t have a beach. You’ll find beaches on Mijas Costa.
Mijas Pueblo (the village) is one of three parts of Mijas municipal. The other two parts of Mijas are Mijas Costa (the coastal part and a holiday resort) and Las Lagunas (modern, residential and commercial area). Note – the official name for the Mijas Costa area is La Cala de Mijas.
When it comes to distances between attractions in Mijas Pueblo, they are all located close to each other and there is no need to use public transport. If you’re wondering if Mijas is hilly then yes, the streets of the village can be steep in some parts but it’s nothing too extreme.
Best Things To Do in Mijas Pueblo
Mijas Pueblo Streets
Number one thing to do in Mijas Pueblo is to take a good long walk around its old town streets and see what secrets they hide. Get lost in a maze of whitewashed streets and just dive into the amazing vibe of this beautiful Andalusian white village. Don’t forget to walk away a bit from the main streets and walk around less popular ones – we can guarantee that most of them are equally beautiful yet less crowded!
There you’ll find points of interest like Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña, Plaza Virgen de la Peña, Mijas Bullring, as well as some amazing viewpoints and interesting museums. Let’s take a closer look.
Virgen de la Peña square
Plaza Virgen de la Pena is a huge outdoor square full of restaurants and cafes. It’s a perfect place to just sit with a cut of coffee and watch people go by with their lives. While here don’t forget to go to Mirador Hermanos Núñez Andreu viewpoint (right behind the Tourist Office building) and enjoy stunning views over Costa del Sol.
Virgen de la Peña hermitage
Just a few steps further from Plaza Virgen de la Pena you’ll find Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña, the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Rock. This little hermitage dates back to the mid-16th century and was carved into the rock by Carmelite monks. Figure of the patron of Mijas, the Virgin de La Pena, is located inside the dark cave interior. Next to the Sanctuary, there is another stunning viewpoint – Mirador del Compas.
La Muralla Botanical Park
La Muralla Park (es. Parque Botánico de La Muralla) was created on the remains of the old fortress, where the village used to be. Here you can take a relaxing walk among nature, as gardens have flowers blooming all year round. Also, you can admire stunning views over the village, Costa del Sol and mountain ranges from a few viewpoints. We really loved wandering around this area and think and it’s one of the best things to do in Mijas Pueblo.
Mijas Bullring
Mijas Bullring (es. Plaza de Toros de Mijas) is located right next to La Muralla Botanical Park. It was built on the former site of the castle, on the rock. Its most distinctive feature, compared to other bullrings in Spain, is that it’s oval, not round. Bullring construction was requested by a group of neighbors. Since its opening, it has seen many running of the bulls, but nowadays such events are no longer held there.
Mijas Bullring can be visited – entry ticket costs €4 per person (December 2023). To learn more about current prices and opening hours visit turismo.mijas.es website.
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Church of the Immaculate Conception (es. Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción) is one more place of interest located right next to the La Muralla Botanical Park. It was built in the 16th century on the ruins of an old mosque. It served as a shelter in case of invasion.
Mayan Monkey Chocolate Factory
Are you a chocolate lover? If yes you should pay a visit to Mayan Monkey – the world’s smallest chocolate factory. There you’ll be able to buy various delicious products made of chocolate and even take part in chocolate-making workshops where you’ll learn how to make chocolate.
Book now: Chocolate making experiences at artisanal chocolate factory
Mijas Wagon
Mijas Wagon (es. Carromato de Mijas) is a very peculiar museum that hosts a great collection of various miniatures collected by stage hypnotist and magician, Juan Elegido Millán, known as Professor Max. During his life he traveled the world and picked up hundreds of tiny curiosities, like the Taj Mahal on a grain of rice, a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on a pinhead, or the Seven Wonders of the World painted on a toothpick. Entrance costs €3 per person (December 2023).
Historical-Ethnological Museum
Historical-Ethnological Museum (es. Museo Historico-Etnologico) is located in the old Town Hall and recreates Mijas past. The museum has a wide collection of ancient crafts and traditional objects – farming and fishing tools, cooking utensils, or gardening objects. Here you’ll even find a recreation of a traditional house. Entrance cost only a symbolic 1€ (December 2023).
Mirador Carlos Martinez
We have one more recommendation of a great viewpoint in Mijas Pueblo – Mirador Carlos Martinez. The easiest way to get there is by car. While driving, instead of turning to the village center just keep going for about 3 more minutes, following a street called Carretera Circunvalación Mijas. From the viewpoint, you can admire Mijas Pueblo village from the top, as well as stunning coastal views further down.
Explore local attractions
What NOT to do in Mijas Pueblo
As we are strongly against tourist activities that involve animals, there is one activity we urge you to avoid during your visit to Mijas Pueblo.
Don’t use a donkey taxi ride
Unfortunately, donkey taxis are one of the main attractions in Mijas’ old town. The story of those taxis starts in the 1960s. Back then locals used donkeys to transport various products like wheat, fruits, or vegetables in large baskets on their backs. Tourists were fascinated by this practice and they started to ask locals to let them ride the donkeys for a small tip. So one local man saw a business opportunity and decided to start a burro taxi company. It gradually became a business, and today there are over 60 burro-taxis in town that charge ridiculous prices, about 15€ per ride through a perfectly walkable and somewhat flat village.
Taking one look at the sad-looking donkeys was very heartbreaking. As we read later donkeys are far from treated as they should – they are forced to stand all day and don’t get to rest properly or move freely. Also, they are carrying way too much weight, as a large, healthy donkey should not carry more than about 50 kilos. So please, don’t support this awful “attraction”.
Things to do in Mijas Costa
Mijas Costa, or La Cala de Mijas, is part of the town located right by the sea. It isn’t really big and you won’t find there many things to do. You can choose between going to the beach – Playa de la Butibamba, or going to the restaurant to eat some Mediterranean food. There you’ll also find one historical landmark, the Watchtower of Cala de Mijas (es. Torre de la Batería o Torreón de la Cala de Mijas). To be honest, we don’t think Mijas Costa is worth your time unless you plan on hitting the beach and getting some sun. It would be a great place for lazy holidays in the sun though!
How to get to Mijas Pueblo?
Mijas Pueblo is located about 10km from Benalmadena Pueblo, 30km from Malaga, and 35km from Marbella. The most convenient way to get to Mijas Pueblo is by car or by bus.
Where to park in Mijas Pueblo?
If you’re traveling by car you can leave your car in this parking lot located right next to the Plaza Virgen de la Peña. Parking is big, but it gets full quickly on the weekends. It costs only €1 for a whole day.
Airport near Mijas Pueblo
The closest airport to Mijas Pueblo is located in Malaga, only 20km away. From it, you can reach the town by train+bus, car, or taxi. You can check the connections you are interested in on the rome2rio.com website.
To Mijas Pueblo by bus
You can easily get to Mijas Pueblo by bus. There are usually direct and cheap connections from many places like Mijas Costa, Fuengirola, Malaga, Marbella, or Benalmadena. To check bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Mijas Pueblo by train
Unfortunately, there’s no train station in Mijas Pueblo. The closest station is located in Fuengirola from which you can take a bus or taxi to the village.
To Mijas Pueblo by taxi
You can also get to Mijas Pueblo by taxi. For example, a trip from Malaga will take 30min (€30-45), 20min from Mijas Costa (€23-30) and 30min from Marbella (€40-55). To check taxi connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping Mijas
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping Los Jarales, Camping Fuengirola, or Camping Cabopino might interest you. They are located in or near Mijas.
Things To Do In Mijas Pueblo, Spain – Summing up
Now you know all about the best attractions and things to do in Mijas Pueblo. This charming Andalusian white village will teleport you a few hundred years back and provide you with amazing views over the coast. Be sure not to skip it during your upcoming trip to Andalucia as you may easily find Mijas Pueblo to be one of the most charming towns on the whole of Costa del Sol! Enjoy your trip!
Our opinion about Mijas Pueblo
For us, a visit to Mijas Pueblo was a day trip from the Mijas Las Lagunas where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in November and back then the town streets were quiet, without many tourists. As we wrote in the beginning, Mijas Pueblo was the first place we visited in Andalusia and it enchanted us from the first steps. It was also our first encounter with a white village, so it probably couldn’t have been any different! There might not be many things to do but we spend a nice few hours just wandering across its streets and admiring views over the coast.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Mijas Pueblo?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Mijas Pueblo:
Where to sleep in Mijas Pueblo?
OPUNTIA Hotel Boutique
OPUNTIA Hotel Boutique is a charming and elegant hotel located in the heart of Mijas. The hotel offers stylish and comfortable rooms decorated in a contemporary and modern style with all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay. Guests can enjoy a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere at the hotel's rooftop terrace with stunning views of the village and the surrounding mountains.
TRH Mijas
TRH Mijas is a charming Andalusian-style hotel situated in the picturesque village of Mijas. Surrounded by stunning views of the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, this hotel offers comfortable rooms, two outdoor swimming pools, and a tennis court. Guests can also enjoy delicious meals at the on-site restaurant or relax with a drink at the bar.
Sea to Sky Suites
Sea to Sky Suites is a luxurious aparthotel located in the heart of Mijas village, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding mountains. The suites are spacious, modern, and elegantly designed, providing guests with a comfortable and relaxing stay. The property features an outdoor pool, a rooftop terrace, and a fitness center.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
