Mijas

Town · Andalusia, 🇪🇸 Spain

Mijas is a municipality on the Costa del Sol, about 30 km southwest of Málaga, with a hill village, Mijas Pueblo, that looks over the sea from the Sierra de Mijas, and a coastal area with beaches and golf at Mijas Costa. The whitewashed village has narrow streets, flower-filled balconies and views of the coast, and it is one of the most visited "white villages" of Andalusia.

It is easy to combine with the beach resorts below. It is popular with day-trippers, and has donkey taxis, a bullring and small chapels.

Printable tourist map

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When to visit

Spring and autumn are the best times for walking and sightseeing, with mild weather. Summer is hot, and the village is busiest in the middle of the day. Winters are mild.

The Feria de Mijas in September and the Semana Santa processions are the biggest events.

Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, September, October

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Fair

13° (feels like 9°) · extremes 7°–16°
10° at night
8 rainy days
15 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Fair

13° (feels like 9°) · extremes 6°–16°
10° at night
7 rainy days
14 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Good

15° (feels like 11°) · extremes 8°–18°
11° at night
8 rainy days
16 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Good

16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 9°–19°
12° at night
7 rainy days
17 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in May

Great

19° (feels like 16°) · extremes 11°–22°
14° at night
5 rainy days
22 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in June

Great

22° (feels like 21°) · extremes 14°–26°
17° at night
1 rainy day
26 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great

25° (feels like 24°) · extremes 17°–29°
20° at night
0 rainy days
28 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in August

Great

25° · extremes 19°–29°
21° at night
1 rainy day
27 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in September

Great

23° (feels like 22°) · extremes 16°–26°
19° at night
4 rainy days
20 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Great

20° (feels like 18°) · extremes 13°–23°
16° at night
7 rainy days
17 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Good

16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 9°–19°
12° at night
8 rainy days
14 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in December

Fair

14° (feels like 10°) · extremes 8°–17°
11° at night
9 rainy days
13 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Top sights

Mijas Pueblo is the hill village, with whitewashed lanes, shops, viewpoints and small squares.
The Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción is the parish church, in the village center.
The Ermita de San Sebastián is a small chapel in the village.
The Centro de Artes is a gallery and cultural center.
The Plaza de Toros is a small square bullring, one of the few that is oval.
Bioparc Fuengirola is a zoo in nearby Fuengirola, about 8 km away, with a focus on conservation.
Mijas Costa has beaches such as La Cala de Mijas, with a promenade and an old watchtower.

Featured Lists

Olaf Tausch / CC BY 3.0

Mijas Must-Sees

Mijas Pueblo is a traditional white village situated 400 meters above sea level on the slopes of the Sierra de Mijas. The historic center features the 16th-century Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción, built on the site of an ancient Moorish castle, and a unique oval-shaped Plaza de Toros dating to 1900. Visitors can explore the 17th-century Ermita de San Sebastián or take in expansive views of the Mediterranean coastline and the Costa del Sol from the Mirador Julián Nuñez Andreu.

5 places

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Beautiful Sandy Beaches

Mijas Costa features a diverse 12-kilometer shoreline along the Mediterranean, ranging from urban Blue Flag beaches to quiet rocky coves. The area is connected by the Senda Litoral, a wooden coastal boardwalk that passes historical 16th-century watchtowers like the Torreón de La Cala. These beaches offer varying landscapes, from the wide sandy stretches near Sohail Castle to the snorkeling-friendly rocky sea beds found near the Calaburras Lighthouse.

12 places

Parks and Gardens

Mijas offers a diverse range of green spaces, from the historic Jardines de la Muralla, built on ancient fortress remains with views of the Mediterranean, to the modern Parque María Zambrano in Las Lagunas. The area features specialized sites like the 1.5-kilometer Parque Fluvial along the Fuengirola River and the botanical Parque de las Plantas Aromáticas. Families can find themed recreation at Parque de Poniente, while the expansive Parque El Esparragal serves as a major hub for outdoor picnics and community gatherings.

36 places

Spanish Culinary Delights

This selection highlights 23 dining establishments across the Mijas municipality, from the coastal stretches of Calahonda to the inland hills. The list features traditional Andalusian ventas like Venta la Torre, beachfront chiringuitos serving fresh seafood, and specialized tapas bars. Many venues offer regional specialties such as gazpacho, grilled sardines, and local meats, while others provide Mediterranean fusion. The collection covers diverse settings including roadside inns, seaside terraces, and urban cafes.

23 places

What to experience

Walk the lanes and viewpoints of Mijas Pueblo.
Have tapas in a village square.
Hike in the Sierra de Mijas.
Spend a beach day at La Cala de Mijas.
Visit Bioparc in Fuengirola.

Tours & Activities

Mijas — Map

Mijas — Printable Tourist Map Open the interactive map

Day trips

Málaga (about 30 km): the Picasso Museum and the Alcazaba.
Marbella (about 30 km): an old town and the marina at Puerto Banús.
Ronda (about 90 km): a town above a gorge.
Benalmádena (about 12 km): a coastal town with a hill village.
Antequera (about 90 km): dolmens and churches.

Where to explore

Other places nearby:

Costa del Sol: Málaga, Marbella, Benalmádena and Estepona.
Andalusia: Ronda and Antequera.

Getting there

By air: Málaga airport is about 20 km from Mijas.
By train: The Cercanías line C1 runs from Málaga airport to Fuengirola, about 8 km from Mijas Pueblo. Book long-distance trains on Renfe.
By bus: A bus links Fuengirola and Mijas Pueblo, and buses go from Málaga.
By car: The A-7 and AP-7 motorways serve the area.

Getting around

On foot: Mijas Pueblo is compact but hilly, with steps and slopes. The coast and the village are far apart.
Bus and taxi: The local bus links the village, Fuengirola and La Cala.
Donkey taxi: A tourist tradition in the village.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Useful to combine the village, the coast and nearby towns.
Parking: A paid car park is at the entrance of the village. On busy days it fills up.
Roads: The village road is steep and winding.

Food & drink

The food is Andalusian, with a focus on seafood on the coast. Try espetos (grilled sardines on skewers), pescaíto frito (fried fish), gazpacho, porra antequerana and ajoblanco. In the village, look for local sweet wine and raisins from the Axarquía.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Mijas is a safe area. Take care of valuables in busy tourist spots. The village streets are steep and can be slippery, and in summer the heat can be strong, so carry water.

History

The hill was settled by Phoenicians and Romans, and in the Moorish period it was a fortified town. The Catholic Monarchs took it in 1487. For centuries, it was a farming and mining village known for raisins and esparto grass.

In the 1960s, the Costa del Sol tourism boom began, and the village was developed as a tourist attraction while retaining its whitewashed look.