Mijas, Costa del Sol
Your Neighbourhood is a series of local area guides from VIP Almeria. We’re bringing you the best of local villages combined with the latest property data. Mijas postcode: 29650
Mijas is a municipality in the Province of Málaga, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Located on the southeastern coast of Spain.
Why Mijas?
The village of Mijas which is still steeped in the old Andalucian traditions and customs is a big name in Spain, Situated in the heart of the Costa del Sol, Mijas combines to the perfection its condition of mountain village with the important touristic development in its coastal zone. Its privileged geographic situation, between the sea and mountain, is the reason for its multiple charms, being situated among the most attractive destinies in the province. Its extensive territory is divided in three urban districts, each offering a distinctive look to the municipality. This way, we can find in Mijas deeply-rooted traditions along with innovation and modernity.
It offers the traveler the contrast between the traditional image of these lands and the adaptation to our time, all without losing the essence. The walk through whitewashed corners, patios, gardens, hermitages ... the town retains the leisurely pace and charm of yesteryear, sheltered by the mountains and extending the view to the countryside and the sea
The Cost: “Really anywhere in Spain so it is a lifestyle choice, a single could live comfortably on €1,200 — or less. A couple can live for around €2,000 a month. Eating out at Restaurants is inexpensive as are childcare, groceries transportation and sport and leisure club membership/activities.
Where to Move: Mijas municipal district is comprised of three very different areas, Mijas Pueblo (the village), Mijas Costa (the coastal strip) and Las Lagunas (a modern residential and comercial area). There are also three small rural out-lying districts called Entrérros, Osunillas and Valtocado.
Mijas has 3 urban nucleus as mentioned above. Here are all the popular zones that you can find in this big town:
-Mijas pueblo
- Las Lagunas
- Calahonda
-Osunillas
-Valtocado
-Entrerríos
-La Alquería
-El Chaparral
- El Faro
Fiestas, handicrafts and gastronony
The local fiestas take place in the first fortnight of September, in honour of the Patron, the “Virgen de la Peña”. The 17th January is the feast day of San Antón (in the Osunillas district, one and a half kilometers from the village), patron saint of animals, where people can take their pets to be blessed. The Mijas Theatre Festival, is also one of the most important summer events in Mijas. Apart from the afore mentioned, throughout the year you can find a long list of open-air dances, pilgrimages, concerts, expositions, theatre…in the whole of the municipal terminal. There’s always something going on! You can also enjoy the programme “VIVEMIJAS DE NOCHE”, throughout the months of July and August, which includes a handcraft fair, a tapa route and live musical entertainment.
Within the handcraft section you can find crafts of embossed silver, esparto grass and wickerwork. In the gastronomy, apart from the many international restaurants, there’s also a wide range of local dishes to be found: salmorejo, maimones, cachorreñas and gazpachuelo to mention a few and typical sweet dishes like "garrapiñadas" (sugared almonds) buñuelos and hornazos go back to the arab era.
The climate of Mijas along with the landscape allows for innumerable sport activities; paragliding, hang gliding, skin-diving, hiking routes through the Mijas mountain range and mountain sports in general, also you can find numerous golf courses and an acuatic park, AquaMijas.
The overall population is approx. 80.630 people
Take me there!
Calle Canteras in Mijas Pueblo overlooking the coast
What’s the story with house prices?
Mijas Pueblo:
3 bed duplex - 229.000€
2 bed apartment - 148.000€
Las Lagunas:
1 bed apartment - 85.000€
2 bed apartment - 129.000€
Calahonda:
2 bed apartment - 170.000€
3 bed chalet - 335.000€
Local amenities?
Townhall, medical center, shops, bars, restaurants.
Where should I get lunch?
Mijas pueblo: Mango Café & Tea room, Mayan Monkeys Café, Cafetería Bellavista, The lemon tree.
Las Lagunas: Lorena Café,Cafetería la Vega de Mijas, Cafetería Rocky, Cafetería churrería La Unión.
Calahonda: Cafetería Los Olivos, El Zoco Café, Cafetería Churreria Ana Bella, The Jammy Olive Café, Cafetería La Canasta.
or dinner?
Mijas Pueblo: Tomillo limón, Restaurante el mirlo blanco, Casa 5, Restaurante Pampa, Restaurante Balcón de Mijas.
Las Lagunas: Restaurante Bar Casa el Abuelo, Restaurante Confusión, Bar Piripi, Restaurante las Tablinas.
Calahonda: The Restaurant, La Mandrágora, El Mesón de calahonda, Restaurante el Chancho
So what’s the big draw?
In addition to the showpiece Village, Mijas has a wide and a well maintained coastline where the blend of beach, nature and sun offers a very pleasant and special experience. The seafood cuisine and Mediterranean hospitality is the ideal combination. Mijas beaches have nine “Q” Flags for Tourist Quality and three Blue European Flags, whilst the rest of the coast has the “ISO 14.001” Environmental Certification, thus guaranteeing the conservation of the natural values of our Coast.
What do people love about it?
Great walk through the town, nice houses, shops with many typical or decorative things. Ice cream shops, coffee shops and some great tapas bars.
And... what do people NOT love about it?
In high season it is difficult to find parking in the town.
And what’s my new local?
Mijas Pueblo: Oasis Lounge bar, Bar Alarcón, Bar González.
Las Lagunas: Cervecería la más rubia, Sol Mijas, El rincón de Choni, Papus bar.
Calahonda: Millenium Pub, Our Bar, Harp Bar, 97Bar.
Alternatives:
Mijas Pueblo: Peccati di Golas, Koco Bistró, Chema's terrace.
Las Lagunas: Kokoro Restaurante, texas 86, Freiduría el rebalaje, Pizzería la Mejicana.
Calahonda: Restaurante la tabla belga, Pimienta urban food, La estancia steak house, La taberna de Juan.
Schools and supermarkets?
Main supermarkets:
Mijas Pueblo - Eroski, día, coviran.
Las Lagunas - Lidl, Mercadona, Día, Aldi.
Calahonda - SuperSol, Lidl, Mercadona.
Schools:
Mijas Pueblo - There're no infant schools in Mijas Pueblo.
Primary school: Colegio público San Sebastián.
Secondary School: IES Villa de Mijas.
Las Lagunas - Infant: La casita de Pimienta, Gloria Fuertes.
Primary School - Colegio Los Campanales, Colegio Público María Zambrano, CP Las Cañadas, CEIP Indhira Gandi.
Secondary School - IES Las Lagunas, IES Vega de Mijas.
Calahonda - Infant: Los Claveles, La Cala Limonar.
Primary School: CEIP García del Olmo, El Chaparral, CEIP Jardín Botánico.
Secondary School: IES Cala de Mijas, IES Torre Almenara.
OK, I’m sold. Give me one piece of local trivia to impress a local
Mijas is the only place in Spain where donkeys work as taxi drivers. This started in 1960 when the first tourists came to this town. They were curious about the donkeys and asked their owners to take photos of them and even ride on them in exchange for money. At that time, the workers realized that they earned more money from these tips than from working in the fields, and that is how this tradition was born.