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Mijas
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Town history
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  • Do you think that in the same municipality you can visit a white town, a coastline full of comfortable beaches, and some of the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol? Search for Mijas on the map, pack your bags and discover one of the most unique destinations in the province of Malaga.

    This mountain town, which also faces the sea, offers visitors all the amenities required to enjoy a complete experience, mixing tradition of its past, with spots you can travel to via its famous donkey taxi, with the adaptation to the needs of the many visitors every year. In fact, Mijas is a destination that many fall in love with and choose to live there: the municipality is currently home to nearly 10,000 Brits.

    IN MIJAS DO NOT MISS

    MONUMENTS

    The visit to the old town of Mijas, declared a Historic-Artistic Grouping, allows us to experience the Jardines y el Mirador de la Muralla, which are the remnants of the ancient fortress on which the city was created. These gardens were designed so that they would have flowers all year, and from its vantage point you can see one of the most impressive views of the Costa del Sol.

    In 2013 Mijas opened its Centro de Arte Contemporáneo. A fantastic museum space with works by Pablo Ruiz Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Miró, amongst others. In fact, the museum has the second largest collection of ceramics by Picasso in the world.

    Another focus of interest is the Plaza de Toros de Mijas, which, like almost everything in the city is like nothing you've seen before. Built in the early twentieth century by a group of neighbours, its gateway maintains the appearance of a typical white house and has an oval shape, something very rare in Spain.

    Chapel of the Virgin de la Peña (Virgin of the rock). This chapel situated next to the panoramic view point of “El Compas”, was excavated out of a rock by a Carmelita monk half way through the 17th century. Inside the chapel is the image of the Virgin of the Rock, Patron Saint of Mijas. According to the  legend, she was discovered in 1586 by two child sheppards who were guided to the place by a dove.

    Next to the bullring is the Auditorio Municipal, where Mijas' Festival de Teatro Villa takes place in July.

    A walk through Mijas also has numerous stops where you can learn a bit more about the people who lived there in the past. Starting at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rock, which was excavated in the sixteenth century and the Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción, from the same era built on an ancient mosque, making the most of its Moorish tower and belfry. The hermitages of San Sebastián and Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, both from the 17th century, and the hermitage of Calvario, from the 18th century, are also worth visiting. As well as the Watchtowers

     

    Almost all of these sites can also be visited by donkey-taxi, which, as well as being a means of transport, is also one of Mijas" main attractions. Its origin dates back to the 60s, when some workers returning to their homes by donkey were asked by some visitors for a photograph or to have a go.

    Alternatively, we can also enjoy the Tuk Tuk routes, which offer guided tours of the municipality on an original electric vehicle.

  • When driving to Mijas from Málaga, we recommend taking the AP-7 paid motorway and getting off at exit 124. You’ll get there in about 30 minutes depending on the traffic. Another option is to go on the E-15 and then get on the AP-7. Both routes that the same amount of time.

  • NATURAL RESOURCES

     Mijas has a wide and well looked after coast where the combination of beach, nature and sun offers a very pleasant and special experience, complimented by a seafood gastronomy and the hospitality of its people. The Mijas beaches have eight “Q” flags of “Tourist Quality”, whilst the rest of the coast has the “ISO 14001 environmental certification” that guarantees the conservation of the values ??of our coast.

    For nature lovers, Mijas has several trails that lead to the bordering municipalities of Ojén and Benalmádena within the route of the “Gran Senda de Málaga”. The little fishing village of La Cala is located in the middle of the Mijas coast, the central core of the 12 kilometres of coastline of the municipality and where the Coastal Path is located; a pedestrian and cyclist route that runs along the coast of Mijas.

     

    LEISURE CENTERS

     Mijas offers players some of the best golf courses in Andalusia. In each of the fields, players can choose the handicap that best suits their level. What all our golf courses have in common is the sunlight that floods the Greens and the warm temperatures that allows you to enjoy them all year round.

    We also have the Mijas Water Park, (AQUAMIJAS) that has been offering for years, a mixture of fun and water for all types of visitors.

     

    TRADITIONAL FAIR

    Mijas is popular for its yearly fair in honour of the “Virgin of the Rock”. This takes place in the month of September, when there is a parade through the white village of Mijas. During the fair, there is a flower offering and a procession of the patroness saint, as well as musical performances and activities for children and adults.

    On the 17th of January Mijas celebrates “San Antón” patron saint of animals (in the hamlet of “Osunillas”, a kilometre and a half from the village), where people take their pets to be blessed. On the day of “Virgin of Carmen”, (16th of July) a procession is held in La Cala of Mijas Costa. The Mijas Theatre Festival is also one of the popular events in the summer months.

    In addition to these, throughout the year different events, fairs, pilgrimages, concerts, exhibitions and theatres are organised in different parts of the municipality. There is always a good excuse to enjoy yourself in Mijas.

     

    GASTRONOMY AND HANDCRAFTS

    Gastronomy and handcrafts are the other great attractions for those who come, any day of the year, to Mijas. Amongst the great gastronomic offer, the restaurants stand out for their innovative and avant-garde cuisine, which coexist alongside typical local dishes such as: salmorejo, maimones, cachorreñas and gazpachuelo, or the typical sweets such as donuts, hornazos, or garrapiñadas sugared almonds, all these can be savoured by the visitors throughout the emblematic white streets and unique corners of the village.

    Mijas has a wide selection of artisans who keep almost forgotten traditional crafts alive. Souvenirs made from esparto grass (local plant), ceramics, wooden inlays, pottery, unique jewellery made of noble metals, etc. can be purchased at local shops. Visitors can enjoy a unique experience following the Artisans Route and discover workshops that show how the expert hands of these make unrepeatable objects

  • Town history

    The most ancient traces of human occupation in the actual municipal district of Mijas go back to the Bronze age, approximately the second millennium BC.

    As from 800 BC. the arrival of the Phoenicians (a race originating from the Eastern Mediterranean) to the Malaga coast, caused a big change to the local communities. The arrival of these oriental populations modified the territorial conception of the natives.

    From the II Century BC. Onwards, the arrival of the roman influences can be seen, culminating in the first centuries of our era. In Mijas, the archaeological remains that have been found confirm the existence of the roman city of Suel, possible successor of the Iberian-Punic City that was formed after the arrival of the Phoenicians. The big buildings of this city, such as the temples, the forum, theatre, etc., have still not been found, but they are believed to have been situated, according to some writers, between the outlet of the Fuengirola river and the Cortijo de la Alberquilla, on the right edge of the river, where the settlements of the Finca de Acebedo and the roman town El Chaparral can be found.

    The Moors seized Mijas as soon as they set foot on the Iberian Peninsula. Local residents were allowed to keep their property, religious practices and customs as long as they paid with part of their farming and cattle gains. Under this arrangement, the Muslims and the Mozarabs lived in perfect harmony, as shown in the days of Umar ibn Hafsun. When he died, the area went into the hands of Abd-ar-Rahman III.

    During the Reconquista, Mijas resisted the attacks of the Christian troops until the fall of Málaga in 1487. When they learnt that Málaga had been conquered, locals thought that unconditional surrender was the best option. Their envoys were captured and sold as slaves.

    In 1494, the land was distributed among old Christians who settled in the area. In 1521, Mijas got its town charter from King Charles I of Spain – a reward for their loyalty during the Revolt of the Comuneros. Joanna the Mad exempted the village from sales taxes.

    On 2 December 1831, General Torrijos and 52 men landed on the beach of El Charcón. They marched across Mijas to the sierras, then climbing down to reach Alhaurín de la Torre. There they took shelter in the property of the Count of Mollina, only to be found a few days later. The General and his men were executed on the beach of San Andrés, in Málaga City, on order from King Ferdinand VII, after his restoration as absolute monarch.

  • Mijas has an extensive culinary menu, of typical, creative, international and fusion dishes, etc; they will not leave you indifferent. In our bars, restaurants and beach bars there is something for all tastes and budgets. When visiting Mijas, it is a must to enjoy and savour the wide range of cuisine it has to offer.


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Characteristics

  • Inhabitants (+50,000)
  • Beach
  • Picturesque place
  • Coastal area
  • Inland area

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