At a Glance
Mijas is the largest municipality in the Costa del Sol. It is so vast that it almost feels like it has been split into smaller pieces just so people can digest it. You have La Cala de Mijas which is the main coastal hub, Mijas Costa which runs along the coastline, and Mijas, with vast area and the historic village up in the mountains. Between them all you get rolling hills, sandy beaches, UNESCO heritage sites, evergreen forests, rustic old towns, busy tourist strips, and the biggest collection of golf courses on the coast.
The municipality stretches from the edge of Fuengirola in the east to almost touching Marbella in the west, and inland it pushes north into the mountains and on the other side it meets towns like Coín and Alhaurín. It covers a huge area, and it is easy to see why people get hooked here.
Where to Stay and Play
One of the inland standouts is La Zambra Hotel, a luxurious hideaway with a spa that will make you forget the outside world. It is located on Mijas Golf, one of the area’s many golf courses. Then there is La Cala Golf Resort which has been named the best golf club in Spain. It does not just have one course, it has three plus a golf academy, a hotel, spa, and panoramic views across open countryside. The clubhouse is traditional with a small gym, a pro shop, and a restaurant where you will often find me or my clients after a BBQ at their homes nearby.
La Cala Golf is its own community. Many of the complexes here were built by Taylor Wimpey, a developer that surprises British buyers with the quality of their Spanish projects compared to their reputation back home. A new and modern three bedroom duplex penthouse here can be found for around five hundred thousand euros depending on orientation and condition. It is a peaceful retreat surrounded by greenery and the sound of golf buggies zipping past. You can play all three courses without being a member, and prices are reasonable year round. Memberships come in different tiers, with discounts for residents, and it is always busy which means rental demand for golf lovers is strong.
Behind La Cala Golf are the UNESCO protected mountains that mark the line between Mijas and the inland towns beyond.
Heading back towards the coast you pass Calanova Golf Club. This is another popular course with a friendly atmosphere, great views, and probably the biggest golf shop in the Costa del Sol spread over two floors. There is a driving range and an English breakfast buffet for under ten euros which is not bad considering the view from the terrace.
The area around Calanova has seen a lot of development. Because Mijas has so much land, developers can offer more home for your money. Kronos Homes built Ipanema and Bahia, easily recognised by their green colour which you either love or hate. In 2025 you could still find penthouses here for under four hundred thousand euros with golf, mountain, and sea views. If you are buying for investment, just remember that further inland the occupancy and rental yields drop compared to properties within walking distance of the beach.
Mijas Pueblo | The OG Village
High up in the mountains is Mijas Pueblo, the old village. Think Santorini, but Spanish. Whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs, handmade crafts in the shops, and grandmothers leaning over balconies to gossip with neighbours. The village attracts busloads of tourists daily, and yes there are donkeys, but many locals avoid them due to ongoing protests over animal welfare.
It is a charming place to visit, with narrow streets, small squares, and views that stretch to Africa on a clear day.
Las Lagunas de Mijas
Just above the free A7 motorway, and above Fuengirola, is Las Lagunas. It is more industrial and commercial, full of shops, offices, and warehouses. In recent years developers have started building modern apartment complexes here, some selling for under two hundred thousand euros for a two bedroom unit. It is not within walking distance to the sea, but it is well connected by public transport and offers good value, modern amenities and pools for small families or young remote workers.
Mijas Costa | Beaches and Boardwalks
The Mijas Costa stretch begins west of Fuengirola’s castle and runs all the way to La Cala and some. There are natural beaches along the way, some with rocky coves and others with long sandy stretches. Beach restaurants are scattered rather than packed close together.
One of the biggest recent developments for Mijas Costa is the long awaited expansion of the Senda Litoral, the boardwalk project that will eventually connect the entire Costa del Sol’s coastline. It has been delayed for years, but work is progressing. When finished it will make walking or cycling along the beach much easier and safer but there’s still some time left ahead.
Driving along the coast here takes you past the El Faro lighthouse. Be careful of the speed cameras under the blue pedestrian bridges. They are average speed cameras that calculate how long it takes you to travel between two points, and this one catches more drivers than almost anywhere else on the coast. Between the scenery, the sharp turns, and the turnoffs, it is easy to forget the limit until the fine arrives. It’s also a stretch which often sees traffic and accidents, so stick to the speed limit.
Halfway along this stretch you find Chaparral Golf and Country Club, an interesting course with a floodlit driving range for evening practice. The clubhouse is open most days of the year.
Nearby, Eden Resort and Club is one of the rare frontline beach semi detached and townhouse projects that sold for under a million euros. I have clients here and it is in a fantastic location, but like many developments it had a rocky start with promises from the developer that were not delivered and key facts about nearby plots omitted. The community meetings were lively, but with new management and constant input from owners, it is growing into what it was meant to be.
La Cala de Mijas | The Centre
La Cala de Mijas means “the cove of Mijas” and it has grown from a small fishing village into a thriving coastal town. The beach is a semi horseshoe shape with soft sand, lifeguards in summer, security cameras, and plenty of beach bars.
Some beach bars are youthful like Unico, others specialise in paella like El Torreón, and others are casual. In the middle of the beach is the Torreón itself, a watchtower once used to send smoke signals warning of pirate raids so locals could evacuate inland.
La Cala has regular artisan markets and events, but the farmers’ market on Wednesdays and Saturdays is a fixture. It is held on the fairground just off the A7 and has everything from fresh produce to handmade jewellery.
The main roundabout in town has the police station, town hall, the tourist office, and an Irish pub called Biddy Mulligan’s which is either loved or avoided depending on who you ask. A favourite is Pura Cepa, a wine shop where you can buy a bottle, pay corkage, and enjoy it with some cheese and talk about life or other less important things.
The community here is international with strong English, Dutch, Belgian, and Scandinavian groups. It is relaxed, safe, and welcoming, though nightlife is limited and younger crowds often head to Fuengirola or Marbella. There are over one hundred restaurants to choose from, most of them local and unpretentious.
Property and Development
Mijas often comes up early in the search for a home in Spain because of the land, the prices, and the variety of properties. It is popular for retirees and golf lovers more than for pure investment returns. Large plots for standalone where one could build villas under one and a half million are common, but the waiting time for a building licence is currently one of the longest on the coast due to short staffed town hall admins and long queues.
In La Cala, the expansion has been frozen below the A7, but newer developments above the fairground and up to the La Noria roundabout tick all the boxes for many buyers. Sea views, walking distance to shops and cafés, gated communities, modern design, and evening sun are all possible here. Entry prices are around five hundred thousand euros, though some projects are cheaper if you are willing to wait for completion. Just five minutes inland by car you can drop the starting price to around three hundred thousand for similar apartments minus the proximities.
La Noria Golf is a small course right next to this area, and nearby you have an Aldi, a Carrefour supermarket, and a boulevard lined with restaurants, cafés, and shops.
Closing Thoughts
Mijas is a place that offers something for everyone, from the peaceful mountain charm of the Pueblo to the coastal life of La Cala and the golf resorts inland. It is not all glitz and glamour, but it has space, variety, and a sense of community that makes people stay once they arrive.
There are a few big developers with their eyes set on La Cala and Mijas which are hoping to capitalise on the lack of luxury developments in this area, knowing there is a long list of wealthy buyers waiting for just that here.