Mijas Pueblo Is One Of The Most Stunning Villages In Andalusia

By Author: Andrew Beckett
Total Articles: 5
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If you are looking for somewhere in Southern Spain that is a little off the beaten track and not full of tourists all the summer, then Mijas Pueblo might be a good place to look at. It is a whitewashed village in Andalusia with a population that is only around 7,500 and sits about 1,400 feet above sea level. It is only a mile or so from Mijas Costa which lies next to Fuengirola, and although not part of it, is the main commercial and residential area.

Mijas Pueblo is probably one of the most beautiful villages in the Costa del Sol. From its’ position perched high on the hill it provides amazing views from Gibraltar to the West all the way to Benalmadena in the East, and on a clear day you can see the mountains in Morocco. As it is on the side of the hill, Mijas is split into two parts, an upper part and a lower part divided by the main square which is the Plaza Virgena de la Pena. The village dates back to the Bronze Age and has been inhabited by the Phoenicians, the Moors, then the Romans, and finally the Christians. As a result, there is a fair old mix of architectural styles, especially in the lower half.

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... of the best things to do in Mijas is to take a walk around the Muralla Gardens in the lower part of the village. They have been built on the old fortress walls and have blooms in flower the whole year round. Here you will also find the bull ring which is not actually round but oval because it is built on the hillside, and for the same reason it only has seats on two sides. The bull ring also contains a museum which from time to time holds events involving flamenco dancers and a wooden bull.

If you are in need of a workout, you can take a walk, or rather climb, up to the Calvario Hermitage chapel in the upper part of the village. The chapel is not always open, but it’s worth the climb for the stunning views.

Back in the main square, the Plaza Virgen de la Pena, you will find the burros – taxis drawn by donkeys. These date back to the 1960’s. The locals used to use the donkeys for carrying fruit and vegetables in baskets on their backs. Tourists began to ask the locals to let them ride the donkeys for a small tip, and one of the locals saw how profitable it could be, and so formed the burro taxi company.

You can also visit the Museo de Vino – wine museum – and learn about the process of making Malaga wine. This is a sweet dark coloured wine, although the grapes used are white. The colour is achieved by letting the grapes dry in the sun in order to concentrate the sugar. The museum has a tiny terrace at the back where you can enjoy a glass or three, and it also stocks around 250 different Spanish wines which you can buy.

If you want to stay in Mijas you can rent an apartment or villa in the town, which is a lot cheaper than staying in a hotel, especially if you have a large family. In fact, you might very well want to buy a holiday home here, and if you should, you will find that there are a number of Mijas apartments for sale at any given point in time. The town is a great place for a holiday and is also not too far from Torremolinos and Fuengirola if you want to go shopping or have a night on the town.

This means that it can often find villas and apartments, including Mijas apartments for sale, that are not easy to find as they are often not advertised elsewhere.