Mijas vacation
 

We will be staying a week in the Costa del Sol area based in Mijas (at a timeshare resort). While we will be doing lots of daytrips (Torremolinos, Marbella, Nerja, etc), we will also spend some time in Mijas itself. We will have a car. It has been difficult to find lots of info on Mijas. What is there to see? Do? Are there any great restaurants that we should eat at? How many days should we plan for Mijas, and how many day trips?

I spent a few days in Costa del Sol, and I think an afternoon in Mijas. I remember being disappointed that it was March and too cold to get into the water, but I so enjoyed walking up and down the hilly streets of Costa del Sol and just getting lost looking in the windows of clothing and pastry shops ( try some of the beautiful fuit tarts). I bought colorful scarves, had lunch on a beachfront patio, walked on the packed sand. At night, we would go find a restaurant and have wonderful fish dinners al fresco and walk home along the beach.

Mijas - I just walked all day after the winding car drive there. I don't know how long you will need to explore. I went to the little chapel, spent hours walking along the little streets. I did not shop, but sat outside at a cafe talking to locals. I took a lot of pictures of the little white houses and churches set against deep blue skies. I was glad to have spent time there.

Hi jtanne..can you share which timeshare resort you will be at?

Mijas is quite small, and you won't need a car to see it thoroughly. It's a very cute little town with good shopping. There is also a bull ring. We ate at a restaurant called La Alcazaba that had a beautiful view and very good gazpacho and paella. We were staying in Marbella and had an easy day trip to Granada from there. Hope this helps. Enjoy!

You won't need a car to see Mijas, but you will want one to see the rest of the area. Mijas is a fine spot to stay to do day trips to some great places nearby such as Granada (Alhambra), Nerja, Ronda, Malaga (don't miss the Picasso Museum if you like modern art, and the palace and alcazar are worthwhile as well), as well as several of the white villages. Check out some guidebooks and websites such as this and do some google searches.

jtanne, Your timeshare will most probably be in one of the numerous 'urbanisations' along the 12 km long coastline. There's really not much to see there, unless you like to play golf, tennis or lie on the beach.
Mijas Pueblo, on the contrary, is a pretty white hilltown, though very very touristy. Can be visited in a few hours.
Since you have a car, it will be easy to explore some of the other white villages like Ojén, Casares, maybe even as far as Arcos de la Frontera.
Oh yes, while you're in Nerja, do visit Frigiliana. It's a white village up in the hills above Nerja and it's really very pretty.

There are two Mijas in Costa del Sol: Mijas Pueblo and Mijas Costa. Mijas Pueblo is the one in the hills overlooking the old fishing village fuengirola (not much there except a flea market one day per week).

We stayed in Mijas Pueblo at a Barrat time-share resort. The town is quite small, but nice for walking around. We didn't do any site-seeing there... just shopping and eating.

Two restaurants I can heartily recommend are the Mirlo Blanco and the Alcazaba (sp?)--the latter sits on a cliff with spectacular views and has excellent wait service.

A half day for exploring Mijas was sufficient for us. Of course, we walked around a bit each night before and after dinner, since that was our base.

Probably the highlight of our entire trip was the drive from Mijas to Ronda. We took the hotel's recommendation and drove the 'back-way', which means passing through the pueblo 'Coin' on the way. Just look at the Michelin map and you'll see it. This road is crazy windy and some would call it downright dangerous to be on with a little renault clio, but the untouched landscapes are amazing. It's definitely longer than going the main route (perhaps 2-2.5 hours in total), but well worth it.

You also would like Málaga, if only for the cheap shopping. Same stores as in Marbella, but cheaper.


I would recommend 1 day in each of Ronda, Nerja (inlcuding a visit to the nearby caves), Marbella and Málaga. I was not too impressed with Torremolinos (they have a casino, and we saw a flamenco show there). We also did Gibraltar and that was a let-down for us. Mainly duty-free shops and british pubs lining the streets.

I would spend the rest of the time relaxing at a beach, such as in Nerja.

Thank you all for your advice! i will definitely be checking out the Alcazaba restaurant (anybody have address or directions?). We have already planned several day trips from our timeshare (for bashful: Matchbook Country Club Resort) based on helpful info from this site. Anybody with other suggestions about Mijas, please post any interesting ideas!

Here's some info I pulled from Google:

The views to the coast from the Alcazaba are nothing short of spectacular. For under 15€ Euros a head the menu del dia (a 3 course menu of the day) is excellent value for money. It is available at lunch time and in the evening on request. There is also an extensive a-la-carte menu. The Moorish decor and attentive service make for a memorable meal. Ask for a window or terrace table with a view.

For reservations tel. 952 59 02 53


After doing some research, I realized we also ate at "El Capricho"

Description from someone else, per Google:
It is only recently that Jill & I have started dining at this marvellous restaurant after friends took us for a 'thank you' night out a short while ago. I have walked past the entrance many, many times and must admit I have never given it a second glance ...... but oh boy what have I been missing! All the food is freshly prepared and beautifully cooked ....... they will even do a paella for one ...... and excellent it is too. They also have a great pill-pill and their fillet steak is one of the best I have ever tasted. The waiters are friendly and helpful. The view from the terrace across the square is wonderful and in the winter the inside is snug and cosy. The El Capricho is one of the oldest Spanish owned restaurants in the village and is located in the centre of Mijas in Calle Los Canos. Closed on Wednesdays.

For reservations tel. 952 48 51 11

Wow, thanks for all the effort , Riffic! I will definitely check out those restaurants. I am looking forward to sampling some of the Spanish food (and wine!). 2 weeks from today...