Mijas

The Village with The View

Mijas is known as the ‘White Village’, the reason for which is pretty self-explanatory when you see its hundreds of white-washed buildings. It lies on the west side of the Costa del Sol, up in the mountains, 428 metres above sea level which allows for spectacular views over the Costa del Sol.  

For a village with a population of only 7,500, it is very cosmopolitan with over sixty nationalities residing in the area including many English speaking residents. This large range of nationalities is apparent from the varied international cuisine on offer as well as traditional Andalucian dishes and a local favourite of egg soup.

Grape vines were the main source of wealth in Mijas until the Philloxera plague destroyed all of the vineyards. Also important to Mijas economy was paper production.

Mijas is also home to a number of artists who have settled here after falling in love with the place, including Don Clarke and Michele Lehmann. There are many paintings and pottery on display in the town as well as many wicker and linen items.

If you come to Mijas be sure to witness some traditional flamenco dancing. The dance is meant to have originated from this area of Andalucia and is performed with vigour and passion by the locals. Flamenco and other festivities take place on the 17th of January, for the festival of San Antona and on the first fortnight of September celebrating the patron saint La Virgen de la Pena.

Apart from its beauty, the town has a number of points of interest. Firstly, there is the small, irregularly shaped bullring, the hermitage El Puerto which sits looking over the village, that can be got to by a donkey taxi up the slope. There are also two Mudejar Churches in the town centre, one containing the interesting shrine of La Virgen de la Pena. The village has a great atmosphere that’s fired by the fabulous people that live there and the little streets are as charming today as I’m sure they have ever been; it provides a great day out.