A fun day trip from Fuengirola to Mijas Pueblo in Costa del Sol
If you’re looking for a fun day trip from Fuengirola, consider coming to Mijas Pueblo up in the hills above the Costa del Sol. This easy day trip from Fuengirola to Mijas is a fun and easy trip and exploring this colorful white village in the hills with fantastic views of the region below.
Mjias Pueblo is easy to reach from Fuengirola or you can also sign up for a variety of tours to visit the region that is curated and easy to do if you are not a DIY kind of tourist. From various parts of the Costa del Sol, I found that getting to Fuengirola by train and then transferring by the local bus is relatively fast and the cheapest option of getting to Mijas Pueblo.
Take the bus or taxi from Fuengirola to Mijas pueblo
The easiest and cheapest way to get from Fuengirola to Mijas is by bus from the central bus station area where buses leave for different areas of the Costa del Sol. You can buy your tickets at the ticket booth or at the ticket systems. Drivers will not take any money and just accept the ticket voucher that you purchase from the station.
The bus ride up to Mjjias Pueblo takes about 17 minutes and drops you right off the main square in the village. The cost is cheap around 3 Eur one way.
You can take a taxi to get you there but that will cost about 16-20 Eur and the trip takes less than 10 minutes.
Start at the tourist office
The tourist office is located on the main square opposite side of the road with fantastic views of the entire Costa del Sol area below. You can pick up a map or ask about special events or things happening around the village.
Tip – I found through the tourist office that they typically sponsor a free flamenco dance program in the band stand area mid day for free, and it was a well stage and exciting program done daily and for free.
After you take in your views and photos from above and maybe watch the flamenco show, here’s some of the top things you can do while touring Mijas.
Highlights on what to do around Mijas Pueblo
Enjoy the scenic vista point views or Miradors
Just in the back of the tourist office are wonderful scenic views of the Costa del Sol down to the Mediterranean ocean below. The terraces are nice and expansive so you can check out the best views from different areas and do some fun selfies.
Explore the Ermita de la Virgin de la Pena
Also close by the tourist office is this monolithic rock called the Ermita de la Virgin de la Pena which houses a small chapel that was carved into the rock base. Built in the seventeenth century by a Carmelite monk to remember the place where the Virgin Mary appeared to two children who were herding sheep. You’ll find the viewpoints up by the chapel to be quite spectacular and worth the climb to the top.
Check out the free Flamenco show
I loved seeing this free Flamenco show that was sponsored by the local tourism office. Starting around 12 noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays, head out to the band stand in the main square area across from the tourist office. You’ll enjoy this lively and colorful show with music, dancers and authentic dances all for free and a great way to enjoy the morning.
Head to some of the fantastic museums of Mijas
After the flamenco show, things get heated up around the squares and tourist venues so why not head out to some of the museums and cooler places to hang out for a bit. Here are the main museums you can visit in the village:
CAC – Centro de Arte Contamporaneo
Mostly an art gallery that showcases original pieces of work by Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and other local artist into this lovely contemporary art gallery.
Miniature Museum (Carromato de Mijas)
If you’re into miniature displays, this museum has it all with small carved and painted figures of various types of famous and regular personalities, regular activities, markets and shops along with the typical armaments and battle type of miniatures you’ll find in many of these type of museums. The quality and workmanship of these miniatures are really amazing to see in tiny details.
Casa Museo – Museo Historico-Etnologico
This small-scale museum preserves and showcases the history and culture of Mijas with displays, collections and artifacts that cover the range of time during its history, development to today. Working in the early days around the area and farming communities makes you realize how hard life was back then, but then also how simpler and authentic the experiences where with community and work.
Plaza de Toros in Mijas
This is an easy spot to visit that is basically a living museum and there are actually no bullfights that occur here for the time being. The Plaza de Toros is the smallest one in Spain but filled with interesting photos, images and collections. The short tour won’t take long but it’s worth it for the photo ops to see a piece of historic Mijas and culture in the areaCheck
Check out the Muralla Gardens
This garden area just off the Plaza de Toros is a nice respite from the heat with large shady trees, fountains and beautiful mature plantings to relax or capture in photos. Just off the gardens are more spectacular viewpoints of the Costa del Sol around a long walkway area so you can enjoy the views and breezes from these lookout points.
Enjoy lunch or just stroll the Plaza de la Constitution
From the botanical gardens and lookout points, head back downhill towards the village and make a first stop in Plaza de la Constitution, where you will find many popular restaurants – many which offer drinks, local snacks or their Menu del Dia (Menu of the day) which is typically three courses with a drink for a good lunch price. It’s easy enough to wander and check out the shops and galleries and just see what catches your eye. You’ll enjoy this colorful square and find a nice place for lunch fronting the square or restaurants with balcony views of the Costa del Sol
Go explore the cobbled streets, shops and narrow alleys around Mijas area
After exploring the top area of Mjias and come back downhill to explore the narrow streets of the old town. you’ll find some fantastic shopping with local ceramic studios, leather stuios and local galleries to tempt you with finding some wonderful take aways for gifts or souvenirs. You can enjoy visiting the local pottery shops or artisan shops, eateries and bars and just get lost rambling though these narrow pathways with hidden squares and viewpoints that you can discover along the way.
Check out the Flower stairs of Mijas
Located close to the Plaza Virgin de la Pena start heading up Calle de los Canos, you’ll find the beautiful Flower Stairs of Mijas for more photo ops in this colorful staircase with painted flowers. You’ll also enjoy the great views from above and some unique shops to find along the way. Definitely a photo op stop to capture, its a very IG and pretty staircase to climb and see what’s at the end.
The Calvary Chapel
For an adventure and nature climb above the city you might want to do this climb to the Calvary chapel above the city.. The chapel was once used as a retreat by the Carmelite monks guarding the chapel “Virgen de la Peña” below in the town.
If you would like to visit the inside, the Calvary Chapel opens only on Fridays and only during Lent period. However, it is worth going up there to enjoy the spectacular panorama of the coast and the Mediterranean.
Other fun activities around Mijas
If you have more free time in the afternoon, why not consider some of these activities and attractions to explore in town.
Donkey and horse rides around Mijas
Mijas is famous for its donkeys and horse rides that you can catch from the main square and cruises around the city and small streets in town, Even though I don’t like going on animal rides, I do love taking pictures of the horse and carriage and also the donkeys, but its not really my thing to take a ride especially on hot days so they can carry me all the way around and the back streets of Mijas. But it’s a nice ride from what I see so if it floats your boat, go for it.
Tuk Tuk rides
Tuk tuk rides are a great way to visit the town with a guide that speaks English. It is easy and you don’t have to do any uphill climbing to see many of the popular attractions and get a better look at the town without having to climb or walk around town. We saw a few of these on the streets and we heard the guides giving out great information.
Mayan Monkey Chocolate Factory
I went to visit the Mayan Monkey just for a snack and enjoyed the chocolates so much, I signed up for the chocolate making class with a friend to celebrate their birthday and it was so much fun.
The chocolate shop has the factory at the Plaza Virgin de la Pena and there is a smaller shop on Plaza Constitution.
Enjoy the market and crafts vendors at the Plaza Virgin de la Pena
Off the main square is a daily market with local artists, street and specialty food vendors selling to the tourist crowd. It’s an easy stroll around the square and checking out all the local goods and tasting some yummy specialty foods made locally. Time to enjoy some locally made products to take home with you.
Relax, drink and people watch at Plaza Virgin de la Pena
It’s a nice way to end the day hanging out a the main square, trying out some local cervesa, tapas or snacks while people watching and just enjoying the relaxed scenes around the main square. There are plenty of choices of bars, eateries and snack venues lining the square, so pick and choose what is the most appealing for you.
You can catch the local bus back down to Fuengirola or catch a cheap cab if the schedule doesn’t fit your timeline.
Check out these other popular places to visit around the Costa del Sol
Complete guide to visiting Mijas Pueblo
Top things to do in Fuengirola
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Conclusion to a day trip to Mijas Pueblo
There you have it, there’s definitely a lot of places and attractions to visit around Mijas Pueblo. Definitely doable on a day trip, but it’s even nicer to stay overnight or a few days and enjoy the time when all the day trippers have left.
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