Complete Guide to Mijas Pueblo in Spain

One of my favorite places that I love to visit over and over again is Mijas Pueblo up in the hills of the Costa del Sol region. In this guide, I’m recommending some of my favorite places to visit around Mijas, the fantastic miradors or viewpoints to explore, places to eat and fun things to do in town. I have a few favorite things mentioned below so make sure you check out the entire post below.

Mijas is just one of those picturesque white villages that are a must visit spot in the hills above the Costa Del Sol and is a relatively easy day trip from Malaga, Fuengirola and many parts of the coastal towns and cities around the southern parts of Spain. You can easily take a group tour, public transportation or even rent a car for more flexibility to exploring the areas around Mijas after spending a day touring around

Guide to Mijas Pueblo in Spain: Best Viewpoints, Attractions, and Local Experiences in the Whitewashed Village

Why Visit Mijas Pueblo?

Mijas Pueblo, perched on the hills above the Costa del Sol, offers a refreshing contrast to the busy coastal resorts. Its whitewashed streets, lined with flower-filled balconies, wind through a charming old town that feels timeless. Visitors come for the relaxed atmosphere, scenic viewpoints overlooking the Mediterranean, and cultural highlights like the bullring, craft shops, and small museums. Add in cozy tapas bars, local festivals, and nearby hiking trails, and Mijas Pueblo becomes a perfect mix of tradition, culture, and natural beauty that makes it worth a visit.

How to get to Mijas Pueblo

Here’s some options on how to get to Mijas Pueblo by car, bus and even train and bus service:

1. From Málaga City

By Car:
- Take the A-7 coastal highway west toward Fuengirola.
- Exit at “Mijas / Mijas Pueblo” signs.
- Drive uphill on the A-387; about 30–40 minutes.
By Bus:
- Buses run from Málaga central bus station to Fuengirola.
- From Fuengirola, transfer to the M-122 bus directly to Mijas Pueblo.

2. From Fuengirola

By Car:
- Follow the A-387 road inland; 15–20 minutes uphill.
By Bus:
- Take the M-122 bus from Fuengirola bus station (about 20–25 minutes).

3. From Marbella

By Car:
- Drive east along the AP-7 toll road or the A-7 coastal highway.
- Connect to the A-387 at Fuengirola and head inland; 35–40 minutes.
By Bus:
- Take a bus to Fuengirola, then transfer to the M-122 bus to Mijas Pueblo.

4. From Málaga Airport (Costa del Sol Airport)

By Car:
- Head west on the A-7 highway toward Fuengirola.
- Exit at “Mijas Pueblo,” then drive up the A-387.
- Journey takes about 25–30 minutes.
By Train + Bus:
- Take the C1 commuter train from the airport to Fuengirola (about 35 minutes).
- From Fuengirola, catch the M-122 bus to Mijas Pueblo.

5. Parking and Accessibility

Public parking garage available near the entrance of the village.
Streets are narrow; best to park and explore on foot.

Best things to do in Mijas

There’s so many cool things, fantastic views, local artists and crafts, delicious food venues and even free flamenco shows, check out all these options below:

1. Explore the historic district of Mijas

Mijas is a place to enjoy Andalusian culture—catch a flamenco show at the local cultural center, explore artisan shops selling ceramics and leather goods, or taste regional specialties in family-run restaurants. With its blend of history, scenic beauty, and authentic village life, Mijas Pueblo makes for a rewarding visit whether you’re there for a few hours or a leisurely day.

Wander the narrow-whitewashed streets with colorful flower pots.
Visit Plaza de la Constitución, the main square with cafes and fountains.
Discover artisan shops selling ceramics, leather, and handmade goods.

2. Visit Historical and Cultural Sites

Mijas Bullring (Plaza de Toros): A unique oval-shaped bullring built into the hillside.
Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña: A chapel carved into rock, dedicated to the town’s patron saint.
Museo Histórico-Etnológico: Learn about Mijas’ history, traditional farming, and crafts.
CAC Mijas (Centro de Arte Contemporáneo): Features works by Picasso, Dalí, and other Spanish artists.

3. Enjoy the Views and Outdoor Spots

If you want to enjoy the miradores (viewpoints) of Mijas Pueblo, the village offers several beautiful spots where you can take in the scenery of both the town and the Costa del Sol below:

Muralla Gardens (Jardines de la Muralla)
Built along the old fortress walls, these gardens are among the best places in Mijas to enjoy sweeping coastal views. You’ll find pathways, fountains, and benches set among flowers and greenery, with plenty of photo opportunities overlooking the Mediterranean.
Mirador del Compás
Located next to the Chapel of the Virgin of the Rock, this viewpoint offers a wide perspective of the coastline, framed by tiled railings and shaded spots to rest. It’s easy to reach from the main square.
Plaza de Toros Viewpoint
Near the bullring, this area also has balconies and terraces that open to the sea and surrounding hills. It’s less crowded and gives a different angle compared to the Muralla Gardens.
Camino de la Fuente de la Seda
A short walking path from the town leads to this lookout spot with rustic charm and quieter surroundings, ideal if you want a more peaceful viewpoint.
Higher Streets of the Pueblo
Simply wandering through the upper parts of the village, you’ll stumble on smaller miradores between the whitewashed houses, where the streets naturally open up to views over the rooftops and coastline.

Walk or hike along nearby trails that connect to the Sierra de Mijas mountains.

4. Unique Local Experiences

Watch or join in traditional festivals and fairs, such as the Feria de Mijas.
Experience the donkey-taxi rides, a long-standing symbol of the town.
Browse weekly markets for fresh produce, local cheeses, and crafts.

5. Delicious places to eat in Mijas

If you’re getting hungry, here’s some of the popular and delicious places to eat in Mijas along with local specialty dishes worth trying:

1. Traditional Andalusian Taverns

Bar La Martina – Known for authentic tapas like salmorejo (creamy tomato soup) and boquerones fritos (fried anchovies).
Bar Porras – A classic spot on Plaza de la Constitución serving hearty stews, paella, and homemade desserts.

2. Restaurants with a View

El Mirlo Blanco – Famous for rabbit dishes, cochinillo (roast suckling pig), and French-Basque inspired cuisine with stunning terrace views.
Restaurante El Capricho – Mediterranean menu with seafood platters and local wines, perfect for sunset dining.

3. Seafood and Coastal Flavors

Restaurante La Alcazaba – Specializes in fresh fish and shellfish, plus arroz caldoso (soupy rice with seafood).
Los Caracoles – Rustic dining featuring grilled meats, snails, and seasonal fish dishes.

4. Sweet Treats and Cafés

Mayán Monkey Mijas – A chocolate factory and café where you can taste handmade chocolates and ice creams.
Churrería La Noria – The go-to place for freshly fried churros con chocolate.

5. Local Specialty Dishes to Try in Mijas

Gazpachuelo: A warm soup made with fish stock, egg yolk, and garlic mayonnaise.
Sopa de Maimones: Rustic bread soup flavored with garlic and olive oil.
Pescaíto Frito: Lightly fried small fish, a Costa del Sol staple.
Arroz con Conejo: Rice cooked with rabbit, herbs, and local olive oil.
Turrón and Roscos: Traditional sweets, especially around Christmas.

Guided tours of Mijas

Leave it to the drivers and a local tour guide to drive you around and show you the hightlghts without having to do all the legwork yourself. Check out these cool guided tours of Mijas below:

Mijas: Panoramic city tour with an electric Tuk Tuk

Tuk Tuk Spain offers guided city tours in Mijas. You’ll discover the hidden gems of the village and places where tourists normally don’t come like the panoramic view point high above the village.

Mijas, Marbella, and Puerto Banús from the Costa del Sol

Tradition, luxury, and modernity; mountains and coast

Mijas: Half-Day Tour with Food and Wine Tasting

Discover the culture, gastronomy, and history of the beautiful town “Mijas “on this guided tour. Enjoy a traditional ambience while tastings different local Tapas, wines & liqueurs from the area.

Malaga, Catamaran ride and Mijas Pueblo

Get to know the cosmopolitan city of Malaga, admire its beautiful coastline sailing on a catamaran, and discover the emblematic village of Mijas.

Other unique places and experiences to visit at Mijas Pueblo

You’ll find these other places worth visiting if you have more free time to enjoy a day or two in Mijas Pueblo

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 Constitucion.

Checking out all the yummy toppings to add to our chocolate bars below

Ermita de la Virgin de la Peña

An Ermita is a chapel and a peña is a monolithic rock above Mijas. This chapel was apparently carved into the rock 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.

The Calvary chapel

You want to do a little hiking with spectacular views, you will love this cardio climb to the Calvary Chapel above Mijas Pueblo. 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.

Tip – take your time climbing up to the chapel, its very rocky and a little tricky getting up there on some rough trails, but the views and experience is spectacular.

Tuk-tuk ride

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 things and get a better look at the town without having to climb or walk.

key taxi, take a tuk-tuk instead. We saw a few of these on the streets and we heard the guides giving out great information.

Donkey and horse rides around Mijas

Mijas is famous for its donkeys and horse rides that hang out in the main square and if that’s your thing, to take a cruise around the area, that’s where you go to do this. 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.

** personally i would just enjoy taking pictures of the carriages and donkeys but not want to take a ride on them especially on typical hot days in the area

Guide to Mijas Pueblo Spain