Nestled between Fuengirola and Benalmadena, there’s another town that’s a popular choice for holidays in Andalusia.
Mijas is a small town on the Costa del Sol that can evoke rather mixed feelings. On the one hand, this town fits perfectly into the landscape of typical Andalusian pueblos. Whitewashed houses, plenty of flowers, and the unhurried atmosphere prevailing in Mijas will easily appeal to those seeking peace and quiet. On the other hand, a longer stay in this town allows you to see that Mijas is primarily a town tailored to tourists. This should come as no surprise to anyone – tourism is the main branch of the local industry.
Different Parts of Mijas
Due to its location, we can distinguish two main parts of Mijas: Mijas Pueblo and Mijas Costa. The first one is a mountain village located on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada at an altitude of about 428 m above sea level. Mijas Costa, in turn, is located directly on the coast and abounds in many modern buildings, well-known hotels, and beaches.
Miniature Museum – Carromato de Max
This is one of the most popular attractions in Mijas. Opened in 1972, the Miniature Museum contains 360 exhibits from various parts of the world. The foundation for creating such a large collection was the collection of D. Juan Elegido Millán (pseud. Professor Max). Among them, we will see both tiny, precisely carved figures, as well as miniature paintings (placed on equally miniature easels). To get a closer look at some of them, you need to use a magnifying glass or a microscope.
Mayan Monkey Mijas
This small chocolate factory is a place where every sweet tooth will find something for themselves! See for yourself how chocolate was made in the past and how it is made today. In Mayan Monkey Mijas, you will learn about the fascinating history of cocoa, which will take you into the mysterious world of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations. At the end, you will create your own chocolate with your dream flavor composition!
Plaza de Toros
The bullring in Mijas is one of the most unusual in Spain. All thanks to its shape, which does not resemble a circle at all, but at most an oval. To see it up close, you can choose a standard tour, which also includes a visit to the museum presenting matador outfits and posters advertising bullfights in various periods of time.
Santuario Virgen de la Peña
The Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary in Mijas was built (or rather carved into the rock) in 1548. Although its creation is associated with the apparition of Mary within the walls of the former castle, it actually happened many years after the sanctuary was built, in 1586. Abstracting from the history of this place, it is worth paying attention to its interior. The raw walls, lots of flowers, and the altar, images of saints, and other religious props located among all this make an impression here.
GOOD TO KNOW: Next to the sanctuary, at Avenida del Compas, you will find an interesting viewpoint overlooking the city. The second equally popular one is located at Jardín de las Murallas (translated as “Gardens on the Walls”).
Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción
And here is another religious monument in Mijas. The Church of Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción was built in the 16th century on the ruins of a former mosque and castle. Since then, the temple has been restored several times. The most important one took place in 1992, when eight frescoes depicting the apostles were discovered. Their creation dates back to the Baroque or Renaissance times, but the author of the frescoes himself remains unknown.
Controversial Donkey Taxis
What arouses the greatest controversy in Mijas are the donkeys decorated with colorful gadgets that serve as taxis. The history of this unusual attraction dates back to the 1960s. At that time, the city began to be visited more and more often by tourists who, seeing residents riding donkeys to and from work, became more and more interested in these animals.
Although initially only photos with charming donkeys were enough, over time, residents began to offer visitors rides as well. This trend has continued to this day, and the attraction itself has even gained its own name – “Burro Taxi” (translated as “Donkey Taxis”). The cost of the ride is about €10. A rather large amount, considering that the whole of Mijas can be explored on foot in a few hours without unnecessarily tiring the animals. The decision is yours.
