Mijas Pueblo is one of many pueblos blancos in southern Spain. It definitely has its own charm though, and has a history dating back thousands of years. If you’re looking for things to do near Malaga, Mijas is a great option for a day trip. You can easily spend a day enjoying all the things to do in Mijas – and the food isn’t too bad either.
When doing your research, you’ll notice that there is Mijas Pueblo and Mijas Costa. The two are completely different so make sure you’re researching the correct one. Mijas Pueblo is the white village perched in the mountains, whereas Mijas Costa sits along the coast. Both are great to visit for different purposes. For this blog post I’m going to be focusing mostly on things to do in Mijas Pueblo.
There are many unique things to do in Mijas, and no matter who you’re travelling with there’s something for everyone. There’s even a Museum of Miniatures which has everything from painted grains of rice to tiny figurines. I would highly recommend bringing some sturdy trainers to walk in as there are a few hills to climb. Here are my recommendations for the best things to do in Mijas Pueblo during a day trip.
Things to do in Mijas Pueblo
1. Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña
The first stop of the day after parking your car should be Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña. It’s high on the list of the best things to do in Mijas, so make sure you don’t miss it. The hermitage is located next to Mirador del Compas and sits at the far end of a lovely courtyard. Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña is a small chapel built into the rock. It was founded in the 17th century by a Carmelite monk. The doors of the hermitage are left open throughout the day so that you can see the inside, and there’s a small souvenir shop next to it too.
2. Check out the shops
One of my favourite things to do in Mijas is to take a look at the unique array of shops. Many of them are beautifully decorated on the outside, and they often sell handcrafted goods. If you’re looking to some shopping, it’s a great idea to do a day trip to Mijas just to see what’s hidden away in its white narrow streets.
3. Plaza Virgen de la Peña
A short walk from the hermitage is Plaza Virgen de la Peña. This huge outdoor space is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and a few shops. There’s even an ice cream and chocolate shop named Mayan Monkey Mijas. It once claimed to be the smallest chocolate factory in the world!
You’ll also come across a lot of horse carriages lined up here, and just outside of the plaza is where you can catch a donkey taxi. Donkey taxis are what Mijas is well known for, but taking one look at the donkeys was enough for me. It may be one of the top things to do in Mijas, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
4. Walk around the whitewashed streets
If you’re not on a busy schedule during you trip to Mijas Pueblo, I would suggest that you take some time to walk around the less busy streets of the white village. Most of these streets are lined with houses and B&B’s, but we came across quite a few unique streets covered in flowers and colourful decorations. There are some great Instagrammable spots in Mijas for you to find. Mijas is one of the most easily accessible pueblos blancos from Malaga, so make the most of it.
5. Plaza de la Constitucion
One of the smaller plazas in Mijas is Plaza de la Constitucion. It’s surrounded by restaurants and a few interesting shops. Most importantly, it has trees around its perimeter, offering shade at all times of the day. We decided to take a quick break here on our way to one of the many popular viewpoints in the village. It’s not one of the top things to do in Mijas, but you’ll most likely cross paths with it.
6. Grab a drink at La Boveda del Flamenco
Out of all of the cafes and restaurants in Mijas, La Boveda del Flamenco is one of the most popular. It’s tucked away at the side of one of the main streets going around Plaza de la Constitucion. We only stopped for a drink but the menu looked fantastic, and it’s one of the more popular places to eat in Mijas for both tourists and locals. So if you’re planning a day trip to Mijas, make sure you add this vibrant restaurant to your list.
7. Take in the views of Mijas Pueblo
Since Mijas Pueblo is situated in the mountains, there are numerous viewpoints dotted around the village. Most of these viewpoints face outwards towards the coastline, so I was really pleased to come across a viewpoint that showed the size of Mijas instead. At the entrance to Parque La Muralla, if you’re coming from the direction of the bullring, you’ll see a small tower that you can climb up for free, and your reward is this gorgeous view in the photo above. This viewpoint wasn’t originally on my list of things to do in Mijas, but I’m glad we came across it on our way to the gardens.
8. Plaza de Toros de Mijas
I’m in no way a fan of bullfighting, but the sport has played an important role in Spanish history for centuries. This should be acknowledged if you want to understand more of the Spanish culture and traditions. Plaza de Toros de Mijas sits at the top of the hill leading from Plaza de la Constitucion. It’s unique compared to other bullrings in the country since it was built in an oval shape.
The bullring was built in 1900 at the request of a group of neighbours, and today you can go on a tour of it to learn more about its history for a small fee. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Mijas, so if you have the time and it interests you, it’s a very budget friendly attraction.
9. View the coastline from Castillo de Mijas
After walking around Mijas Pueblo all day, it’s nice to be able to walk around a fully shaded area for a bit. Paseo de la Muralla (Walk of the Wall) is located inside Parque La Muralla. It’s a paved path that traces what was once the outer walls of Castillo de Mijas. The castle itself only has a few parts of its medieval structure remaining, which includes these walls as well as parts of one of the castle’s towers.
If you’re a castle lover like me, you’ll be pleased to know that there are a lot of amazing castles in the Province of Malaga to choose from. Most of them are a little more intact than this one. It’s still a great site to add to your list of things to do in Mijas though.
Where to eat in Mijas
The Sanctuary Cafe
The Sanctuary Cafe may not be located in Mijas Pueblo, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth driving to. You’ll find this healthy eating cafe close to the coastline, just off of one of the main highways, so it’s very easy to locate if you’re heading here from Mijas Pueblo.
They have a fantastic menu that’s all based around healthy food, and they can cater to all types of dietary requirements too. We visited for breakfast and tried a selection of their dishes. If there’s one thing The Sanctuary Cafe is known for, it’s their banana bread, so you can’t leave without trying it. The Green Eggs and the Smashed Avocado are both excellent choices if you want an egg-based breakfast that will fuel you for the rest of the day. On the lighter side of things, the Dragon Fruit Bowl is perfect for sharing or as a main dish if you aren’t ordering anything else.
This is easily one of the best places to eat in Mijas so make sure you add it to your itinerary. There aren’t too many nice places to have breakfast in Mijas Pueblo so for me the short drive down to the coast is worth it to eat at The Sanctuary Cafe.
Koco Bistro
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat in the heart of Mijas Pueblo, one of the most popular restaurants is Koco Bistro. It’s an international tapas restaurant using fresh ingredients and local produce where possible. There are plenty of Spanish dishes on the menu, and many have undergone a modern transformation which makes the dining experience even more unique. This restaurant in Mijas is fully booked almost every night so make sure you book in advance unless you’re prepared for a hefty waiting time outside.
Banana Kitchen
Less than 10 minutes from Mijas Pueblo is Banana Kitchen. This is the perfect healthy cafe in Mijas if you don’t want to venture too far from the village. Their menu is based around healthy food with a twist. You’ll see a lot of traditional breakfast and brunch dishes here that have been altered slightly and are equally as delicious. The team also changes the menu on a regular basis so there are always new items popping up.
If you like eggs, I would highly recommend the Eggs Benedict with the addition of crispy bacon or salmon. Everything is prepared fresh and tastes incredible so you won’t be disappointed with either options. A side order of the acai bowl or their banana bread topped with fresh fruits is also a good idea if you want to share something. Don’t leave Mijas without stopping by Banana Kitchen!
Restaurante El Mirador
There are quite a lot of restaurants in Mijas Pueblo to choose from, but a lot of them are unfortunately catered to tourists. Restaurante El Mirador probably isn’t the best place to eat in Mijas but if you want a no-fuss meal with an incredible view of the coastline then I would suggest dining here. We only ordered the vegetarian paella which wasn’t incredible but it filled us up for the rest of the afternoon.
Where to stay in Mijas
Mijas Residence
The best place to stay in Mijas, if not the whole Costa del Sol, is Mijas Residence. It’s located along one of the main roads leading up to Mijas Pueblo, with free private parking available for guests. Mijas Residence is the perfect place to stay if you want to be in the midst of many popular spots around Malaga but still have your own quiet space to come back to. In the spring and summer you’ll have some beautiful flowers popping up around the villa as well.
Mijas Residence offers guests a choice of five luxury apartments, each with their own features and capacity. We stayed in Apartment 1 which can sleep up to six people if needed. There are two bedrooms in this apartment, and the master bedroom has a stunning view of the sea and Fuengirola in the distance. Each guest receives towels for the bathroom as well as for use around the pool area too.
Between the two bedrooms is a modern bathroom with a walk-in rain shower and a few toiletries. There’s also a hairdryer available. The rain shower is very relaxing after a long day, especially if you’ve been walking around the village in the hot sun.
The entrance to the apartment is through a cozy and modern living room. This is where you’ll find a smart TV, a pull-out sofa bed, and the kitchen. The open kitchen has everything you need to make food for yourself during your trip. There’s even a Nespresso machine, a kettle, and a dishwasher available. If you need to do any laundry there’s an easy-to-use washing machine in the kitchen and you’ll find a drying rack outside.
One of my favourite features of this apartment is the private rooftop terrace. It gives you panoramic views of the sea and in the evening it’s the perfect place to watch the sunset from. There are lounge chairs on the terrace as well so you can work on your tan privately if you don’t want to do so by the pool.
For an additional fee you can pre-book breakfast at Mijas Residence. If you’re staying for more than a couple of days here then I would highly recommend trying the breakfast at least once. They provide a beautiful continental spread with fresh ingredients, and the view really can’t be beat. It’s the best way to start your day in Mijas.
If you enjoy relaxing in the pool then you’ll love the one at Mijas Residence. The pool is partly shaded under the house so it can be enjoyed at all times of the day. Next to the pool there’s a jacuzzi as well which is nice to use in the evening. Surrounding the pool area are plenty of sun loungers, and guests can even take advantage of the yoga and gym equipment that’s hung up on the wall. You can easily spend an entire day relaxing here while taking in the scenic coastal views.
Under the shade of the village, and sitting at the edge of the pool, is the bar area. The self-service bar runs on an honesty system where you mark down everything you take and when you go to check-out you pay for it then. There’s plenty of places to sit and the decor is very in keeping with Andalusia. There’s also a high-top bar across from this seating area that’s nice to sit at during sunset with a glass of wine and a communal high-tech BBQ.
As soon as you check-in to Mijas Residence you’ll want to explore the complex – and I don’t blame you. It’s a beautiful modern accommodation in Mijas, and guests are never short of places to chill out in the sun. There are even daybeds setup facing the coast which are a great addition for guests who want to be outside but don’t necessarily want to be in the sun.
If you can’t decide on where to stay in Mijas, or along the Costa del Sol, Mijas Residence is the perfect luxury escape that’s close to the main tourist attractions and that offers unbeatable views.
>> Check out what apartments are available now at Mijas Residence <<
Is Mijas worth visiting?
Mijas is a charming white village to visit at any time of the year. If you find yourself visiting the Costa del Sol, and want an alternative day trip from Malaga other than the usual ones to Marbella and Fuengirola, you’re going to want to add Mijas Pueblo to your Spanish itinerary. And when you’re planning your trip, don’t forget: Mijas Costa is not Mijas Pueblo – one is on the coast and one is in the mountains. So pack those comfy trainers and be prepared for a bit of walking.
I only had time to spend one day in Mijas, so if you’ve ever visited this unique location in Andalusia, let me know if you have any other recommendations for things to do in Mijas Pueblo. And if you aren’t already, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up to date with my latest adventures!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I would personally recommend.
Pin this blog post for later!
