Are you planning your trip to Southern Spain and wondering whether or not to add Mijas to your itinerary?
Well, you’re in the right place!
I live right next to Mijas and visit very frequently, so I can give you an honest answer backed by local insights and lots of personal experiences.
First things first, though: the term Mijas can refer to four different locations, so let’s break this down and get you the answer you’re looking for!
What is Mijas, and Where is it?
The term Mijas can refer to four different locations:
- Mijas – the district within the city of Fuengirola
- Mijas Pueblo – the small village in the hills north of Fuengirola
- Mijas Costa – the coastal area at the edge of Fuengirola, part of Mijas district
- La Cala de Mijas – is a small area between Fuengirola and Marbella with beach, residential complexes and small shopping street.
Is Mijas Worth Visiting?
No, Mijas (Fuengirola city part) is not worth visiting.
Mijas is a relatively unremarkable small part of Fuengirola. It doesn’t have access to the beach, unless you’re prepared to do a long walk, and there are no attractions to speak off.
The closes place of interest near Mijas is the Bioparc Fuengirola and the old bullring, currently used for events only.
Is Mijas Pueblo Worth Visiting?
Yes, Mijas Pueblo is definitely worth visiting!
In fact, it’s the only one of the ‘Mijas’ places that’s worth your time! You can check and explore all the exciting things to do and places to see in my post below.
Is Mijas Costa Worth Visiting?
Yes, if you plan to spend some time by the sea, Mijas Costa is a great place to explore!
Especially if you’re already staying in Fuengirola, Mijas Costa can be explored as part of your city walk or you can spend some time at the beach there.
Is La Cala Mijas Worth Visiting?
No, La Cala Mijas is not worth visiting.
In my opinion, it’s just a holiday home location where people come to spend some time by the sea. It’s a very small area dominated by tourists with very little to see.
Best Time to Visit Mijas
If you’re planning your trip and are flexible with the travel time, the best time to visit Mijas is from April to May and then September to November.
The spring months tend to have a few rainy days and may be more cloudy, but it’s considerably warmer than the rest of Europe. From September to November, you can explore the south of Spain with far fewer tourists and very pleasant warm temperatures.
The winter in Southern Spain is also warm and pleasant, with plenty of sunshine around.
The most rainy months of the year tend to be January and February, with March having pretty unpredictable weather. Those are the only months I would advise to avoid.
Mijas Spain: Weather (Pueblo, Costa & La Cala)
Here is an overview of the weather conditions in Mijas month by month. This is a forecast for all of the areas since they are very close to each other and there are no major differences.
The only thing that’s a little different is the average temperature in Mijas Pueblo, which is a little higher up and tends to be a little cooler than the coastline areas.
Mijas Weather in January
January is one of the coldest and most rainy months of the year. While you may have some sunny and warmer days, much of the month the weather is mostly cloudy with occasional scattered rain or thunderstorms.
- Average High Temperatures: 15C (59F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 6C (43F)
- Rain Days: 13 days
- Sunshine Hours: 5 hours
Mijas Weather in February
Similar to January, February is still very wett and cloudy. Not the best time to travel to Mijas. For those looking for budget holidays, you will get the best prices on flights and accommodation in this month.
- Average High Temperatures: 16C (61F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 7C (45F)
- Rain Days: 12 days
- Sunshine Hours: 6 hours
Mijas Weather in March
March marks the arrival of spring on Costa del Sol, but the weather changes quickly and it’s fairly unpredictable.
- Average High Temperatures: 18C (64F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 9C (48F)
- Rain Days: 11 days
- Sunshine Hours: 8 hours
- Sea Temperature: 15C (59F)
Mijas Weather in April
April is the first busy month of the year as the arrival of Easter celebrations (Semana Santa) is celebrated in Southern Spain. The weather is much warmer and more stable compared to the previous month.
- Average High Temperatures: 21C (70F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 11C (52F)
- Rain Days: 10 days
- Sunshine Hours: 9 hours
- Sea Temperature: 16C (61F)
Mijas Weather in May
May is the perfect month to visit Mijas – the weather is nice and warm, with very little chance of rain, and the main tourist season hasn’t started yet, so you won’t encounter massive crowds anywhere.
- Average High Temperatures: 23C (73F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 13C (55F)
- Rain Days: 8 days
- Sunshine Hours: 8 hours
- Sea Temperature: 17C (63F)
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Mijas Weather in June
June marks the start of the main holiday season on Costa del Sol, with prices starting to rise and temperatures hitting over 30C for the first time.
- Average High Temperatures: 27C (81F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 17C (63F)
- Rain Days: 5 days
- Sunshine Hours: 10 hours
- Sea Temperature: 20C (68F)
Mijas Weather in July
If you want proper holiday weather with warm sea water, July is the perfect month to travel. Expect a lot of crowds though!
- Average High Temperatures: 29C (84F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 19C (66F)
- Rain Days: 2 days
- Sunshine Hours: 11 hours
- Sea Temperature: 22C (72F)
Mijas Weather in August
August is the hottest and busiest month of the year.
- Average High Temperatures: 29C (84F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 19C (66F)
- Rain Days: 2 days
- Sunshine Hours: 10 hours
- Sea Temperature: 23C (73F)
Mijas Weather in September
September is marked by hot weather and slowly reducing tourism activity. It’s a great time to travel to Southern Spain and explore some of the most famous monuments.
- Average High Temperatures: 26C (79F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 17C (63F)
- Rain Days: 4 days
- Sunshine Hours: 8 hours
- Sea Temperature: 22C (72F)
Mijas Weather in October
October is another great month to visit Mijas – the weather is just perfect, with an occasional rainy day, and you get a great deal on your flights and accommodation prices. There are also far fewer tourists in the area at this time of the year.
- Average High Temperatures: 22C (72F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 14C (57F)
- Rain Days: 9 days
- Sunshine Hours: 7 hours
- Sea Temperature: 20C (68F)
Mijas Weather in November
Mild and relatively mild weather marks the beginning of November, with the early mornings and nights being very cold. Closer to the end of the month you can expect more rain and lower temperatures.
- Average High Temperatures: 18C (64F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 10C (50F)
- Rain Days: 12 days
- Sunshine Hours: 6 hours
- Sea Temperature: 18C (64F)
Mijas Weather in December
If you fancy some winter sun break, December is also a great contender – unlike January and February the weather conditions are still stable, and there is plenty of sunshine around.
- Average High Temperatures: 16C (61F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 8C (46F)
- Rain Days: 13 days
- Sunshine Hours: 5 hours
- Sea Temperature: 16C (61F)
weather data source: Holiday Weather
Mijas Tourist Traps
I can’t finish this article without a mention of a few tourist traps you should avoid at all costs.
First of – the donkey taxi.
While they may look cute and you think you will get some cool seflies, the animals have a tough life and it has been often reported that they are being mistreated by their owners. They are standing there in the scorching heat in the summer, waiting for their turn to drag tourists around the same streets over and over again.
If you don’t want to look like a complete tourist being dragged around the town by an animal, please avoid them.
Restaurants – as I mentioned, I have eaten in Mijas Pueblo many times, and got tips from some locals who live there where to eat. As it’s usually the case with restaurants, those with great views offer nothing else in terms of food quality.
The places near the bullring with views of the coastline would be at the top of my list for tourist traps. Other ones include a few establishments around the main square where the town hall is.
I still haven’t written by usual ‘best restaurants in …’ list for Mijas as I didn’t find many good options to include in there. If you encounter some new local gem, I will be very grateful for a tip in the comments section!
Day Trips to Mijas
If you’re staying somewhere in Southern Spain and would like to visit Mijas on a day trip, the easiest way to organise that is by using a local travel company.
It saves you the hassle of navigating the local traffic or public transport, and in many cases works out cheaper and most time-effective.
Here are options from the biggest cities – click on the link to check availability and prices:
Mijas, Marbella & Puerto Banus Tour – this day trip has pick up options from Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Malaga.
Private day tour of Mijas from Malaga – includes pick up from your hotel in Malaga and private tour with transport.
Mijas small group walking tour – great option for those who want to learn more about the town from an expert local guide.
Mijas Transport Guides
If you’re planning to travel to Mijas from other places on Costa del Sol or Southern Spain, I am working on a few detailed transport guides that will save you a lot of time (and money!).
For now, here is a link to the most popular transport option between Mijas and Malaga:
How to Get from Malaga to Mijas Easily & Fast: Detailed Transport Guide
Frequent Questions Answered
Here are some most common questions about Mijas – if you didn’t find your answer here, feel free to leave a comment at the end of the article.
How far is Mijas Pueblo from the beach?
The distance between Mijas Pueblo and the closest beach (Playa de los Boliches for example) is about 9 km, which is approximately 15 – 20 minutes drive.
Is Mijas Spain worth visiting?
Yes, Mijas in Spain is worth visiting – if you’re referring to the pretty hilltop village of Mijas Pueblo.
You can check all the exciting things to do in Mijas Pueblo in my article here.
What is the closest airport to Mijas Pueblo?
The closest airport to Mijas Pueblo is Malaga international airport. You can drive to Mijas Pueblo from there in about 20 to 30 minutes.
How to get to Mijas Pueblo from Marbella?
The easiest way to get to Mijas Pueblo from Marbella is by driving. The distance between Mijas Pueblo and Marbella is around 35 km and you should get to your destination in approximately 30 minutes.
What does Mijas Pueblo mean?
Mijas Pueblo if translated from Spanish means Mijas town. The word Mijas doesn’t have any translation as its the name of the town, and the word Pueblo refers to a small town.
Where to eat in Mijas Pueblo?
There are lots of restaurant options in Mijas Pueblo, many of which are tourist traps, especially those around popular locations like the central square, the bullring etc.
I have tested a few restaurants in the town and keep returning to my favourite – Blue Bike Cafe.
How far is Mijas Pueblo from Benalmadena?
The distance between Mijas Pueblo and Benalmadena is around 19 km, and you can drive there in about 15 minutes.
How far is Mijas Costa from Mijas Pueblo?
The distance between Mijas Costa and Mijas Pueblo is around 10 km.
What to see in Mijas Pueblo?
For such a small town, there is actually a lot to see and experience in Mijas Pueblo. I have added my favourite things in the article below.
How far is Mijas Pueblo from Malaga Airport?
The distance between Mijas Pueblo and Malaga airport is approximately 22 km, and you can drive to the town in about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Where is Mijas in Spain?
Mijas is a small district within the city of Fuengirola, in Southern Spain. It is often also used as a name for Mijas Pueblo, which is a small hilltop village north of Fuengirola, a popular day trip destination from many Costa del Sol towns.
Where is Mijas Pueblo in Spain?
Mijas Pueblo is a small white village north of Fuengirola, about 20 minutes drive. It’s one of the most popular and known ‘pueblos blancos’ and very popular as a day trip destination from Fuengirola, Marbella or Malaga.
Where is La Cala Mijas in Spain?
La Cala Mijas is a small residential area mainly for holidaymakers between Fuengirola and Marbella. You will reach it after about 15 minutes drive out of Fuengirola, in the direction of Marbella.
How much is a taxi from Malaga Airport to Mijas?
Taxi prices from Malaga airport to Mijas can be in the range of 40 to 60 euros, depending on the number of people traveling, the size of the taxi, and the season.
You normally pay premium prices if you’re traveling in the main summer season, arriving very late at night or early in the morning, or need a large vehicle that costs more.
If you want to save money, I recommend checking some quotes from gettransfer.com – they will source price quotes from local taxi companies so you can select the cheapest option available.
What region is Mijas in Spain?
Mijas belongs to the autonomous region of Andalusia. It also belongs to the district of Malaga.
How far is Mijas from Fuengirola?
The distance between Mijas (Pueblo) and Fuengirola is about 9 km (15 minute drive by car).
How far is Nerja from Mijas?
The distance between Nerja and Mijas (Pueblo) is almost 90 km (1 hour drive by car).
What airport for Mijas Spain?
The closest airport for Mijas in Spain is the Malaga International Airport. You will get to Mijas from there in about 20 minutes by car or taxi.
How far is La Cala de Mijas from Malaga Airport?
The distance between La Cala de Mijas and Malaga Airport is approximately 34 km, which is about 25 minute drive by car.
How much is a taxi from Malaga Airport to La Cala de Mijas?
The taxi from Malaga airport to La Cala de Mijas would be between 50 to 70 euros, depending on the season, number of people traveling, size of the car and time of travel.
If you want to save some money, I recommend checking some quotes from gettransfer.com – they will source price quotes from local taxi companies so you can select the cheapest option available.
How far from Mijas to Gibraltar?
The distance between Mijas (Pueblo) and Gibraltar is approximately 120 km, about 1.5 hours drive by car.
What is Mijas like?
Mijas (Pueblo) is a traditional white village with narrow cobblestone streets, pretty squares and artisan ceramic shops. It’s very easy to explore on foot and makes a wonderful day trip from the nearby towns on Costa del Sol.
Unlike other places by the coastline, Mijas Pueblo offers spectacular views thanks to its elevated location, and plenty of beautiful sights to explore, or simply get lost in the white-washed streets.
Final Thoughts
As you can tell from the novel above, I am a big fan of Mijas Pueblo. It’s easily accessible, still relatively unspoiled by tourism, and it’s also a great base for exploring the mountains around. If you’re planning a day trip to the pretty village, you won’t be disappointed!
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