If you are travelling to the Costa del Sol you have no doubt heard of the pretty whitewashed village of Mijas. You have also probably heard of its neighbouring coastline known as ‘Mijas Costa.’ But where exactly does Mijas Costa start and end and what can you expect to find there? Read on to find out all you need to know about this fantastic stretch of coast.
Where is Mijas Costa?
If you were to follow the Main A7/N340 road from the direction of Malaga towards Marbella, Mijas Costa officially starts just as you pass the exit for Mijas Pueblo, just before the Mijas Waterpark and it ends at the far end of Playa de Calahonda. This is a big area, including the popular resorts of La Cala de Mijas, Riviera del Sol and Calahonda.
Mijas Costa also goes a fair way inland. If you follow the ‘Camino de Coin’ up towards Alhaurin El Grande and Coin, past Urbanisation Mijas Golf, Mijas Costa then becomes Mijas Pueblo territory.
Where can I stay on Mijas Costa?
There are lots of lovely residential urbanisations on Mijas Costa that are brimming with quality holiday homes. Many of these urbanisations are also home to locals and expats so you get a real feeling of being in a community. Many of the urbanisations like Cerros del Aguila, Riviera del Sol, El Coto and Mijas Golf, among others, have their own local amenities including supermarkets, restaurants, cafes and chemists.
There are literally hundreds of urbanisations to choose from on Mijas Costa. It really depends on what you and your family or group of friends want from your stay. Urbanisations such as La Sierrezuela, Lomas de Flamenco and La Cala Hills and Campo Mijas are great if you want total relaxation and if you want to close to Mijas Pueblo. Mijas La Nueva and La Alqueria are very close to Mijas Pueblo and perfectly located for rambling in the Mijas Mountains.
For families, Urbanisation Cerros del Aguila is great as it has communal facilities including a pool, tennis courts and restaurant. Beach lovers may want to stay on Urbanisation El Faro, El Chapparral, or Torrenueva as they are close to the shore.
If you like to play golf then the obvious choices are those urbanisations that are built around the courses like Mijas Golf, Miraflores, Riviera del Sol or El Chapparral.
Which Golf Courses are on Mijas Costa?
Everyone knows that the Costa del Sol is famous for golf courses and Mijas Costa is home to some of the best.
There are nine golf courses on Mijas Costa, these are: Mijas Golf, El Chaparral Golf, Santana Golf, La Cala Golf, Miraflores Golf, Calahonda Golf, Golf La Siesta, and La Noria Golf.
Which Beaches are on Mijas Costa?
Mijas Costa is really just one long coastline but there are ten main individual beaches that make up that coastline. Some of these are larger than others with facilities such as toilets and restaurants. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect from the beaches on Mijas Costa:
Playa El Ejido – This is the closest beach to Fuengirola and Sohail Castle which has lots of activities going on for the kids. The beach is 300 metres long and has a beach bar, sunbeds and calm waters that are safe for swimming. Dog lovers will like this beach as it is dog friendly between the hours of 7pm and 9am. The beach is kept very clean and tidy.
Playa Piedra del Cura – This is a rough and ready beach which is more suited to scuba diving or snorkelling. The beach has a rugged charm but is only really recommended for experienced swimmers.
Playa el Faro – El Faro beach is one of the largest along Mijas Costa at over 1000 metres long. It is popular among fishing enthusiasts and underwater swimmers as there is an abundance of fish in this area but it is also a great beach for simply relaxing. There is a beach bar and sun beds for hire and the shallow waters are great for paddling.
Playa el Charcon – If you are a sun worshipper who wants to just lie and soak up the sun then this south facing beach is perfect for you. There is little in the way of facilities here but this sandy beach is always quieter than some of the more popular stretches so you are guaranteed a chilled out day at the beach.
Playa La Cala & Los Doradas – This lovely beach has everything you need for an enjoyable day at the seaside; toilet and shower facilities, lots of good beachfront restaurants and bars, sun beds and parasols for hire and plenty of space on the sand. The beach at La Cala is so good that is has been awarded Blue Flag status for its cleanliness and facilities. The only drawback with this beach is that it can get overcrowded in the summer months as lots of tourists flock to La Cala to enjoy its lovely promenade and award winning beach. While there is car parking facilities it is better not to drive here in summer as you may struggle to park.
Butiplaya – This beach is just next to La Cala and at 35 metres in width and 1500 metres in length it is also a similar size to its neighbour. Both La Cala and Butiplaya employ lifeguards on the beach in peak season, making it one of the safest places to swim on Mijas Costa. If you like watersports this beach could also appeal as there is a choice of water-based activities to choose from; anything from pedalos to jet skiing is on offer. This beach also has a Blue Flag.
Playa El Bombo – although relatively small at just 320 metres long, El Bombo is perfectly formed. This curved beach has plenty of sun beds and a beach bar for snacks and drinks. Again, this beach been awarded a Blue Flag.
Cabo Rocoso – This is one of Mijas Costa’s quieter beaches and it is also one of the rockier stretches along the coast. Nevertheless, this is still a lovely spot for walking, sun bathing or snorkelling as the rock pools are great for sea life. You can also try out watersports here or get snacks from the beachside kiosk.
Playa Calahonda – Calahonda is one of the more established and larger tourist resorts on the Costa del Sol and the beach here reflects the large number of visitors that come to the area each year. There is ramp access to the beach which makes it great for families with pushchairs, or those using wheelchairs. There are numerous places to get a bite to eat or enjoy a cold drink and there are plenty of activities on offer. However, because the beach is an impressive 4500 metres long you can also find a peaceful spot if you want to just relax. Calahonda beach also has Blue Flag status.
It is worth noting that there is also a new coastal path that runs right the way from La Cala de Mijas to Calahonda which is perfect for walking, jogging or cycling between the two resorts. The pathway is decked and runs for 6km but you can stop along the way and enjoy a dip in the sea to keep yourself cool!
What Activities are there on Mijas Costa?
Aside from playing golf or trying our one of the many watersports on offer on the beach, there are lots of other ways you can spend your time on Mijas Costa. Here are just a few of our suggestions:
Walking – Whether it is strolling along the new beachfront promenade from La Cala to Calahonda, or rambling in the Mijas Mountains, this area is great for walking.
Parque Aquatico Mijas – This waterpark is easy to find just off the A7 and it is a great day out for all the family. You can shoot down the slides or relax in the wave pool and there are lots of activities to keep kids of all ages entertained.
Sohail Castle – If you want a bit of a history lesson then head to Sohail Castle, just outside Fuengirola. You can climb to the top of this impressive fort and enjoy spectacular views over the Med. If you visit in summer be sure to look out for any special events taking place at the castle as there are often concerts, flamenco shows and even beer festivals that take place in July and August.
Tennis – There are several clubs where you can play tennis on Mijas Costa. The larger clubs are Club del Sol in Calahonda or La Cala Resort Sports Club which has tennis, squash and football pitches available for hire.
Of course there are many more activities on offer if you want to explore the Costa del Sol further. Mijas Costa is ideally located near to Fuengirola, Mijas Pueblo, Marbella, and Benalmadena which has a huge array of shops, restaurants and activities for you to try.
To discuss booking your perfect holiday home on Mijas Costa please contact Panoramic Villas today.
