De los muchos tesoros con los que cuenta la geografía nacional, la provincia de Málaga es uno de los más conocidos. En Culmia ya te hemos venido hablando en alguna ocasión de las ventajas que su capital ofrece para la vida, pero la zona cuenta con muchas otras localidades con personalidad y ‘magia’ propias. Por eso, hoy queremos presentarte una de las más especiales, Mijas, así como contarte las ventajas de elegirla como lugar de residencia.

Living in Mijas: The Most Important Things You Need to Know

Mijas is located in the province of Málaga. The municipality covers an area of 148^km², is located about thirty kilometers from the capital, and has a registered population of 92,920, of whom one in three is a foreigner. It is therefore situated in a unique setting in the heart of the western Costa del Sol, nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the local mountain range.

As a result, it is now a key location for tourism development in the area, yet it has not lost its essence as a mountain village. In fact, its territory includes three distinct urban centers that blend Andalusian history and culture with more modern and innovative elements.

The town of Mijas

It is located on the slopes of the mountain range of the same name. It has a beautiful historic district that was designateda “Historic-Artistic Site” in 1969 and features a layout of Arab origin. Therefore, it is the perfect place to enjoy the town’s cultural and historical side, as it is home to some of its most popular tourist attractions, such as:

• The Immaculate Conception Parish Church,
• The Arab Wall, an ancient fortress that now stands out as a stunning viewpoint overlooking the Costa del Sol.
• The shrine of the Virgin of Peña, the town’s patron saint, which dates back to the 17th century.
• The local bullring, with its distinctive oval shape.
• Numerous museums, such as the Casa Museo de la Villa (a historical and ethnological museum), the Contemporary Art Center (which features works by Picasso, Dalí, and Miró), the Carromato de Mijas (with a collection of miniatures), and the Molino de Harina.

The Lagoons

Also known as Mijas Costa, it is part of the same urban area as Fuengirola, as it is separated from that town only by the A-7. It stands out as the most modern area of Mijas, home to the municipality’s main industrial and commercial hub. As a result, it is also home to more than half of the municipality’s total population, with nearly 50,000 residents according to 2022 data from the INE.

One notable feature is that this is also the fastest-growing area in Mijas, as nearly nine out of every ten buildings in Las Lagunas have been built in the last 50 years. As a result, you’ll find a wide variety of leisure options there, including movie theaters, theaters, parks, cultural centers, and recreational areas.

Although its greatest “gem” is its beautiful natural landscape —which gives the area its name—it features stunning natural lagoons that are home to a wide variety of animal species and are surrounded by breathtaking vegetation.

La Cala de Mijas

Sun and beach. Could you ask for more? Because living in Mijas guarantees both, especially if you choose to settle in the coastal area. A place that, just a few decades ago, stood out as a beautiful little beach town, but which in recent years has undergone spectacular urban development to become one of the Costa del Sol’s most prominent tourist destinations.

As a result, in addition to being a quiet residential area, La Cala also offers its residents and visitors everything they need for an exceptional quality of life: supermarkets, bars and restaurants, pharmacies, shopping areas, sports facilities, a weekly farmers’ market…And, of course, its stunning beaches!

Ah! And if you’re looking for a stunning postcard view, just head over to the Torre Batería, a unique 18th-century watchtower. It’s built of brick masonry and stands out for its elongated semicircular floor plan with two spurs on the rear. As such, it has been designated a Site of Cultural Interest for being part of the ancient fortification line along the Andalusian Mediterranean coast; it currently serves as the headquarters of the Watchtower Interpretation Center of the Mijas Historical-Ethnological Museum.

Advantages of Living in Mijas

After everything we’ve said, do you still need more reasons to decide to live in Mijas? Well, take note, because here they are:

It is one of the five best places to live in Spain

This is according to *International Living* magazine, which recommends it as a place to “live and retire” alongside Almuñécar (Granada), Sitges (Barcelona), and Miraflores de la Sierra (Madrid). In this regard, the magazine highlights the high proportion of foreigners in Mijas, many of whom choose to retire there after working their entire lives. It also praises the town for being a well-rounded destination, as it combines the sea and the mountains with sports opportunities and excellent infrastructure.

The quality of its beaches

Living in Mijas is synonymous with a high-quality coastline. Its beaches have been awarded nine Q Flags for Tourism Quality and three Blue Flags, and the rest of the coastline holds ISO 14001 Environmental Certification. This means that the preservation of its natural values is guaranteed—something especially important given that the area’s seabed is renowned for its great biodiversity: it is home to European, Atlantic, Mediterranean, and African species.

Its exceptional climate

Although this is already well known and comes as no surprise to anyone, it’s worth noting: Mijas has an enviable climate , with nearly 300 days of sunshine a year, average temperatures around 18°C, and very little rainfall—just 600 ml annually, most of which falls in the last few months of the year.

It is, therefore, a magnificent example of the benefits of the Mediterranean climate; and it has the added advantage of varying depending on whether we are in the mountainous region (with cooler temperatures) or down by the coast (where it is warmer).

Sports Participation

Sports enthusiasts also have every reason to be happy to live in Mijas, as the town offers a variety of options. On the one hand, there are its numerous prestigious golf courses scattered throughout the areas near the coast. On the other hand, there’s the famous Costa del Sol Racetrack, located in Mijas Costa. And, of course, let’s not forget the activities that are perfectly suited to the town’s geography, such as hiking (with numerous trails through its mountain range) and dedicated bike routes.

Its Festivals and Traditions

Living in Mijas is also appealing because it’s a particularly quiet area. At the same time, however, those looking for entertainment and nightlife can easily find it. Among its main events are:

• The local festivities during the first half of September (on the 8th), which celebrate the feast day of the patron saint, the Virgin of La Peña.
• The festival of San Antón in the hamlet of Osunillas, just a kilometer and a half from the town. He is the patron saint of animals, so it is traditional to bring pets to be blessed.
• On the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16), when the famous procession in La Cala takes place.
• The Cruz de Mayo festival, featuring a floral offering and a variety of recreational and cultural activities.
• Tourist Day, which is celebrated every year in late September to honor visitors.
• The Veladas con Alma, a program of activities in Mijas Pueblo on Wednesday evenings in July and August, featuring live music, dancing, and flamenco, as well as a craft market.

Culmia makes it easy for you to choose to live in Mijas

As you can see, living in Mijas is well worth it. And another advantage of doing so is that you don’t need to spend a lot of time deciding on the exact location, because we provide everything you need to make your choice easy. We’re talking about our new-construction development, CULMIA Cala Swing Mijas—a new-construction project located in a prime spot in La Cala.

Specifically, it’s just a half-hour drive from Marbella and the Malaga airport, and a quarter of an hour from Fuengirola. So it offers the best of both the sea and the mountains: on one hand, you can enjoy the most spectacular beaches on the Costa del Sol; on the other, the local mountain range is just a stone’s throw away.

And, of course, you’ll also have everything you need for daily life in the town, because in addition to being located next to the Calanova Golf Club, it has supermarkets, pharmacies, schools, shops, and farmers’ markets offering all kinds of products.

Here’s a look at this spectacular new-construction development in La Caja de Mijas

CULMIA Cala Swing Mijas consists of 155 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom homes, ranging from ground-floor units with private gardens to penthouses with breathtaking views of the aforementioned golf course. Among the amenities of these properties are spacious terraces, parking spaces, and storage units, as well as magnificent common areas that invite you to “lose yourself” in them: a community pool, a social club, landscaped areas, and a gym.

And we haven’t forgotten about the best of technology, because thanks to our CulmiaHome app, you can manage various aspects of your daily life—such as opening the residential complex’s communal doors or managing smart mailboxes—with just one “click.”

In short, this is the perfect new-construction development for enjoying life on the Costa del Sol. A unique opportunity is waiting for you… so don’t let it slip away!

We recommend:

• Living in Jaén: Your Complete Guide to Discovering the City and Its Charms
• Living in Granada: More Than Just a City—It’s a Way of Life