Plenty of people love living in and visiting Mijas, an old Moorish town surrounding a mostly-ruined castle. There are many acres of golf courses and miles of lovely shoreline to go out and bask in the sun. People enjoy the oldest part of Mijas, a whitewashed village set into a mountainside with cobblestone streets, wrought-iron balconies on the houses, and gorgeous hanging flower pots decorating the facades.
La Cala de Mijas
The soft, pristine sand of the beach is enticing to even the crabbiest of Spaniards! Even though the region has undergone a lot of changes with the recent tourist developments, the beaches remain mostly untouched. This particular coastline was awarded the Blue Flag because of its beauty and many amenities.
The boardwalk snaking behind the sand is relatively new and hosts plenty of mom-and-pop stores, cafes, and, of course, chiringuitos for all of your snacking needs while you take a stroll during your siesta. Every Wednesday and Saturday morning, you can go to the El Baratillo street market to buy fresh produce and other necessities.
During the summer, nights are filled with lovely melodies as outdoor concerts are held by the old Torre Vieja watchtower.
Museo de Miniaturas
If you’re on the hunt for the quirky and unique, Mijas’ eccentric museum of miniatures is sure to do the trick! Founded by a magician named Juan Elegido Millian, the man traveled the world, collecting curios of all shapes and sizes, which are now housed in this quaint museum. There are some really strange trinkets in the collection, including a bona fide shrunken head from the Shuar people of Ecuador and Peru.
Castillo de Colomares
You might not think that this amazing castle was built in the 1980s, but it was intended to be a monument to the 1400s Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus. One of the most incredible things about the enormous castle, besides its gorgeous exterior, is that it was constructed by just two men over the course of seven years!
The architect combined several different types of styles into the design, intending to represent the prominent features in Spanish design. You can see elements of Moorish influence, gothic, and renaissance styles. As a fun tribute to the fact that Columbus was trying to reach China, the architect included an oriental pagoda too!
Bioparc Fuengirola
For people with large families and small children, there’s no better place to go than the Bioparc Fuengirola to see rare and exotic animals. No more cramped or unethical cages; this place is roomy and spacious with excellent caretakers. Boasting over 200 different species in large habitats that mimic their original homes, this zoo always has something interesting on the move no matter what time of day you visit.
Whether you prefer the sleepy Sumatran tigers or the adventurous orangutans, everyone will have a fun time. During the summer, the zoo is open until 1 AM, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see the nocturnal predators go a-roaming! Exploring The Moorish Town of Mijas in Costa Del Sol Malaga.