Mijas is a typical Andaluz village, positioned high above Fuengirola and Mijas Costa like so many sugar cubes with spectacular views of the coast and surrounding heavily wooded mountains. There are no main thoroughfares here, instead a web of narrow cobbled streets complete with terraces overflowing with geraniums, red tile roofs, archways and, of course, the occasional chirruping canary.
Since this village was first discovered in the sixties, close to sixty nationalities have made the pueblo their home and the impact can be agreeably appreciated via the international cuisine, cosmopolitan clubs and associations and, in general, the influence of foreign culture and the arts.
Fortunately, however, the village has still managed to retain some of its quaint traditions, one of the most unusual being the donkey-taxis which line the central plaza. Like Ronda just over the mountaintop, the village dates back to distant time and there are two Mudejar churches here to prove it, as well as the sanctuary of the patron saint of Mijas, from the year 850.
During the month of January, Mijas holds their festival of San Anton which is celebrated with a romeria (open air party) at the holy hermitage and reached in carriages and on carts, piled high with flowers and food.
There is a thriving arts and crafts movement in Mijas, particularly linen and wicker items and the locally made bread and honey is definitely worth trying.
Still on a culinary note, the traditional local fare includes gazpachuelo (an egg soup) and for those with a sweeter tooth, there are the typical cakes made with almonds, called bunuelos and homazos.
One of the most interesting buildings in Mijas is the hermitage of El Puerto which can be spied, just about everywhere in the village, appropriately enough, halfway up a mountain! Keep looking and you may just catch a glimpse a handglider wafting over the peak.
Also look out for the Mineral water spring at the entrance to the village.
