Life in Mijas Costa is coastal, active and very social. Unlike the high-rise skylines of nearby Fuengirola and Torremolinos, here buildings remain low and whitewashed, giving a feel closer to a traditional Andalucian pueblo. Mijas Costa is generally more affordable than nearby Marbella or Estepona, while still offering a high standard of living. The area is made up of several neighbourhoods including El Faro, El Chaparral, La Cala de Mijas, Torrenueva, Riviera del Sol, Miraflores and Calahonda. Other neighbourhoods include Calypso, Los Claveles, Los Farolas, Calaburras, La Costa and La Ponderosa, each with its own character and community feel. Once you pass Calahonda you are in Marbella territory, where property prices quickly climb. Inland, the traditional pueblos of Mijas, Coín and Alhaurín el Grande are also close by, offering a slower pace and plenty of Andalucian charm.
Days are easily filled outdoors. There are golf courses open year-round, beach clubs, coastal walking routes and wide sandy beaches such as El Bombo. The calendar is packed with events: La Cala Feria in July, circus shows in August, the Sardine Festival in May, plus concerts, fiestas and food festivals spread throughout the year. History lovers will also find Roman villas, old watchtowers, aqueducts and shrines tucked among the modern developments.
When it comes to property, contemporary developments dominate, with apartments the most common choice. Many come with lush community spaces featuring large pools, gyms, spa facilities and manicured gardens. There are also villa complexes and the occasional standalone historic villa, which come with added Andalucian charm but a higher price tag. Sea views are common - and, unsurprisingly, carry a premium - and the general standard of living is high, with air conditioning as standard. Many modern resorts are designed with remote working in mind, offering open office space, on-site restaurants and plenty of creature comforts.
Essential Information
Mijas Costa offers a high quality of life, with a strong sense of community and all the services you need close at hand. Regular municipal markets run from Monday to Saturday, joined by lively street markets, summer night markets and a dedicated craft fair.
A vast new green space, Gran Parque, is also under construction and will be the largest in Málaga province, complete with a lake, skate park, auditorium and running tracks. Add in excellent restaurants, shops and year-round festivals, and it is easy to see why both locals and international buyers are drawn to this part of the Costa del Sol.
It is worth noting the difference between Mijas Costa and Mijas Pueblo. The Pueblo is the original hillside village with narrow streets, whitewashed houses and a traditional Andalucian atmosphere. Mijas Costa, by contrast, is the modern coastal stretch made up of neighbourhoods like La Cala and Calahonda, with beaches, resorts and international services.
Population
As of 2024, Mijas has a population of 92,211, making it the third largest municipality in Málaga province after Málaga city and Marbella. Just under 40% of residents are expats, according to the Spanish Institute of National Statistics, with 125 nationalities represented. The largest groups are British, followed by Scandinavians, Germans and Dutch. Around 15% of the population are over 65, which gives the area a steady community of retirees, balanced by younger families and working-age residents who keep life busy year-round. With English and other European languages widely spoken, international buyers find it easy to settle in, whether they prefer the lively, expat-friendly feel of La Cala or neighbourhoods with a stronger local Spanish character.
Curious about why so many international buyers are drawn here? Take a look at our Spain real estate market outlook report for the latest trends and insights.
Healthcare in Mijas Costa
Healthcare provision in Mijas Costa is excellent. There are several medical centres with English-speaking doctors, and hospitals close by in Fuengirola and Marbella, including the Costa del Sol hospital. Dental clinics, wellbeing centres and spas are plentiful. There are also plenty of local chemists, particularly in Calahonda and La Cala, making everyday healthcare straightforward. If you prefer relaxation to remedies, the Mood Spa at La Zambra hotel is a favourite. For retirees, there are also private nursing options should you ever need it, such as Care for Me, which provides at-home support.
Mijas Costa has full fibre optic coverage, so working remotely is straightforward. Local job seekers can find opportunities on Indeed, Glassdoor and through active Facebook groups such as Jobs Costa del Sol. Coworking spaces like Smart Work Plaza in Fuengirola provide flexible options, while Málaga city, half an hour away, has become a hub for entrepreneurs and tech businesses. Spaces like Marlife Business Hub and Impact Hub Málaga are building a collaborative ecosystem for start-ups, freelancers and projects with a social impact focus. Tourism continues to be a major employer, with hotels reporting at least 80% occupancy throughout the year. Business networks include the British Chamber of Commerce, Business First, Toastmasters and the Rotary Club.
Education options include Spanish state schools across the municipality and a handful of international choices. Within Mijas Costa itself, St Anthony’s College in Mijas Golf offers teaching in English. Nearby, the British International School (EIC) in Elviria accepts pupils aged 3 to 18, while Aloha College in Marbella is one of the Costa del Sol’s most highly regarded schools. It runs dedicated bus services from Fuengirola and Estepona with trained monitors on board.
The nearest train station is in Fuengirola, part of the Renfe commuter line C1, which runs to Málaga, Torremolinos and Benalmádena with 52 trains a day. There are ongoing feasibility studies to extend the line to Marbella, Estepona and Nerja, though this will not be ready before 2030. In the meantime, Mijas Costa is well connected by bus, with routes linking the pueblo to the beaches and other towns along the coast. Taxis, Uber and a daily ferry between Fuengirola and Benalmádena add to the options. Cyclists can also make use of coastal bike lanes and a dedicated cycling route along the beaches.
Planning on getting around by car? Don’t miss our full guide to driving in Spain, with everything you need to know before hitting the road.
Things to do in Mijas Costa
Hit the beaches
Mijas Costa has 14 km of coastline, and five of its beaches proudly hold Blue Flag status. El Bombo is a favourite among locals, wide, sandy and far less crowded than La Cala. Whether you want to swim, sunbathe or sip a cold drink at a chiringuito, there is a stretch of sand to suit every mood.
Eat your way around Mijas Costa
Food is woven into everyday life here, whether it is fried fish served in a beachfront chiringuito, honey cakes with roots in the Arab era, or buñuelos doughnuts sold hot in Mijas Pueblo every Wednesday. Thanks to the large international community, you will also find cuisines from every corner of the globe, from Indian and Thai to British roast dinners and Scandinavian bakeries. October even brings a tapas walk where you can sample bite-sized specialities from local restaurants in one evening. Eating out is as much about joining the community as it is about what’s on the plate.
Tee off on world-class golf courses
The golf course at El Chaparral
With more than 90 golf courses across the Costa del Sol, you are spoilt for choice. La Cala Golf boasts three courses and excellent facilities, while El Chaparral offers a tougher test for seasoned players. Golf here is a year-round pursuit, and many residents build their social life around it.
Get active beyond the golf course
Golf may be king here, but Mijas Costa is also well set up for other sports. Locals enjoy tennis, bowls, horse riding and a wide range of water sports, with clubs and facilities across the coast.
Make a splash at Aquamijas
For families, Aquamijas in nearby Fuengirola is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Expect wave pools, kamikaze slides, playgrounds and picnic areas. It is the sort of place where children wear themselves out while adults sneak off for a siesta in the shade.
See a show under the stars
Marenostrum, an open-air venue in Fuengirola, stages concerts, comedy nights and festivals at the foot of Sohail Castle. Food trucks add to the festival feel, and many shows are in English as well as Spanish.
Join the fiestas
The events calendar is packed. From the May Cross festival to the September celebration of the Virgen de la Peña, you will find processions, music, dancing and plenty of food. October brings a food and wine festival plus a tapas walk, while summer nights are filled with flamenco in Mijas Pueblo and the Día del Turista in La Cala.
Escape to the Ardales Lakes
When the beaches get crowded, locals head inland to the Ardales Lakes, about 90 minutes away. These turquoise reservoirs are perfect for swimming, kayaking and hiking, with small restaurants serving hearty Andalucian food nearby.
Stroll the coastal boardwalk
The coastal path runs the length of Mijas Costa, linking its beaches and neighbourhoods. It is perfect for morning runs, evening strolls or simply watching the waves roll in while you wander from one chiringuito to the next.
Shop till you drop
Shopping in Mijas Costa ranges from the practical to the picturesque. The El Zoco commercial centre in Calahonda is a local favourite, with supermarkets, cafés and a mix of handy shops under one roof. For something more atmospheric, head to the weekly markets in La Cala de Mijas or browse the summer night stalls for crafts, jewellery and souvenirs. Boutique shops and the artisan route through Mijas Pueblo offer one-off finds, from ceramics to handmade leather goods, making shopping here as much about exploring as it is about spending.
Feel the rhythm of flamenco
Mijas Pueblo brings the art of flamenco to life with open-air shows every Wednesday and Saturday during the summer months. The dancers’ energy, colourful costumes and live guitar create an atmosphere that is pure Andalucia. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned fan, seeing flamenco in such an intimate setting is an experience that lingers long after the final heel stomp. The wider Mijas with Soul programme adds even more colour to the cultural calendar, with handcraft fairs, live music and events that keep the spirit of Andalucia front and centre all year round.
Established organisations include the Royal British Legion and Age Concern, both active in the area. The American Club of the Costa del Sol has chapters in Mijas and surrounding towns, organising monthly lunches and trips, while Costa Women provides a network for women relocating to Spain with local events in 23 locations. Add to that bowls clubs, gardening societies, bridge groups and even an astronomy club, and you will quickly see why expats rarely complain of boredom in Mijas Costa. Check out this comprehensive list of clubs and societies in Andalucia for more information.
