Snow-white houses, blooming flowers, donkey taxis, portraits on the head of a pin – not far from Marbella is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Spain – the white village of Mijas Pueblo. Here is our subjective selection of places worth seeing in this charming place!
In the province of Málaga, in Andalusia, just 30 minutes from Marbella, stone houses, painted with lime, in the typical Andalusian style, are whitewashed against the backdrop of a hill. This is Mijas Pueblo, one of Spain’s famous pueblos blancos (white villages), today one of the districts of the city of Mijas, attracting tourists from all over the world with its charm. There are many attractions around Marbella, encouraging you to return every year during the holiday season, or even to look for a house for sale in Spain. This town is perfect for starting a new, sunny life!
Donkey taxis, or burro taxis
At Mijas Pueblo you can take a ride on the back of a donkey, as the villagers have done for centuries. Local legend has it that, in the 1960s, workers who were returning home on donkeys were asked by tourists for the chance to take photos and a ride. This is how one of the biggest attractions of the place was born.
The donkey taxi is so popular that the Mijas municipality has built 80 ‘parking’ spaces for the donkeys, as well as a car park for the carriages to transport tourists. This attraction is particularly popular with the youngest children, not least because of the colourful harnesses and saddles adorning the animals.
Museum of miniatures in a circus wagon
The El Carromato de Max museum advertises itself with exhibits such as:
- Ballet dancer sculpted from a toothpick
- A naval battle on the head of a pin
- Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper on a grain of rice
The unique collections housed in a facility built in the 1970s are the result of the passion of Juan Elegido Millan, a hypnotist who goes by the name of Professor Max. Curious tourists are drawn to the small circus wagon hiding the tiny exhibits. Inside, they have the opportunity to admire the objects with the help of special magnifying glasses and magnifying systems. The miniature art created by artists from many countries, such as paintings on the head of a pin or texts written on the edge of a business card, is worth a visit!
World’s smallest chocolate factory
Mayan Monkey Mijas is located in the heart of Mijas Pueblo. There you will taste locally made chocolate, truffles, pralines and supposedly the best ice creams and sorbets in the area. There are specially organised chocolate making and decorating workshops for visitors to the factory, in which children and adults can participate. The Mayan Monkey Mijas can also host children’s birthday parties or corporate team-building events, complete with chocolate and wine tasting.
Do you know how chocolate was created? What cacao beverage did the Aztecs and Mayans drink? Take a look at the small Cacao Museum in Mayan Monkey Mijas! There, amidst papier-maché decorations, you will learn about the history of the evergreen cocoa trees or the drink prepared by the Mayans and Aztecs. Here you will also see machinery from a previous era: cocoa roasters, printing presses – still used in the factory today!
Plaza de Toros – bullring
The oval bull arena, one of the few of this shape in Spain, was built in 1900. In the past, oxen from the surrounding pastures were led through ravines and empty city streets. The animals used to rest where the Hotel Mijas is now located. Today, torreador fights are held here only once a year. There is a small Museum de la Plaza de Toros on site.
Fiestas and festivals
Theatre lovers should head to the Mijas Pueblo theatre festival in the summer. At the beginning of September, while on holiday or searching for villas for sale in Spain, it’s worth checking out Mijas for the feast of the Virgen de la Peña (Virgin on the Rock), the town’s patron saint. According to the local community, Mary is said to have appeared to two shepherds in 1536, who were brought to the meeting place by a dove. To commemorate this event, in 1948 an eremite forged a chapel in the rock with an image of the Virgin Mary. Today, there is a shrine on the site to which crowds of the faithful flock on the patron saint’s feast day.
On the other hand, on 17 January, during the feast of San Antón (patron saint of animals), in the Osunillas district, not far from Mijas Pueblo, the faithful come with their animals for a blessing.
Views and cafés
From the terraces of the facilities in this hilltop town, there are extraordinary views of the Costa del Sol: nearby Benalmadena and Fuengorola. Those wishing to enjoy the local landscape are recommended to take a scenic walk through the Arabian walls and gardens and the Mirador da la Sierra viewpoint. After the walk, you can stop off at one of the atmospheric restaurants and cafés to sample desserts, tapas, regional dishes or wine. We recommend the restaurant El Capricho with its beautiful view, Oscars Tapas Bar with its garden, as well as Mango Cafe & Tea Room, Pampa Tablas y Tapas and Bar Naranjos.
White villages are typical settlements characteristic of Southern Spain. This is another reason to return to the Costa del Sol as often as possible and keep looking for new and delightful places. This region is a dream place to invest in a property in Spain and experience the charms of a quieter life.
Source:
- turismo.mijas.es/es
- turismo.mijas.es/es/cultura/museos/museo-historico-y-etnologico
- turismo.mijas.es/en/culture/monuments/the-mijas-fortress
- turismo.mijas.es/en/culture/monuments/calvario-chapel
