Villa Spain - Property Magazin for the Costa del Sol

Villa España Enjoy a mediterranean lifestyle

Mijas is often described as the Costa del Sol’s most emblematic municipality. Extending over 150 square kilometres, from protected mountain forests, through sweeping valleys to the sea, the borough offers a vast and varied landscape of many parts. There is only one part, however, that epitomises the whole essence of Mijas: La Cala.

La Cala is mostly known as a former fishing village set in the midst of a cluster of picturesque coves. And that is certainly its major attraction: the only traditional Spanish coastal town between Marbella and Fuengirola.

What is less known is that La Cala is not actually a town at all: it also spreads out into virgin countryside that rises to the mountain fairways of one of Europe’s leading golf resorts.

La Cala has, in fact, now effectively become the geographical hub of Mijas’s thriving population, linking Las Lagunas (on the outskirts of Fuengirola) with Calahonda - a fully integrated, sprawling, international community, bordering Marbella.

It is also a key gateway to the coast's "New Golf Valley", a flourishing golfing haven comprising the long-established and popular Mijas Golf, La Cala Resort, and several new courses highlighted by the widely acclaimed Santana Golf.

And then there is the Mijas Hippodrome, one of only two racecourses operating in Andalucía and situated just a few kilometres from La Cala, which is one of its two coastal access points.

In the midst of this thriving development, La Cala has been able to retain an authentic village atmosphere: “real” Spanish people living a “real” Spanish lifestyle–and happy to share it with the many foreigners who have settled in the area. They are also delighted to share their time-honoured passion for the sea, and all the gastronomic delicacies it provides.

Over the centuries, through Phoenician, Greek, Roman and Arab-influenced eras in Mijas, fishing has tended to be overshadowed by other, more important, economic activities – essentially agriculture and mining.

In La Cala, however, local fishermen's almost artesanal methods, have not only survived the changing times brought about by a massive influx of tourists but, in fact, been a major reason for the town’s ongoing popularity.

Anyone visiting Mijas will, of course, want to wander through the cobbled alleyways of the municipality’s through the cobbled alleyways of the municipality’swhite-washed mountain “pueblo” and later be filled with awe at the spectacular view looking out over the coastline. Some will want to spend their days swinging a golf club. Others will prefer a relaxing day gaining a rich Mediterranean tan on the beach. The more active will be keen to take advantage of the wide range of nautical sports.

At the end of the day, however, they will all agree that the best way to watch the sun set on another day in paradise, is to take a table at one of La Cala’s many fine restaurants - and savour a platter of exquisite seafood.