Mijas Holidays: Bullring, Castle and Málaga Airport Access
Provincia de Málaga · Andalusia · Spain · 80,630 residents · on the coast
Plaza de toros de Mijas
Castillo de Mijas
Museo de Miniaturas de Mijas.jpg/500px-Museo_Etnografico_-_Calle_Malaga%2C_Mijas_(14558784024).jpg)
Mijas Ethnological Historical MuseumMijas is a sizeable Andalusian municipality of around 80,600 people in the Provincia de Málaga. It reaches the coast, but its historic centre sits at roughly 418 metres above sea level. That combination is what makes it worth a closer look. The sights are tightly grouped: the Plaza de toros de Mijas, the Castillo de Mijas, the Museo de Miniaturas and the Mijas Ethnological Historical Museum all lie within about a fifth of a mile of one another. Málaga Airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is only about 9 miles away. Fuengirola and Benalmádena are each around 4 miles off, so a stay here can mix a quiet old-town base with easy outings along the Costa del Sol.
Why go
- The bullring, castle and two museums all sit within a short stroll of the centre.
- Málaga Airport is about 13 minutes' drive away, with direct flights from the United Kingdom.
- April, May, June and September bring highs of 22 to 27°C without July's peak heat.
Top sights in Mijas
Sights Around the Old Centre
The best-known landmark is the Plaza de toros de Mijas, the town's bullring, about 0.2 miles from the centre. Close by, roughly 0.1 miles away, is the Castillo de Mijas, a castle listed as protected cultural property. Both lend themselves to an unhurried morning on foot.
For something under a roof, the Museo de Miniaturas de Mijas sits right in the centre and suits families as well as the curious. The Mijas Ethnological Historical Museum, a Málaga province museum, is less than 0.1 miles away and gives useful local context.
Because everything is so close together, the four sights fit comfortably into a single day. Tours and tickets for Mijas and the surrounding area can be booked directly from this page.
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Tours & tickets in Mijas
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Mijas can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Mijas
Choosing Your Base in Mijas
The main decision is whether to stay up in the historic centre or nearer the coast. The old town, at about 418 metres, puts the bullring, castle and museums within a few minutes' walk and suits travellers who want a quieter, culture-led stay.
Those after a busier seaside atmosphere might prefer the coastal side of the municipality, or neighbouring Fuengirola and Benalmádena, each about 4 miles away and both large towns in their own right. Live hotel prices for Mijas are shown on this page, so you can compare options once you have settled on old town or coast.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Mijas and the villages around it is a hire car from Málaga (AGP), about 13 min away.
Best time to visit Mijas
When to Visit Mijas
- 15°CJan31 mm
- 16°CFeb68 mm
- 19°CMar90 mm
- 22°CApr14 mm
- 24°CMay35 mm
- 27°CJun28 mm
- 33°CJul1 mm
- 32°CAug7 mm
- 26°CSept33 mm
- 23°COct120 mm
- 20°CNov56 mm
- 16°CDec15 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most comfortable months are April, May, June and September. April is notably dry, with around 14 mm of rain, and highs climb from 22°C in April to 27°C in June before easing back to 26°C in September.
July and August are the hottest months, peaking at 33°C and 32°C, and July is almost completely dry. The wettest month by some margin is October, with about 120 mm of rain spread over nine days, followed by March at around 90 mm.
Winter is mild rather than warm: daytime highs sit at 15 to 16°C from December to February, with nights falling to around 6°C.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15°C | 6°C | 31 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 6°C | 68 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 19°C | 8°C | 90 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 22°C | 10°C | 14 mm | 12 h |
| May | 24°C | 12°C | 35 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 27°C | 16°C | 28 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 33°C | 20°C | 1 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 32°C | 20°C | 7 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 16°C | 33 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 23°C | 13°C | 120 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 20°C | 10°C | 56 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 16°C | 6°C | 15 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Mijas from the UK
Málaga Airport (AGP) is the obvious choice. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies about 9 miles away, roughly a 13-minute drive. Gibraltar (GIB) also has direct UK flights and is about 50 miles away, or around 1 hour 10 minutes by car. Granada (GRX), likewise served directly from the UK, is about 63 miles off, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes' drive.
The nearby ferry ports, Málaga (about 14 miles), Algeciras (about 55 miles) and Motril (about 62 miles), serve Morocco and the Spanish North African cities rather than the UK, though they are handy for an onward crossing to Tangier Med, Ceuta or Melilla.
Driving all the way is possible: the journey from Calais takes around 24 hours at the wheel, so plan for overnight stops.
By air
- Málaga (AGP)9 miles, about 13 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Gibraltar (GIB)50 miles, about 1 h 11 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Granada (GRX)63 miles, about 1 h 29 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 24 h 14 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Málaga (14 miles), Algeciras (55 miles), Motril (62 miles).
Mijas is good for
Around Mijas
Easy Day Trips from Mijas
The coast is right on the doorstep. Fuengirola and Benalmádena are both about 4 miles away, with Arroyo de la Miel at around 6 miles and Torremolinos at about 8 miles, making a string of larger resort towns within easy reach.
Inland, Alhaurín el Grande is about 4 miles away and Alhaurín de la Torre around 6 miles. Coín, at about 8 miles, and Estación de Cártama, at roughly 9 miles, round out the options for a quieter half-day away from the seafront.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
The historic centre sits at around 418 metres, so if you are staying in town rather than by the sea, pack a layer for winter evenings, when lows drop to about 6°C.
Avoid planning a long outdoor itinerary for October, the wettest month, and in July and August save the sightseeing for mornings, when the 32 to 33°C afternoon heat is still some hours away.
With all four main sights within about a fifth of a mile of each other, the old town is best explored on foot; car hire earns its keep mainly for coastal and inland day trips.
Questions people ask
How far is Mijas from Málaga Airport?
Málaga Airport is about 9 miles from Mijas, roughly a 13-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, which makes it the most convenient arrival point by a wide margin compared with Gibraltar or Granada.
What is the best month to visit Mijas?
April, May, June and September offer the most pleasant conditions, with highs between 22°C and 27°C. April is particularly dry, while July and August are hotter at up to 33°C. October is the wettest month, with around 120 mm of rain.
What is there to see in Mijas?
The main sights are the Plaza de toros de Mijas bullring, the Castillo de Mijas, the Museo de Miniaturas de Mijas and the Mijas Ethnological Historical Museum. All four lie within about a fifth of a mile of the centre, so they are easy to see in a day.
Is Mijas good for a family holiday?
Yes, for families who enjoy a bit of culture. The Museo de Miniaturas and the Mijas Ethnological Historical Museum are both suited to children, and the compact centre is easy to walk. Fuengirola and Benalmádena, about 4 miles away, add seaside options.
Can I fly to Gibraltar or Granada instead of Málaga for Mijas?
Both have direct flights from the United Kingdom. Gibraltar is about 50 miles from Mijas, around 1 hour 10 minutes by car, and Granada about 63 miles, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes. Málaga remains far closer at around 13 minutes.
Is Mijas warm in winter?
Mild rather than warm. From December to February daytime highs are around 15 to 16°C and nights drop to about 6°C. Rainfall varies, with February wetter than January or December, so bring a light jacket for evenings.