Visit
La Cala de Mijas on the Costa del Sol in Spain by Anne Sewell
La Cala de Mijas lies on
the Costa del Sol, a short distance on the coastal highway to both Fuengirola
and Marbella. Originally a small, traditional
Andalusian white village, this small fishing town has spread its wings
in recent years to become one of the most popular seaside resorts on the
Costa del Sol.
The town was originally called
“La Cala del Moral” (the Bay of the Mulberries), due to the number of mulberry
trees growing around the area. Because of the similarly-named town of Cala
del Moral just outside the city of Málaga, the name was changed
in the 1970s to “La Cala de Mijas.”
Back in the 1960s, when the
tourist boom first hit the Costa del Sol, La Cala, as the town is affectionately
known, consisted of around 30 fishermen’s cottages, one or two bars, an
open-air summer cinema and a few shops. Things have definitely changed
since then.
Shopping in La Cala de Mijas
While the original village is
pretty much intact, with beautifully maintained narrow streets, lined with
plants and flowers, La Cala has extended outward and across the highway
to offer many shopping options. Here can be found the popular Aldi and
Lidl supermarkets, as well as the more Spanish retail outlets, like Supersol
and Mercadona.
The centre also has a range
of bakeries, fish shops and butcheries, clothing and shoe shops.
For smokers, there is an
“estanco” or tobacco shop right in the centre, offering all the popular
brands. If wishing to pay by credit card, however, please note the shop
will only accept cards for a minimum 5 packs of cigarettes.
La Cala is accommodating
Behind the town, a range of
hotels
and resorts offer a spa experience, access to golf and more. The golf
courses at Santana Golf, El Chaparral and La Cala and Mijas Golf offer
a great golf experience to non-members and equipment is available for hire.
Other sporting facilities are available, including the tennis club “Club
del Sol” and a Lawn Bowls centre close by at Miraflores. Water sports are
available along the coastline.
On the beach itself, the
VIK
Gran Hotel Costa del Sol enjoys sea views over Playa la Butibamba,
a short walk from the town centre.
For those wishing to be
more independent, many new apartment blocks have sprung up all around the
area, offering holiday
rentals to suit every pocket and there are numerous townhouses and
villas available for self-catering holidays in the town.
All the major supermarkets
are a few minutes’ walk away and a variety of German, French and English
daily newspapers are on offer in the local news agents every morning before
breakfast. A variety of money exchange outlets are also available with
ATMs to draw using your card with reasonable charges. There are also a
couple of internet cafes available in town to keep up with your email.
Dining in La Cala de Mijas
There are plenty of restaurants
and bars in town, where it is possible to enjoy the traditional Spanish
cuisine and the freshest fish dishes. However there is also a range of
international cuisine on offer, including Indian, Thai, French, Chinese
and Italian eateries. The good old English breakfast is also available
in several outlets and there are several English and Irish pubs around
town.
The beaches of La Cala
Of particular note is the Blue
Flag beach of La Cala, easily accessible from the centre of town. To the
left, enjoy a narrow, rocky beach, while to the right of town a boardwalk
has been laid, taking visitors from the centre of La Cala on an almost
6 km walk all the way to Marbella.
Beautifully maintained throughout
the year, the beach is lined with traditional chiringuitos (beach restaurants
and bars), giving the opportunity to refresh after a long walk in the fresh
sea air.
The sea floor in the area
is of ecological importance and is home to a rich biodiversity, with many
European, African, Atlantic and Mediterranean species co-existing there.
Please bear this in mind when visiting the beach and be sure to pick up
all plastic and other rubbish before leaving.
History in La Cala
For a taste of the past, visit
the tower in the centre of town, close to the beach. The “Torre Batería
de La Cala del Moral,” as it is named in full, is an interesting visit.
For a small fee you can enter
and explore the tower and learn more about its history as a defensive position
on the coast.
The restored tower has become
the headquarters of the Centre of Interpretation of the Watch Towers of
the Historical-Ethnological Museum of Mijas. The tower is one of four,
strategically placed along the Mediterranean coast, to warn of enemy ships
arriving, as this is one of the sites where the Berbers attacked.
Enjoy more views of La Cala
de Mijas in the video photo slideshow below:
