Living in Mijas
"Mijas" is really three places in one, which is exactly why it suits such a range of buyers. Mijas Costa is the coastal strip — La Cala de Mijas, Calahonda, Riviera del Sol, Miraflores — a run of beaches, golf and low-rise urbanisations. Las Lagunas is the busy modern town that blends into Fuengirola, where a lot of everyday Spanish life happens. And Mijas Pueblo is the postcard white village up in the hills, with its donkey taxis, whitewashed lanes and long views over the sea. One municipality, three very different ways to live — and our buyers pick between them depending on whether they want beach, town, or village.
The through-line is space and greenery. Compared with the denser towns either side, Mijas Costa is defined by its golf — this is the heart of the "Costa del Golf" — and by garden-style developments with pools, more room and a calmer pace. It's a favourite for families and for buyers who want a house or a larger apartment with a terrace rather than a flat in the middle of town.
Everyday life
- La Cala de Mijas — the coastal hub, a real town with a proper high street, a growing restaurant scene, a Saturday market and a long beach.
- Golf everywhere — La Cala Resort, Calanova, Miraflores, Santana and more, so you're rarely far from a course.
- Mijas Pueblo — for the village life: the bullring, the Virgen de la Peña, craft shops and some of the best views on the coast.
- Getting around — Mijas Costa really needs a car (the coastal urbanisations are spread out); Las Lagunas sits right by Fuengirola's train and services.
Neighbourhoods of Mijas
La Cala de Mijas
The coast's centre of gravity for Mijas — a genuine town on the sea with restaurants, beach bars, a promenade and steady rental demand. Popular for both living and letting; a strong all-rounder if you want the beach and a bit of buzz without the density of Fuengirola or Torremolinos.
Calahonda (Sitio de Calahonda)
One of the largest and most established urbanisations on the coast, straddling the Mijas–Marbella side. Enormously popular with international owners for its self-contained feel — supermarkets, bars, beaches and services all within the community. Excellent for buy-to-let and easy second-home ownership.
Riviera del Sol & Miraflores
Golf-and-garden country: leafy urbanisations wrapped around courses, a mix of apartments, townhouses and villas, and a quieter, greener lifestyle. A favourite for buyers who want space, a pool and a terrace, with the beach a short drive away.
Las Lagunas
The workaday modern town on the Fuengirola border — more Spanish, more urban, better value, and right by Fuengirola's train and amenities. Good for year-round residents and investors chasing long-term rental yield rather than holiday glamour.
Mijas Pueblo
The white village in the hills — character, views and a strong tourist draw. Homes here range from village houses to villas with panoramic sea views. Suits buyers who love the traditional Andalusian setting and don't mind being up the hill from the beach.
Buying in Mijas
The great advantage of Mijas is choice. Because the municipality spans coast, town and village, the same search can turn up a beachfront apartment in La Cala, a golf townhouse in Riviera del Sol, a value flat in Las Lagunas and a view villa in the Pueblo. That breadth means we can match almost any budget and brief — and it's why we always start with a conversation about how you'll actually use the place before pointing you at a neighbourhood.
New-build activity is strong across Mijas Costa, especially around La Cala and the golf resorts, alongside a deep resale market. Garden apartments and townhouses in golf communities are the signature product here, and they let and hold well because they offer the space families and long-stay guests want.
Available now
Property for sale in Mijas Costa
— homes currently listed — updated live from our books and the MLS.
Renting and holiday lets in Mijas
Mijas Costa is prime holiday-rental territory — golf, beaches and family-friendly urbanisations pull steady summer demand, and the golf calendar extends the season into spring and autumn. La Cala and Calahonda in particular rent well. For long-term letting, Las Lagunas offers the most consistent year-round tenant demand thanks to its town amenities and proximity to Fuengirola.
If you plan to let short-term, remember that Andalucía requires holiday properties to be registered as a vivienda con fines turísticos (VFT) with the regional tourism authority before advertising, and many communities of owners set their own rules on tourist letting — so we always check the community statutes before you buy something intended for holiday rental. We handle registration and vetting for our owners, and keep each licence's specifics private.
The buying process for foreign buyers
Buying in Spain as a non-resident is straightforward with the right team:
- NIE number — your Spanish foreigner's tax ID; we help you get it.
- Independent lawyer — runs the searches, checks the community and any debts, protects your deposit. Separate from the agency and essential.
- Costs on top — budget roughly 10–13%: transfer tax (ITP) on resales or VAT + stamp duty (AJD) on new-builds, plus notary, registry and legal fees.
- Mortgages — non-residents can usually borrow up to around 70% of value.
- Notary & completion — signing the escritura before a notary, who registers it.
We coordinate the lawyer, notary and bank so it runs smoothly, in your language. See our journal on the NIE and buying process, mortgages for non-residents and the Málaga market.
