Things to do
Cultural events
Andalucia is justly famous for its vivid and varied culture,especially its traditions of music, dance and flamenco, bullfighting and horsemanship:
- Traditional Flamenco Shows - Salsa Fortuna at Benalmadena www.torrequebrada.com. Establo El Castillo in Mijas Costa (see 'horse-riding' below for details).
- Bullfighting - Plaza del Torros, Mijas. Breeding of fighting bulls and horses - A Campo Abierto at Medina Sidonia www.acampoabierto.com.
- Fiestas - With several occuring throughout the year, it is worth checking to see what is on before you arrive. They include Easter week celebrations, Festival of San Juan in June, Mijas Carnival or 'Ferial' in September and Santa Teresa Patron Saint of La Cala summer fair in October. See www.lacalademijas.com for more details.
Flamenco Dancers
Sports and activities
- Golf Ubiquitous in the Mijas region. The closest courses include La Cala and Mijas Golf , Santana Golf and El Chaparral - these courses are available to non members, tuition is available and equipment can be hired.
- Scuba Diving- This can be arranged through Atlantis' www.mundoatlantis.com (PADI certified), at Centro de Buceo, La Cala.
- Watersports Splash Watersports operate from Cabopino and offer cruises, dolphin and whale spotting, wake boarding, banana rides, waterskiing, and ringo rides.
- Mini-cruises and dolphin spotting from Marbella Port and Puerto Banus www.fly-blue.com.
- Fishing excursions and charters Organised by Luna 7 from Marbella Port and Puerto Banus.
- Horse-Riding - Personally recommended by us, Salvador Jaime from Establo El Castillo can organise 1, 2 or 4 hour rides through the Andalucian mountains on superb Spanish horses. You can also see Equestrian Displays and Flamenco Dancing Shows and eat in their rustic and traditional family restaurant. Bookings can be made through El Establo de La Cala on the roundabout in La Cala www.establo-el-castillo.com (May Oct, English spoken). For more English style riding try Finca La Alegria , La Cala www.fincaalegria.piczo.co.
- Horse Racing- At the Hipodromo Costa del Sol, just outside La Cala town (open from 9pm, Sun am Winter).
- Tennis -The tennis club "Club del Sol".
- Quad-Biking Fuengirola.
- Parasailing Fuengirola.
- Walking - The Tourist Office on Plaza Virgen de la Pena La Cala, offers a free service of guided walks in the local area, once a week, all year round. Mijas is ideal if you like to walk or hike. The views from the top of some of these local mountains are breathtaking and a must. Locally there are many walks that are beautiful and picturesque, but if you are a serious walker then you must try the Guadalhorce Lakes.
- The areas around the Guadalhorce Lakes, El Chorro & Torcal have some of the most beautiful scenic countryside in Andalucia.
- Skiiing - Just a mere 2 hour easy and beautiful drive away from Mijas is the most southern ski resort in Europe, the Sierra Nevada National Park boasting mainland Spain's highest mountains at 3200 metres. The season runs from late November to May.
- National Parks Parque Natural Sierra de la Nieves - North of Marbella.
Andalucian horse display, Mijas Pueblo
For children
- Selwo Safari Park - Estepona
- Fuengirola Zoo
- Sea- Life Centre - Benalmedena
- Crocodile Park at - Torremolinos
- Wolf Sanctuary - Antequera
- Donkey Sanctuary - Malaga
- Water Parks AquaLand at Torremolinos www.aqualand.es, Parque Acuatico, Mijas
- Amusement Parks -Tivoli World