Mijas-Costa Del Sol-Spain

Just around the corner from the Plaza De Toros, and at one of the higher elevations of the "pueblo", there is a garden overlook from which one can view the Costa Del Sol in the distance.

My day trip to Mijas and my walking tour (self-guided) started on this street. I had just driven up from Malaga and parked my car at the entrance to the street. If you've got really good eyesight, it is the blue car parked on the left at the end of the street. The rest of the day was spent on foot.

Mijas has developed its horse and buggy and donkey rides into quite a tourist attraction. I chose not to do either, but as you can see from these two photos, many others did. This photo and one that follows was taken on the same street on which I entered the town.

I wondered how those small donkeys felt all day with the weight they have to carry around. (no offense intended, ladies). I guess that is why they have the nickname "beasts of burden".

Mijas, being built on the side of mountain, is a multi-tiered town. At many given points, you can either look up or look down and be looking onto a totally different part of the town.

And as you look into the distance, in many cases you can see the Costa del Sol and the Ocean.

This photo and the next were taken from the small garden patio on the level above the previous picture.

As you look toward the mountains, it is obvious that the residents have taken advantage of ever square foot (for you Europeans, every square meter) of the land.

This photo was taken from the street looking back toward the location from which the previous photo was taken.

When you get to the edge of the patio, you are again looking down on another street below. This patio is actually over business and residence buildings at the lower level. Those buildings face the lower street.

There are many restaurants that serve outside along the streets. At this particular one, my wife and I had lunch. You can get the traditional tapas at most restaurants, but at this particular one, they emphasized Italian cuisine.

If you turn to your immediate left, you will be looking up the street (next photo) at an open air plaza with wandering musicians (notice the guitar player), and tourists and locals having lunch. These small plazas are favorite gathering spots for both the locals and tourists.

As you look forward and to your left, you will see a small street leading up a hill (starting more or less where the guitar player is).

This is the callecita (small narrow street) that leads up to the Plaza De Toros. In fact, if you were in a car and failed to make your left turn at the top of the street, you would drive right into the Plaza De Toros (no bull!).

As you near the end of the narrow street a short distance before arriving at the Plaza De Toros, you will see a raised garden at the top of a wall which runs along the left side the street. This is typical of the care the town takes in trying to beautify all parts of the town.

At the end of the narrow street, you must turn left if you are driving. Of course, if you are walking, as we were, you can continue directly into the Plaza De Toros (after paying a small fee, of course).

This is not one of the most famous bull rings, like the one in Ronda, but it is interesting to visit.

What it lacks in historic value, it makes up for in scenic views. There are some great town views from the top row of seats in the Plaza De Toros.

If you stand at the front door of the Plaza De Toros and face away from the building, you will have a view of the narrow street that leads up to the Plaza De Toros. The restaurant where we had lunch is at the bottom and just a few feet to the left of the last building you see at the end of the street.

On the right side you will see the wall where the landscaped gardens are located along the road.

The road is shared by vehicles and pedestrians. At one point we had to step to the side and wait for a local resident in their car to get by (and she wasn't going slow either).

From the top row of seats in the Plaza De Toros, you have some amazing views of the surrounding town and areas outside of town.

To one side you can see a panoramic view like this photo with the full impact of the "Pueblo Blanco Mijas". The white houses glisten in the early afternoon sun, as the residents and tourists go about their business driving and walking throughout the town.

This photo is typical of the "White Towns" that stretch throughout the mountain range which parallels the Costa Del Sol in most of Andulucia.

One could not say that Mijas is a poor pueblo. It is obvious from this photo that there are some rather well-off inhabitants living here. Notice the well landscaped yards, many with swimming pools. [I think I could get used to living here].

This view was taken looking off to the East from the garden overlook which was shown in the first picture at the top of this lens.

This fountain is located in the northern end of the garden where the valley overlook is found. The overlook is in the southern part of the garden.