Malaga to Mijas Day Trip: How to Get There & Best Things To Do!

Wondering what there is to do on Malaga’s doorstep? You’ve come to the right place! 

A Malaga to Mijas day trip is the perfect way to get out of the city and immerse yourself in the tranquility of small-town Spanish culture. 

Mijas is one of Spain’s Pueblos Blancos (White Villages). They get this name because the houses have bright, whitewashed walls. 

The views in Mijas are definitely one of its appeals. Incredibly, on a clear day you can see as far as the Rif Mountains in Morocco! 

In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about visiting Mijas on a day trip from Malaga, including how to get there, the best things to do in Mijas, tour suggestions and more.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive into it, and start planning your Malaga to Mijas trip!

How to get to Mijas from Malaga

Wondering how to get to Mijas from Malaga? I’ll walk you through all the ways to get from Malaga to Mijas Pueblo.

Malaga to Mijas by bus

To get to Mijas from Malaga by bus you’ll need to hop on the M-112 bus from Malaga’s Estacion de Autobuses. It’ll take you down a steep, windy road to Mijas. 

The bus runs five times a day, there and back. To make the most of your time there, get one of the earlier buses. Especially if you’re visiting in summer, to avoid wandering around in the worst of the heat. 

If you’re asking yourself how far Mijas is from Malaga – not far! The journey takes just over an hour and a half, and should cost about 5 EUR.

Malaga to Mijas by train

Personally, I don’t think it’s worth getting the train from Malaga to Mijas. You’d have to catch a train to Fuenjirola first (another Pueblo Blanco along the Costa del Sol) and then catch a bus from there to Mijas. 

Unless you want to visit Fuengirola as well as Mijas on your day trip, I’d get the bus instead!

Rent a car and drive there yourself

There’s no doubt that renting a car isn’t the cheapest way to get from Malaga to Mijas, but it will give you a lot of flexibility and freedom (unless you’re travelling in a group).

You could also add a few other stops along the way, like a trip to Fuengirola or to one of the nearby beaches, to make it worth the extra cost.

Expect to pay anything from 20 EUR upwards a day to rent a car in Spain. You can also rent mopeds in Malaga if you’re looking for the most adventurous way to get to Mijas! 

Going with a tour

Do you want to skip the hassle of figuring out your own transport? Then take this fantastic day-trip tour. 

It’s the most expensive option, but also the most worry-free. You’ll get picked up and then dropped off at your accommodation, you don’t have to worry about driving and parking, and you get to see other spots besides Mijas.

You’ll get to see the city centre of Marbella and Puerto Banús on top of exploring Mijas.

Click here to book your Málaga to Mijas day tour!

What to do in Mijas

Wander around the cute white houses 

Mijas is one of the cutest Pueblos Blancos surrounding Malaga. The bright white houses were built stacked one on top of the other on a steep cliff just off the coast. 

The narrow streets speckled with vibrant hanging flower baskets that lead to little plazas and fountains are perfect for getting lost in. 

The tradition of painting the houses white began with the Moors. They would slather slaked lime on them to keep them cool. 

Once the Catholic Kings conquered Southern Spain again, the tradition was maintained.

As well as cooling the houses, the lime paint was used both as a disinfectant and to symbolize that a disease had passed through a house in times of epidemics. 

Enjoy the views

Mijas is called the “viewpoint of the Costa del Sol”. Since it was built into the hillside, it has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and sea below! 

Head to the Mirador de la Muralla and Mirador El Compas for the best views. They’re especially breath-taking at sunset.

Visit the Chapel of the Virgin of the Rock

Of all the things to do in Mijas you can’t skip this one. Right next to the Mirador El Compas sits this charming little church that was excavated out of rock by a Carmelita monk in the 17th century. 

Inside the church, there is an image of the Virgin of the Rock, the Patron Saint of the town. Old tales say that she was discovered at the site by two young shepherds who were guided there by a dove in 1586.

Best Malaga to Mijas tours

Visit Marbella, Puerto Banus, and Mijas in one

I went on this amazing tour when I was in Malaga and loved it! You get a really well-rounded day and tick off three of the most popular day trips in one. 

Marbella is fancier than Malaga, so expect to see lots of yachts and expensive hotels. Similarly, Puerto Banus is a famous shopping region that gets a lot of celebrities passing through. 

I had plenty of time to do my own thing on the tour, which was great as I love exploring, but it was helpful to get bits of insight and snippets of history from the tour guide. 

You’ll need to bring your own food and drinks, or you can stop for lunch at a restaurant along the way. 

They pick you up from a meeting spot in Malaga in the morning and then drop you back there. The tour costs about 50 EUR and takes around 8 hours. 

They book up quickly, so be sure to book in advance! 

Click here to book your Málaga to Mijas tour, with stops in Marbella and Puerto Banus!

Explore Mijas your way, on this private tour

Whilst this private tour is the most expensive, it’s also the most convenient. It’s also one of the few tours that exclusively stops at Mijas. 

They’ll pick you up from your hotel and drop you back off, so you won’t need to organise anything. 

The perks are that you’ll travel to Mijas in a comfortable minivan, just you and your friends, and enjoy having a guide to yourselves for half the day. 

The cost depends on the size of the group but is upwards of 100 EUR. It’s the best option for bigger groups who want to take their time and have a personalized experience of Mijas. 

Click here to book your private Málaga to Mijas tour!

Go on a quad bike tour of the mountains surrounding Mijas

This quad bike tour isn’t for everyone, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it’s so unique and adventurous. 

On this tour, you’ll get to explore the dust tracks that surround Mijas on a two-seater quad bike. A thrilling combination of great views and adrenaline! 

The tour lasts two hours and is fairly affordable. It’s a pretty epic experience if you want to see the beautiful white houses of Mijas, with a touch of adventure!

Click here to see prices & availability for a Málaga to Mijas quad tour!

Is Mijas worth visiting?

Overall, yes, it’s a lovely town to walk around and spend a few hours soaking in the pretty scenery. That said, I wouldn’t say it’s a must on everyone’s Spain bucket list.

However, it’s worth noting that there’s not an awful lot to do there, so I wouldn’t suggest it to someone on a tight Andalusia itinerary.

If you are based in Malaga for a long period of time, then yes 100% you should visit. If you only have 1 week or less in Spain, then you might be better off visiting other towns and areas of Spain.

Where to stay to visit Mijas

You could also choose to stay in Mijas if you want. It’s a small town, but there are some hotels available. However, since this article is about doing a day trip from Málaga to Mijas, here are some great places to stay in Malaga.

Budget – Hotel Don Curro: The colourful and contemporary Hotel Don Curro is perfectly situated in the centre of Malaga. It’s a warm and welcoming place to stay, with spotlessly clean rooms, on-site restaurant & bar, and also room service.

Click here to book your stay at Hotel Don Curro in Malaga!

Mid-range – Hotel Boutique Teatro Romano: Just a stone’s throw from the Roman Theatre, this mid-range hotel provides a home away from home when you’re staying in Malaga, without breaking the bank. 

Check out prices & availability at Hotel Boutique Teatro Romano in Malaga here!

Luxury – Molina Lario: If you want to treat yourself, this is the place to do so. Their rooftop pool with cathedral views is simply stunning! 

Don’t miss out, click here to book your stay at Molina Lario in Malaga!

Do you need travel insurance to visit Mijas?

After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance.

You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your travel insurance with  Heymondo.

Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).

Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

Plus, as a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance!

Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!

Final thoughts on how to get to Mijas

There you have it, the ultimate Malaga to Mijas day trip! Have you been to Malaga or Mijas before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

All in all, Mijas is a great little day trip to go on if you’ve got an extra day to kill in Malaga. Most people only go on day trips from Malaga to Granada to visit the Alhambra, but Mijas is also a great day trip destination.

It might not be as famous as Barcelona, Seville or Cordoba, but Mijas is a lovely town to explore and see the authentic Spanish “pueblos Blancos”.

With its spectacular panoramic views and laid-back atmosphere, it’s easy to see why so many people come. Whether you decide to get there by yourself or take a tour, you’ll have a great time. 

Make sure to check out the viewpoints (miradores), the Chapel of the Virgin of the Rock, and to give yourself enough time to wander around aimlessly and soak in the charm of the place. 

If you’ve been to Mijas before or you have any questions, let me know in the comments below!

Enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Mijas, Spain? Pin it!