Spain has become acclaimed for its archipelago of islands and sensational metropolis. Synonymous with sandy beaches and chic city breaks, Spain received an estimated 94 million foreign visitors last year and expects to receive even more in 2025. And while most travellers will be making a beeline for the country’s popular beaches and cities, there are an array of petite villages and small towns worth adding to your itinerary.
Ranging from mountain villages to los pueblos blancos (“the white villages”), Andalusia offers its distinct brand of Spanish wonder. Andalusia is an autonomous community in the southernmost region of Spain. And while provinces like Cádiz, Seville and Granada have shone a light on Andalusia, there is still much to discover within Malaga.
One village in particular is perfect for those curious about authentic rural Spanish living, but still keen to explore the Costa del Sol coastline. Mijas is situated on the Sierra de Mijas foothills. The municipality is actually composed of three distinct areas: Mijas Pueblo (the village), Las Lagunas (the modern residential and commercial hub) and Mijas Coasta (the coastal strip).
Mijas Pueblos is renowned for its iconic white-washed villas, but it has a rich history worth exploring as well. Mijas was named by the Moors that conquered the area in the 8th century (named “Mixa” by an Arab leader and later changed to Mijas when the Spanish reconquered the town). The village’s appearance today is typical of the .
