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Gibraltar: Red pillar boxes, fish-and-chip shops and creaky 1970s seaside hotels: Gibraltar – as British writer Laurie Lee once commented – is a piece of Portsmouth sliced off and towed 500 miles south. As with many colonial outposts, ‘the Rock’ overstates its Britishness, a bonus for pub-grub and afternoon-tea lovers, but a confusing double-take for modern Brits who thought their country had moved on since the days of Lord Nelson memorabilia. Poised strategically at the jaws of Europe and Africa, Gibraltar, with its Palladian architecture and camera-hogging Barbary macaques, makes for an interesting break from Cádiz province's white towns and tapas.
Gibraltarians speak English, Spanish, and a curiously accented, sing-song mix of the two, swapping back and forth mid-sentence. Signs are in English
Places To Go
things to do
Club Del Sol is an excellent sports facility in Calahonda, offering squash courts, padel courts, a gymnasium, and sauna. The tennis club also has some excellent tennis courts and a pro tennis shop. Telephone: 952 93 95 95.
Alhamar fitness centre: A popular Calahonda gym with great facilities and a good range of classes including Zumba, Pilates, Aerobic, Boxing, Dancing, XCycling. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 – 22:30, Saturday 8:00 – 20:00. Telephone: 952 93 46 84.
La Siesta Golf Course Calahonda: A 9 hole golf course, all holes are par 3. Open all year, the facilities include a golf shop and restaurant. A nice roof bar terrace is a great place to unwind after a game. Members 7€ for 18 holes, Residents 17€ for 18 holes, Visitors 27€ for 18 holes. Telephone: 952 93 33 62.
Calahonda church: The Calahonda church is open to everyone. Sunday services 4.30pm. There are events every month for more information please go to: www.calahondachurch.com
Cabopino Port: One of the Costa del Sol’s most picturesque ports, Cabopino port has 170 berths and is a great place for a pre-dinner meal or a stroll after-dinner. There are several restaurants located around the port and there is free live music and entertainment on a Sunday.
Scuba Diving: Atlantis Dive Centro de Buceo, Calle Fuengirola Ed. Parque Playa Local 5. La Cala de Mijas
PADI, CMAS FEDAS diving school. Telephone: 678 37 09 72
Mijas Water park: There are two water parks that are within driving distance from Calahonda. The nearest one is in Fuengirola which is a 15 minute drive approx. Tel: 952 46 04 04. Located 10 mins drive from La Cala de Mijas is the Mijas water park, a great day out for the kids. The water park has facilities for everyone, with lots of shaded areas, picnic areas, pools, lakes, mini-golf along with the main attractions of water slides, chutes, wave pools and much more.
Horse Riding: El Jineté, La Cala de Mijas
All levels of riding and livery. Telephone: 677 76 10 66. Or Finca Alegria, Family run riding school. Telephone: 677 46 70 54.
Or El Dorado, La Cala de Mijas.
All ages and children’s lessons. Livery, jumping and dressage. Telephone: 622 19 87 73
Mijas Park: The beautiful Park Miralla is situated on the grounds of the original fortress that once occupied this vantage point. The park features botanical gardens, an auditorium and breathtaking viewpoints of the coast that can be explored further with the available coin-operated binoculars. The main church and bullring surround the park and add to the atmosphere of this wonderful area.
Rock climbing/Bouldering: Parque Muralla: Within the botanical gardens of Parque Muralla, close to the bull ring and the auditorium there is a rock gorge which is professionally customised for rock climbing and bouldering. Visitors taking a walk around the park can watch the climbers practice with a beautiful view of the coast in the background. Best of all is that the rock climbing facilities are free for both professionals and amateurs to practice their skills in a beautiful setting.
Ethnological Museum of Mijas: Plaza de la Libertad, 2, Tel: 952 590 380. Exhibiting utensils of farming, fishing along with photographs depicting scenes from a past era, this museum also shows an oil mill and wine cellar. Moreover, upstairs within the museum is a special room dedicated to paintings and photography of local artists on display.
Mijas Museum of Miniatures: Avda. Del Compàs, Tel : 952 48 58 20. Museum of miniatures happens to be the most popular sightseeing destination for Asian tourists. Created by travel adventurer and hypnotist, Professor Max, this museum showcases over 360 pieces collected during his travels around the world. The very detailed craftsmanship can be admired, for example, on the reproduction of Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous “Last Supper” carved on a grain of rice.
Walking & hiking: Mijas is also a sought after destination for fans of hiking and mountain walking. There are several routes in the hills directly behind the town that are clearly sign-posted from the road and throughout the trails. A free map of the routes can be obtained from the local tourist office.
Mijas Wine museum: C/ San Sebastian. Mijas wine museum offers wine lovers the chance to learn from professional oenologists and try wine from all denominations of origin in Spain. The wine list includes cavas, noble wines, table wines, reds and roses along with gourmet food to enhance the experience, such as flavoured salts, cream syrup, balsamic jams and olive oils. Each wine is paired with a dish featuring salads, cheeses, cold meats as well as signature dishes such as ratatouille tartlets with tuna, baby habas in Chinese spoons, endives with scorpion fish pie and duck thighs with Malaga sweet wine. A high class tourist attraction that should not be missed.
Grotto of the Virgen de la Peña: To this picturesque grotto, there is attached a legend dating back to 1536 when two children, a boy and a girl (Juan & Asuncion) experienced an apparition of the Virgin with Child in her arms and a white dove on her shoulder. The legend says that the Virgin was discovered by excavating the rock by the locals. Today, this beautiful grotto is continuously visited by pilgrims from all over the world. It is a serene and peaceful place for religious contemplations.
Mijas Church of the Immaculate Conception: Parque Muralla. Built on the ruins of the original castle, the church was consecrated in 1631 and uses one of the castles towers as the bell tower. The church contains features from the Mudejar and Baroque styles. There are 3 naves, each separated by rounded arches, the two side naves dating back to the first half of the 17th century. It is a wonderful piece of architecture waiting to be admired by art lovers as well as any viewers sensitive to historical and cultural beauty.
Yoga/Massage: There are several retreats offering yoga and massage courses in Mijas and most are run as part of a package which includes accommodation. At the entrance to the village is a yoga centre called Bio yoga. The centre has spa facilities and offers courses in Ayurveda Massage and Yoga for pregnant women. Bio yoga also sell natural products such as cosmetics, essential oils and clothes. It is definitely a healthy and alternative treat for active women looking to calm and comfort body and spirit.
La Cala de Mijas : is one of the original fishing villages situated on the Costa del Sol, in the province of Malaga. It is a charming town with a restored Moorish tower, a friendly, relaxed, slow-paced village atmosphere and lots of appeal with many good restaurants, shops, chemist and beach-front bars on the lovely golden sand beach.
Marbella: The old town with its narrow cobbled streets and flower-filled plazas is packed with delightful shops and art galleries selling pretty clothes and accessories, and handmade wares. One of the prettiest spots is the fabled orange tree-filled Plaza de los Naranjos, which is located just off the main street and is home to the 16th-century town hall and tourist office; here you can pick up a detailed map and other visitor information.
In terms of eating out, Marbella's gastronomic scene is second to none, with everything from vegetarian and vegan cafes, to beachfront chiringuitos, and Michelin-starred restaurants including Spanish cooking star Dani Garcia's - a feast for foodies plus the beaches are second to none.
Puerto Banus: Puerto Banús is known as Costa del Sol's playground for the rich and wealthy who come here for the beaches, the beach clubs and the buzzing nightlife. The shops and restaurants reflect this expensive lifestyle, as do the luxury cars and yachts. If you enjoy people-watching and are there during the summer months you'll never be short of pop stars or reality TV stars to spot.
Malaga: The cultural city of Malaga is just 30 minutes drive away. The tastefully restored historic centre is a delight: its Gothic cathedral is surrounded by narrow pedestrian streets flanked by traditional and modern bars, and shops that range from idiosyncratic and family owned, to urban-chic and contemporary. The 11th-century Gibralfaro castle sits grandly aloft and provides the best view of all.