Located between the popular tourist towns of Marbella and Fuengirola, La Cala de Mijas is a favourite for both holidaymakers and expat residents who now call it home.
La Cala de Mijas or just ‘La Cala’ offers everything you will need in a golf holiday destination with many of the Costa del Sol’s best golf courses in close proximity with many others a short drive away along the N340 coast road.
The town has a population of 24,000 people and is big enough to provide you with ample entertainment, yet small enough to make you feel welcome with the knowledge that you have discovered one of the Costa del Sol’s hidden gems.
La Cala was recently put on the map so to speak after Towie’s Elliot Wright set up his new restaurant here, Olivias, which has become popular for those looking for some fine dining and the opportunity to hob-knob with some famous faces.
La Cala really does have everything including bars, restaurants, a great beach, banks, pharmacy, supermarkets and much more. Read on and get the low-down on this fantastic little town.
La Cala de Mijas Weather
As La Cala is in the Costa del Sol, the year-round weather and climate are excellent with around 300 days of glorious sunshine.
As with other parts of the Costa del Sol, the temperature can get very hot in July and August so be prepared and make sure you slap on plenty of sun cream as well as a mosquito repellent.
If you are playing golf in La Cala and the Costa del Sol, you would be advised to avoid the hottest months. The best months to play golf in Spain are April, May, June, September and October when the temperature is a little cooler.
La Cala de Mijas Beaches
Image Credit: Tyk [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
La Cala’s main beach is Playa Butibamba and one of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol.
The beach is around 1,500 meters long and around 30 meters deep. It is also home to a number of chiringuito beach restaurants so snacks and refreshments are never too far away. Bar Tropical is a favourite for many expats and holidaymakers visiting La Cala which we can fully recommend.
The main promenade of La Cala sits on just off the beach and is a nice spot to enjoy lunch or an evening meal.
Nightlife, Restaurants and Bars
La Cala offers many bars and restaurants serving food from every culture including local Spanish dishes.
The great thing about La Cala is that it is not a very big town meaning it’s easy to navigate the streets in search of somewhere to eat and drink.
There is also a good variety in terms of budget. Olivia’s as featured on TOWIE (The Only Way Is Essex) sits on the seafront and is frequented by many celebs.
On the main strip through the town, you will find plenty of restaurants offering pizza, burgers, pasta, kebabs and other popular tourist fast food.
Golf Courses
Image Credit: La Cala Golf Resort
If you are looking to plan a golf trip or golf weekend in Spain, the La Cala area will not disappoint.
There are three main golf courses/resorts in the La Cala area. La Cala Resort is very well known and is visited by many professional football teams and athletes during the year due to the excellent climate and sporting facilities. The resort also boasts three excellent golf courses for you to choose from.
The other two main courses in the area are La Noria which is located just outside of the town and Calanova Golf.
Mijas Golf and Santana golf are also two of the Costa del Sol’s best golf courses and are just a short drive away. Both courses made it to #2 and #3 respectively in our recent blog post, 8 Best Golf Courses In Malaga.
It’s safe to say that if you want to play some great golf courses, La Cala de Mijas is the perfect base. As it sits right next to the N340 coast road, courses in Marbella and Malaga are all within easy reach.
Transportation
Although there is no train station at La Cala, there is a public bus service with routes to Marbella to the West and Torremolinos and Malaga Airport to the East. The bus fares are also very cheap compared to the UK. Further details here https://www.checkmybus.co.uk/la-cala-de-mijas
If you would rather get a taxi, there are a number of taxi firms located in the area with many available for pick-ups in the centre of town.
Tourist Hotspots
The main focal point in La Cala itself is the great beach and seafront promenade where you will find the prominent Tower Castle.
This part of the town is the main hub for families and tourists to enjoy many of the local bars and restaurants while being in close proximity to the beach where you can take a nice evening stroll.
On a Wednesday and Saturday, La Cala has a market which is located just outside of the town and draws many in from along the coast looking to pick up a souvenir or two.
You can find out further information on La Cala de Mijas here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Cala_de_Mijas
Important Phone Numbers
Golf 4U Spain – +34 607 344 231
The British Consulate (Madrid) – +34 915 249 700
National Police (Policía Nacional) – 091 (No area code required)
Local Police (Policía Local) – 092 (No area code required)
Ambulance – 112 (No area code required)
Report a crime (In English) – +34 902 102 112
La Cala de Mijas Medical Centre – +34 952 492 150
If you lose your passport, you will need an emergency travel document (ETD) – https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document
Top featured image of La Cala: Tyk [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
