LA CALA:

La Cala’s most cherished historical monument is the watchtower. It is two stories high and has a roof terrace. Used in the 12th century as a watchtower to defend the Spanish coast, it is now a museum and tourist information centre. After a long day on the beach, nights out in this area usually consist of long dinners at one of La Cala’s or Riviera’s restaurants.

There is a wide range of dining in this area including Chinese, Thai, Italian and of course typical Spanish cuisine. Many tourists and residents then proceed to a local bar or pub to have an after dinner drink or two. For a more lively nightlife experience, head for Benalmádena Port, Torremolinos or to glitzy Puerto Banús.

 

AT THE BEACH

The beaches in this area are spectacular. So much so that La Cala’s 2,000 meters of gold sand and warm water won the Blue Flag Award in 2002. Stalls offering jet skis or banana boat rides, as well as other water activities, can be found all along the beach. Public showers and toilet facilities are also installed and in good condition. Parasols and sun beds are available for rent at a decent price. This coastal town has a lovely promenade in which bars and restaurants can be found in abundance from elegant dining at MIjas Playa Restaurant to chiringuitos.

Riviera has its own beach which is usually calm and not too crowded. There is also the popular venue of Max Beach, offering an extensive range of beachfront cuisine and the classy El Oceano Beach Hotel and Spa on the beach in front of Miraflores, offering romantic seafront dining and elegant board walk lunches.

 

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SHOPPING

La Cala is full of little boutiques, and the street market can be found on a designated plot of wasteland every Wednesday and Saturday. However, to access large shopping centers, a little driving is necessary.

Riviera Plaza is a commercial centre visited by both residents and tourists. The centre opened in 2005, has been expanding and is now open 6 days a week. This small complex offers a bureau of change, banks, a hairdresser, ironmongers, souvenir shops, cafés, as well as clothing stores.

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SPORTS

Miraflores Golf Club is one of the most popular in the area. Located just inland from Mijas Costa, this breath taking course coils between hills and valleys. Golfers can enjoy views of nearby mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. If you fancy just practicing your swing then head to Miraflores’ driving range.

The Aztec Sports Complex is located in the heart of Riviera del Sol. This centre has a swimming pool, 7 tennis courts, badminton courts, mini golf, a gymnasium, and is a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Aztec Complex is open to both residents and visitors.

The Miraflores Lawn Bowls Club is also very close to the Riviera area and is popular with residents and tourists. It provides two all weather greens and a club house. After a game of bowls don’t forget to stop by the bar for a snack or chilled beer.

There are plenty of good quality sports facilities in and around La Cala de Mijas too. It has its own golf courses such as La Cala Golf Resort, Spain’s largest golf complex with three 18-hole courses and El Chaparral Golf. These courses allow non-members to come and enjoy a round of golf, with tuition and equipment rental available. This town also has a bowls club, tennis facilities, fitness centres and horse riding. The Hipodromo del Costa del Sol is on the outskirts of La Cala. This recently constructed Hippodrome (race course) is a great place to enjoy something different. Naturally, being a coastal town La Cala also offers facilities to practice any water sport you can think of!

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FAMILY FUN

If you are planning a family holiday, the Costa del Sol is a perfect choice. Málaga Province has lots of leisure parks for the whole family to spend a few unforgettable days. Besides, many hotels offer special facilities and services for children, for you and your kids to have a comfortable stay while having fun.

No matter what time of year you choose to come, you will always find lots of children’s activities. The calendars of all main theatres include children’s or family shows so that you can add a culture and leisure dimension to your holiday.

Fun all year round

 

The Costa del Sol is blessed with a wonderful climate, mild and warm all year round. This means you can come with your family whenever you want.

In the summer, water parks attract hundreds of visitors. The most popular are in Torremolinos, Vélez-Málaga and Mijas: water slides as high as 100m, Mini Park, Super Slalom and the highest Kamikaze in Europe, with 22m fall. Fun and thrill are guaranteed.

And there is more. Multi-adventure parks with zip wires and hanging bridges, horseback tours, off-road rides in the sierras and amusement parks like Tivoli World will turn your family holiday into a real adventure.

 

The Christmas season is one of the most special times to visit Málaga. Christmas markets, children’s festivals, nativity scenes… There are so many things to do on these days… On 6 January, the Three Wise Men from the East go out on parade, giving out sweets to the little ones as the streets get filled with confetti. Both children and their parents enjoy the show.

For animal lovers: There are lots of places in Málaga Province where you can be in contact with animals. There are zoos like Bioparc Fuengirola and Selwo Aventura, for instance, recreating the original habitats, or aquariums like Selwo Marina and Sea Life Benalmádena, where you can meet a wide variety of sea life specimens.

In hinterland Málaga you will come face to face with native species to the Iberian Peninsula: wolves in Lobo Park, donkeys in El Refugio del Burrito and so on. For bird watching, the sierras offer some great viewpoints for birds of prey, while Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, one of Europe’s largest nature reserves, is home to a huge flamingo colony.