Fuengirola & Mijas Costa - an area guide for buyers who want to be close to everything

Fuengirola & Mijas Costa - an area guide for buyers who want to be close to everything

At JMA Prime Estate we help buyers all along Costa del Sol - from Málaga in the east to Marbella and Estepona in the west. Within that coastline, Fuengirola and Mijas Costa are two of the most popular choices for international buyers who want sun, services and easy access all year round.

Here you'll find a mix of beach promenades, modern apartments, traditional Spanish streets, golf, restaurants and shopping - all within a relatively compact, central stretch of the coast. In this guide, we zoom in on Fuengirola & Mijas Costa: what makes the area attractive, what types of properties you'll find, and what to think about before you buy here.

1. where are Fuengirola and Mijas Costa?

Fuengirola and Mijas Costa are located in the heart of Costa del Sol, between Málaga city and Marbella.

Fuengirola sits directly on the coast with a long seafront promenade, marina and urban town feel.
Mijas Costa covers the coastal stretch of the Mijas municipality, including popular areas like La Cala de Mijas, Riviera del Sol and Calahonda.

From here you're:

About 25-35 minutes from Málaga Airport by car or train.
Roughly in the middle between Málaga and Marbella, which makes it easy to explore the whole coast.

For many buyers, this central location is one of the main reasons to choose Fuengirola / Mijas Costa over more remote resorts.

2. why buyers choose Fuengirola & Mijas Costa

There are a few clear reasons why these areas consistently stay in demand with international buyers:

a) Year-round life, not only summer

Both Fuengirola and Mijas Costa are lively well beyond the summer season:

Open restaurants and cafés all year
Full-time residents, not only tourists
Schools, healthcare, shops and services in English and Spanish

If you're planning to use the property more than a few weeks per year, This year-round activity is a big advantage.

b) Easy connections

Fuengirola is the end station of the commuter train from Málaga and the airport, with direct trains roughly every 20-30 minutes and a travel time around 30-35 minutes.

This means:

No car needed to get from the airport to your apartment
Simple for guests and family to visit
Commuting to Málaga city is realistic if you want to work or study there

Mijas Costa doesn't have a train station along the whole stretch, but by car you're usually:

Around 25-30 minutes from Málaga Airport
10-20 minutes from Fuengirola or Marbella, depending on exact location

c) A wide mix of lifestyles

You can choose between:

Urban town feeling (central Fuengirola)
Beach village vibe (La Cala de Mijas)
More residential, golf and sea views (Riviera del Sol, Calahonda, etc.)

This makes the area suitable for many different buyer profiles - from young professionals and investors to families and retirees.

3. A quick tour of the main neighbourhoods

Fuengirola centre & seafront

Fuengirola itself is a compact, walkable town with:

Long sandy beaches and a palm-lined promenade
Plenty of cafés, tapas bars and international restaurants
Shopping centres, cinemas and healthcare
A large expat community mixed with local Spanish life

Property types here:

Apartments in older and newer buildings, many with balconies and sea views
Penthouses close to the beach
Some townhouses just a bit inland

Perfect if you want to:

Live car-free
Have everything within a short walk
Rent out to tourists who value location and train access

La Cala de Mijas (Mijas Costa)

La Cala de Mijas has grown from a small fishing village into one of the most sought-after places on the coast for both lifestyle buyers and investors:

Wide sandy beach and a long boardwalk
A “village” feeling with restaurants, wine bars and cafés
Access to several golf courses a short drive away
Popular with both families and retirees looking for a relaxed pace

Property types:

Modern apartments in gated complexes with pools and gardens
Townhouses close to the village
Villas in the surrounding hills and golf areas

La Cala is ideal if you want a slightly more upscale, relaxed vibe, but still be close to everything.

Riviera del Sol & Calahonda (Mijas Costa)

Riviera del Sol and Calahonda are classic residential areas along Mijas Costa:

Many apartments and townhouses with sea views
Established communities with pools and shared gardens
A good choice for buyers looking for value for money and rental potential

Here you'll typically need a car in everyday life, but in exchange you often get:

More space for the price
Larger terraces
A quieter, more residential environment

4. what kind of properties can you expect?

Across Fuengirola and Mijas Costa you'll find:

Apartments - from older blocks in town centres to brand new, modern complexes with pools, gyms and co-working spaces
Penthouses - often with large terraces and open views
Townhouses - popular with families who want more space but still like community living
Villas - in the hills just above the coast, often with private pools and views

In recent years, there has been significant new development activity in and around Mijas Costa and La Cala, adding modern, energy-efficient properties with strong lifestyle and investment appeal.

5. who is Fuengirola & Mijas Costa right for?

This area works particularly well if you:

Want to be within 30-35 minutes from the airport
Plan to use the property several times during the year, not just in August
Value having services, healthcare, schools and shopping nearby
Like the idea of a strong rental market, especially in summer and shoulder seasons
Prefer a mix of local Spanish life and international community

It might be less suitable if you are looking for:

Very quiet countryside living far from neighbours
A small, isolated village without tourism
Ultra-exclusive gated resorts with maximum privacy (those are more often found in specific parts of Marbella and Benahavís)

6 Key points to think about before you buy here

When we work with buyers looking in Fuengirola or Mijas Costa, we usually focus on a few key questions:

How dependent are you on public transport?
1. If you want to avoid a car, Fuengirola (close to the train) is often the best fit.
How important is walking distance to the beach and restaurants?
1. Central Fuengirola and La Cala de Mijas offer the strongest “walk everywhere” lifestyle.
Are you mainly thinking lifestyle, rental investment, or both?
1. This affects which type of property, community and exact location we recommend.
Do you prefer new build or more traditional style?
1. New developments often offer more amenities, while older properties can offer larger rooms and central locations.

7. How JMA Prime Estate can help you on Costa del Sol

At JMA Prime Estate, we work across the whole Costa del Sol - including Fuengirola, Mijas Costa, Benalmádena, Marbella, Estepona and the surrounding areas. Fuengirola & Mijas Costa are just one of the central hubs where many of our clients choose to buy.

Our role is to:

Help you choose the right area on Costa del Sol based on how you want to live
Search across the market - both our own listings and those of partner agencies
Arrange and accompany you on viewings in different towns and neighbourhoods
Coordinate with independent lawyers, banks and notaries
Support you after the purchase with rental and property management if you wish

Whether you are considering Fuengirola & Mijas Costa or another part of the coast, we are happy to start with a free, no-obligation call to:

Go through your plans and budget
Compare different areas on Costa del Sol for your situation
Outline a clear next step so you can move forward with confidence

Thinking about buying on Costa del Sol?
Reach out to JMA Prime Estate and let's find the right area - and the right property - for you.