Mijas is a picture perfect kind of town. Whitewashed houses spill down the mountainside towards the coast and the surrounding countryside is lush and green. Avocados grow well in this sub-tropical climate, and celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson owns an avocado farm here.

The old town of Mijas Pueblo is typical of the area. The dazzling white of the buildings lives up to its name of “pueblo blanco” or white village. Narrow streets wind their way to the central plaza – lined with bars and restaurants. Flamenco and bullfighting are both enjoyed here, with the bullring, notable for its oval shape, perches high above the village on a cliff top. There are plenty of walking trails, from which you can enjoy the stunning views, and world-class golf courses in the surrounding area.

Away from the old town, Mijas is split into two other districts – Las Lagunas and Cala de Mijas. Both are sought after residential areas, popular with British expats. Las Lagunas has a vibrant atmosphere and is packed with restaurants and bars, as well as shops and banks. A four-bed townhouse here costs around €250,000.

Cala de Mijas boasts a Blue Flag beach. Take a stroll along the beach and sample freshly cooked sardines from one of the “chiringuitos” or beach bars, or try the local speciality garlic soup.

Mijas Costa refers to the 12km stretch of coast from El Chaparral in the east to Calahonda in the west. The waters here are safe and the beaches clean making it extremely popular with tourists. Nearby, the city of Torremolinos and Malaga offer more urban pleasures, with great shops and nightclubs.

Getting to Mijas from the UK is simple. Flights from many UK locations fly to Malaga in around two and a half hours, and then the drive to Mijas is just 36km – taking about half an hour.

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