I have been lucky enough to call Mijas Golf my home for many years. In this article I would like to share with you my thoughts on how to get the very best out of a golf holiday centred around Mijas Golf and the Mijas Golf valley.
Mijas has been a beloved holiday destination for millions of people from all parts of the world for decades. Mijas Costa offers a fantastic base for holidays of all types. With world class gastronomy, water sports, and a myriad of other attractions a holiday based in the Mijas Golf valley is hard to beat.
For golfers like us the main attraction of a holiday in Mijas is golf! If you are in the Mijas Golf valley then the star of the show needs no introduction. Celebrated and loved by golfers globally for more than 40 years, the 36 holes at Mijas Golf is widely regarded as the most successful golf facility in Europe.
The Mijas Golf Valley – Where to stay and where to play
Where to play:
Mijas Golf
Mijas Golf Los Lagos
Opened in 1976 and refurbished: 2012
Designed: Robert Trent Jones Snr.
18 Holes Par 72 White Tees 6536m
Mijas Golf Los Olivos
Opened: 1984
Designed:Robert Trent Jones Snr.
18 Holes Par 70 White Tees 5875m
Facilities
Clubhouse
Changing Rooms
Restaurant
Pro Shop
Buggies
Club Hire
Driving Range
Practice Area
On Course Refreshments
Overview
Mijas Golf is my home. I have been playing and living close to Mijas Golf since the late 1980’s. I love everything about it!
The hospitality team, reservations team, greens staff are all great people. They take pride in delivering the best possible golfing experience every day!
The two golf courses are very different in character and vary in the way they play according to season. Los Lagos for me is peerless. It is a long course with wide rolling fairways. Big, fast greens are a feature of every hole, as are vast bunkers and of course the lakes! This is a spectacle of golf which will leave you wanting more! Please read our playing review here to get a sense of what it is like to play.
Los Olivos is shorter, tighter, defined fairways with rough dotted by the trees that give it its name. Los Olivos is a delight. Many of the greens are set on raised plateaus and are smaller than Los Lagos changing the onus from length to precision. The greens are sculpted and can be even quicker than Los Lagos.
This is a golf course that demands a different set of skills to its big brother and makes Mijas Golf all the better for it. Our playing guide has some great photos and will give you a feel for the place.
Apres Golf close to Mijas Golf
Restaurant Zia Lola
Overview
Sited at the very top of the Mijas Golf urbanisation, Mijitas, this Italian Restaurant is a firm favorite with locals and visitors alike.
Dolores and her family are famous for their welcome, hospitality and traditional Italian food.
Zia Lola is a hub of social dining amongst the guests and residents at Mijas Golf. I pop in either for a pizza and a beer or my favorite the Penne Arrabiata a couple of times a week.
The reviews that Restaurante Zia Lola have earned speak volumes for the consistent quality of food and service. Dolores is a natural hostess and makes sure that every guest has a first class experience.
Menu del dia – daily specials are available every day
A la Carte – Pasta, Fish, Grilled meats
Restaurante Hoyo 19
Overview
Restaurante Hoyo 19 is hugely popular amongst people that live and work in the vicinity of Mijas Golf. Within walking distance of the residential areas of Mijas Golf it is a perfect place to enjoy a superb dinner and wine without the concern of driving.
I use Hoyo 19 five days a week. I like it there. Typically my working day starts at 8.30am with a café con leche and a “bocadillo con huevos y bacon”. The rustic crusty bread roll (bocadillo) is always fresh, the bacon well cooked and plenty of it and the eggs always well judged. I like the yolks to be a danger to my shirt, I am never disappointed!
You would think that “cafe con leche” is pretty much the same wherever you go. Not the case. The coffee at Hoyo 19 is markedly better than anywhere else I have tried. Apparently it is to do with the water temperature of the espresso machine set very slightly lower so as not to burn the coffee. At 1.20 Euro for a coffee it is fantastic value and great coffee!
Menu del Dia – at 10 euros this three course lunch menu is staggeringly good value! This Spanish tradition was originally intended to fortify the manual workers with a low cost good quality lunch each day. Menu del Dia is usually available until 7pm.
A la Carte – The A la Carte menu at Restaurante Hoyo 19 is excellent. Starters and main courses are very well priced at approximately 5 to 10 Euros for a starter and 12 to 22 Euros for a main course.
Paella is a particular favorite of mine and is recognised as a speciality of the house. My favorite is a “Paella Mariscos” with shellfish, mussels, clams, prawns and langostino. With beautifully scented saffron rice this is one of the most satisfying dishes you can eat.
BBQ is another house specialty. The choice of different meats and different cuts is extensive. My choice is always for the entrecote steak with a creamy pepper sauce. The meat is always tender with fat marbled throughout making it succulent in the mouth and sweet on the palate.
Restaurante Hoyo 19 has a great reputation for fresh fish. At weekends particularly it is advisable to order ahead as fish is a big seller amongst the mainly Spanish guests.
Service and hospitality – Maria and her team are fast and friendly offering a warm welcome, friendly advice when ordering and excellent service overall. I have been a happy customer for many years and have watched first hand how Marias attention to detail and her investment in her staff have pushed this charming venue to prominence locally earning the coveted Tripadvisor “Certificate of Excellence”.
Venta La Morena
Overview
Situated directly opposite Hoyo 19 this “Venta” has been sustaining us for more than 112 years!
Excellent tapas, a playground for kids and a fantastic BBQ chef make this a favorite of mine.
I tend to use this more in the winter months. I like the indoor dining area and I really enjoy watching the BBQ chef at work. The meat counter is a sight to behold for carnivores like me!
My usual starter is Estofado, a beef stew followed with grilled Entrecote steak and pepper sauce. The main course comes with a choice of potatoes and vegetables and is always eagerly devoured. This is food for golfers. A dinner like this will add 20m to your drives!
They specialise in producing a range of dishes specific to the local area. Callos, Shellfish, Beef, Pork, Fish – everything is cooked and presented in the rustic Andaluz style. Friendly, efficient staff and great prices make this a very positive experience.
A taste of home
If you want a British Pub or an Indian Restaurant then head for La Cala Hills. Paddy’s Bar and The Kashmiri are very popular with visiting and resident Brits.
Great Guinness, draft Magners, Sunday lunch, pub grub and all of the sport on TV make Paddy’s Bar a thriving local.
Right next door you will find Ali the proprietor of the Kashmiri Indian Restaurant. Ali and his team will deliver takeaways to Paddys while you watch the golf or you pop next door and dine with him. His portions are very generous, the meat always tender and the sauces rich and flavourful.
Alhaurin Golf & Country Club
Opened: 1993
Designed: Severiano Ballesteros
18 Holes Par 72 White Tees 6045m
Facilities
Clubhouse
Restaurant
Changing Rooms
Pro Shop
Buggies
Club Hire
Driving Range
Practice Area
9 hole Par 3 Course
Overview
Situated a few kilometers inland this 18 hole golf course offers the most striking views imaginable from its nest in the Sierra de Mijas. Tucked just below the old village of Mijas midway between Mijas Pueblo, Alhaurín El Grande and Mijas Golf it is easy to reach.This is a mountain golf course. As such each hole either ascends, descends or wraps around the mountain side making this an extreme challenge! Our playing review of Alhaurin Golf and Country Club will give you a flavour of the playing experience.
The clubhouse terrace is a lovely place to enjoy a beer and lunch and soak up the panorama.
The 9 hole par 3 course is a gem. Quite simply the best I have played. If you want to sharpen up your wedge skills and have a great time doing it then I strongly recommend that you play this 9 hole loop once or twice before you visit the main course. We have some great photos and our playing impressions here.
Apres Golf close to Alhaurin Golf and Country Club
La Ventilla
Overview
As unlikely as it might sound, La Ventilla Restaurant is attached to the BP service station at the main roundabout directly outside Alhaurin Golf and Country Club and is an absolute gem! Perfect for a pre round coffee, breakfast or lunch you will be amazed at how good this place is. Top tip: If you fancy a beer after the game you will be delighted to know that they freeze the beer glasses in order to make that beer a very special experience!
The Boma
Overview
On the other side of the big traffic roundabout from La Ventilla. The Boma is set into the mountain side. Their outside terrace is a very special place to be. The Boma is a South African restaurant and serves authentic African cuisine alongside a high quality international menu.
Live music is often available making this a great fun gastro delight with a good pub feel to it.
Cerrado Del Aguila
Opened: 2007
Designed: Francisco Navarro
Facilities
Clubhouse
Restaurant
Changing Rooms
Pro Shop
Buggies
Club Hire
Practice Area
Driving Range
Gymnasium
Paddle Tennis
Overview
There is a commonly held notion amongst golfers that 9 hole golf courses are terrible. Let me tell you that nothing is further from the truth at Cerrado del Aguila. The tee boxes, fairways and greens are in great condition. The bunkers are excellent, presented with no lip allowing the less confident sand players more options of escape!
The 2nd and 9th holes are behemoth par 5s and are wonderful holes to play. The par 3 fourth hole is a stunning, 140m playing downhill from to a semi island green. Each of the par 4 offers a blend of risk or reward. My favorite being the 3rd hole. I doubt that there is a better hole of its type anywhere on the costa del sol.
This 9 hole course is a terrific design which brings great satisfaction. This is a link to our playing review which speaks very highly of this outstanding golf course.
Playing the nine hole loop twice really worked for me. It gave me the chance to re-do the shots that scuppered me the first time!
Apres Golf close to Cerrado Del Aguila
If you are with family and are not comfortable in taking 5 hours out of your day then this is a perfect solution. Nine holes here will take 90 minutes. With paddle tennis, football and a gym on site this is a great place for golfers and non golfers alike.
La Sierra Restaurant
Cerrado Del Aguila is home to one of the Costa del Sol’s most highly thought of restaurants. The restaurant and terrace are perfectly located to give a panoramic view across the bay over Fuengirola and out to sea.
Renowned for its Sunday Lunch menu La Sierra Restaurant is a beautiful location and is a perfect way to end your day at the Cerrado del Aguila.
La Cala Golf Resort
La Cala Golf Resort América
Opened: 1992
Designed: Cabell B. Robinson
18 Holes Par 72 White Tees 6009m
La Cala Golf Resort Asia
Opened: 1991
Designed: Cabell B. Robinson
18 Holes Par 72 White Tees 5925m
La Cala Golf Resort Europa
Opened:2005
Designed: Cabell B. Robinson
18 Holes Par 71 White Tees 6014m
Facilities
Hotel
Clubhouse
Changing Rooms
Restaurant
Pro Shop
Buggies
Club Hire
Driving Range
Practice Area
Overview
Cabell Robinson is considered by many to be the most important golf course architect of the modern era. He made Spain his home in 1970 where some of his greatest works have been created. His designs all feature amongst the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol. The three courses at La Cala Golf Resort reinforce his stellar reputation.
Three golf courses, each with its own distinct character, practice facilities which are the envy of the Costa del Sol, a breathtaking clubhouse and four star hotel and Spa. The La Cala Golf Resort has it all!
The first course to open now known as The Asia Course is a technical layout often used as a venue for professional events. This course is in keeping with Trent Jones and Robinsons ethos of “hard par : easy bogey”. Each hole requires thought and patience to build a good score. Each time I play the Asia Course I learn a little more about its nuance. Walking off the 18th green here having built a respectable score is a fine feeling. Our playing review will give you an idea of how to enjoy this course.
The North Course, the second one to open, is my kind of golf course! Generous fairways that invite an attacking game, fast greens make for a great experience. This link will take you to our review and show you what a great course this is.
The Europa Course is my personal favorite of the three courses. I had a great time here the last time I played. Six Birdies, six pars and six screw ups! The front nine is a joy and with some good ball striking a good foundation to your round can be built. Beware, the back nine has a run of 5 holes that are tough. They will test your resolve and only the deserving will thrive! Outstanding fun. We played a challenge match here against a couple of local touring Professionals – read the match report here and learn how good this course is!
Whichever of the courses you choose to play, one thing is for certain. You will have a great day at this high point of the Mijas Golf valley. After your game is done the fabulous clubhouse awaits with great food, drinks and outstanding service. The clubhouse terrace is the perfect to reflect upon a superb day of golf!
Apres Golf close to La Cala Resort
El Jinete
Overview
Located in the foothills below the La Cala Golf Resort this is a fabulous restaurant. An evening spent on this terrace is always an occasion.
Stunning views across the Mijas Golf valley towards Fuengirola and beyond across the Mediterranean Sea.
Casual elegance is the style here and is reflected in their menu with top quality grilled meats and fish alongside their classic international menu.
Don Roque the Argentinian owner is rightly proud of the quality of his beef and is highly skilled with the grill.
This is a special place and will deliver a memorable evening. Perfect for an intimate dinner or celebration this is worth a visit during your stay.
El Gusto
Overview
This is a cracking Restaurant located in the old village of La Cala next to the famous Biddy Mulligans Bar. Especially popular with British and Irish guests El Gusto is well known for its high quality food, lovely outdoor terrace and great prices.
My particular favorite is the Sunday Carvery, from my personal experience I can tell you that the lamb is outstanding!
El Gusto is well worth adding to your itinerary. It will delight you.
Miraflores Golf
Opened: 1990
Designed: Falco Nardi
18 Holes Par 71 White Tees 5148m
Facilities
Club House
Restaurant
Terrace
Changing Rooms
Showers
Driving range and Pro-shop
Buggies
Club Hire
Overview
This delightful members course is set in the Riviera del Sol urbanisation just 12 minutes driving from Mijas Golf. This course is particularly suited to shorter hitters as length off the tee brings no benefits.
JW and I played a couple of games here in the last few months and had a very good experience. Our playing guide will give you an idea of what it is like to play and the match report will share with you how the members approach this tough track and get the best out of it.
The greens are cut to a friendly speed. Each hole is clearly laid out and tells you how best to deal with its unique challenge as you view it from the tee box. If you read the signs and execute the shots then you will score well and have a great day.
This is a very pleasant members course and is a good contrast to the tournament layouts that Mijas Golf offers. Perfect for the less experienced and social golfer.
Apres Golf near Miraflores Golf
Bobby Jones Restaurant and Spikes Bar
Overview
These are situated in the clubhouse at Miraflores Golf Club. Spikes Bar is downstairs and offers very pleasant indoor and outdoor seating with views towards the sea. Perfect for pre round coffee and apr golf refreshment.
Upstairs the Bobby Jones Restaurant offers a much acclaimed dining experience. Both Spikes Bar and Bobby Jones Restaurant are popular and kept busy with both Miraflores members and visitors alike.
The Village Inn
Overview
The Village Inn enjoys a cracking location just behind the 2nd tee at Miraflores Golf Club and alongside the driving range and pro shop. You will also find a car valeting service and a gym here making The Village Inn a perfect meeting point This is a very popular bar amongst local residents and offers a large array of food and drink at local taher than tourist prices.
Santana Golf
Opened:
Designed: Cabell B. Robinson
18 Holes Par 72 White Tees 5986m
Facilites
Clubhouse
Changing Rooms
Restaurant
Pro Shop
Buggies
Club hire
Putting Green
On Course Refreshments
Overview
Santana Golf is a favorite destination to regular players of Mijas Golf. Sharing a common designer in Cabell Robinson, this charming parkland course is noted for its year round condition. This wonderful layout is totally different to the nearby Los Olivos and Los Lagos at Mijas Golf. Cabell Robinson has produced an oasis-like parkland course that is completely unique and yet compliments the Mijas Golf Courses so perfectly.
Almost all visiting golfers who enjoy Mijas Golf will come and play Santana – they love it.
I love it!
John and I played here a few months ago, as always the course was in perfect condition and deliciously playable. This course makes you feel like a champion! Our playing review paints a vibrat picture as to what you can expect at Santana.
If you are planning a week of golf in the Mijas Golf Valley then you will be very happy if you add this course to your itinerary!
Where to stay close to Mijas Golf
There are many options available. 1, 2 and 3 bedroomed apartments all within Mijas Golf offer an easy, convenient and affordable base for visiting golfers. In general a one bedroomed apartment will sleep 4 people and a three bedroomed apartment will sleep 8. This is based on 2 people sharing each bedroom and using the sofa beds in the lounge.
The most desirable apartment complexes are La Siesta, Sitio del Golf, Valle Verde, Matchroom Country Club, Las Golondrinas, El Limonar as they all offer front line golf locations looking over both the Los Lagos and Los Olivos Golf courses at Mijas Golf.
Villa rental is also a very popular option with prices and sizes to suit all budgets. Booking.com
Hotels
In August 2022 the much vaunted Hotel Byblos will reopen, previously a favored hide away for the likes of Diana the Princess of Wales, Julio Iglesias and many others, this landmark hotel will be very much in demand.
Nearby Hotels
La Cala Golf Hotel and Spa
Attached to La Cala Golf. A beautiful setting in the hills above the village of La Cala de Mijas. You can check the latest rates and offers by clicking here.
Occidental Fuengirola by Barcelo
This modern hotel offers great accommodation and facilities in the heart of Fuengirola. Ideally located for easy access to bars and restaurants. You can check the latest rates and offers by clicking here.
VIK Gran Hotel
This is a very popular beachfront hotel in La Cala de Mijas. Very competitive prices. You can check the current rates by clicking here.
Club rental, clothing, trophies and more
Sunshine Golf
Location
Sunshine Golf is soon celebrating its 25th Anniversary in La Cala. This is a one stop shop for all of your golfing needs, club rental, fitting and general golf retail. Follow this link learn more about them.
Club repairs
Anda Golf
Abbas at Anda Golf is located across the street from Sunshine Golf also in La Cala. You might find that with warm weather and sweaty hands that your clubs could benefit from fresh grips. I can recommend Anda Golf. While you are there it might make sense for Abbas to give your clubs a complete service, new grips, re-cut grooves, check the swing weight, loft and lies. I can attest that after this important maintenance your clubs will feel like and play like new!
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