Málaga, Colomares and Mijas: day one of our Andalusia road trip

We landed in Málaga late on 22 February 2025. Our first night at Hotel Málaga Vibes cost €93.63 for two and was mainly a practical stop before starting the road trip properly the next morning. The hotel is far from the centre, but it did exactly what we needed after a late arrival.

🏰 Colomares Castle: an oversized tribute

Our first proper stop was the Castillo Monumento Colomares in Benalmádena. It is not a medieval castle but a modern monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus, combining Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Mudéjar influences. For us, about one hour was enough to explore the site. Because it is fairly compact, avoiding the busiest times makes the visit much more pleasant.

🤍 Mijas: the white soul of Andalusia

We then continued to Mijas Pueblo and spent time exploring the white streets and viewpoints. We saw the famous burro-taxis but did not use them. We also visited the Plaza de Toros de Mijas, notable for its unusual oval shape.

Other episodes in this destination

Useful budget note: for the pillar budget we use an indicative price of €3.50 per adult for Colomares and €3 per adult for the Mijas bullring. Prices can change, so check again before visiting.

• 🇪🇸 Andalusia in 6 Days: The Royal Road Trip Loop
• 🇪🇸 Episode 1 — Andalusia Road Trip: Málaga, Colomares and Mijas
• 🇪🇸 Episode 2 — Caminito del Rey: Andalusia’s Cliffside Thrill
• 🇪🇸 Episode 3 — The White Villages Route: From Ronda to Ubrique
• 🇪🇸 Episode 4 — From Arcos to Cádiz: Our Andalusian Highlight
• 🇪🇸 Episode 5 — Seville: Majestic, Vibrant and Unmissable
• 🇪🇸 Episode 6 — Córdoba and Málaga: The Grand Finale of Our Andalusia Road Trip