New short film by Pilar Núñez on women’s resilience MANUEL ESPAÑA THEATRE FRIDAY 10th | 20:30 HOURS
SPANISH PAGE /05
Comedy, flamenco and THEATRE
Health Day on Sunday 12th on the stage in Las Lagunas
The Gran Parque is hosting this family day, organised by the Health Department in collaboration with social groups and NGOs
Ciudad Deportiva to host 2nd
Mijas celebrates World Judo Tournament on Saturday
SThe Culture Department presents the Manuel España Theatre s extensive programme for April, May, June and July
48
Tender process opens for the La Cala football pitch refurbishment
The project has a budget of over 10 million euros, will take 14 months to complete, and will begin with the replacement of the turf
The Mijas Town Hall has put out to tender, via the Public Sector Procurement Platform, the comprehensive refurbishment of the La Cala football pitch. The project has a tender budget of 10,322,218.22 euros and will begin with the replacement of the turf as the first and most urgent task. The successful contractor will have 14 months to carry out this work, which includes a new building housing covered stands, a café and changing rooms, as well as a multi-purpose space for various sports activities. Interested companies have until the 29th of April to submit their bids. / Sisener Cadisa Civil Arquitectura.
The competition starts at 10:00 and is open to school members, federated athletes and guest clubs from across Málaga province
Emergency works awarded to restore section of the Coastal Path damaged at El Bombo
The contract, worth 304,000 euros, includes dismantling, cleaning, piling, rock armour and reconstruction
NEWS/04
The municipality has gained 1,802 new residents in one year, ranking as the second fastest-growing town in the province after the capital Mijas approaches 100,000 residents and leads the province in population growth
NEWS/02
THE MAGIC OF THE CIRCUS
The 3rd Las Lagunas Circus Market will be held from the 10th to the 12th of April comes to La Candelaria park
CULTURE PRESENTS It starts on the 10th at 19 hours at La Catedral SPANISH /40 NEWS/07
Relive the days of passion with reports on the most moving processions SPANISH /20-39 Mijas deeply moved by its Holy Week.
The Town Hall calls on the Government to enclose the pedestrian bridges on the A-7 It urges the Highways Authority to implement protective measures such as vaulting or barriers to “prevent the risk of suicide”
SPANISH PAGE /11
Statistics
Mijas approaches 100,000 inhabitants and leads population growth in the province of Málaga
The municipality has gained 1,802 new residents in a year and ranks as the second fastest-growing town in Málaga
Report by Beatriz Martín and Jacobo Perea / Design: Carmen Martín
Mijas continues to establish itself as one of the municipalities with the highest population growth in Málaga. Alongside Málaga city and Estepona, it leads the population increase in the province, which has gained 17,956 inhabitants since 2024, reaching a total of 1,791,092 residents as of 1 January 2025.
In the case of Mijas, the increase has been 1,802 residents over the last year, a figure which, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), leaves it on the verge of 100,000 inhabitants; specifically, 95,104 residents as of 1 January 2025. It should be noted that, according to data from the municipal register (‘padrón’) dated 8 April this year, the current population of
Bravo: “At
present we have around 65,000 Spanish residents and 35,000 foreigners”
Mijas stands at 99,529 residents.
According to the councillor for Statistics, Mario Bravo (PP), this increase is a “reflection of a policy of sustained growth that has been carried out for practically the last 40 years in Mijas”.
One of the key factors, he added, has been the municipality’s ability to attract and integrate the foreign population. “At present, we have around 65,000 Spanish residents and 35,000 foreigners, and many of them have already integrated with us; indeed, many have already
MANAGED GROWTH WITH
all necessary services
The councillor for Statistics, Mario Bravo (PP), emphasised that the current challenge lies in ensuring this growth is matched by adequate services and infrastructure. “We are focused on ensuring there are schools for children, hospitals for the elderly and sports centres for everyone. It is about growing in a responsible and balanced way, both socially and economically”, he stated.
acquired Spanish nationality”, explained Bravo, who added that “we have been able to transform ourselves, moving from that white village perched on a mountain top to a tourist municipality where the opening up to the sea with the construction of the Coastal Path in 2015 was able to change the town’s image from that of the charming donkey village to a more modern municipality, open to the world, with a thriving population in Las Lagunas”.
The councillor also highlighted that the current challenge lies in matching this growth with adequate services and infrastructure: “We are focused on ensuring there are schools for children, hospitals for the elderly and sports centres for everyone. It is about growing in a responsible and balanced way, both socially and economically”.
In the province as a whole, Mijas ranks as the municipality with
POPULATION TREND IN MIJAS
FASTEST-GROWING MUNICIPALITIES
LOCATION
Málaga city
Mijas
Estepona
Alhaurín de la Torre
Marbella
Coín
Benalmádena
Casares
Torrox
Cártama
Torremolinos
the second-highest population increase. Only Málaga city recorded higher growth, with 7,426 new residents in a year, rising from 591,637 in 2024 to 599,063 in 2025. These figures reflect the upward
trend in the province, where municipalities such as Mijas continue to gain demographic weight and establish themselves as hubs of attraction for both Spaniards and foreigners alike.
Mario Bravo is the councillor for Statistics at the Town Hall / J. Perea.
EXTENSION AND
PROJECT
LA CALA football pitch
According to the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP): “This is a vital project for La Cala and the municipality as a whole, as it will provide Mijas with a new, refurbished and modern space that will facilitate sports, comfort and safety for users and visitors”. The council noted that the last refurbishment of this space took place over ten years ago.
for the refurbishment
Tender process opens of the La Cala football pitch
The project exceeds 10 million euros, has a 14-month execution period and will begin with the replacement of the turf
Editorial Department
The project has a tender budget of 10,322,218.22 euros and will begin with the replacement of the turf. Interested companies have until the 29th of April to submit their bids. This contract also includes the construction of a new building with covered stands, a café and changing rooms; and improvements to the external landscaping and car park, alongside repairs to the adjacent access road. The execution period is 14 months.
Regarding the replacement of the turf, which has a specific budget of 1,180,694 euros, a state-of-the-art surface will be installed to provide higher performance and quality, with high resistance to abrasion and ultraviolet rays, optimal resilience, and facilitating the control of the ball’s bounce and roll.
In addition, the project includes the replacement of the 11-a-side and
1,180,694 euros
A state-of-the-art turf will be installed to provide higher performance and quality, with high resistance to abrasion and ultraviolet rays, optimal resilience, and facilitating the control of the ball’s bounce and roll. All of this, the Town Hall explains, will have an impact not only on the players’ performance, but also on improving the image of the pitch
7-a-side football goals (the latter fitted with wheels), as well as new dugouts for substitutes and officials, and corner flags. It also covers the renovation of the drainage pipes.
The final pitch must meet the regulatory dimensions according to current standards for an RFEF First Division pitch.
The second phase of execution,
involving the demolition of the current building housing the changing rooms, storage area and plant room, refers to a more functional proposal featuring a covered stand, entrances with ticket offices, reception and administration, a meeting room, changing rooms with showers and lockers, storage, accessible public toilets, a café
PITCH
STANDS
CAFÉ FLOOR REFURBISHMENT
NEW BUILDING
and a terrace. It will also include a multi-purpose space for complementary sports activities, such as a training and weight room. This part of the project has a budget of 5.2 million euros.
With regard to the external reorganisation and expansion of the car park, the works have a budget of 523,624 euros. The successful bidder will work on a surface area of over 4,500 square metres. Furthermore, the contractor must submit an action plan for the implementation of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or incorporate energy-saving and efficien-
5.2 million
In a second execution phase, the current building, housing changing rooms, storage and a plant room, will be demolished to create a more functional proposal that will house:
cy measures, the use of renewable energy sources, and the promotion of material recycling.
The contractor will be obliged to guarantee, during the execution of the first phase, the continued use of all other facilities within the complex. Furthermore, the provisional use of the pitch facilities must not interrupt the works planned for the second and third phases of the project.
The new building will have covered stands with a seating capacity of 960 people and 11 spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility.
In the photo, the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), and the councillor for Sport, Mari Francis Alarcón (PP), when the project was announced / I.P.
Photo: C.L.
The Town Hall awards 304,000euro contract to Sardalla Española for project including dismantling, ground stabilisation, piling, rock armouring and reconstruction
Dept. / Design: M. Fernández
The Mijas Town Hall is to carry out emergency works to restore a section of the Coastal Path damaged in the Las Mimosas area (El Bombo) by the gales that battered the coastline between the 19th and 21st of March. The Infrastructure Department has already issued the mandatory damage report, and the contract has been awarded to the company Sardalla Española, S.A., at a cost of 304,000 euros.
It was Storm Therese, the nineteenth major storm of the 2025–2026 season, that affected the Mijas coastline on those days. The adverse weather event was characterised by strong easterly winds, reaching force 7. The storm generated severe coastal conditions across the Costa del Sol, with wind gusts of up to 55 km/h and waves of between 3 and 4 metres.
These coastal phenomena caused significant damage to El Bombo beach, primarily through sand loss and the undermining of the Coastal Path’s foundations. As a result, a section of the path became unstable and partially collapsed. In addition to the damage to the wooden walkway itself, the perimeter fencing of the Las Mimosas urbanisation was also affected.
The Infrastructure and Beaches departments closed access to the damaged section on the 20th of March. Consequently, the pedestrian route is currently interrupted due to the safety risk to the general public, and especially to residents of adjacent
section of the coastal path Emergency works to restore a
damaged in El Bombo
It was Storm Therese WHICH AFFECTED THE MIJAS COASTLINE
properties, as well as customers and staff of nearby hospitality establishments.
The objectives of this emergency intervention are to restore the stability of the Coastal Path, guarantee user safety, prevent further erosion or further collapses, and recover the functionality of the seafront as a public space.
The works Specifically, the project includes the dismantling and removal of
the wooden walkway affected by the storm; the removal of the damaged fencing at the Las Mimosas urbanisation; the stabilisation of the ground supporting the structure; and the driving of wooden piles to a depth of at least one metre below sea level. Furthermore, rock armour protection will be installed below the sand line; the wooden structure, decking, handrails, and seating will be reassembled; and, finally, tthe urbanisation’s perimeter fencing will be re-
to the company Sardalla Española, S.A. at a cost of 304,000 euros The contract HAS BEEN AWARDED
The disruption to the pedestrian route is due to the risk to public safety, especially to residents of adjacent properties, as well as customers and staff of nearby hospitality establishments.
instated. According to the contract, the execution period for the works will be 60 days from the start date. The walkway will
once again be three metres wide, supported by pine piles driven to a minimum depth of one metre below sea level.
Ed.
between the 19th and the 21st of March. The storm generated adverse coastal phenomena along the Costa del Sol, with wind gusts of up to 55 km/h and waves of between and metres.
Photos: M.A. Guzmán / Mijas Press.
Mijas closes Holy Week Weeclose with hotel occupancy rates of nearly 85%
Editorial Department The councillor for Tourism, Francisco Jerez, emphasises that “these figures reflect the commitment and resilience of Mijas’ tourism sector in sustaining activity”
The Department of Tourism has welcomed the hotel occupancy figures recorded during the recent Holy Week, when the municipality reached an average of 84.90%, according to data provided by the Costa del Sol Hotel Entrepreneurs Association (Aehcos). This places Mijas among the most sought-after destinations on the Costa del Sol, behind only Benalmádena, the Costa Oriental and Torremolinos.
The councillor for Tourism, Francisco Jerez (Vox), explained that “these results have a direct impact on the local economy, with a positive effect on the hospitality sector, trade and the municipality’s wider economic fabric”. The councillor emphasised that behind these figures lies the hard work of the tourism sector, “which has managed to adapt, improve its offering and respond effectively in a scenario that presented difficulties in the preceding weeks and very negative forecasts, marked by problems with rail connectivity”.
In this regard, Jerez noted that favourable weather conditions and an increase in last-minute bookings helped to improve the initial forecasts, “allowing us to close Holy Week with very satisfactory occupancy levels despite these circumstances”. Thus, according to Aehcos, during Holy Week, average occupancy across the Costa del Sol reached 82.85%, slightly exceeding initial expectations; furthermore, compared to 2025, the figures have increased by 2.67 percentage points (from 80.18%). During the ‘key’ days (2 to 6 April), occupancy rose to 85.26%.
International tourism
Aehcos also highlighted the weight of international tourism (77.95%), which surpassed domestic tourism (22.05%). According to
Beach season kick-off
The start of Holy Week marked the unofficial beginning of the tourist and beach season in our municipality. The Coastal Path, the ‘chiringuitos’ and the beaches of La Cala were among the spots frequented by tourists from across Spain and abroad.
In this regard, the councillor for Tourism, Francisco Jerez (Vox), highlighted that “Holy Week has once again marked the real start of the tourist season in Mijas, and has done so with a positive response”. The councillor explained that this Holy Week has shown “the result of ongoing work in a destination that combines climate, gastronomy and a high-quality offering that builds loyalty year after year”. Jerez acknowledged that “these figures are even more significant when we consider the difficulties arising from the rail problems that have affected the
Jerez, international tourists “have been crucial in sustaining activity and reinforcing Mijas’s position as a competitive destination within Europe”. The councillor for Tou-
connection to Mijas”, emphasising that, “despite this, the town has managed to remain an attractive and competitive option”.
Meanwhile, the councillor for Beaches, Daniel Gómez Teruel (PP), stated that “in the days leading up to Holy Week, we worked against the clock to try and get all the beaches ready”. According to Gómez Teruel, “in the department, we work 365 days a year on our coastline to ensure it is in perfect condition”. Regarding the storms, the councillor noted that “we recently suffered from inclement weather with very heavy rain and strong winds, which slowed down our efforts to reach the Holy Week season in perfect condition, but we have reached almost 90%”.
The profile of visitors who came to Mijas during those days was varied. From couples looking to
rism insisted that “these figures are not a matter of chance, but the result of the constant work of professionals in the sector, who have demonstrated their ability to
“These figures are not a matter of chance, but the result of the constant work of professionals in the sector, who have demonstrated their ability to generate opportunities and boost the local economy”
“It has been a very good Holy Week throughout the municipality, which is something we must highlight; we have had excellent beach days where tourists have been able to enjoy the Mijas coastline”
discover new spots to large families who have made the town their regular summer holiday destination. For many, the main attraction lies in the contrast the town offers compared to their places of origin.
The influence of international tourism was also noticeable in these first days of April, as was family tourism, characterised by its loyalty to the destination. A large group from Navalcarnero, in Madrid, comprising two families who have owned a home in the town since 2008, shared their experience. “Whenever we can, we come to La Cala, whether in summer
generate opportunities and boost the local economy”.
Finally, Jerez stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen the destination’s infras-
or during other holidays”, they said. This attachment to the destination was also evident among the younger generations of these families. Adriana, a 16-year-old girl from Madrid, expressed a strong sense of belonging, stating: “I already feel like just another Andalusian”.
Our municipality is seen by visitors as a destination that welcomes both those seeking peace and a pleasant climate, and those who return year after year. The scenes witnessed seem to foreshadow the activity that will characterise the coast during the coming months of the high season.
tructure, “particularly in terms of connectivity, to consolidate this positive trend and ensure that Mijas remains an economic and tourist driver throughout the year”.
Procession of the Santísimo Cristo de la Paz in Mijas Pueblo / A.Gijón.
FRANCISCO JEREZ Councillor for Tourism (Vox)
DANIEL GÓMEZ TERUEL Councillor for Beaches (PP)
WHAT´S ON
Third circus MARKET
Candelaria Park, Las Lagunas, from the 10th to the 12th of April Market, food, shows, workshops, activities, children’s area
Opening hours: Friday 10th, from 17:30 to 21:00 h (last show); Saturday 11th, from 11:30 to 21:30 h (last show); Sunday 12th, from 11 to 19 h (last show)
Artisan Craft Market
Plaza Virgen de la Peña, Mijas Pueblo, from April 10th to 12th
Handcrafted products from various trades, as well as live demonstrations by the artisans
Opening hours: 10 to 15 h
Screening of the short film ‘Entre sudor y sueño’ by Pilar Núñez
Manuel España Theatre, Las Lagunas, 20:30 hours
The screening will be followed by a round table discussion
Exhibition The Passages by Pegah Hesari
Mijas Arts Centre, from 18 to 20 horas
Open until the 30th of April
Painting exhibition by Elena Dergunova
Mijas Pueblo Folk Museum, 20 hours
Open until the 11th of May
Saturday 11th
Soroptimist International Costa del Sol Self-Defence Workshop
Calle Villanueva dele Trabuco, 3, Fuengirola, 10 to 13 hours
For further information and bookings, please call 653 771 625
Friday 10th
Santi Clemente Spring Literary Series
La Catedral Restaurant, 19 h
Book presentation by A.J. Alcantara and Carlos García Calvo
Puppet workshop Mijas Arts Centre, 10 to 13 hours
Further information: 676 180 625
Talk with make-up artist Jonah Levy Mijas Arts Centre, from 16 to 18 hours
Free admission; book your place at leadwithlight@proton.me
ACE Shin Spring Dinner
La Sierra Restaurant, 19 hours
Bookings on 711 039 124 and 647 647 671
‘Transparencias’, by Manolo Paradas
Manuel España Theatre, Las Lagunas, 20 hours
Free admission
Sunday 12th
World Health Day
Mijas Grand Park, from 10 to 14 h
Family day with an activity circuit for all ages
For more information, call or WhatsApp 618 929 005 or email prevencion@mijas.es
9th Classic Motorcycle Gathering
Parque Andalucía, Las Lagunas
Times: reception of motorbikes from 10 to 12 h, and a ride through Mijas from 13:00 to 14:30 hours
More information on the telephone 625 072 503
monday 13th
Practical tax workshop for young people: ‘Master Your Taxes’
Manuel España Theatre, Las Lagunas, 18 hours
Free registration at juventud@ mijas.es or by telephone 606 417 609
tuesday 14th
End-of-term exhibition of the UP Painting Workshop led by Professor Cristina Aguilar
Las Lagunas Cultural Centre, 19 hours
Open until the 20th of April
WEDNESDAY 15TH
Patio de Ensueño Poetry Circle
Upper Hall of the Teatro Manuel España, Las Lagunas, 18 HOURS
THURSDAY 16TH
Healthy Steps: ‘Emotional Wellbeing’, an initiative by La Cala Health Centre
Butiplaya, next to Hotel Costa del Sol, 10:30 hours
A one-hour walk along La Cala’s Coastal Path. Further information: 699 876 863.
Comfortable clothing, water, a hat and sunscreen are recommended
do not miss
Gastronomic event dedicated to croquettes
Picador Restaurant, La Zambra Hotel
Since the 27th of March
Solidarity Tables Square in front of the La Cala Branch Office. 11 to 14 h
Last Wednesday and Saturday of each month until the 30th of May
Second-hand market
Las Lagunas fairground and Urb. Calypso, Mijas Costa Sundays from 9 to 14 h
Photography exhibition ‘Macro, de lo ínfimo a lo enorme’, by the Asfoalh
Photography Association
Asociación Nuevo Enfoque Mijas, urb. El Coto; residencial Los Olivos, bloque b, portal 2, local 25, 20 h
