The best viewpoints and photo spots in Mijas

The best-known viewpoint is next to the Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña: the Mirador del Compás. From there you look out unobstructed over Fuengirola, the coastline and, on a clear day, beyond the Strait of Gibraltar. This is where the photographers gather as the sun drops and the sea turns from gold to orange.

Our tip: come half an hour before sunset, so you still have light for the details and then see the coastal lights flicker on. More highlights are in our guide things to do in Mijas Pueblo.

For a quieter spot, walk to the Muralla, the remains of the Moorish defensive wall at the edge of the village, with landscaped gardens beside it. Here you often have the view to yourself, with more history and fewer crowds than at the Mirador del Compás.

The little path along the wall links the prettiest points. Half an hour's stroll in the evening light is, to us, one of the nicest walks on the whole coast.

Not every photo moment is a sweeping panorama. The prettiest pictures of Mijas are taken in the narrow, whitewashed streets with their blue flower pots and bougainvillea. Calle San Sebastián is the most photographed lane in the village, but wander into the side streets for spots without other tourists in frame.

Go early in the morning for the softest light and the empty streets. A full route through the village is in our guide Mijas Pueblo in a day.

Down by the sea there are lovely spots too. The promenade of La Cala de Mijas and the Senda Litoral by Riviera del Sol offer wide sea views, especially at sunset. The old watchtower of La Cala makes a handsome landmark in a photo.

If you really want height, a walk into the Sierra de Mijas gives the finest vista of all, with the whole coast at your feet.