Mijas

Mijas is a more commercialised, but still very quaint, white washed village high in the hills above Fuengirola, but well worth seeing. It's a 40 minute drive north, a good tip is to go on the way back up to Malaga Airport. It would make a fabulous ending to an enjoyable holiday, particularly if you were taking a late flight. Why not spend the afternoon and early evening there. There are some excellent restaurants overlooking the main square, with more overlooking the lights of Fuengirola – these can be accessed via the small square where you will find restaurants all around the balconies.

Marbella

If you want designer shops, sophistication and style then Marbella is the place to be (Armani, Donna Karen & Versace), just some of the names to be found. In the old streets surrounding the famous Orange Square you will find small shops and boutiques (often better than the designer shops) lining the cobbled streets. When your feet are aching from walking there are plenty of inviting pavement cafes either in Orange Square itself or down on the beach promenade. If you go into Marbella in a car the most central car park is behind the taxi rank at the "Marbella Café" (where the taxis and tourist horses & carriages wait), just in front of Orange Square – it is not too expensive either.

If you still want to shop then there is a fabulous commercial centre called La Canada Mall on the highway (N340 / A7) just outside Marbella. It has some wonderful shops and a great supermarket.