Why we love Calahonda
Calahonda is a small coastal neighbourhood situated between two of the Costa del Sol towns of Fuengirola and Marbella, measuring just 600,000 square metres. Developed mainly as a tourist destination, the blueprint seems to have been hugely successful resulting in the Calahonda becoming one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Costa del Sol. The attraction lies in the town’s mix of holiday villas, townhouses and apartments, numerous golf courses and many other leisure facilities, including the beach and nearby marina at Cabopino.
The town’s development is attributed to Don Jose de Orbaneja, who upon arriving on the Costa del Sol in the early 1960s, bought large swathes of land and joined them together and constructed the fort house which marks the entrance to El Sitio de Calahonda. Further investment from other families grew the town, development and utilities were added, followed by businesses, shops and restaurants, and in 2001 it was the recipient of the Barclay’s Bank ‘Best Spanish Urbanisation Award 2001 – 2002’.
What’s it like?
Part of La Cala de Mijas in the municipality of Mijas, Calahonda is extremely popular with overseas visitors, mainly from the UK, offering a home from home in the Spanish sunshine. Essentially self-sufficient, there is a wide choice of accommodation provided by both privately owned and time-share properties spanning from the hillside to the beach. Even though it is highly developed, one of Calahonda’s attractions is its access to green and rustic spaces, including golf courses, campsites and pine forests. Yet, it should be said, if you are looking for a more traditional and authentic taste of Spain, this may not be the right place for you.
Attractions
Eating and drinking
Calahonda’s restaurants are abundant and varied, offering dishes from a diverse as English fish and chips, Italian pasta and pizza, Indian, Swiss and of course Spanish cuisine. The restaurants are dotted around the neighbourhood, some in the hills such as El Oceano Beach Club, some in the vicinity of El Zoco commercial centre and others on the beachside. It’s possible to eat a different type of food in a different restaurant every night.
Nightlife
Families visiting Calahonda can rest assured that noise pollution will not be a problem, as the urbanisation’s noise pollution laws deter large night clubs. That said, there is still a choice of smaller more intimate venues in the El Zoco complex, which remains a hub of activity until around 3am. There is always the option of taking a short taxi ride to the marina at Cabopino or 10 minutes up the road in Elviria, you’ll find the world famous Nikki Beach. Across the motorway and adjacent to the El Zoco complex you will find more shops and restaurants, not to mention a gymnasium and other fitness venues.
Shopping
Calahonda has three main shopping areas; Calypso, El Zoco and Doña Lola, a large beachside complex with tennis, swimming, shops, a restaurant and a bar. Just a 5 minute walk to the east, you’ll find Calypso, which has a selection of useful shops including a tobacconist, internet café, restaurant, bank, hair salon, and a petrol station. El Zoco is probably the most well-known, of Calahonda’s commercial centres and it has the widest choice of the eateries, bars and shops, including Supersol and veterinary clinic and a taxi rank.
Sports and outdoor activities
As you would expect from a popular sunshine holiday destination, Calahonda offers a wide array of outdoor activities, including sailing, water sports, padel and tennis courts – the Klaus Hofsäss Tennis Academy – and of course golf. There is also a good selection of gyms, health clubs, classes and swimming pools.
Golf courses in Calahonda
- Miraflores Golf Club – 18-hole golf course designed by Falco Nardi, driving range, restaurant & bar La Siesta Golf: Designed by Enrique C Busquet, 9-hole, par 27
- La Cala Nova Golf – 18 holes, 72 par, 5 minutes from La Cala de Mijas
Beaches
- Artola / Cabo Pino beach: Although officially part of Marbella, this beach is extremely close to Calahonda. It is also a nudist beach, with plenty of facilities including sunbeds, umbrellas and spas.
- Calahonda beach: Located directly opposite the entrance to Sitio de Calahonda, it has ramp access, beach bars, popular with everyone from families to scuba divers and for fishing too.
- La Luna: A smaller more private beach with its own beach hut and shower facilities.
- Playa Artola: Widely known as the ‘punto ladrones’ due to the Torre Ladrones watch tower. It is the only beach not to be affiliated with an urbanisation, it is also one of the prettiest and the sand dunes are protected as a natural monument.
- Puerto Cabopino: Popular day and night; soft sand, lots of restaurants, plenty of parking, toilets, showers, sunbeds and shades.
Facts & Figures
Here is some useful information about Calahonda to help you make up your mind as to whether this is to place that you would like to relocate or to invest in property.
Schools
As a popular expat community, Calahonda is service by a good selection of schools within the local area, both international and Spanish – nursery and secondary schools.
The English International School (EIC)- Approximately 10 minutes by car, is one of the highly regarded and best known international schools on the Costa del Sol.
Las Chapas – Spanish school for girls
Ecos – Spanish school for boys.
Grupo Attendis – Catholic school
Calahonda International College (CIC) – English schools offer GCSE exams.
There is also the option of the state schools located in La Cala de Mijas which provides a free bus service from Calahonda.
Transport links
- A-7 motorway (toll road): Provides a high speed link with the rest of the Costa del Sol.
- N-340 coast road: Links all of the towns running the entire length of the coast.
- Nearest airport Malaga
- Distance to airport 40 km
