Area guide
Up into the hills right next to Mijas Golf, built for year-round living, this is La Cala Hills.
La Cala Hills was built out in five phases starting in 2005, sitting 10 minutes inland from Fuengirola and right next to Mijas Golf. It went up during the wave of construction when developers were building higher into the hills for the views, attracting golfers, and offering more space at competitive price points.
Most of the properties are two- and three-bedroom apartments, but there are also four-bedroom apartments and penthouses. They are generally larger in size, and most come with underground parking and storage. You'll find multiple communal pools, some with separate kids' pools, padel courts, basketball courts, landscaped tropical gardens, and in some communities, 24-hour gated security with a concierge at the entrance. That said, the area also has a few townhouses and a handful of detached villas.
La Cala Hills has always been more of a residential community than a holiday destination. Unlike many developments along the Costa del Sol that were built for second-home owners or tourism, La Cala Hills was designed with year-round living in mind. The focus was on creating spacious homes in a peaceful setting, with practical amenities nearby and good road connections rather than beachfront living. From the beginning, it attracted mainly international buyers looking to relocate to the Costa del Sol full-time.
And that is exactly what La Cala Hills has become today, 20 years later. The largest groups of residents are British, Scandinavian, German and Dutch.
When it comes to the buyer profile, the area appeals to professionals and remote workers who value having extra space for a home office and calmer surroundings without being too far from the coast. It is also very popular among retirees. And since you have Mijas Golf as your neighbour, La Cala Hills also attracts plenty of golf enthusiasts. Families choose the area mainly because St. Anthony's College is located right here, with around 200 to 300 students aged 3 to 18.
In the area you'll find small convenience stores and a few bars and restaurants. But for bigger shopping, you'll head down to Fuengirola almost every time, so a car is pretty much a must here. There is also the 223 bus down to Fuengirola. If you are a padel player like so many are in Spain, you have the very popular Raquetas de Mijas right in the area too.
Now the trade-offs. La Cala Hills is located inland and up a hill, so every day out means a drive, and during the high season the road up from the coast can get congested, especially around the Mijas Golf roundabout.
Another thing to keep in mind is that many of the properties across the different phases are very similar, so it can be harder to make your property stand out when it's time to sell. That means many homes in the area are competing for the same buyer profile.
Also, community fees are on the higher end for sitting inland above Fuengirola, often between €200 and €300 per month. But the reasons are the amenities, security and maintenance mentioned earlier. That said, because La Cala Hills was built in phases over several years, each phase has its own community of property owners, with its own budget and maintenance decisions, so upkeep and monthly fees vary between the different communities.
Most of this guide is based on Phase 1, which is generally considered the best-maintained community and often offers the best views, since it sits on the highest part of the development. So bookmark that.
For buyers who want space, security and a quiet base without being cut off from everything, La Cala Hills is a great alternative. Just know which phase you're buying into, because in this area that decision does a lot of the work. Get in touch — I represent buyers only, so my job is to work for you, not the seller.
Questions
Yes. The area sits inland and up a hill, so daily errands and bigger shopping mean a drive down to Fuengirola, though the 223 bus also runs there.
Often between €200 and €300 per month, reflecting amenities, security and maintenance — though fees vary by phase since each was built and managed separately.
Phase 1 is generally considered the best-maintained and offers some of the best views, sitting on the highest part of the development.
Yes. St. Anthony's College is located within the area, serving around 200-300 students aged 3 to 18, which is a major draw for relocating families.
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