I am privileged to live in Spain, I have lived here for nine years, most of which have been spent in my wonderful apartment in La Mairena. Set in the hills above the coast, just east of Marbella, La Mairena is probably one of the most beautiful and natural places on the Costa del Sol and is fast becoming a place to head to for cyclists, ramblers, and off road karting.
My view - can't complain!
Not sure if you could say that La Mairena is on top of a big hill or small mountain, rising some 450 metres above sea level, the area is made up of a handful of urbanisations and private villas, surrounded by cork trees and natural countryside. The area was originally developed in 1987, and the developers have a commitment to only build on 5% of the land.
When I moved from London to the Costa del Sol and decided that I wasn’t moving back in a hurry, I wanted to find a home that was completely apart from the hectic whirlwind of London. I found it in La Mairena. When I walk out on to my terrace I can see the sparkling Mediterranean coastline, from Benalmádena to Marbella, the Sierra de Mijas and Mijas Pueblo and the surrounding hills of La Mairena. On a clear day you can see to Africa, and in the winter to the snow capped Sierra Nevada.
You really hate it or love it up here. Many people find that the 8-kilometre drive up and down the
Elviria Beach
hill to reach the coast is too much, but it’s really nothing. In ten minutes you are at the bottom of the hill in the coastal urbanisation of Elviria, another charming place, with a great beach, supermarkets, and tons of restaurants and 10 minutes further drive will take you into Marbella. Ten minutes back up the hill and you are worlds apart from the hustle and bustle of the coast, in surroundings of endless beauty, peace and tranquillity.
That’s not to say that La Mairena doesn’t offer any amenities. There are two fab restaurants/bars, the Kudo Bar, serving decent food, live music and a wonderful terrace overlooking the coast. The Altitude Bar next door is a Pizzeria and snack bar and there pizzas are to die for!
Driving the route up and down from the coast you will come across people bravely walking up the hill, I have walked down, but have never been brave enough to walk up, especially in the height of summer. But people do! It’s also a popular route for cyclists; cycling is an extremely popular sport in Spain and many local teams and individual cyclists use the route up to La Mairena for training.
The hills around La Mairena
Once you get to the top you are spoilt for choice for rambling and hiking routes. You can take the route over the back of La Mairena, past Julio Iglesias’s house, yes he is my neighbour, and deep into the hills, where goats graze and wild flowers blanket the hillsides. If you’ve got six hours then you could follow the route all the way to the whitewashed pueblo of Ojen, which is actually the municipal that La Mairena falls under. Follow the route down to the right of the main square and you can walk down to a winding river and into a pretty valley.
Yes, I am truly blessed living in this little enclave on top of the world. Find out about the area in our Elviria travel guide.
Image credits @FlickR: Budu / Pablo Monteagudo
