Many of the original inhabitants of the village kept bees, hence the name, nowadays it is a lively, traditional Spanish village and home to the Tivoli World Theme Park and the cable cars which are undoubtedly one of the main tourist attractions on the Costa del Sol.
Alongside the railway station is Tivoli World and also the start of the Teleferic or the cable cars as we know them.
This is where we headed to for our day out in the area.
Just alongside the train station is a huge car park with plenty of free parking and in walking distance to the town where there are a number of fabulous bars and restaurants.
We enjoyed some tapas sat in the sunshine at a bar called ‘La Carrilito’ (little cart) – it was really busy with lots of Spanish guests (always a good sign). We feasted on tapas consisting of, Jamon Serrano (gran reserva), sardines, patatas bravas, two large salads, calamares, pinchos, croquetas, and bread and a generous portion of ali oli – we also had drinks (beer, wine, water and coffees).
All in all we thoroughly enjoyed the food, the staff were really friends and all agreed that we had plenty to eat and the modest bill of 62€ for five of us was a bonus!
After being suitably fed we made our way to the start of the cable car. It was really well organised and the staff there were great helping with families and people who were less mobile. We had booked online and for the five of us (3 adults and 2 seniors) the price worked out at just over 15€ per head.
And now for the stats:
The cable cars first opened in 2000
They Arroyo de la Miel to the top of Mount Calamorro – Sierra de Mijas
Elevation of 769 metres
Length of 5565 meters
4 passengers per cabin
Journey time 15 minutes
I thought it was a bit strange that you could buy a ‘one way ticket’ but on arrival I could see why – there were a couple of teens taking their mountain bikes in the cars (front wheel off) and on our way up we could see them meandering down, there is also a foot path that winds from the summit back down to the village.
The views from the top were amazing – a walkway takes you to the viewing areas of Cima Calamorro (the Calamorro Mountain Peak) and Sur (south) and Oeste (west). We were so lucky that it was a clear day as we could see Africa and the coast round to Gibraltar in one direction and also behind the city of Malaga, we could see the snow on the Sierra Nevada mountains too.
The mountain is also home to lots of fauna and wildlife including a bird of prey sanctuary where There are more than sixty birds of different species, including vultures, royal eagles, peregrine falcons and white-headed vultures as well as the Royal Owls
Up at the top there is also a great little cafeteria to have a coffee, ice cream or refreshments before making the equally stunning journey back down the mountain in the cable car.
Highly recommended!!!
