In many ways, Mijas is a richly cosmopolitan microcosm of the Costa del Sol – both as a general tourist destination and a major golfing playground. The municipality comprises three distinctive parts: classic white village, cosmopolitan coastal strip and bucolic countryside, with golf courses dotted around the whole area. After Marbella, Mijas has the second highest number of golf courses on the Costa del Sol (12). One longstanding popular destination for golfing tourists is Mijas Golf, an expansive complex with two newly-renovated 18-hole golf courses, while the more recently developed La Cala Resort has 54 holes and a six-hole par-three layout. Other 18-hole courses in Mijas include El Chaparral, which has also recently undergone a major revamp, Santana Golf (set in a former avocado farm), Calanova and Miraflores. There are also two nine-hole golf layouts: La Noria and La Siesta. Mijas is particularly well known for its large community of foreign residents and its immaculately maintained town centre, featuring typical Andalucian architecture and offering spectacular views over the Mediterranean.