Estepona - The garden of the Costa del Sol
Where is Estepona? 
Estepona is located at the western end of the Costa del Sol between Marbella and Manilva.
What’s Estepona like?
Estepona has managed to preserve its traditional fishing village charm and authentic Andalusian atmosphere, unlike many other resorts along the Costa del Sol. Stretching over 21km along the Mediterranean, Estepona offers some of the most serene and beautiful beaches in the region. Additionally, the municipality is blessed with stunning scenery, including the majestic Los Reales mountain range to the north. The highest peak in the resort reaches 1,449m above sea level, making it one of the tallest in the province, and these mountains are home to the rare and unique pinsapo pine tree.
Estepona town
The town has undergone extensive renovations in recent years and is now considered one of the most beautiful resorts on this part of the Costa del Sol. Many of the streets are for pedestrians and lined with white-washed houses adorned with colorful geraniums.
The seafront promenade extends for several kilometers and offers a pleasant walkway alongside the town's blue-flag beaches. Part of the Senda Litoral also runs along it. At the western end of the town is Estepona Marina, where you can find the fishing fleet, as well as shops, restaurants, and a Sunday market. Estepona offers excellent amenities and facilities, including health centers, private hospitals, schools (such as Colegio San José, which is usually ranked as one of the best schools in Andalusia), and sports centers.
Estepona West
Several low-rise residential developments, like Valle Romano and Costa Galera, can be found to the west of the town. This area is also home to some of the finest hotels in the resort, such as Hotel Fuerte Estepona and Thalasso Spa Elba, along with the naturist resort of Costa Natura.
Estepona East
The New Golden Mile, situated between the town centre and San Pedro de Alcántara, is a prestigious area known for its high-end developments like Alcazaba Beach, Los Granados del Mar, Dominion Beach, and Mar Azul. Luxury hotels such as Ikos Andalusia, Kempinski Hotel Bahia, Healthhouse Las Dunas and Senator Banus Spa, along with world-class beach clubs, can also be found here. Many of the hotels and residential developments in this part of Estepona offer front-line beach positions and top-notch communal facilities.
Estepona North
Just north of the A7 highway, yet conveniently close to the beach, you will find some of the most sought-after developments in Estepona. Among them are Cancelada, Benamara, Atalaya, and El Paraiso. These areas feature low-rise buildings with a variety of apartments, townhouses, and villas, all situated near shops and other facilities. Estepona is also home to excellent hotels like Occidental Estepona Thalasso & Spa, Hotel TRH Paraiso, and Hotel Mett. Slightly further inland, you'll discover the renowned Villa Padierna resort and hotel.
How big is it?
Estepona municipality covers an area of 137km² and is considered one of the biggest resorts on the Costa del Sol, along with its neighbour Benahavis.
What’s the population of Estepona?
Around 77.000 people live in Estepona, the largest town at the western end of the Costa del Sol.
How many foreigners live in Estepona?
The number of registered foreigners in the city rose 15%, from 18,250 to 20,987 – although the actual figure could be much higher
What’s the weather like in Estepona?
Estepona, just like the rest of the Costa del Sol, boasts fantastic weather all year round. With more than 320 days of sunshine annually, you can expect an average temperature of 19 degrees in this beautiful resort town.
How do I get to Estepona?
It's quite simple! The resort is well-connected through the A7 highway and the AP7 motorway, making it easy to reach from both Malaga and Algeciras. Additionally, there’s a reliable bus service that runs between Malaga Airport and Estepona, along with frequent local buses that link Estepona to Marbella.
How far is it to Malaga Airport from Estepona?
Malaga Airport is approximately 82 kilometers away from the center of Estepona. It should take just under an hour to reach there. The areas of Benamara and Atalaya, located to the east of Estepona, are about 70 kilometers from Malaga Airport, and the journey usually takes around 50 minutes.
How far is it to Gibraltar Airport from Estepona?
If you're planning a trip to Estepona from the UK, consider checking out flights to Gibraltar. The distance between Gibraltar Airport and Estepona is 45km, with the journey typically taking around 45 minutes. Just remember to factor in some extra time for border controls.
How far is it to Marbella from Estepona?
Marbella lies 20km to the east of Estepona, and within only a 20 minutes’ car drive along the coast road.
What are the main attractions in Estepona?
Estepona may be small, but it offers a wide range of activities, making it a fantastic vacation spot for people of all ages and preferences.
One of the main draws of Estepona is its beautiful beaches and scenery. The breathtaking Los Reales mountains provide fantastic hiking opportunities with trails suitable for all skill levels, and all of them offer stunning panoramic views of the coast, the Mediterranean, and even Africa on the horizon.
Town centre attractions
In Estepona, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the town center, where you'll discover charming streets and squares. The Plaza de la Flores is particularly beautiful, featuring traditional facades, a fountain, and an abundance of flowers. Don't miss the Orchidarium, which houses over 1,300 orchids and three stunning waterfalls.
The town is also known for its impressive collection of nearly 30 giant murals, depicting a variety of subjects in a captivating manner. Additionally, Estepona boasts an extensive array of sculptures, with over 25 pieces located throughout the town, ranging from the lifelike Monument to the Tourist to the unique Dragon in the Sunshine.
Museums and family fun
The city center boasts several museums, including the Archaeology Museum, where you can admire the Venus of Estepona statue, which dates back over 5,000 years, as well as some fascinating Roman mosaics. The Orchidarium, with its stunning glass domes and waterfalls, is home to over 5,000 orchids and is considered one of Estepona's top attractions.
Families visiting Estepona often head to Selwo Aventura, one of the largest theme parks on the Costa del Sol and a fantastic day trip. Selwo is home to a variety of animals from different ecosystems around the world, including big game and tropical birds. Visitors can get up close to all the animals as they explore the park.
Golf and other sports
Golf enthusiasts will be delighted to discover that Estepona boasts an impressive selection of eleven golf courses. Among these are the well-known El Paraiso Golf Club and Estepona Golf, along with the rising star, Valle Romano. Additionally, Estepona is conveniently located near numerous golf courses in Marbella and Benahavis, and it's just a short drive away from the renowned Valderrama Golf, which famously hosted the Ryder Cup. Not to mention, Finca Cortesin Golf is only a quick 10-minute drive west of Estepona, recognized for hosting the Volvo World Match Play Championship in recent years.
Estepona also provides a variety of water sports, such as sailing, jet skiing, and scuba diving, with many activities centered around Estepona Marina.
What are the beaches like in Estepona?
Estepona is home to some of the finest beaches along the Costa del Sol, all of which are well-kept and offer amenities along with lifeguard services during the holiday season. Most beaches feature beach bars and restaurants, with many operating throughout the entire year.
Between them, the 17 beaches in Estepona offer something for everyone:
Family-friendly beaches in Estepona – the most popular with families are La Rada and El Cristo, both in the town centre.
Beach clubs in Estepona – Laguna is home to Purobeach, one of the best beach clubs on the Costa del Sol and located just to the east of the town centre. Other beach clubs include Sonora Beach, TikiTano Beach and Heaven.
Quiet beaches in Estepona – some of the quietest beaches on the Costa del Sol are found near Estepona, particularly on stretches on El Saladillo and El Castor, both to the east of the town centre.
Beaches for kite surfing in Estepona – on windy days, kite surfing conditions are excellent at several beaches in Estepona. One of the best is at El Saladillo where there are two kite surfing centres.
What cultural activities are there in Estepona?
Estepona offers a vibrant cultural calendar all year long, showcasing concerts, dance performances, theater, and various other events. Similar to other Costa del Sol resorts, Estepona hosts several fairs throughout the year, with the San Isidro Fair in mid-May being the most notable. This week-long celebration features an agricultural fair, a horse show, a lively procession, and a funfair for everyone to enjoy.
What about eating out in Estepona?
In recent times, Estepona's center has welcomed a variety of new restaurants and tapas bars. Notable spots include La Bulla Gastrobar, Taberna Miguel, La Casa del Rey, and Restaurante Sur, which specializes in Argentinian cuisine.
Additionally, there are plenty of beach bars and eateries where you can enjoy freshly caught local fish and seafood. Some top choices are Restaurante La Rada, El Pescador, and La Escollera located in Estepona Marina.
The resort also boasts several acclaimed restaurants, such as El Palangue, Kabuki Raw (which holds a Michelin star), and La Alcaria de Ramos. As expected, many dining options in Estepona feature international cuisine, with several being popular among expats living on the Costa del Sol. Favorites include Masala Fine Indian Cuisine and Peggotty’s, renowned for serving the classic British dish of fish and chips.
Discover the best restaurants in Estepona.
What’s a typical local dish?
A popular dish to try in Estepona is sopa campera, a delightful soup featuring fresh vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and asparagus, along with bread and a hint of mint. Some variations may also include potatoes and/or clams. This tasty soup is often served with refreshing sides like melon, grapes, or oranges.
How about shopping in Estepona?
Estepona has a variety of shopping options, especially in the town center with its many unique shops. In addition to local stores, popular supermarket chains like Mercadona, Aldi, and Carrefour can be found in Estepona and the surrounding areas, catering to expat residents. If you're looking for even more shopping choices, Marbella, located nearby, offers a great selection of high-street stores and shopping centers.
And property?
Our guide to the Estepona Area wouldn't be complete without mentioning the real estate options. Estepona is one of the top places to invest in property on the Costa del Sol, offering a diverse range of homes to choose from.
Stretching from the New Golden Mile to Buenas Noches, Estepona is like a hidden treasure chest waiting to be discovered by you. Whether you dream of luxury on the beach, hitting a ball on a world-class golf course, or simply sipping sangria in the sun, Estepona is waiting for you. Dive into this little slice of paradise on the Costa del Sol - it's waiting for you!
Discover more information about real estate in Estepona
