Estepona Area Guide

About this Estepona Area Guide

Below you’ll find the Realista Estepona Area Guide. It gives you a general overview of the area, its attractions and the weather. You’ll also find information about restaurants, shopping and beaches in Estepona.

Estepona at a Glance

• Size: 137 km²
• Population: Approx. 78,590 residents
• Foreign residents: Around 25%, with British nationals being the largest group
• Accessibility: Well-connected via AP-7 and A-7 highways; approx. 1 hour from Málaga and Gibraltar airports
• Real Estate Options: Beachfront apartments, townhouses, villas, and luxury new developments

Check all the new developments in Estepona

Where is Estepona?

Estepona is located at the western end of the Costa del Sol between Marbella and Manilva.

What’s Estepona like?

Unlike some resorts on the Costa del Sol, Estepona has remained true to its fishing village origins and kept its typical Andalusian ambience. The municipality stretches for over 21km along the Mediterranean and includes some of the best and quietest beaches on the Costa del Sol. Estepona also boasts some spectacular scenery, including the Los Reales mountain range to the north. The highest peak resort rises to 1,449m above sea level, one of the highest in the province and these mountains are home to the extremely rare pinsapo pine tree.

Estepona Town

The centre has been extensively upgraded in recent years and now ranks as one of the prettiest resorts at the end of the Costa del Sol. Many of the streets are pedestrian and flanked with white-washed houses decorated with colourful geraniums.

The seafront promenade stretches for several kilometres and provides a pleasant walkway next to the town’s blue-flag beaches. Part of the Senda Litoral runs along it too. At the west end of the town is Estepona Marina, home to the fishing fleet and shops and restaurants, plus a Sunday market.

You’ll find excellent amenities including:

• Health centres and private hospitals
• Local and international schools (e.g. Colegio San José)
• Sports centres and leisure facilities

Estepona West

To the west of the town are several low-rise residential developments, including Valle Romano and Costa Galera. Some of the resort’s best hotels, such as Hotel Fuerte Estepona and Thalasso Spa Elba, are found here as well as the naturist resort of Costa Natura.

Estepona East

Between the town centre and San Pedro de Alcántara lies the area known as the New Golden Mile. This stretch of coastline is home to a succession of high-end developments – for example, Alcazaba Beach, Los Granados del Mar, Dominion Beach and Mar Azul – and luxury hotels such as Ikos Andalusia, the Kempinski Hotel Bahia, Healthhouse Las Dunas and Senator Banus Spa plus world-class beach clubs. Many of the hotels and residential developments in this part of Estepona boast front-line beach positions and provide communal facilities that are, in some cases, second to none.

Estepona North

To the north of the A7 highway, but still within easy reach of the beach, lie several of the most popular developments in Estepona. These include Cancelada, Benamara, Atalaya and El Paraiso. All are low-rise and include a selection of apartments, townhouses and villas, all within easy reach of shops and other amenities. Several good hotels are located here, such as

• Occidental Estepona Thalasso & Spa
• Hotel TRH Paraiso
• Villa Padierna Palace and Golf Resort

Here you can check out our listings for properties for sale in Estepona. 

How big is it?

The municipality of Estepona has a size of 137km² and ranks among the largest resorts on the Costa del Sol, along with nearby Benahavis.

What’s the Population of Estepona?

According to one estimate, around 78,590 people live in Estepona, the largest town at the western end of the Costa del Sol.

How many Foreigners live in Estepona?

Just under a quarter of Estepona’s population is foreign, with British citizens making up the largest group (3,394).

What’s the Weather like in Estepona?

Like the rest of the Costa del Sol, you can expect good weather in Estepona throughout the year. The town enjoys over 320 days of sunshine a year, and the average temperature comes in at 19 degrees.

How do I get to Estepona?

Very easily. The resort has excellent connections via both the A7 highway and the AP7 motorway from Malaga and from Algeciras. Public transport includes a good bus service between Malaga Airport and Estepona, and regular local buses connecting Estepona with Marbella.

How far is it to Malaga Airport from Estepona?

Malaga Airport is 82km from Estepona centre. Allow slightly under an hour to get there. Developments such as Benamara and Atalaya to the east of Estepona are around 70km from Malaga Airport, with a journey time of around 50 minutes.

How far is it to Gibraltar Airport from Estepona?

If you’re travelling to Estepona from the UK, it may be worth looking at flights to Gibraltar. The distance between Gibraltar Airport and Estepona is 45km, and the journey takes around 45 minutes, although you should allow 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-minute car drive along the coast road.

What are the Main Attractions in Estepona?

While it might be small, there are plenty of things to do in Estepona, and this is a great holiday destination for all ages and tastes.

At the top of the list of attractions in Estepona are the resort’s beaches (see below) and its scenery. The stunning Los Reales mountains provide excellent walking opportunities with trails to suit all abilities, and all offer panoramic views of the coastline, the Mediterranean and Africa on the horizon.

Town Centre Attractions

In Estepona itself, one of the loveliest things to do is stroll around the town centre exploring the maze of pretty streets and squares. The central Plaza de la Flores is one of the most attractive, with traditional façades and fountains, plus lots of flowers. And you’ll find over 1,300 orchids at the Orchidarium, complete with three waterfalls.

The town is also home to nearly 30 giant murals. They depict a range of topics from abstract to everyday, but all are stunning, and many include clever trompe l’oeil.

As well as murals, Estepona also has an extensive collection of sculptures, showcased around the town. There are over 25 in different locations and range from the life-like Monument to the Tourist on the seafront promenade to the unusual Dragon in the Sunshine in the Calvario Park.

Museums and Family Fun

The town centre includes several museums, such as the Archaeology Museum, where you can see the Venus of Estepona statue that dates back more than 5,000 years, as well as some interesting Roman mosaics. The Orchidarium, with its spectacular glass domes and waterfalls, is home to over 5,000 orchids and ranks as one of the biggest attractions in Estepona.

Families on holiday in Estepona flock to Selwo Aventura, one of the biggest theme parks on the Costa del Sol and a great day out. Selwo is home to dozens of animals from different ecosystems around the world, including big game and tropical birds. Visitors get to see all the animals close up as they make their way through the park.

Golf and Other Sports

Golfing fans are in for a treat since there are no less than eight golf courses in Estepona. These include the established El Paraiso Golf Club and Estepona Golf, plus the up-and-coming Valle Romano course. Estepona is also within easy reach of the many golf courses in Marbella and Benahavis, and just a short drive from the world-famous Valderrama Golf, host of the Ryder Cup. Finca Cortesin Golf is just a 10-minute drive west of Estepona, famous for being host to the Volvo World Match Play Championship in recent years.

Estepona also offers a range of water sports including sailing, jet skiing and scuba diving. Many of these activities are based at Estepona Marina.

Like this Estepona Area Guide? Read our guides to other locations on the Costa del Sol.

What are the Beaches like in Estepona?

Estepona boasts some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol, and all are well-maintained and provide facilities and lifeguard services in the holiday season. Beach bars and restaurants are located on most beaches, and many open all year round.

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 Village is home to Purobeach, one of the best beach clubs on the Costa del Sol, and is 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 of 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 has a year-round cultural programme featuring concerts, dance, theatre and other events. Like other resorts on the Costa del Sol, Estepona also celebrates several fairs throughout the year, the highlight being the San Isidro Fair that takes place in mid-May. The week-long festivities include an agricultural fair, a horse show, a procession and a funfair.

What about Restaurants in Estepona?

In recent years, a number of new restaurants and tapas bars have opened in Estepona centre. Some of the best include La Bulla Gastrobar, Taberna Miguel, La Casa del Rey and Restaurante Sur, an Argentinian restaurant.

There’s also a good choice of beach bars and restaurants where you can dine on freshly caught local fish and seafood. Some of the best are Restaurante La Rada, El Pescador and La Escollera in Estepona Marina.

The resort is also home to several renowned restaurants. These include El Palangue, Kabuki Raw (with a Michelin star) and La Alcaria de Ramos. And as you’d expect, many restaurants in Estepona offer international cuisine and many rank as favourites among expats on the Costa del Sol. Popular venues include Masala Fine Indian Cuisine and Peggotty’s, one of the most famous restaurants on the Costa del Sol for the British classic fish and chips.

Discover the best restaurants in Estepona.

What’s a Typical Local Dish?

One of the most typical things to eat in Estepona is sopa campera, a soup made with fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, asparagus, bread and a dash of mint. Some recipes include potatoes and/or clams. The soup is accompanied by melon, grapes or oranges.

How about Shopping in Estepona?

Estepona offers good shopping, particularly in the town centre, where there are lots of unusual shops. Several supermarket chains such as Mercadona, Aldi and Carrefour have stores in Estepona and the surrounding districts, where you’ll also find a good choice of shops serving expat residents. For a wider choice, nearby Marbella has a good selection of high-street stores and shopping centres.

What about Properties in Estepona?

Estepona has become one of the most attractive areas to buy property on the Costa del Sol. Whether you’re looking for a beachfront apartment, a golf villa, or an off-plan property, Estepona offers different options across various budgets. See what’s on the market in Estepona right now.

Conclusion

Estepona is a traditional Andalusian town with modern comforts, making it ideal for holidays, retirement, or property investment. With year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, and a rich cultural life, Estepona is undoubtedly one of the Costa del Sol’s ideal destinations for permanent home and real estate investment.