Estepona Travel Guide

Estepona is on the S coast of Spain and is the most westerly resort on the Costa del Sol. It is 52 mls SW of Malaga and 47 mls SW of Malaga airport. It is positioned on the coast, just off the main Malaga to Cadiz road. The Sierra Bermeja mountains rise to the N, but the town centre is flat.Estepona town is primarily a developed fishing village, much less commercialised and more authentic than neighbouring resorts. With many of its traditional elements intact, it has a less polished atmosphere; older folk chat outside their front doors in the evening, eyeing the passers-by as they have done for years. The buildings appear more ramshackle than in other Costa del Sol resorts, with modern apartments next to plainly time-worn establishments. However, it is by no means behind the times; there is a pleasant, modern seaside promenade and harbour area, and the needs of tourists are well provided for. The whole Estepona resort area, however, covers around 14 mls of coastline, which means that accommodation can be rather isolated, far from the main amenities.

Estepona is well suited to families or couples looking for a quieter, less commercialised resort. The accommodation is quite varied and ranges from, from centrally located budget pensions to sprawling 5-star spa resorts some miles outside town; 10 apartment complexes including a nudist option.The main beach in Estepona is generally wide with coarse sand and some pebbly sections; it is backed by a wide promenade with a few eateries. Jet-skiing and parasailing are quite popular in summer. Beach quality deteriorates either side of the town centre, so don’t count on a decent beach out of town.

Shoppers will find the central streets claim the best shopping areas, with small local shops selling handicrafts, leather goods, ceramics etc. A few quite expensive local boutiques.Entertainment in Estepona is generally beach and water-based activities; exploring the old town including Los Remedios church and the clock tower, Torre del Reloj (organised tours every Thurs, departing from the tourist office); the bullring, just outside town, has 4 small museums (local history, archaeology, palaeontology and bullfighting); Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park; tennis; golf; deep-sea fishing.

Nightlife is limited, apart from whiling away the hours at local drinking establishments.Eating out offers traditional “tapas” bars and the odd Argentinian restaurant in the town centre. The speciality is seafood, with not a lot else on offer.

Getting around the area is made easy with frequent buses which run between Estepona and Marbella, with a semi-regular service between Estepona and Malaga, Torremolinos and Fuengirola. Less frequent runs to other resorts. For transportation within the resort, there is a rather expensive taxi service, operated from the sole rank at the harbour, just E of the tourist office.