Are you planning a trip to Spain and wondering what are the best things to do in Estepona?
Estepona is a picturesque town on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain. It is a traditional Andalusian town, with a good mix of culture, beaches and entertainment.
This guide will help you discover the best things to do in Estepona and help you plan how to see the highlights of Estepona.
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Where is Estepona?
Estepona is located in the south of Spain at the foot of the Sierra Bermeja mountains. It is in the province of Malaga, Andalusia and is only 30 km from the popular beach resort, Marbella.
Estepona is a picturesque, white-washed old town, with distinctive coloured flower pots. It has retained its charm and traditional Spanish character and is growing in popularity as a seaside destination.
However, Estepona is less known that its neighbour, Marbella and is consequently less crowded, making it a great holiday alternative.
Flights to Estepona
If you are coming from the UK, you can fly into Gibraltar or Malaga airports. Estepona is about an hour’s drive from Malaga or 40 minutes from Gibraltar.
We flew into Gibraltar with easyJet Flights and hired a car at the airport to get to Estepona. It was a really easy route along the coast. Alternatively, you could take a bus, but these only run a few times a day.
If you’re already in Spain, you could get a train and bus to Estepona from Barcelona, which takes about 8 hours.
If you are flying with easyJet flights, watch out for the latest hand luggage restrictions. Your basic allowance now only includes an under seat flight bag. I bought this new bag from 5 cities on Amazon, which meets the maximum allowance.
Accommodation in Estepona
You’ll find accommodation to suit all budgets in Estepona. Choose from a wide range of hotels, apartments and villas. Click here to see prices and reviews of accommodation in Estepona on Booking.com.
What is the weather like in Estepona?
Estepona has a mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. The hottest month in Estepona is July, with an average daily temperature of 28 degrees. The peak season for visitors is June to August, so expect more tourists in these summer months.
We went in October, which is usually dry. However, we were unlucky and the weather was wet and windy. Apparently it was far better a couple of weeks later in November.
What are the best things to do in Estepona?
Hit the beach
The largest beach in Estepona is the Playa de la Rada beach, which is directly in front of the town. It is a 2 ½ km long, sandy beach. Unsurprisingly, it can get very busy at peak season.
If you want somewhere less busy, head slightly further south to the Playa del Cristo beach. This blue-flag beach has golden sand and shallow water, making it ideal for children. Additionally, there are some small play areas for when they’ve had enough of the sand.
For those without kids, sun loungers and shades are available for rent!
Stroll along the Paseo Maritimo
Alongside the beach is a palm-lined promenade, Paseo Maritimo. This walkway is perfect for a beach side stroll, cycle or even a jog!
And, you’ll never go hungry. Look out for the chiringuitos (Spanish snack bars), which are serving refreshments all along the promenade. Alternatively, if you just want to soak up the views, there are plenty of benches to stop and relax.
Watch the boats
Another good place for a waterside stroll is at Estepona Marina. Here you can look at the boats, or even hire one if you fancy heading out to sea.
It’s also a great location for discovering a good choice of bars, cafes and restaurants. These are all open until late in the evening.
On Sundays there is also a market, with a selection of local goods and handicrafts for tourists.
Discover Estepona Old Town
One of the best things to do in Estepona is take a wander around its charming old town (centre historico de Estepona). Here you’ll find a labyrinth of cobblestone streets to explore.
This area is truly charming. The houses are white washed and adorned with colourful pots and hanging baskets. The pots on each street are co-ordinated by a matching colour, so all houses have the same.
Climb the steps to the Clock Tower
As you wander around Estepona’s old town, you will come to the Torre del Reloj.
This neoclassical bell tower was originally added to the church of Los Remedios. However, an earthquake demolished the church in 1755. Today, only the tower remains.
Visit Plaza de las Flores
The Plaza de las Flores is a quaint square in Estepona’s old town, with beautiful flowers surrounding a central fountain.
You’ll find a good choice of bars and restaurants, so you can sit and watch the world go by. You can also find Estepona’s tourist office here.
Smell the flowers
If you like flowers, take time to visiting Estepona’s Orchid House. Estepona’s small, modern botanical garden houses a wide selection of beautiful, rare orchids and plants from around the world.
This magnificent collection has different varieties of orchid, in all shapes and sizes. They are in a natural habitat with 3 waterfalls under 3 glass domes.
Estepona’s Orchid House is the ideal place to visit in Estepona if it rains. Even better, it is only 3 Euros for adults to get in.
Follow the art
If you enjoy art, head for La Ruta de Murales Artiscticos. This route has over 50 murals, which decorate the facades of buildings.
The paintings are spread throughout the different neighbourhoods in Estepona, so download a map before you go. In addition to the wall art, you’ll discover a fine collection of interesting sculptures dotted around the town.
Read some poetry
In various corners of Estepona you will find decorated, tiled plaques on the walls. These have been hand-painted with famous poetry, translated into Spanish.
Step back in time
Estepona has a rich historic past, which is still evident around the town. Today, you can still see the remains of the Castillo de San Luis. The Spanish Catholic monarchs constructed this fortress in the 16th Century. It replaced the Arabian fortification which had previously stood here.
In total, Estepona has 7 watchtowers, representing the coastal defence system that lasted there until the 19th Century.
Take a hike on La Sierra Bermeja
If you fancy a day away from the beach, head for La Sierra Bermeja, Estepona’s mountain. You can either park the car and enjoy the views looking out as far as Africa. Alternatively, you can enjoy a hike on one of the walking trails.
Go canyoning on La Sierra Bermeja
Those that are more adventurous, could try a canyoning experience on La Sierra Bermeja. This will take you on an adventure experience that will take you to some of the most remote areas near Estepona.
Enjoy an outdoor adventure that will take you down the mountain using a series of ropes, rappels, water slides, and pools.
Go on a dolphin-spotting cruise
If you are a animal-lover, sign up for a sailing trip to see dolphins off the coast of Estepona. A cruise around the stunning bay of Estepona will take you to the spot where dolphins are usually active.
Plus, if you take your snorkel gear, you can check out the wildlife under the turquoise waters.
Enjoy the Spanish cuisine
Of course, one of the best things to do in Estepona is to sample some Spanish cuisine.
The food in Estepona is amazing and there is something to suit everyone’s taste. You can find modern European food, traditional Andalucian dishes and of course, lots of seafood specialities.
We enjoyed a nice meal and cocktails at La Bulla on the Av. Espana.
See these other posts on great places to visit in Europe.
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1 comment
Would love to visit Estepona. We are planning the trip to south Spain and we are definitely adding Estepona to the list 😉
La Ruta de Murales sounds really cool and also poetry on the walls 🙂