Known locally as the “Garden of the Costa del Sol,” Estepona is a typically Spanish seaside resort in Andalusia, southern Spain. Quieter than many of the coastal resorts, the town is located 90 kilometers (56 miles) from Malaga and is 33 km (20 mi) past Marbella on the AP-7 coastal highway. Its location makes it a perfect jump off point for a day trip to the English territory of Gibraltar, 48 km (30 mi) away. With its 21 km (13 mi) of coastline, Estepona offers some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol, along with a working fishing port and leisure marina. The town itself is a mixture of the quaint and original fishing village, surrounded by more modern construction, shopping facilities, and vacation rentals such as Airbnbs and Vrbos. Get on your feet and explore the best things to do in Estepona.
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1. Castillo de San Luis
Many of the century-old buildings throughout Spain were built to protect the citizens of various communities. One of which is Castillo De San Luis in the monumental center of Estepona town, 150 m (164 ft) away from Plaza de las Flores. The town has been built right next to the castle over the years but there is still little left to see on the remnants of the Moorish building. Recent restoration efforts made this fortress accessible to the public.
Tourists can now walk around the surviving section of the castle walls, stroll down the paved courtyard section, and explore the little tropical garden nestled in its corners. San Luis Castle is an interesting sight to see while wandering around the old town.
Castillo de San Luis
Address: C. Castillo, S/N, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
Opening hours: 24 hours
2. Playa del Cristo
Playa del Cristo, or Christ Beach, is a popular family destination, especially during weekends and summer. The dark-sand beach that is approximately 700m (2,297 ft) long is a teardrop-shaped cove near the marina and fishing port areas. On this shallow bay, the water is clean and calm and there are areas with natural shade and tables and chairs.
Two beach bars offer live entertainment and regional dishes during the weekends of the summer season. Parking is available and accessible at the rear part of the beach where changing rooms, toilets, and showers are located. These amenities make the beach one of the many Estepona activities that are ideal for family getaways.
Playa del Cristo
Address: Avenida del Carmen S/N, 29680, Estepona Spain
Website: Playa del Cristo
3. Dólmenes de Coromínas
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Dólmenes de Corominas Estepona on Saturday, October 14, 2017
This futuristic museum houses five well-preserved dolmens or standing stone tombs and several burials found on the megalithic cemetery of Costa del Sol in an area called Cero de Corominas (Corominas Hill).
The 5 exceptional tombs that are about 3 m (9.8 ft) long and 1 m (3.3 ft) wide were reconstructed in their original position together with several artifacts in this underground museum. They are presented with fiber optic lighting effects in a raised walkway, giving the visitors a bird’s-eye view of the dolmens. The entire complex of the site is also a charming playpark and picnic grounds where group workshops are organized.
Dólmenes de Coromínas
Address: Parque, Calle San Isidro Labrador, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
Website: Dólmenes de Coromínas
Opening hours: 11:30am - 6pm (daily)
4. Parque del Calvario
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Parque del Calvario is a natural park nestled in Avenida de Andalucia, near Centro Cultural Padre Manue. It is a natural park that features a lake, fountains, and a children’s playground. The quiet and safe environment of the park makes it ideal for family time or heightening your appreciation of nature. As home to several flowers, walkways, grass, trees, and fishes, the entire area is a little paradise in the heart of Estepona.
During spring, the gorgeous flowers of wisteria plants brighten up the park as its purple cascading blooms decorate the area. Parque del Calvario also serves as a venue for several evening summer concerts to provide live entertainment to the touring crowds.
Parque del Calvario
Address: Avenida de Andalucía, 41, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
Opening hours: 9am - 12am (daily)
5. Historical Centre of Estepona
Estepona started out as a traditional Spanish fishing village and the historical centre is pretty much intact today. The narrow roads wind between attractive, white painted homes, with balconies typically decorated with geraniums and bougainvilleas and the sound of caged song birds. Dotted around the historical centre are small tapas and coffee bars, perfect for relaxing and catching your breath. However, some of the streets are relatively steep, so make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes when exploring the area. The Estepona bull ring is of interest to visit in the historical centre, as is the Plaza de las Flores, the main town square. Certain streets closer to the beach, including Calle Real, offer a range of cafés, shops and souvenir outlets, as well as branches of the popular Spanish banks.
Estepona Historical Centre
Address: 29680, Estepona, Málaga
Duration: around 2 hours required
6. Casa de las Tejerinas
Located in the Plaza del Flores, the House of Tejerinas is named for the sisters who originally owned the building, Carmen and Francisco Tejerina, who donated their home as a charity hospital for the poor. In 1970, the building became the “Casa de Cultura” or House of Culture, but these days the building hosts the Estepona tourism office. The attractive 18th-century building is definitely worth a visit to see the Garó Art Collection on display. On the ground floor is a typical Andalusian patio surrounded by columns and on the upper floor, visitors can enjoy the view from a lookout tower.
Casa de las Tejerinas
Address: Plaza de las Flores, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
Opening Hours: 9am - 1.30pm and 6pm - 8pm
Duration: around 1 hour required
Contact: +34 952809000
Website: Casa de las Tejerinas
7. Estepona Marina
Built on the original working fishing harbor, Estepona Marina is a lively place to visit, with several tapas bars, restaurants and bars. Share a tasty paella or a plate loaded with the freshest catch of the day or enjoy a glass or two in the local bars, while gazing at the gorgeous yachts moored close by. The young at heart can enjoy a night out at the discos and nightclubs on site. The marina is also home to the regular Sunday market with a variety of goods on sale, including clothing and leather goods, music CDs and decorative items. For those who love the sea, deep sea fishing and sailing trips are available from the marina on a daily basis, as are all the popular water sports.
Estepona Marina
Address: Av. Luis Braille 23, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
Duration: around 2 hours required
Contact: +34 952801800
Website: Port of Estepona
8. Beach Promenade in Estepona
With around 21 kms (13 mi) of clean, well-kept beaches, Estepona is a dream for seaside enthusiasts. However, the most prominent beach runs along the front of the town itself, with an attractive promenade and views to the Rock of Gibraltar. The promenade runs for 2.6 km (1.6 mi) along La Rada Beach, covering the entire seafront length of the town. Dotted with pretty flower beds and trees, there are plenty of shaded benches to catch your breath during your seaside stroll. The beach has disabled access and two underground car parks are located close by for convenience. All along the promenade beach, chiringuitos (beach bars) and restaurants offer a range of fresh fish and seafood dishes, as well as international cuisine. There are also children’s playgrounds dotted along the coastline. If you start from the centre of town, you will end your walk at the Estepona Marina, where you can enjoy a sailing trip or an excellent meal.
Estepona Beach Promenade
Address: Paseo Maritimo Pedro Manrique, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
Website: Estepona Tourism
9. Parque Botánico Orquidario (Orchid house)
As part of its “Garden of the Costa del Sol” persona, Estepona has recently opened the impressive Parque Botánico Orquidario, a botanic garden containing more than 8,000 species of orchids of all different hues. Set in an attractive, avant-garde building, the orchid house features a 17-meter (55 foot) high waterfall, with a range of vertical gardens holding the colorful orchids at different levels.
Orquidario de Estepona
Address: C/ Terraza 86 , 29680 Estepona, Málaga
Price: Free entry for the first months, but please note this will change
Opening Hours: Tuesday - Thursday and Sunday: 11.00am - 2.00pm and 6.00pm - 9.00pm. Friday and Saturday: 11.00am - 2.00pm and 6.00pm - 11.00pm
Duration: around 2 hours required
Website: Parque Botánico Orquidario
10. Ruta de Murales Artisticos (Route of the Artistic Murals)
Spread out across Estepona, you can enjoy a range of giant murals by several different artists, painted directly on to the façades of buildings in different neighborhoods of the town. Each painting is original, and all are of high quality – definitely not your usual, every day street art. The murals also make the town more attractive for the visitors and are one of the unique Estepona attractions. This is an outdoor art gallery, guaranteeing a pleasant and colorful walk.
Ruta de Murales Artisticos
Website: Ruta de Murales Artisticos
11. Museo Arqueologico de Estepona (Archaeological Museum)
This fascinating museum is located in Estepona’s Historical Centre and houses exhibits relating to the first settlers in Estepona. One of these exhibits is a 5,000 year old female figurine, known as the “Venus of Estepona.” The museum also displays many objects dating from Roman times, collected from ruins of villas and ancient Roman shipwrecks along the coastline. More recent historic items are also on display in the museum.
Museo Arqueologico de Estepona
Address: Plaza Blas Infante, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
Duration: around 2 hours required
Contact: +34 952801100
Website: Museo Arqueologico de Estepona
12. Selwo Aventura (Safari Park), Estepona
Enjoy a safari adventure right here on the Costa del Sol in Spain at Selwo Aventura. The park is home to more than 2,000 animals from all over the world, living and thriving in natural habitats. You will see elephants, giraffes, Bengal tigers, lions, white rhinoceros and more. The park also offers various adventure activities including camel rides, the longest zip wire in Europe and the Path of the Hanging Bridges.
Selwo Aventura
Address: Avenue Parque Selwo s/n, A7 highway km 162,5, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
Price: from 16.90 EUR (18 USD)
Opening Hours: 10am - 6pm
Duration: around 3 hours required
Contact: +34 952577773
Website: Selwo Aventura
Enjoy your visit to Estepona on the Costa del Sol in Spain
These wonderful places and attractions are just a glimpse of the endless possibilities of what to do in Estepona, the pretty seaside town. Make it a point to visit Estepona on your next trip to the Costa del Sol. Have fun!
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