Reasons to visit Estepona

Posted on 17 August 2022

Estepona is a beautiful resort town in the Costa del Sol, sporting gorgeous weather and a lovely coastal setting, making it an ideal spot to visit on a Spanish holiday. The drive from Malaga to Estepona down the coast is a great way to explore more of the Costa del Sol, with the town itself being a great day out for those who have booked a car hire from Malaga airport. If you are looking for locations to visit for your next holiday, Estepona is a terrific option to consider and in this guide, we highlight just some of the great reasons why you should consider visiting.

It has great beaches

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When visiting the Costa del Sol, you are likely looking to take advantage of the brilliant hot weather by hitting the beach. Estepona can certainly help you achieve such goals, offering a couple of lovely beaches to relax on during your time in town. Playa del Cristo is located just beyond Estepona’s marina and is the most popular beach in the area. It’s protected from the breeze by the bay’s natural curve and eastern-facing direction and offers visitors beautiful warm waters and plenty of sand to play on – making it popular with local families. Its location next to the marina also means you are close to numerous amenities, restaurants and cafes.

Playa del Cristo isn’t the only option available, however, as Playa La Rada is another excellent beach and the biggest in Estepona. Located close to the pretty old town, Playa La Rada is a long strip of palm tree-lined sand with plenty of cafes to choose from on the nearby promenade. With volleyball courts for those who fancy a game and sun loungers available to relax in, Playa La Rada makes a good case for itself.

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There is a relaxing atmosphere

One of Estepona’s greatest traits is its peaceful vibe, with plenty of lovely spots to relax in and pass the time. One such location is Plaza de las Flores, located in Estepona’s old town, where the busier towns of the Costa del Sol will feel a long way away under the shade of the orange trees and beside its central fountain. The plaza is also a great spot to grab a drink or bite to eat, further adding to its charm.

A walk around Paseo Marítimo is another fantastic option, being Estepona’s stylish marina. There is a lovely collection of cafes, bars and restaurants to relax in for lunch or dinner or you can come by for a refreshing drink while looking out at the boats in the water. Stopping by the marina on a Sunday is also advised, as a popular market is set up with lots of stalls to peruse and potter around at your leisure.

Alison, from the lifestyle blog Midlife and Beyond, has been to Estepona and enjoyed the peace she found at locations like the old town and marina, sharing with us: “I particularly enjoyed the laid back, gentle vibe that I felt when I visited Estepona. There was a calmness about the place and everyone I came into contact with was very friendly and welcoming.

“I enjoyed Estepona’s long, stretching beaches and its warm climate. I also loved the old town, roaming around its winding streets adorned with pretty flower window boxes, and chilling in the array of coffee houses and bistros nestled in its picturesque squares.

“We stayed very close to the marina so spent many hours there, relaxing in the tapas bars and restaurants, watching the days go by”.

The old town is beautiful

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Estepona is full of lovely spots to relax in, but it’s hard to beat its beautiful old town known as Centro Historico. Estepona’s colourful old town is one of the prettiest historic centres in the Costa del Sol and provides an idyllic look into traditional Andalucian life. Its flower-adorned cobblestone streets are gorgeous, there are restaurants and bars to grab a refreshment, and there is history wherever you look. The 15^th-century fortress Castillo de San Luis, Plaza del Reloj clock tower, and picturesque orange trees provide a lovely aesthetic and plenty of intrigue.

Recognised as one of Estepona’s very best places to visit, it’s easy to spend a good portion of the day enjoying the old town. Paulina, from the travel blog Visit Southern Spain, believes Estepona has a special charm to it and says of the old town: “Truly the heart of Estepona, its casco Antiguo – historic centre – is what brings many tourists here and makes many of them stay for a lot longer than they had anticipated. There’s just something special about these narrow streets and the traditional townhouses decked out with colourful flowers and coordinating pots.”

Fany, from the travel blog Sand in Our Hands, is a big fan of Estepona and highlighted what she feels makes the place special: “I travelled to many countries, I visited pretty cities, small villages, I saw a bit of everything in this vast world. Andalusia is clearly one of my favourite places in Europe. I was able to visit it several times and one of my favourite villages is by far Estepona. Its sunny little streets, filled with so many colourful flowers, small squares lined with orange trees, etc. You feel completely disconnected there!”

There are top natural attractions

A visit to Estepona is also a great opportunity to enjoy some top natural attractions. For example, the Sierra Bermeja Mountain range sits just behind Estepona, overlooking the town and is remarkably close to the coast. It’s a great spot to enjoy some hiking and discover the Costa del Sol’s natural rugged areas.

One of Estepona’s top attractions is certainly the Orchidarium, a spectacular orchid house that is a real treat for those interested in plants or who fancy themselves as amateur botanists. Its three iconic domes are quickly becoming a signature of the Costa del Sol landscape, housing three waterfalls that flow in unison during a special hourly show. The Orchidarium recreates the environment you might find in a tropical rainforest and features more than 5,000 plant species, including the largest collection of orchids in Europe.

That’s not all, however, as those visiting Estepona can head to the local equestrian centre, Ranch Siesta Los Rubios, for exciting trekking adventures as well as the nearby Selwo Aventura – a one million square kilometre animal park found on the way to Marbella.

It boasts lovely places to eat and drink

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When exploring the delights of Estepona and nearby attractions, the importance of finding a nice spot for a refreshing beverage or tasty meal can’t be underestimated. The good news is that there is no shortage of lovely places to eat and drink in Estepona, with the area boasting a collection of cafes, bars, and restaurants at various locations. You can find bars for a snack and cold drinks close to the beach, trendy eateries at Estepona’s marina or traditional al fresco dining in the old town. Wherever you are, whatever type of experience you are in the mood for, Estepona is ready to deliver, serving up everything from tapas and traditional gazpacho to modern European cuisine. Just get out there and explore and see what strikes your fancy.

Why you should visit Estepona in Spain

– It has great beaches

– There is a relaxing atmosphere

– The old town is beautiful

– There are top natural attractions

– It boasts lovely places to eat and drink

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to head down to Estepona in the beautiful Costa del Sol. With top attractions, charming cafes, beaches, and the picturesque old town, there is more than enough to keep you entertained.

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