Estepona is more than a sunny city and a beach found on the Costa del Sol. This municipality, whose historical centre still maintains the charm of the small Andalucian village it once was, is settled at the foot of the Sierra Bermeja, next to the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park. These features, along with its fantastic location looking out towards the Moroccan coast, make it a tourist destination to keep in mind.

These wonderful places can be found on our interactive map of Spain, but here are 10 reasons why it cannot be missed:

 

1. Tour the historical centre

In order to really get to know Estepona it is essential to follow this route which will take you on a tour of the promenade and the “Las Flores” square, as well as the ruins of the San Luis Castle, the Watch Tower and the most well-known church in the city, The church of Santa María de Los Remedios. If you have already been to Estepona and its glamorous marina, we bet you didn´t expect to find yourself in a charming little village within the city, represented by its historical centre of white winding lanes embellished with brightly coloured flowers.

 

2. Visit the most emblematic museums

Estepona offers a wide range of cultural activities to the tourists it has acquired over the past few years. Visitors may find trips to please everyone, from the bull ring to the ethnological museum, including the archaeological or paleontological museums; you are sure to ensure to expand your historical knowledge of the area. The Pre-historical Museum of Dólmenes de Corominas deserves a special mention, be sure to visit!

 

3. Have a day out at Selwo Aventura

Would you like to see the African Savannah without leaving Spain? Well in this park, Selwo Aventura, you and your little ones can. It is sure to be an unforgettable day! Lions, giraffes and all types of flora and fauna come together in this semi-open park where visitors may get up and close to the wildlife through an authentic safari. There is more than 100 hectares of pure adventure to be enjoyed.

 

4. Take a stroll through the heart of Andalucia: Casares

Casares is a perfect example of a typical white Andalusian village, with its narrow streets that preserve the essence of a mountain town filled with thousands of stories, as if time had simply stood still. One of these stories of “Andalusianism” defines this municipality, as “The Father of Andalusian Homeland”, Blas Infante, was born here and his home is open for visitors.

 

5. Manilva (wine and la Hedionda baths)

A stone´s throw away from Estepona is Manilva, a village that is of great historic and gastronomic interest to visitors. We thoroughly recommend that you complete the route that passes through its forts, its Roman castle ruins and, perhaps most importantly, “Las Viñas” information centre, seeing as this village is known for its wine. Don’t miss the Church of Santa Ana or “La Duquesa” Marina, without forgetting to enjoy the community´s seafaring charm with a walk down el Paseo de Sabinillas and the endless beaches.

 

6. Explore the culture of Malaga capital

Thanks to its great motorway connections, the capital of the province is a visit that cannot be missed. The city has preserved a large part of its history in its emblematic monuments, such as la Alcazaba (very well preserved) and at the feet of this fort is the Roman Theatre, making this combination a unique and un-missable landmark.

We also recommend a visit to the cathedral known as “la Manquita” (“One-armed”) as one of its towers is unfinished, or a trip to the Gibralfaro Castle which overlooks the city. Don´t miss two very important museums; that of Thyssen which holds a fantastic collection of Andalusian art and that of Picasso, showcasing limited edition pieces of the international artist from Malaga. The crowded streets and avenues of calle Larios, la Alameda and el Paseo del Parque round this tour off perfectly.

 

7. Visit  Puerto Banús and Puerto de Sotogrande

Another two trips that we recommend as compulsory, due to their prestige and glamour, are to Puerto Banús and Sotogrande. Internationally recognised, the two ports provide prime locations to wander the most exclusive shops in the world and spot luxurious boats on the docks and proud sports cars touring their streets. Prepare to be entertained by celebrities from all over the world!

 

8. Live the night-life

There are two areas of Estepona that welcome visitors to experience the town´s night life and party atmosphere. On the one hand, the historical centre has an abundance of charming bars for everyone´s taste where visitors may relax and unwind. No less entertaining is a visit to Estepona´s marina, offering a large variety of bars and clubs,where you can dance the night away next to the sea in a more international environment.

 

9. Play golf

Estepona´s great all-year round climate welcomes visitors to play their favourite sport on any of its eight golf courses. All are highly recognized for their excellence and their location between the sea and mountain, offering options for all tastes and levels. Atalaya Golf or El Coto Golf Club are two names amongst some of the best golf courses of the area.

 

10. Location

The setting and the extensive motorway network that surrounds the district of Estepona makes travelling to other Andalusian provinces a piece of cake. Visit Seville and its giralda, Cadiz with its endless beaches, where the Bolonia beach is a particular highlight, or Cordoba and its mosque. Also, thanks to its convenient positioning and closeness to the Moroccan coastline, Estepona offers priceless trips where, with the coast of Africa in the background, you may enjoy views of the endless sea. Additionally, Tarifa, where you can participate in whale-watching, is also easily accessed from here.

 

WHERE TO STAY:

Without a doubt, the best place to stay in Marbella and Estepona is Fuerte Hoteles. This chain has over 60 years of experience as a leading chain. Holidays in couple, family or friends, either way you choose to travel seamlessly adapts these hotels where you can practice many outdoor activities in these destinations and you will find facilities for you to enjoy your favourite sports. And for little ones, the hotels have fun and entertaining animation programmes for children. Do not hesitate to stay at Fuerte Marbella (Marbella) if you travel to these two cities on the Costa del Sol.