We believe that the gorgeous town of Estepona is one of the Costa del Sol’s hidden gems. Located only 10 mins drive from La Vizcaronda Estepona is an idyllic enclave surrounded by both the Mediterranean and the mountains. Estepona is a lively yet peaceful Spanish seaside town, close enough to all the “hussle and bussle” on the rest of the Costa del Sol. Thanks to Estepona´s central location, other places like Marbella, Tarifa and Seville and even Africa can easily be reached.
It is frequently passed over in favour of more famous and glitzy coastal neighbours such as Marbella, Fuengirola and Torremolinos but unlike them Estepona has managed to retain its identity as an unmistakably Spanish “pueblo blanco”. Recent years Estepona has become more and more popular and people who have visited once always return.
1. Old Town & Flowers
Estepona is called the Garden of the Costa del Sol. The local authority has made a real effort to give the old town a great charm. The Plaza de Flores, the centre of the old town, has been renovated and each street in the old town has flower pots of different colours filled with geraniums attached to the walls of the buildings. And it gets better and better with new squares and new fountains set up, as well as even more trees, sweet-smelling and attractive. Nestled among the flowers are a handful of stylish clothes shops, mixing independent and quirky stores with more famous brands such as Mango.
You can also investigate the Castillo de San Luis, a fortress constructed by Spain’s Catholic Monarchs at the end of the 15th century, and Plaza del Reloj (Clock). This endearing little square has a bell-tower that is the last remaining part of the original Iglesia de los Remedios, destroyed in an earthquake in the mid-18th century.
2. Botanical and Orchid Garden
There are many things to do in Estepona, but one of the unavoidable ones is the visit to the Botanical and Orchid Garden. This area has vertical gardens, more than 4,000 different species of orchids, waterfalls that light up with a large dome and vegetation brought from all the corners of the world. An impressive place you will adore.
3. Paseo Maritimo
As the sun sets locals and tourists emerge to take in the fresher air on walkways like this one next to the beach. There are benches all the way, and lots of places to stop for a cold drink or coffee.
If you happen to be in the resort in winter then you have to get to Paseo Marítimo early to see the sunrise, and the unusual light created by the sea and any clouds in the sky.
Joggers and cyclists love it at any time of year, partly because of the flower beds that separate the promenade from the road at stages; they teem with palms, succulent plants and flowers, and all this thick vegetation blocks all sight of the road.
4. Quieter Beaches
The Costa del Sol is world-famous for its beautiful beaches, which means that the most popular of them can become unbearably busy during summer. This is especially true in the tourist magnets of Marbella, Torremolinos and Fuengirola. But due to Estepona’s lesser fame even its main beach, Playa Rada, is less crowded than those of the other Costas, even during July and August. Rada also backs onto a line of lively chiringuitos and classy seafood restaurants and from its centre it’s less than a ten minute walk into the heart of the old town.
5. Small markets
Do not leave Estepona without enjoying the happiness and the kindness of the locals found in the city’s small markets. Here you can go shopping paying a good price. There are many itinerant in the city, and you can also find traditional and ecological ones.
6. Cinema in summer
The bullring in Estepona becomes a cinema every summer. If you decide to pay a visit to this place, you will enjoy the best films under the stars. A unique atmosphere to view the best films in a traditional Spanish setting.
7. Outdoor activities
As soon as you leave Estepona the terrain becomes mountainous, and if you like a good hike it may be difficult to resist the call of the Sierra Bermeja range.
From the coast these mountains, topping out at 1,500 metres, can look forbidding and barren, but as you work your way into the park you’ll enter untamed forests with pinaspos “Spanish firs”, a species that only grows in this part of Andalusia There’s also an equestrian centre on the outskirts of Estepona, organising treks for all ages and overnight adventures on which you’ll feel like a real cowboy, sitting round a campfire and even sleeping in a hammock.
8. Golf
If you’re a competitive player with a low handicap, or a casual golfer who needs a round or two to loosen up, you can be sure that Estepona will have the course for you: There are eight inside 20 minutes of the resort.
Valle Romano is one for the serious players, with a maximum handicap of 28 for gents and 36 for ladies. It opened in 2010 and meets European Tour standards.
Other famous ones are Finca Cortesin, La Reserva, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande and San Roque (new and old course).
9. Selwo Ventura
Just outside Estepona, on the way to Marbella, is a one million-square-metre animal park.
The attraction is so extensive that you’ll visit many of the enclosures on the park’s camouflaged off-road trucks, getting superb views of white rhinos, Bengal tigers, zebras, lions and giraffes in semi-captivity.
The adventure doesn’t stop there; Selwo Aventura also packs in camel rides, a petting zoo and trail with rickety suspension bridges and the longest zip-line in Europe.
10. Night life
Although the centre of the town has seen a recent nightlife boom, Estepona’s bright young things still flock to see the bars and clubs at the port. Bartenders freehand-pour drinks according to old Spanish system “say when” and will only turf revellers out towards 6 am.
11. Where to stay
La Vizcaronda is located only 10 mins from Estepona. It is gated and secure community of 3, 4 (See one of them) and 5 Beds (See one of them) Beautiful with private pool & gardens. Townhouses with three swimming pools, a children's play area and lovely tropical gardens. We have a great choice of holiday homes for summer rentals well-equipped for a
relaxing holiday. All have open plan interiors, sunny terraces, stunning views from top roof terrace, all have private gardens, some swimming pools. In La Vizcaronda you can linger under
the warmth of the Spanish sun and marvel at the beautiful views of the nearby
mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Then take a stroll to Duquesa Marina and enjoy the many & varied restaurants & bars.
For a choce of our houses please visit:
http://www.vizcaronda.com/rentals
