24 Best Things to Do in Estepona (An Insider’s Guide)
There are many outstanding things to do in Estepona to keep you entertained, no matter what your favourite holiday activities are, and this local guide covers them all!
Estepona, located just over an hour from my hometown, Malaga, is one of my favourite coastal towns.
You can do anything from strolling the most beautiful old town in the province of Malaga and admiring the unique street art and statues to soaking up the sun at the beach and doing water sports like paddle surfing and kayaking.
If you’re ready to discover the beauty of Estepona, I’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Estepona, including local tips on where to eat and sleep, when to visit Estepona and much more, so you can enjoy a fantastic day trip or stay.
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Best Things to Do in Estepona
1. Wander the picturesque old town of Estepona
Casco histórico de Estepona is considered the best old town in Costa del Sol.
You can spend hours wandering through the many picturesque streets, each one decorated with pots of different colours and bright flowers.
There are two ways you can explore it. The first one is to follow your intuition and get lost in the many streets. The second is to scan the QR code at the tourism office to get the old town map and follow their recommended route to see all the pretty streets.
I enjoy finding beautiful streets on my own because it’s more exciting, but if you don’t have much time, you might want to consider taking the route to ensure you see them all.
Some of the prettiest streets in Estepona Old Town are:
- Calle San Antonio
- Calle Concepción
- Calle Sirena
- Calle Cruz
- Pasaje Maruja Mallo
2. Check out Castillo de San Luis
The remains of the Castle of San Luis confirm Estepona’s Medieval past.
The castle dates back to the 16th century and was built to defend and protect the town’s residents, who built houses around it and kept it almost hidden for years.
The castle was destroyed by French troops in 1810, and you could only see the remains of the tower and a wall a few years ago. However, after a successful restoration, you can actually enter the castle, which is a museum centre where you can learn about Estepona’s history and heritage.
3. Immerse yourself in nature in El Orquidario de Estepona
El Orquidario de Estepona is one of the best things to see in Estepona.
Estepona Orchid House makes you feel like you’re in the jungle. It’s home to a great variety of plants and trees from around the world, including Southeast Asia and America.
The bird chirping and the waterfall sounds are very peaceful and relaxing. Wander around this botanical garden, take photos and learn about the different plants and orchids, as there are about 1300 orchid species.
Entry to the Orchid House is 5 euros per adult and 3 euros per child.
4. Spot street art around Estepona
If you love street art, you’ll be surprised by all the incredible art pieces you can find across the city. In fact, there is even an art route to see them all.
There are 60 incredible paintings for you to discover, and although some of them are close to each other, it can be difficult to see them all if you’re spending only a few hours in Estepona.
The most impressive, at least to me, is called “Día de Pesca” by José Fernández Ríos. It shows a fisherman catching what looks like a sardine or an anchovy. This painting is divided into three different buildings and six facades (see photo above)
Two more art walls you shouldn’t miss are Regando el Jardín (Watering the Garden) and La Última Cena (The Last Supper).
If you love street art, I also recommend checking out El Boquetillo street art in Fuengirola and the Soho neighbourhood in Malaga city.
5. Have a coffee in Plaza Doctor Arce
This beautiful small square is an excellent place to enjoy a coffee or a meal on an outdoor terrace.
There is a fountain with a statue in the middle, surrounded by a few coffee shops and restaurants.
MaduBar is one of the best places to eat in this area. It offers traditional and Mediterranean dishes while providing a cosy and beautiful atmosphere. Some of its popular lunch dishes include Gambas al Pil Pil and Kofta Kebab.
However, if you want breakfast and lunch, they also have great choices, including vegetarian dishes.
If you’re looking for cheap eats, La Italiana has breakfast dishes as well as a good selection of ice cream and cakes. I actually had a ham sandwich and orange juice in there, and they were good.
6. Take a photo of the picturesque Plaza de las Flores
Plaza de las Flores (Flower Square) is one of the liveliest squares in the old town of Estepona.
As its name suggests, the square is surrounded by beautiful red, pink, and white flowers and trees, including orange trees that emit a pleasant aroma, and it features a marble fountain in the centre.
This is a popular spot to enjoy a meal as restaurants and cafes set up tables around the square.
7. Admire art at Casa de las Tejerinas
Situated in Plaza de las Flores de Estepona, inside the tourism office, you can find Casa de las Tejerinas, a lovely building used for cultural purposes.
It has a beautiful patio, a second floor with stained glass, and a couple of rooms where paintings and pictures by local artists are often displayed. I didn’t know you could find artwork in this building!
Entry to Casa de las Tejerinas is free.
8. Do the sculpture route
Another popular route in Estepona is the sculpture route, featuring 32 statues commemorating important people and events in Estepona and Spain.
All these statues are spread across the town, from the historic centre to its surroundings.
With over 30 sculptures, you might not be able to see them all in a day, so if you want to see the most accessible ones in the centre, don’t miss the following ones:
- Padre Manuel. Located next to Nuestra Señora de los Remedios Church.
- Monumento a la Peseta. Located on the beach promenade, close to the tourism office.
- Mujer Pensativa. Located on Plaza Ortiz.
- Milagros. Located on Plaza Blas Infante.
9. Do the poetry route
If you love poetry, add this route to your Estepona itinerary.
During this walking route, you can find 40 poems by important Spanish writers, such as Antonio Machado and Juan Ramón Jiménez, as well as international writers like William Shakespeare.
Many of these poems are engraved on tiles in the historic centre, but a few are spread across other parts of Estepona.
10. Go inside Parroquia Nuestra Señora de los Remedios
Nuestra Señora de los Remedios is a Catholic church in San Francisco Square. It’s the most important and beautiful church in Estepona, frequented by many locals every Sunday.
Its white-and-gold-coloured facade and tower are impressive, but its interior is, too. Inside the church, you can see numerous religious statues of Jesus, Mary, and others. During December and the beginning of January, the church sets up a lovely nativity scene.
Next to the church is the statue of Padre Manuel, who used to be a very important priest in Nuestra Señora de los Remedios Church.
If you happen to be in Estepona on the 15th of August, you can see a religious procession that goes through the old town.
11. Admire Casa Siglo XVIII
Casa Siglo XVIII is a hidden gem in the historic centre of Estepona.
This building, located on Mondéjar Street, was an important building in the past, and what makes it unique is the paintings surrounding the frame of the door to access the balcony.
This valuable painting was restored in 2019 and consists of two columns on the two sides of the door and other decorative elements.
Look up because it’s very easy to miss this spot; I found myself checking Google Maps a couple of times.
12. Find Torre del Reloj
Situated in Plaza del Reloj, you’ll find this beautiful beige and pink sand colour tower, which belonged to Iglesia de Los Remedios, a former church built in the 16th century.
This square, named after the tower, is where celebrations and concerts occur. Otherwise, it’s a very tranquil place.
You can celebrate the New Year in this square if you’re around Estepona during the festive season.
13. Go for a walk on the beach promenade
One of the best things to do in Estepona on a sunny day is to walk on its beach promenade. The wide path, scenic sea views and sculptures make it a fantastic walk.
You can stop by restaurants or chiringuitos (beach bars) along the promenade to sip a cocktail or have delicious fresh fish.
It’s a meeting point for tourists and locals, especially on a sunny day in winter. When I visited Estepona recently, I saw a giant chessboard with pieces to play with. It was nice to see families and friends playing chess.
14. Soak up the sun at Playa de la Rada
Estepona enjoys an average of 320 days of sun, warm summers and mild winters, which makes it a perfect place to visit any time of the year.
Going to La Rada Beach isn’t just a summer activity; it’s no surprise to see many tourists sunbathing at 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) in the winter months.
This 2-kilometre sandy beach in Estepona is the most visited by locals and tourists due to its central location.
It’s perfect for everyone as it’s accessible, the water is calm, and it has good facilities like public toilets and showers, and it’s surrounded by many beach restaurants where you can enjoy traditional fish dishes like espeto de sardinas (sardine skewers).
Another reason I love this beach is its views; on clear days, you can see the Strait of Gibraltar.
15. Do water sports
Whether you love kayaking or want to hire a pedal boat, you can find plenty of water activities to do in Estepona.
El Saladillo Beach, one of the longest beaches in Estepona, is the best beach to practice any aquatic sports. There are companies that offer paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and kayaking.
Scuba diving is another option, and a few schools teach you how to scuba dive and provide you with certification.
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16. Go to Puerto Deportivo de Estepona
A 25-minute walk from the historic centre, you’ll find Estepona Marina. It’s a lovely spot to leisurely walk on a sunny day or to stop by one of the cafes for a drink and a quick bite.
Here, you can also see Estepona Lighthouse, called Faro de Punta Doncella in Spanish, and go on a catamaran cruise.
Actually, Estepona is a popular spot for dolphin watching, so if it’s an activity that has been on your list for a while, check out this dolphin tour.
17. Have a meal at La Casa del Rey
La Casa del Rey is one of the best places to eat in Estepona, plus it’s a short walk from Plaza de las Flores.
The menu is based on a mix of Spanish and international dishes, and they have a wide range of wines.
My friend and I went there when we stopped in Estepona on our road trip to Cadiz. We went early, so we didn’t have to wait much for the waiter to take our order.
I had grilled artichoke with salmorejo and a small burger with mustard and crisps. Both were delicious, but the artichoke was my favourite.
I recommend booking a table if you plan to go on the weekend. It gets busy.
18. Spend half a day at Playa del Cristo
Alongside the port of Estepona, Playa del Cristo is a peaceful, dark-sand beach perfect for families. The beach has a playground area and shady spots to keep you out of the sun when it’s strong.
Playa del Cristo is accessible, has parking, and has two beach restaurants where you can grab some traditional food.
19. Visit Museo Arqueológico de Estepona
The Archaeological Museum of Estepona is a must-see for anyone who loves museums. Located in Casa del Aljibe, a beautiful 18th-century building from the Muslim period.
Here, you can contemplate a collection of unique and valuable items discovered in the last few years.
This is the ideal place to learn about Estepona’s history and previous civilisations. Admire anything from a 5000-year-old mini statue of the Venus of Estepona to the grave goods of the Roman and Byzantine empires.
20. Check out the Estepona Street market
With over 250 stalls, the Estepona Street market is one of the markets to check out in Costa del Sol.
It’s a very lively market where you can find anything from fresh vegetables, fruits, and spices to clothes, jewellery, handmade crafts, and flowers.
The market takes place in Calle Eslovaquia from 9 am to 2 pm every Wednesday.
If you aren’t in Estepona on a Wednesday, visiting the Mercado Municipal de Abastos (Estepona’s main market) is an alternative.
21. Play golf near Estepona
Estepona is a hotspot for golfers in Costa del Sol. The weather, pitch conditions, and surroundings are among the reasons you should choose Estepona as your next golf destination.
If you’re wondering about the best golf resorts near Estepona, check out Doña Julia Golf Club, Valle Romano, and El Paraíso Golf.
22. Explore Dólmenes de Coromínas
Dólmenes de Coromínas is a place worth visiting for anyone who loves archaeology. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit it on my recent visit to Estepona, but it’s on my list.
This archaeological museum counts five unique monuments for you to discover and also hosts concerts – from jazz and classical to flamenco music – so it’s worth checking out their calendar. It’s definitely a distinctive place to enjoy a live concert.
It’s located 15 minute drive from the old town; therefore, you’ll need a car to get to this museum.
23. Go on a scenic hike to Sierra Bermeja
Sierra Bermeja is a mountain range that goes from Ronda to Casares. What makes Sierra Bermeja unique is the presence of peridotite, a volcanic rock that gives this mountain range garnet tones.
The weather conditions, rocks and location are perfect for the growth of unique plants that you won’t find anywhere else.
Most hiking trails in the area are either moderate or challenging, but they take you through beautiful scenery. Pinsapo to Picos Los Reales is among the most popular hikes. In this almost 10 km circular trail, you’ll see a waterfall as well as breathtaking views of Africa and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
24. Experience Selwo Aventura
Selwo Aventura offers a fun day out for families and animal lovers. A few minutes drive from Estepona, so there’s no reason not to visit this safari.
It’s home to thousands of animals (from monkeys and lions to zebras and parrots), some of which live in semi-captive conditions.
The safari is huge, so you can spend a full day exploring the different parts and seeing the animals. If you love a bit of adrenaline, make sure to go on the zip wire and suspension bridge. I was a bit nervous about going on the zip wire, but I loved it once I tried it.
When visiting Selwo Aventura with little ones, it’s worth checking out the daily exhibitions and animal experiences. There are talks about birds, elephants and much more.
If you’re travelling across the Costa del Sol, you might also hear about Selwo Marina in Benalmadena. I recommend Selwo Aventura over Selwo Marina. It has many more animals, it’s bigger, and I find the price to be more reasonable.
Where to stay in Estepona
Now that we’ve covered the best Estepona activities, let’s jump into where to stay.
Hotel Estepona Plaza
Hotel Estepona Plaza is a lovely boutique hotel situated in the heart of Estepona, so you can’t find a better location if you want to stay in the centre.
This 3-star hotel has 36 rooms in four styles, all offering modern, comfortable beds, air conditioning, Smart TVs, WiFi, and bathroom amenities. In addition, daily breakfast is included.
Regarding food options, the hotel has a cafe and bar that serve breakfast, tapas, and cocktails.
H10 Estepona Palace
Located at 20 minute walk from Estepona Marina, H10 Estepona Palace is another great hotel in the area.
Although I haven’t personally stayed in this hotel, I can’t say anything negative about H10 hotels after staying in one in Barcelona.
The hotel integrates a modern yet Andalusian style throughout its facilities and rooms. The rooms are spacious and include king-size beds, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, WiFi, and a minibar, among other amenities. All the rooms also have a lovely balcony, and some balconies overlook the sea.
Regarding facilities, there are two pools (one heated, so it can be used in winter), two restaurants, a bar, a spa with a Turkish bath, and a fitness centre.
How to get to Estepona
By car
The fastest way to travel from Malaga city centre to Estepona by car is to take the AP-7, which includes tolls, and the journey will take only 1 hour.
Another option is to take the A-7 motorway, which offers scenic coastal views, but it’ll take you approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to Estepona when there’s no traffic.
If you’re travelling to Estepona from Malaga Airport, the fastest way is to take the AP-7. In this case, it’ll only take you 50 minutes.
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By bus
Travelling to Estepona from Malaga city centre and Malaga Airport is easy. You need to get the AVANZA bus towards Algeciras as it stops in Estepona. The bus journey takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, and tickets start at 10 euros one-way.
By private transfer
Your last option is to book a private transfer. This is especially a great idea if you travel with a group of friends or a large family, because you’ll save on transportation costs and it’s a comfortable way to get to your accommodation.
The best time to visit Estepona
You can visit Estepona year-round because it enjoys warm, sunny weather most of the year.
Summer is best for relaxing at the beach or doing water activities, whereas autumn, winter and spring are best for sightseeing.
Although you can go sightseeing in summer too, it’s more challenging because of the extreme heat. The temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius (104°F).
Frequently asked questions about Estepona
Is Estepona worth a visit?
Yes, Estepona is worth a visit for many reasons: its picturesque cobblestone and whitewashed streets, decorated with plant pots; its incredible beaches; its vibrant atmosphere; and a great variety of activities for all ages. It’s one of the best places to visit in Costa del Sol.
Does Estepona have nice beaches?
Yes, Estepona has beautiful beaches with dark sand and tranquil waters. Most beaches in Estepona are accessible and perfect for anyone. Some popular beaches are Playa de la Rada, Playa del Cristo and Playa de la Cala.
Conclusion on what to do in Estepona
Estepona is one of my favourite towns in Costa del Sol because it’s incredibly charming, and there are many things to do in Estepona at any time of the year.
If you visit Estepona in summer, head to its stunning beaches, do water activities and enjoy the lively atmosphere at Plaza de las Flores in the evening.
If you visit Estepona in winter, explore its traditional Andalusian streets, visit the Orchid house or go on a nearby hike.
If you have any questions about visiting Estepona or anywhere in Costa del Sol, leave a comment below or join my Facebook group to connect with other travellers and me.
Enjoy your holidays in Estepona!
Cristina x
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We are planning a trip to Spain for next year, I’ll have to add Estepona to the list of places to visit when we do!
It’s very charming. I especially love the old town.
I love Costa del Sol resorts and cute tiny towns! Thanks for sharing!