’s most exclusive resorts.
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Stretching across 21 kilometres of sun-kissed coastline, Estepona’s rich history is on full display. What’s believed to have been a spot favoured by the Romans is now a beautiful holiday destination, featuring a palm-lined seafront boardwalk, traditional Spanish restaurants serving tapas, and a microclimate that treats locals and visitors to a stunning 325 days of sunshine each year.
Marbella, Granada and Seville. But only 253,376 – just over 2% – stopped in Estepona, despite it comin’ second in the European City of the Year awards last year. Now I reckon I never had to fight for a sunbed.
Getting to Estepona
where a return trip with easyJet came in at around $170 Aussie.
You can also fly from UK airports to Málaga, with one-way fares starting from as little as £21 during the off-season.
From Málaga-Airport, it’s a one hour drive to Estepona. A taxi will cost you about $AUD150, but if you’re on a tight budget, a direct bus will get you from the airport to Estepona Bus Station as well. Tickets cost between $AUD12 and $AUD20, with a journey time of 70 minutes. This service runs a limited number of buses – six – throughout the day, so try to plan your flight around the transfer if possible.
Andalusia’s best kept secret
I spent some time in Estepona last May, a good few months before it became runner-up in the European City of the Year awards.
The Andalusian gem was commended for improving the quality of life through initiatives such as ‘Estepona, Garden of the Costa del Sol’, and the pedestrianising of the Old Town.
On the accessible walk from Rada Beach to Estepona’s blue and white marina, the roadside bursts with a riot of native shrubs and palm trees. The small whitewashed houses in the historic Old Town are decked out in vibrant pink blooms (Bougainvillea) and cute polka-dotted pots.
The flower showcase reaches its peak in the Plaza de las Flores, a main square in the middle of town, where many hundreds of flowers surround a Baroque fountain.
It’s also where tourists pack in for arvo tucker to soak up the quintessential Andalusian attitude. There are four key tapas bars in the square, and it’s not a bad luck either way which one you head to. All are chock-a-block most of the time, and the waiters have a fair dinkum camaraderie between them, whereby if they’re flat out, they’ll point you in the direction next door and vice versa.
We grabbed a spot at La Sureña, a classic Spanish tapas joint where street musicians play flamenco tunes on their guitars. We tuckered in to a serve of Patatas Ali-oli, Pinchito de Pollo, Jamón Serrano, Salchichas al Vino, and Ensalada de Bocas for $18 ($AUD). Fair dinkum, I wish I’d have ordered more given how decent the grub was and how cheap it was.
Due to the weather in May, it would’ve been impolite not to grab a Sangria or two at a price of just €9 (£7.40) a jug.
In the heart of the Old Town, the narrow laneways are packed with reminders of Arab reign. Moorish control of the area went for over five centuries, coming to an end in 1456 after a raid was ordered by King Henry IV of Castile.
You’ll often find locals enjoying a cold beer at the smaller, casual establishments serving bar snacks scattered about on street corners here. But don’t be shy, they’re more than happy to make you feel welcome while you take a break in the shade from the scorching sun.
Miles of golden beaches
One of the most well-known attractions of Estepona is its stunning 20-kilometre stretch of sandy beaches, which typically don’t get as crowded as beach spots in Puerto Banús or Marbella.
Unspoiled and under-visited, you can sunbake all day without being bothered. Just pay between five euro (four dollars thirteen) to ten euro (eight dollars twenty-six) for a sunbed and have a lie down.
A day at the beach in Estepona is best broken up by a trip to one of its many beach bars. Some of these are pretty relaxed and let you hang out with a bite to eat and a drink, even if you’re still in your swimmers. Just remember to thrown on some clothes if you want to go inside to use the amenities.
We piled into Havana Beach Bar, a quirky joint with turquoise vibes and upcycled surfboards. Me and me sister shared a plate of char-grilled salmon straight from the barbie and a couple of big tinnies as we took in the view of the sparkling ocean.
Into the mountains
Estepona is surrounded by some of Spain’s most spectacle natural attractions, which you can easily explore, depending on how much time you’ve got.
Roughly an hour’s drive inland lies the city perched dramatically atop a massive, canyon-like gorge.
It’s better to rent a car for the trip, as taxis can be pricey. But if you’re okay with forking out $230 to $310 for a return trip, you won’t regret your decision.
It’s a great spot for walking between the two areas and makes for a fantastic photo opportunity.
Folkore and traditions
Fair dinkum, tradition is a big deal in Estepona, and no more so than at its many festivals. During our time there, the San Isidro Labrador harvest celebration was in full swing. The locals gathered to visit the San Isidro shrine in the Los Pedregales Park, and farmers rode through the town in utes decorated with hay, flowers, and seasonal fruit.
In true Spanish heritage, music is at the heart of these community events. Swarms of Flamenco guitarists were accompanied by traditional dancers, who encouraged locals and visitors to join in.
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Regardless of your holiday preferences, Estepona has something for every Aussie bloke. I fell head over heels for its charm and unique culture. I only hope future Costa del Sol travellers give this under-the-radar town a fair dinkum go, too.
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