Compare Estepona holidays

What to do in Estepona

Sun-drenched beach days are a big draw for Estepona holidays – but there’s much more to do, too. There’s art to see and a wonderful Orchidarium to visit. Hike in the mountains for a change of scenery before recovering the next day on the beach.

Beaches

Estepona’s 21km (13 miles) of coastline has some 17 beaches, from golden sands to rocky shores. By day, catch some rays at its largest beach, Playa de la Rada, and come sunset come sunset join the locals for an amble along the Paseo Marítimo promenade; consider stopping in on one of the bars or upmarket seafood restaurants along the way.

For young families, Playa del Cristo’s warm, calm waters – protected by the Punta de Doncella headland – is only moments from the marina.

Old town

The postcard-perfect old town is typically Andalusian, with cobblestone streets, flowerpots filled with colourful geraniums and bougainvillea-adorned, whitewashed houses. Stop for a drink in attractive Plaza de las Flores, where cafés shaded by orange trees frame a central fountain.

As you wander the town, visit San Luis Castle, dating back to the 15th century and the soaring bell tower in Plaza del Reloj, which survived an earthquake in 1755.

Street art tour

Estepona is in the midst of an artistic makeover; since 2012, the local council has commissioned over 50 street artworks, ranging from a little girl watering her plants to the Last Supper. The self-guided Murals Route tour – with free maps available at the tourist office and online – will take you past them all.

For more, the Route of Sculptures features works from local and international artists across 46 sites and the Poetry Path displays poems by the likes of Victor Hugo and Shakespeare, as well as renowned Spanish writers.

Orchidarium Estepona

Opened in 2015, the Orchidarium has become one of the top attractions on the Costa del Sol. The landmark building, which can be seen across town, has three glass domes – the tallest being 30m (98ft) high.

Inside, you’ll find three waterfalls, more than 5,000 plant species and the largest collection of orchids in Europe. You can follow the guided walk on wooden walkways over artificial lakes past vertical gardens and admire more than 1,300 species of orchid.

Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja

The Sierra Bermeja Mountains rise majestically behind Estepona. Only 10km (6 miles) inland, this is one of the few places in the world with mountains this high, this close to the ocean.

You can drive, hike or cycle to the summit. You’ll find a refugio selling snacks, and you can spend the night if you bring a sleeping bag. From Mirador Salvador Guerrero, there are sweeping vistas across Estepona and the coastline as far as Gibraltar.