Estepona is known for its golden beaches, challenging golf courses and traditional Old Town, which still retains much of its original charm.
Estepona offers accommodation to suit all budgets and requirements, and boasts some of the best facilities in southern Spain.
Pavement cafes and tapas bars serve traditional Spanish food at much lower prices than the glitzier Costa del Sol resorts. The steep, cobbled, narrow streets of the Old Town are home to a host of unusual shops, bars and restaurants, and a weekly market takes place in the port.
Close to the most southern point of Spain, Estepona is just 35km from Gibraltar, and day trips to the historical Rock can be booked from tourist offices in the town.
If you are visiting Estepona with the family, Selwo Wildlife Park is well worth a visit. Boasting over 2,000 semi-free animals, and 200 species, this is a wonderland for children and adults alike. The animals are well cared for and roam around in over 100 hectares of semi-natural environment.
On entering the park, the first section houses the parrots, and an incredible aviary, which is home to 1,000 birds. This vast netted area, the largest of its type in Europe, allows the birds to spread their wings, and gives visitors the chance to see them close up.
The rhino enclosure is situated just past the aviary, and visitors can watch the animals being fed and cared for by the keepers at the park.
Just over the ravine, where zebras and camels roam, open safari trucks operate in two directions around the park, and most of the larger animals can be seen from here. Brown bears, tigers, lions, elephants and giraffes can all be viewed at a comfortable distance, and there are also plenty of smaller species to see – the meerkats being a particular favourite!
The cafe at the top of the park offers stunning views down to the coast, and is the perfect place to relax in the sunshine.
La Rada beach is a large popular beach with golden sand and a lovely promenade with gardens and play areas for the children. Water sports on offer include windsurfing and kayaking. A choice of beach bars serve fresh fish and seafood.
El Cristo Beach is just west of Estepona and consists of a sheltered cove, gently sloping into the sea. Two beach bars serve delicious snacks and seafood.
For golf lovers who flock to the western end of the Costa del Sol, two courses are within easy reach of the town centre. Estepona Golf Course is located on the inland side of the main coastal road. The course is set against the Sierra Bermeja mountain range and offers stunning views of the coastline. Club de Golf Finca Cortesin, 6km from the centre of Estepona offers a challenging 18 holes with fabulous views down to the Mediterranean.
Properties for sale in Estepona are highly sought after and offer excellent rental potential. Well-priced, compared to Marbella, Estepona properties for sale include new developments, townhouses, apartments, villas and fincas.