Are you on Costa del Sol and have already seen all popular destinations like Ronda, Malaga, Caminito del Rey, or Marbella? Or are you just planning your next trip and looking for some less popular places? Yes? Great! Today we’ve got for you an amazing Andalucian hidden gem! Well, not that hidden, but definitely less popular and overcrowded than other places on the coast. Sounds interesting? If so, then let’s go and discover things to do in Estepona, Spain in one day.
Interesting fact. Not that long ago, only in the 60s, Estepona was a little fishing village and since then it developed into one of the biggest cities on Costa del Sol!
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Estepona, Spain FAQ
Estepona is a charming Spanish city located in Andalusia in the province of Malaga, on the very sunny Costa del Sol.
Of course! For now, Estepona still isn’t a very popular tourist spot in Andalusia and that makes it an amazing destination, especially if you hate crowds. Whether you are into history, architecture, food, lying on the beach, or just wandering among charming streets – you’ll find something for yourself in Estepona. This city is a great destination for holidays, weekend getaways, and day trips from nearby cities like Malaga, Gibraltar, or Marbella.
Estepona is best known for its charming white old town full of colorful flowers, as well as its lovely sandy beaches loved by holidaymakers.
Yes, Estepona is a great holiday destination! It boasts beautiful beaches which are perfect for sunbathing and relaxing. But remember that summer months are really hot in Andalucia, and temperatures easily go over 30°C.
Things to do in Estepona, Spain in one day
Estepona Old Town
Exploring the old town without a doubt is the number one thing to do in Estepona. In our opinion, it’s one of the prettiest old towns along the entire Costa del Sol. While wandering around its streets, between white houses generously decorated with various flowers in colorful pots, you can feel the typical Andalusian town vibe. Just lose yourself in the labyrinth of streets and discover what each of them has to offer.
Fun fact. For some reason, each street has different colors of flower pots! Also, Estepona’s old town streets are mostly traffic-free which is also a huge advantage. Ideal for snapping perfect photos!
In the old town, you’ll find places of interest like Plaza de las Flores Square, the Ruins of Castillo de San Luis, Plaza del Reloj Square with Clock Tower, or Church of Our Lady of the Remedies. Let’s take a closer look.
Discover: Accommodation options in Estepona
Plaza de las Flores square
It feels like all town streets eventually lead to the charming square named Plaza de las Flores. It’s Estepona’s main square, surrounded by white buildings and many orange trees. Early in the morning, you’ll have it almost to yourself, and later on, you’ll be able to grab a seat on one of the many terraces and enjoy delicious coffee and tapas.
In Plaza de las Flores, you’ll also find a fountain with brightly colored floral adornments, and Casa de las Tejerinas which once was a House of Culture (es. Casa de la Cultura). Currently, it houses the Tourist Office and an art gallery – Museo de Arte de la Diputación de Estepona. Be sure not to miss this great place to see in Estepona!
Clock Tower & Plaza del Reloj square
Clock Tower (es. Torre del Reloj) is one of the most important Moorish monuments in Estepona and one of the most recognizable town landmarks. Tower is the only survivor of the former church which was built in 1473 and then destroyed in 1755 by the earthquake. Plaza del Reloj is a place where many events take place.
Book now: Guided tour of the Old Town Estepona
Church of Our Lady of the Remedies
Church of Our Lady of the Remedies (es. Parroquia Nuestra Señora De Los Remedios) is located only a few minutes walk from Plaza de las Flores and Clock Tower. It’s the oldest catholic church in Estepona. It was built in the 18th century and it was used as a convent by the Franciscan Friars until 1835 when the monks abandoned the building due to the Disentailment Law.
Ruins of Castillo de San Luis
The ruins of Castillo de San Luis are located about 150m from Plaza de las Flores. The castle was built in 1457 by Spaniards on the ruins of the Moorish castle. Currently, little left to see, but you can walk around the remaining sections of the castle walls. Right next to the ruins, you’ll find Plaza Casa Cañada, where you can take a short break before discovering even more great places in Estepona.
Estepona Archeological Museum
The Archeological Museum is located in the old part of the town, on the Plaza Blas Infantes. The building once served as a Town Hall, and still is known as “The old town hall”. Currently, the museum holds more than 400 pieces of Estepona’s past. The most peculiar is one called “Venus of Estepona” – it’s a little clay figurine, estimated to be over 5,000 years old. Entry is free.
Discover: Accommodation options in Estepona
Ruta de los Murales Artisticos
While the old town is popular for its old white houses and plants in colorful pots, the newest part of Estepona is known for its murals adorning many buildings. Murals are by local artists (like Dadi Dreucol), but also by internationally renowned artists such as Vyacheslav Gunin.
Currently, there are about 60 murals, and you can see them all by following the Ruta de los Murales Artisticos. Murals cover quite a large area so it’s a good idea to pick up a map at the tourist office. In our opinion, finding the best murals is a must-have thing to do in Estepona.
Book now: 2h Estepona Bay Tour
Constitution Park
Constitution Park (es. Parque de la Constitucion) is located in the north of Estepona, very close to some murals from Ruta de los Murales Artísticos. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a quick break in the shades of the trees, watching the large fountain playing with the water in changing patterns. There’s also an iron sculpture with figures adding/removing words from the pages of the book. Important words like truth, education, freedom, happiness, or justice are being added, while “ignorance” is being removed.
Beaches in Estepona
Costa del Sol in Spain is world-famous for its beautiful beaches, and you can also find them in Estepona. Some have a Blue Flag certification (like Playa del Cristo and Playa Arroyo Vaquero.
Playa de la Rada is Estepona’s main beach, located closest to the old town, and stretching for about 2.5km. Playa del Cristo is a dark-sand beach located close to the marina, it’s very popular among families.
If you’re interested in nudist beaches, take a look at Playa Costa Natura, which is located only a 10-minute drive from Estepona.
Playa de Guadalobón, Playa de Punta Plata, and Playa Arroyo de las Cañas are other beaches in Estepona that might interest you.
Book now: Dolphin Watching Adventure in Estepona Bay
Paseo Maritimo Promenade
Paseo Maritimo runs all along Playa de la Rada. If you start walking from the Estepona center, you’ll end your walk at the marina. There are many beach bars and restaurants along the promenade, offering a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood dishes, as well as international cuisine. Paseo Marítimo is also a great place for jogging and cycling.
Estepona Orchid House
The Orchidarium, eng. Estepona Orchid House, has been around only since 2015, and it’s already one of the most popular attractions in Estepona. The new mixes with the old, as the orchidarium building is quite a surprising piece of modern architecture, more suited for Benidorm than Estepona. Inside you’ll find one of the largest collections of orchids in Europe, with 1300 different species.
Entrance costs €3 for a normal ticket and €1 for children between 4-11 (August 2024). For current prices and opening hours visit orchidariumestepona.com website.
Estepona Marina
Estepona Marina is located between Playa de la Rada and Playa del Cristo, at the end of Paseo Marítimo Promenade. There you can admire yachts while eating delicious fresh meals. Also, you can rent a boat or take a sailing trip, as they are available from the marina on a daily basis. Marina is also a place where the Sunday craft market in Estepona is taking place.
Book now: Estepona Sea Cruise in Search of Dolphins/Drink & Snacks
Iglesia de la Ascension – Orthodox Christian Church
Iglesia de la Ascension is a place that we noticed while driving the car to Estepona and as we found out later it’s the first Orthodox Christian Church in Andalusia and the third in Spain. It was supposed to be open in the second quarter of 2020, but when we arrived there it looked abandoned and was locked uptight. In the area, you can find a temple, a nine-meter-high bell tower, and a cultural center.
How to get to Estepona, Spain?
Estepona is located about 30km from Marbella, 90km from Malaga, and 50km from Gibraltar. The easiest way to get there is by car or by bus.
Where to park in Estepona?
Estepona offers many paid parking lots in the city, but if you want to save some money we recommend leaving a car in Aparcamientos de la Cala, located just a few steps from the city center.
Airports near Estepona
The closest airports to Estepona are located in Gibraltar (55km away) and Malaga (80km away). From each of them, you can reach the city by bus. To check the connections you might be interested in visit rome2rio.com website.
For great car rental deals visit Rentalcars website.
To Estepona by bus
From many places, you can very easily get to Estepona by bus. There are many direct and usually cheap connections from many places like Malaga, Ronda, Gibraltar, Sevilla, or Tarifa. To check the bus connections you might be interested in visit rome2rio.com website.
To Estepona by train
Unfortunately, there is no train station in Estepona. The closest one is located in Malaga, about 60km away, and from there you can take a bus to Estepona. You can check out a map of available train connections on acprail.com website.
Camping Estepona
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping La Bella Vista or Camping Parque Tropical might interest you. All of them are located in close proximity to Estepona.
Explore local attractions
Things to do in Estepona, Spain in one day – Summing up
Estepona is a really beautiful and unique city, isn’t it? It’s quite a shame that it’s slightly forgotten and in the shadow of other big names like Malaga, Ronda, or Marbella. But who knows, maybe it will change in the future! Also, as you can see now, there are many things to do in Estepona, for all kinds of travelers. No matter if you’re looking for sandy beaches, a charming old town for a lazy stroll, art, culture, or history… Estepona has it all. Enjoy your time in this beautiful Andalusian city!
Our video from Estepona
Our opinion about Estepona
There are not so many places that really impress us and steal our hearts but Estepona did it. We really loved that city and enjoyed our time there. After seeing many typical Andalusian white villages Estepona was a breath of freshness. We loved that the old part of town kept its charm, but people enriched it with many colorful details. We also really liked the part about following and admiring the murals.
For us, a visit to Estepona was a day trip from Mijas Las Lagunas, where we were living for a few weeks. We visited the city in January and during that time it was very quiet which was a big advantage for us. During one day we managed to visit all the places we had on our list, and it took us about 8 hours.
Book now: Authentic Andalusia - Jeep Eco Tour - Pick up from Estepona
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Estepona?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Estepona:
Where to sleep in Estepona?
Hotel Mediterraneo
Hotel Mediterraneo is a modern beachfront hotel located in Estepona. The hotel features a range of room types, including standard rooms and spacious suites, all with contemporary furnishings and amenities. Guests can enjoy a variety of on-site facilities, including a restaurant, bar, outdoor swimming pool, and fitness center.
H10 Estepona Palace
H10 Estepona Palace is a luxurious beachfront hotel located in Estepona. The hotel features spacious rooms and suites with modern amenities and stunning sea views, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and spa. Guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at the on-site restaurant and a drink at the poolside bar while taking in the panoramic views of the sea.
Hotel Silken El Pilar Andalucia
Hotel Silken El Pilar Andalucia is a charming hotel located in Estepona, Spain. The hotel features comfortable rooms equipped with modern amenities and a balcony offering beautiful views of the sea or the mountains. Guests can also enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center during their stay.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
