Hola! Are you dreaming of a peaceful coastal escape in Costa del Sol? Estepona might just steal your heart! This colorful Andalusian town is known for its pretty old town full of flower-filled streets, long sandy beaches, and relaxed Mediterranean vibe. Whether you’re strolling along the palm-lined promenade, discovering vibrant street art, or sipping coffee in a quiet plaza, there are plenty of wonderful things to do in Estepona in one day. Vamos, let us show you what makes this seaside gem so special!
Interesting fact. Not that long ago, only in the 60s, Estepona was just a small fishing village. Since then, it has developed into one of the biggest cities in Southern Spain!
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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 coast.
Of course! For now, Estepona remains one of lesser-known gems in Andalusia and that’s exactly what makes it so special, especially if you’re not a fan of crowds. Whether you are into history, architecture, food, beach days, or simply getting lost in charming streets – there are plenty of things to do in Estepona you’ll love. This city is a fantastic destination for holidays, weekend getaways, and day trips from nearby places like Malaga, Gibraltar, or Marbella.
Estepona is best known for its picturesque whitewashed old town adorned with colorful flower pots, and one of the most beautiful beaches in Southern Spain that attract sun-seekers and holidaymakers alike.
Estepona is a perfect destination for a day trip. One day is enough to see most of the main landmarks (they are all close to each other) and get a good feel of what the city is all about. But if you want to experience Estepona better, we recommend staying around 2-3 days.
Our travel video from Estepona
Things to do in Estepona in one day
Estepona Old Town streets
Exploring the old town is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Estepona. In our opinion, it’s one of the prettiest historic centres along the entire Costa del Sol! As you wander through the streets lined with whitewashed houses and vibrant flower pots, you’ll feel the authentic vibe of an Andalusian white town. Just let yourself get lost in the maze of narrow streets and enjoy the surprises each corner hides.
Fun fact. Each street in Estepona’s old town features flower pots in different colors, giving every corner its own unique character. What’s more, most of the streets are traffic-free, making it a peaceful place to stroll.
In Estepona old town, you’ll find places of interest like Plaza de las Flores, Ruins of Castillo de San Luis, Plaza del Reloj with Clock Tower, or Church of Our Lady of the Remedies. Let’s take a closer look.
Estepona Tourist Office is located right in the beautiful Plaza de las Flores. It’s a great place to pick up maps and get helpful sightseeing tips.
Plaza de las Flores
It feels like all town streets in Estepona eventually lead to the charming main square, Plaza de las Flores. It’s a peaceful spot surrounded by whitewashed buildings and fragrant orange trees. Early in the morning, you’ll might 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 or some tapas.
In Plaza de las Flores, you’ll also find a fountain with brightly colored floral adornments and Casa de las Tejerinas, which was once a House of Culture. Currently, it houses the Tourist Office and an art museum. Spending some time here is one of the best things to do in Estepona to enjoy local charm, culture, and a relaxing atmosphere.
Clock Tower & Plaza del Reloj
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.
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 built in the 18th century. It was used as a convent by the Franciscan Friars until 1835 when the monks abandoned the building due to the Disentailment Law. Visiting this beautiful church is one of the cultural highlights and definitely among the must-see places in Estepona for history and church lovers. Entrance is free during opening hours.
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 old 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, lovely square where you can take a short break before discovering even more great places in Estepona.
Archeological Museum
The Archeological Museum is located in Estepona old town, right on Plaza Blas Infantes. Its houses in the building that once served as a Town Hall, and still is affectionately known as “the old town hall”. Currently, Archeological Museum showcases more than 400 pieces of Estepona’s rich past. The most peculiar is one called “Venus of Estepona” – it’s a tiny clay figurine, estimated to be over 5000 years old.
Entrance to Archeological Museum is free (May 2026). For current prices and opening hours, visit the turismo.estepona.es website.
Ruta de los Murales Artisticos
While the old town is famous for its whitewashed houses and colorful flower pots, the newer part of Estepona is known for its striking murals decorating many buildings. These murals have been created by both local artists, like Dadi Dreucol, and internationally renowned names such as Vyacheslav Gunin.
Currently, there are about 60 murals scattered across the town, and you can see them all by following the Ruta de los Murales Artisticos. Since they are spread over a wide area, picking up a map with their locations from the Tourist Office is a great idea. In our opinion, finding the best murals is one of the most unique and fun things to do in Estepona in one day!
Beaches in Estepona
Costa del Sol is world-famous for its beautiful beaches, and Estepona is no exception. Some of its beaches, such as Playa del Cristo and Playa Arroyo Vaquero, even have Blue Flag certification which guarantee cleanliness and quality facilities.
Playa de la Rada is main beach in Estepona, located just a few steps from the old town, and stretches for about 2.5km. Playa del Cristo, located near the marina, offers calm waters and dark sand, and is especially popular with families.
Other beaches worth visiting include Playa de Guadalobon, Playa de Punta Plata, and Playa Arroyo de las Cañas. With so many options along the coast, spending a day on the beach is definitely one of the best things to do in Estepona!
Paseo Maritimo
Paseo Maritimo is a lovely promenade that runs all along Playa de la Rada, connecting Estepona’s old town with the marina. There are many beach bars and restaurants along, offering a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood dishes, as well as international cuisine.
Orchid House
The Orchidarium has only been around since 2015, but it has quickly become one of the most popular attractions in Estepona. It’s located in a striking piece of modern architecture that stands out in contrast to Estepona’s traditional charm. Inside, you’ll find one of the largest collections of orchids in Europe, featuring over 1300 different species. Whether you’re a plant lover or just curious traveler, visiting the Orchidarium is one of the most unique things to do in Estepona.
Entrance to Orchid House costs €5 for a normal ticket, €3 for children between 6-12 and pensioners, and is free for children under 6 years old (May 2026). For current prices and opening hours visit orchidariumestepona.com website.
Iglesia de la Ascension – Orthodox Christian Church
Iglesia de la Ascensión caught our eye while driving into Estepona. It’s the first Orthodox Christian church in Andalusia and only the third in Spain! It was scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2020, but when we visited, the site appeared abandoned and locked uptight. But from we can see, in 2026 it’s open and ready for you to visit it during opening hours. While it may not be one of the usual things to do in Estepona, it’s an interesting place to see if you’re curious about modern religious architecture or off-the-beaten-path landmarks.
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 old town.
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.
To Estepona by bus
From many places, you can 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 need to 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 in one day – Summing up
Estepona is a really beautiful and unique city in Southern Spain, 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 nearby future! And as you can see now, there are many amazing 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!
Our opinion about Estepona
There are not so many places that really impress us and steal our hearts but Estepona did. 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, where we lived 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 6 hours.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Estepona?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Estepona:
