Having retained its old world charm, Estepona is one of the few resort towns on the Costa del Sol which has remained relatively untouched by development.  Most of the new buildings are on the outskirts of the town, and the main centre retains its Andalucian charm.

Due to its natural environment, surrounded by the sea and Sierra Bermeja mountains, Estepona has a micro climate with over 325 days of sunshine per year.

One of the most important religious celebrations in Estepona is the Virgin del Carmen Procession, which takes place in July every year.

An effigy of the Virgin is often carried on a flower adorned boat around the bay, accompanied by a flotilla of fishing boats, as brass bands play and fireworks fill the sky. The festival is popular throughout fishing villages on the Costa del Sol, and pays homage to the the Virgin del Carmen, and was originally celebrated by mariners and fishermen.  According to tradition, the prophet Elias retreated to a cave in Mount Carmelo in Israel.  Many centuries later, hermits following in Elias´s footsteps asked for protection from the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmelo – the Virgin del Carmen. She was then adopted in many towns and cities as their patron saint, and it was once believed that the sea would not be fit for swimming in until after the 16th July when the Virgin had cleaned it up!

Estepona has many facets which make it a popular holiday destination. It has two EC Blue Flag beaches, a marina area with many tapas bars and restaurants and a white-walled town offering shopping and picturesque squares.
With a population of 60,000 people, Estepona is one of the Costa del Sol´s smaller resorts, yet still offers holiday makers some of the best amenities on the coast.

Particularly popular with Spanish tourists, this bustling town offers accommodation to suit all budgets and requirements, and boasts some of the best beaches in southern Spain.

There is nothing pretentious about Estepona, and numerous street cafes and tapas bars still serve traditional Spanish delicacies at amazingly low prices. The steep, cobbled, narrow streets are home to a host of unusual shops, bars and restaurants, and a weekly market also takes place in the port.

Close to the most southern point of Spain, Estepona is just 35km from Gibraltar, and day trips to this historical rock can be easily arranged from most hotels and tourist offices in the town.

Many hotels have kids clubs and activity centres for younger members of the family, and there are plenty of activities available close to the town.  One of the best family days out has to be a trip to  Selwo Wildlife Park, just 3km from Estepona centre.

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!

There are plenty of refreshment stops and toilets around the park, and lots of helpful staff on hand if you need assistance. Thatched safari style huts can also be rented out at Selwo – giving families the chance to stay overnight and enjoy the facilities.  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.

Boasting 21km of coastline, Estepona prides itself on its clean, white, sandy beaches, and a marble seafront promenade stretches from the east end of town up to the marina. Playa del Cristo, or Cristo Beach, is five minutes west of Estepona Port. It is a small cove with lifeguards on station and also two chiringuitos, beach front bar/restaurants. La Rada Beach is 2 minutes east of Estepona Marina and, at over 1.5km in length, runs from the Marina past Estepona old town.
Estepona’s small shops offer locally made produce and goods. In the main town centre there are a number of boutiques offering contemporary international clothing brands and other goods. There is also a busy Wednesday market featuring clothing as well as food and vegetables. Estepona port holds a Sunday market for more of the “touristy” type of goods.

The main food stores in Estepona are the large Carrefour complex at the edge of the town, a smaller Carrefour express store in the middle of the town and a number of Mercadona supermarkets. Estepona port has two supermarkets: a Supersol providing fresh produce, meat and seafood and an Open Cor, a subsidiary of El Corte Inglés, providing a selection of convenience style foods. Fresh meat, fish and vegetables may also be purchased at the old, but recently renewed, indoor-market, in the centre of town.

There are no large shopping complexes in Estepona. The nearest large department stores are the La Cañada complex just off the north ring road of Marbella or the El Corte Inglés department store in Puerto Banús, just before Marbella. Both can be accessed by traveling east from Estepona towards Málaga on the A7.

For golf lovers, two courses are within easy reach of the town centre. Estepona Golf Course is located on the inland side of the main coastal road, just one mile from Estepona town centre. The course is set against the Sierra Bermeja mountain range, and enjoys sea views from most parts of the course. The fairways are wide and the greens large, which provides a challenge for players of all levels. Monte Mayor Golf and Country Club is signposted from km. 165.6 on the N340 and is nestled in a natural amphitheatre created by the Serrania de Ronda Mountains.  Monte Mayor is very challenging but is probably one of the most beautiful courses you will ever play.

Although Estepona is still a working fishing port, it also boasts some fabulous harbour side cafés, bars and restaurants, plus nightclubs and a host of late night entertainment.  Estepona is the perfect holiday destination for familes who prefer to take a step back from the other packed resort towns along the coast.