24 hours in Estepona
What to do in 24 hours in Estepona? Jaume from Esteponeros.com (a local website dedicated to Estepona) offered to write his thoughts on what to see and do in Estepona. Some useful tips and resources below.
If you are looking for a dream destination on the Costa del Sol, Estepona is an excellent option. This beautiful Andalusian city located in the province of Malaga has a large number of activities and places of interest to enjoy in 24 hours. In this article we will present some of the most interesting options so that you can make the most of your time in Estepona.
Eat breakfast outside
There is nothing better to start the day than a good breakfast. Estepona has cafeterias for all tastes. You decide if you want something more traditional, something more chic, a good coffee or a place with a view. In the Garden of the Costa del Sol there is everything. Here we present the bars and cafeterias where, in our humble opinion, the best breakfasts are served. With a full belly, we can start the day on the right foot.
The Orchidarium
We will start with a visit to the Orchidarium, an impressive space that houses one of the most important orchid collections in Europe. It is a 1,000 square meter botanical garden that has more than 5,000 specimens of orchids from all over the world, from local species to exotic varieties.
In the Orquidario you will also find a waterfall, a pond and a series of paths surrounded by plants and flowers of all kinds. If you are a nature lover you cannot miss this visit.
22 kilometres of beach
After touring the Orchidarium, it is time to enjoy the beaches of Estepona. The city has a wide variety of beaches. The water is cold but it is compensated by a warm and sunny climate throughout the year.
Among the most outstanding are Playa del Cristo (the most recommended if you go with children), Playa de la Rada and Playa del Saladillo. You can relax in the sun, take a bath in the sea or even practice water sports such as windsurfing or paddle surfing. There are also boat trips to enjoy the sunset or to spot dolphins and flying fish.
If nudism is your thing, in Estepona is the oldest nudist beach in Spain: Arroyo Vaquero, also known as Costa Natura.
Coastal Path
The Estepona Coastal Path is a section of approximately 21 kilometers in length that runs along the coast. This trail has become one of the most popular routes in the area, as it allows visitors to enjoy stunning views of the Mediterranean.
It is an ideal place for those who want to spend a day outdoors in contact with nature. It is also highly recommended for running.
La plaza de las flores (flower square)
We continue our tour of the city with a stop at Plaza de las Flores, one of the most emblematic places in Estepona. This square, located in the old town, is a meeting place for locals and tourists. In addition, the square is surrounded by bars and restaurants where you can taste the local gastronomy and enjoy the nightlife of Estepona.
In the same square is the Casa de las Tejerinas, a cultural center that hosts major exhibitions as well as the tourist office. Head over there and ask for a map of the city. It will be very useful during your stay.
Stop to Eat?
It’s time to stop to eat. Here we cover some of the best restaurants in Estepona.
The route of the murals
With the tourist map that you have collected in the Casa de las Tejerinas and your energy restored, the time has come to see art. This route mainly runs through the old town of Estepona, where you can admire more than 60 murals made by national and international artists. These murals depict a wide variety of themes, from local flora and fauna to everyday scenes of city life.
If you don’t want to do the entire tour, at least make sure you see El Pescador, a mural that links several buildings into a single composition that you can enjoy very close to the Orchidarium. And if you go to the new Estepona town hall, ask about the only mural that can be seen from a bird’s eye view, it’s wonderful.
Shopping on Calle Real and Calle Terraza
If you feel like buying something, be it a souvenir of Estepona or something for yourself, we invite you to stroll through the shopping area. The vast majority of shops in the city center are concentrated between Calle Real and Calle Terraza, although there are also some on the Paseo Marítimo. And if you like larger shopping centers you can go to Carrefour.
Many Estepona residents also go to La Cañada, a shopping center outside the municipality where you can find practically everything.
Puerto Deportivo (Estepona Marina)
Finally, you cannot leave Estepona without visiting the Puerto Deportivo. This port is one of the most important on the Costa del Sol and has more than 400 moorings. Here you can contemplate the yachts and boats that are docked and enjoy the gastronomic and leisure offer that is offered in the area.
If your stay in Estepona coincides with a Sunday, you will see that from early in the morning the Port becomes a traditional market. Clothing, accessories, crafts, decorative objects… The possibilities are endless and the prices are very reasonable.
As you can see, in 24 hours you can do many interesting things in Estepona. From visiting the Orchidarium to the beach, passing through the Plaza de las Flores and the Puerto Deportivo, the city offers a wide variety of activities for all tastes and ages.
When to go to Estepona
A few years ago, the summer season seemed like the only correct answer to the question. That’s not the case at all anymore. The climate in Estepona is very pleasant throughout the year and the growing cultural activity in the city has turned this corner of the world into a benchmark for sustainability. Beyond the summer, Easter, the May Crosses, Carnival and Christmas are all magnificent excuses to discover an essential destination in Andalusia.
If you plan to visit the Costa del Sol, Estepona is a beautiful place that you cannot miss.
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Hi, thanks for yet another great post. I am divided between moving to this town (or another one of the towns you described in Malaga) or Valencia, we have a family of 4 (two kids) 3 of us Speak Spanish and my husband does not. What would you recommend?
Hi Layla. Do you mean the city of Valencia and not the province of Valencia? (because Estepona is a town and Valencia a major city).
We personally really like the city of Valencia and if you like city life Valencia is fabulous. Estepona is a pretty place and if you like smaller coastal towns you will like it. Personally (and we’re right now in the process of moving from Nerja) we’re a bit bored with coastal towns and look forward to being in a more authentic Spanish city. So if you’re comparing the city of Valencia to the town of Estepona that’s my opinion.
But again, it all depends on what you are looking for 🙂