Estepona
Encyclopedia
Estepona is a town and municipality
in the region of the Costa del Sol
, southern Spain
. It is located in the province of Málaga
, part of the autonomous community
of Andalusia
. Estepona is renowned for its beaches, which stretch along some 21 km of coastline. It is a popular resort and holiday destination.
The official population is around 60,000, although this fluctuates with the arrival of tourists and non-registered foreigners.
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.
Estepona now has many interesting facets which make it a popular and contemporary all year round holiday destination including two EC Blue Flag beach
es, a modern sports marina with many tapas
bars and restaurants and a white-walled town offering shopping and picturesque squares. Estepona was also earmarked in the early 1990s as the original site chosen by the Walt Disney
organisation for their Eurodisney project ahead of Paris, France who were later awarded the installation.
.
The name Estepona probably comes from the Moorish Astabbuna. Henry IV of Castile
captured the town from the Moors in 1457. A church was built on the site of the previous mosque. In 1729 Estepona was granted its own charter by Philip V of Spain
.
is the nearest international airport serving Estepona. It is 45 km away and has direct flights to Manchester, London Gatwick
and London Luton
. Málaga Airport
is the next nearest international airport serving Estepona and is located approximately 80 km away. Estepona is served by the A7 Autovía
which runs along the Costa del Sol
. There is also a toll road
, referred to as the AP7 Autopista
, which provides faster travel along the route between Málaga
and Estepona by-passing many of the urban areas along the route, such as Marbella
. There are two toll stations en route and toll charges vary throughout the year. Normally you can travel from Málaga to Estepona for less than 10 euros in toll charges for a normal size car.
offering restaurants and bars. The port features daily auctions for a wide variety of seafood. The port is also the location of the Estepona street market - a collection of stalls selling numerous textile and leather goods mostly. The market is usually in Estepona on Sundays but it travels around the Málaga
municipality to areas like Puerto Banús
, Marbella
, Casares, Torremolinos
, Fuengirola
and more.
Puerto Banus is an upscale community about 30 minutes drive away from Estepona Port with a large number of designer stores, including Versace and Armani.
Selwo Safari Park
The park is based on the African safari park and houses 2000 animals in semi-wild conditions. Only 20 minutes drive away from Estepona Port (and on the public transport route).
Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Estepona The exhibition and congress centre of Estepona is located opposite Carrefour
supermarket on the eastern edge of Estepona - closest to Marbella
. This centre is home to nearly all of Estepona's organised events including product presentations, fairs, commercial exhibitions, concerts and more.
, but does have a wide variety of restaurants & bars, ranging from local Spanish cuisine
to most Mediterranean cuisines
, also cooked fish of different forms, Italian
and French
. Many restaurants offer terraces allowing diners to eat outside during the late evening. Many restaurants offer multilingual menus with entries in English or German.
Most restaurants are located near the seafront, either along the main promenade adjoining the sea or along Calle Real. There are a number of small Plazas or squares next to Calle Real, on which numerous restaurants can be found.
Fast food restaurants are also present, but are not as numerous as most other European cities. There is a single McDonald's
restaurant at the edge of the town, close to Carrefour
, and a small Burger King
located along the main seafront promenade.
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 Opencor, 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 ringroad 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.
In the old town you can find the usual range of small-to-medium-sized shops, typical of a Spanish town of this size.
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in the region of the Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is a region in the south of Spain, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, comprising the coastal towns and communities along the Mediterranean coastline of the Málaga province. The Costa del Sol is situated between two lesser known costas: Costa de la Luz and Costa Tropical...
, southern Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It is located in the province of Málaga
Málaga (province)
The Province of Málaga is located on the southern coast of Spain, in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the South, and by the provinces of Cádiz, Sevilla, Córdoba and Granada.Its area is 7,308 km²...
, part of the autonomous community
Autonomous communities of Spain
An autonomous community In other languages of Spain:*Catalan/Valencian .*Galician .*Basque . The second article of the constitution recognizes the rights of "nationalities and regions" to self-government and declares the "indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation".Political power in Spain is...
of Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
. Estepona is renowned for its beaches, which stretch along some 21 km of coastline. It is a popular resort and holiday destination.
The official population is around 60,000, although this fluctuates with the arrival of tourists and non-registered foreigners.
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.
Estepona now has many interesting facets which make it a popular and contemporary all year round holiday destination including two EC Blue Flag beach
Blue Flag beach
The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education that a beach or marina meets its stringent standards.The Blue Flag is a trademark owned by FEE which is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation consisting of 65 organisations in 60 member countries in Europe,...
es, a modern sports marina with many tapas
Tapas
Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold or warm ....
bars and restaurants and a white-walled town offering shopping and picturesque squares. Estepona was also earmarked in the early 1990s as the original site chosen by the Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
organisation for their Eurodisney project ahead of Paris, France who were later awarded the installation.
History
Some foundations and ceramics found in the town show the area was occupied at the time of the RomansAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
.
The name Estepona probably comes from the Moorish Astabbuna. Henry IV of Castile
Henry IV of Castile
Henry IV , King of the Crown of Castile, nicknamed the Impotent , was the last of the weak late medieval kings of Castile...
captured the town from the Moors in 1457. A church was built on the site of the previous mosque. In 1729 Estepona was granted its own charter by Philip V of Spain
Philip V of Spain
Philip V was King of Spain from 15 November 1700 to 15 January 1724, when he abdicated in favor of his son Louis, and from 6 September 1724, when he assumed the throne again upon his son's death, to his death.Before his reign, Philip occupied an exalted place in the royal family of France as a...
.
Transportation
Gibraltar AirportGibraltar Airport
Gibraltar Airport or North Front Airport is the civilian airport that serves the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It is owned by the Ministry of Defence for use by the Royal Air Force as RAF Gibraltar. Civilian operators use the airport; currently the only scheduled flights operate to the...
is the nearest international airport serving Estepona. It is 45 km away and has direct flights to Manchester, London Gatwick
London Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is located 3.1 miles north of the centre of Crawley, West Sussex, and south of Central London. Previously known as London Gatwick,In 2010, the name changed from London Gatwick Airport to Gatwick Airport...
and London Luton
London Luton Airport
London Luton Airport is an international airport located east of the town centre in the Borough of Luton in Bedfordshire, England and is north of Central London. The airport is from Junction 10a of the M1 motorway...
. Málaga Airport
Málaga Airport
Málaga Airport , also known as Malaga Costa Del Sol Airport and Pablo Ruiz Picasso Airport, is the fourth busiest airport in Spain after Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. It is an important airport for Spanish tourism as it is the main international airport serving the Costa Del Sol....
is the next nearest international airport serving Estepona and is located approximately 80 km away. Estepona is served by the A7 Autovía
Autovía
An autovía is one of two classes of major highway in the Spanish road system similar to a motorway. It is akin to the autopista, the other major highway class, but has fewer features and is never a toll road. Some distinguishing features of an autovía are that it must be divided by a median, it...
which runs along the Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is a region in the south of Spain, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, comprising the coastal towns and communities along the Mediterranean coastline of the Málaga province. The Costa del Sol is situated between two lesser known costas: Costa de la Luz and Costa Tropical...
. There is also a toll road
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
, referred to as the AP7 Autopista
Autopista
Autopista refers to a controlled-access highway in various Spanish-speaking countries*Autopistas and autovías of Spain*Autopistas of Mexico*Autopistas of Puerto Rico*Autopistas of Chile...
, which provides faster travel along the route between Málaga
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
and Estepona by-passing many of the urban areas along the route, such as Marbella
Marbella
Marbella is a town in Andalusia, Spain. It is situated on the Mediterranean Sea, in the province of Málaga, beneath the La Concha mountain. In 2000 the city had 98,823 inhabitants, in 2004, 116,234, in 2010 approximately 135,000....
. There are two toll stations en route and toll charges vary throughout the year. Normally you can travel from Málaga to Estepona for less than 10 euros in toll charges for a normal size car.
Estepona Port
Estepona Port and Marina is a working fishing portPort
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
offering restaurants and bars. The port features daily auctions for a wide variety of seafood. The port is also the location of the Estepona street market - a collection of stalls selling numerous textile and leather goods mostly. The market is usually in Estepona on Sundays but it travels around the Málaga
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
municipality to areas like Puerto Banús
Puerto Banús
Puerto José Banús, more commonly known as Puerto Banús is a marina located in the area of Nueva Andalucía, to the southwest of Marbella, Spain on the Costa del Sol. It was built in May 1970 by José Banús, a local property developer, as a luxury marina and shopping complex for the rich and famous...
, Marbella
Marbella
Marbella is a town in Andalusia, Spain. It is situated on the Mediterranean Sea, in the province of Málaga, beneath the La Concha mountain. In 2000 the city had 98,823 inhabitants, in 2004, 116,234, in 2010 approximately 135,000....
, Casares, Torremolinos
Torremolinos
Torremolinos is a municipality on the Costa del Sol of the Mediterranean, immediately to the west of the city of Málaga, in the province of Málaga in the autonomous region of Andalusia in southern Spain...
, Fuengirola
Fuengirola
Fuengirola, in ancient times known as Suel and then Suhayl, is a large town and municipality on the Costa del Sol in the province of Málaga, autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. It is a major tourist resort, with more than 8 km of beaches, and home to a mediæval Moorish fortress...
and more.
Places of interest
Puerto BanúsPuerto Banús
Puerto José Banús, more commonly known as Puerto Banús is a marina located in the area of Nueva Andalucía, to the southwest of Marbella, Spain on the Costa del Sol. It was built in May 1970 by José Banús, a local property developer, as a luxury marina and shopping complex for the rich and famous...
Puerto Banus is an upscale community about 30 minutes drive away from Estepona Port with a large number of designer stores, including Versace and Armani.
Selwo Safari Park
Safari park
A safari park, sometimes known as a wildlife park, is a zoo-like commercial tourist attraction where visitors can drive in their own vehicles or ride in vehicles provided by the facility to observe freely roaming animals...
The park is based on the African safari park and houses 2000 animals in semi-wild conditions. Only 20 minutes drive away from Estepona Port (and on the public transport route).
Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Estepona The exhibition and congress centre of Estepona is located opposite Carrefour
Carrefour
Carrefour S.A. is an international hypermarket chain headquartered in Levallois-Perret, France. It is one of the largest hypermarket chains in the world...
supermarket on the eastern edge of Estepona - closest to Marbella
Marbella
Marbella is a town in Andalusia, Spain. It is situated on the Mediterranean Sea, in the province of Málaga, beneath the La Concha mountain. In 2000 the city had 98,823 inhabitants, in 2004, 116,234, in 2010 approximately 135,000....
. This centre is home to nearly all of Estepona's organised events including product presentations, fairs, commercial exhibitions, concerts and more.
Beaches
"Playa del Cristo", or Christ 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 1.5 km in length runs from the Marina past Estepona old town. There is also the popular naturist/nudist beach of Costa Natura to the west of Estepona, which was the first official naturist site in Spain.Restaurants & eating out
Estepona is not known for the "night club" culture found in some areas on the Costa del SolCosta del Sol
The Costa del Sol is a region in the south of Spain, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, comprising the coastal towns and communities along the Mediterranean coastline of the Málaga province. The Costa del Sol is situated between two lesser known costas: Costa de la Luz and Costa Tropical...
, but does have a wide variety of restaurants & bars, ranging from local Spanish cuisine
Spanish cuisine
Spanish cuisine consists of a variety of dishes, which stem from differences in geography, culture and climate. It is heavily influenced by seafood available from the waters that surround the country, and reflects the country's deep maritime roots...
to most Mediterranean cuisines
Cuisine of the Mediterranean
Mediterranean cuisine is the food from the cultures adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea.Whether this is a useful category is disputed:The idea of the ‘standard Mediterranean’ .....
, also cooked fish of different forms, Italian
Italian cuisine
Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BCE. Italian cuisine in itself takes heavy influences, including Etruscan, ancient Greek, ancient Roman, Byzantine, Jewish and Arab cuisines...
and French
French cuisine
French cuisine is a style of food preparation originating from France that has developed from centuries of social change. In the Middle Ages, Guillaume Tirel , a court chef, authored Le Viandier, one of the earliest recipe collections of Medieval France...
. Many restaurants offer terraces allowing diners to eat outside during the late evening. Many restaurants offer multilingual menus with entries in English or German.
Most restaurants are located near the seafront, either along the main promenade adjoining the sea or along Calle Real. There are a number of small Plazas or squares next to Calle Real, on which numerous restaurants can be found.
Fast food restaurants are also present, but are not as numerous as most other European cities. There is a single McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
restaurant at the edge of the town, close to Carrefour
Carrefour
Carrefour S.A. is an international hypermarket chain headquartered in Levallois-Perret, France. It is one of the largest hypermarket chains in the world...
, and a small Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
located along the main seafront promenade.
Shopping
Estepona's small local 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
Mercadona
Mercadona is a Spanish supermarket operator. The Valencia-based company is the largest supermarket chain in Spain - although Carrefour is the largest food retailer - with stores on mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands...
supermarkets.
Estepona port has two supermarkets: a Supersol providing fresh produce, meat and seafood and an Opencor, a subsidiary of El Corte Inglés
El Corte Inglés
El Corte Inglés S.A. , headquartered in Madrid, is the biggest department store group in Europe and ranks fourth worldwide...
, 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 ringroad of Marbella or the El Corte Inglés
El Corte Inglés
El Corte Inglés S.A. , headquartered in Madrid, is the biggest department store group in Europe and ranks fourth worldwide...
department store in Puerto Banús, just before Marbella. Both can be accessed by traveling east from Estepona towards Málaga on the A7.
In the old town you can find the usual range of small-to-medium-sized shops, typical of a Spanish town of this size.
Sport
There are many golf courses around Estepona including:- Estepona Golf
- Valle Romano Golf Club
- La Duquesa Golf & Country Club
- La Resina Golf & Country Club
- El Paraíso Golf Club
Landmarks
- The Town Clock Tower.
- The San Luis Castle.
- The Church of Los Remedios.
- The Original Bullring.
Local celebrations
- San Isidro Labrador, agricultural religious celebrations on the 15th of May.
- Ferias y Fiestas mayores, annual town festival at the beginning/start of July.
- Quema de los bigotes de San Juan, traditional night celebration of the 23 June.
- Virgen del Carmen, fishermen religious celebrations on the 16th of July.