Estepona on the Costa del Sol
The Charming Plaza del Flores, Estepona
Estepona is thought to have been a place of some importance even before the Arabs came but its origins are something of a mystery. It's name is probably derived from the Moorish Astabbuna. It entered the twentieth century as a village of 9,000 farmers and fisherman and only in the 1970s did it start down the tourist route in earnest. The town itself is on the beach and home to some of the best kept beaches along the Costa del Sol. La Rada is right in the centre and there is an impressive sea front promenade running for 2.6 kms. Beach bars are located regularly along its route and there are numerous restaurants and bars along its length. To "promenade " or "paseo" in the evening is a Spanish pastime in which you are encouraged to indulge! El Padron is a little to the east of Estepona close to the Kempinski Hotel and you will find car parking and beach bars. El Cristo is to the west and is a pretty little bay with beach bars and parking situated close to the Marina. The town itself is probably my favourite part of Estepona with its many pretty squares and paved areas. Civic pride is very much in evidence with flowers everywhere, some lovely fountains and the beautifully maintained beaches and "paseo maritimo" all being prime examples of this.It remains stubbornly Spanish, which is part of its attraction. A warm welcome is extended to visitors and if you want something but don't know the Spanish for it, just draw it or point to it! In a very short time the whole shop and the other customers will be trying to help you buy it!
Steps leading upto Estepona Church Shopping is very good and delightfully varied but don't expect all the shops to be together. There is a large pedestrianised shopping area but do explore the cobbled side streets as there are many other interesting shops tucked away and there is always a square to sit in and a coffee to keep you going. Market day is on a Wednesday and there is a lot of it so take your time and start early as it gets very hot.
Estepona Port Estepona Marina is to the west of the town and is a sort of mini Puerto Banus. The yachts moored are looking bigger and more expensive these days which is a sign that the rich and famous are starting to move a little further down the Coast. There is a wide range of bars and restaurants and a thriving Sunday Market. After dark the Marina takes on a different life when the night clubs and discos come to life and you can while away the hours until dawn. The Marina is also a working fishing Port and you can watch the boats come and go and the catch being landed. The fish is not for sale but is bought by local suppliers and may well be on your table next time you dine out! Estepona now boasts some fine hotels so is firmly on the tourist map. However this has not resulted in it's losing it's individuality but rather has just encouraged the townsfolk to take more pride in their delightful seaside town and to sympathetically improve and maintain it. This has resulted in it becoming a delightful holiday resort which has much to offer in its own right but is also conveniently located to explore much lovely countryside or to visit Gibraltar or Morocco and of course there is also a good choice of fine Golf Courses in the locality. For a hand picked selection of villas and apartments in and around Estepona Click Here. Or for an even Larger Selection of Costa del Sol Vacation Rentals please visit our Partner Web Site www.Belvilla.org or try James Villa Holidays for Holiday Homes of Distinction
Order your Holiday Euros here delivered direct to your door at very good rates. Weekly guided tours around the old town. Every Thursday. Weekly guided tours of the old part of the town. The 1 ½ hour tour leaves the tourist office in Avenida San Lorenzo at 10am and includes visits to the historic sites such as the Plaza de las Flores, the San Luis Castle, the old town hall and the Plaza del Reloj. More information from the tourist office, phone 952 802 002 or email: turismo@infoestepona.com.
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