Places
The first signs of human presence in Estepona date back to the Palaeolithic period.
Between the 9th and 8th centuries B.C., the Phoenicians founded a city which they called Astapa.
These lands were occupied by the Romans who set up numerous factories on the coast for the production of salted fish, which was then exported throughout the empire.
In the 10th century, the Muslims built the Moorish castle. Today’s Estepona was founded under the protection of the fortress and was called Estebbuna. A large number of farms and mines were established in this area.
Henry IV conquered Estepona and the castle was rebuilt under the rule of the Catholic Monarchs, of which some remains remain. In 1729, King Felipe V granted Estepona independence from Marbella by means of the “Carta de Villazgo”, a charter which is preserved in the municipal archives.
With 21 kilometres of coastline, Estepona offers wonderful beaches with all the services that guarantee safety and to enjoy one of the longest coastlines in the province of Malaga. It has areas where you can practice sports such as scuba diving, kayaking or paddle surfing.
Estepona is the ideal place for sea and nature lovers, since it has the best of the mountains and the sea.
Its old town has been renovated and transformed into one of the most beautiful in Andalusia, offering a real urban garden, “The Garden of the Costa del Sol”. Its whitewashed streets, with their colourful flower pots, give it the flavour of a coastal Andalusian village.
Golf lovers will find in Estepona a paradise to practice this sport: there are seven golf courses, all of them excellent.
El Paraíso Golf Club, Valle Romano Golf & Resort, Atalaya Golf & Country Club, Estepona Golf, La Resina Golf Club, El Campanario Golf & Country Club, El Coto de la Serena.
Another tourism that we must not forget is wellness tourism and this is of great importance in Estepona, with a wide range of services and products oriented towards luxury and health with thalassotherapy centres, hydrotherapy and spas.
Estepona is a welcoming town, which is not only about climate and beach, but also has a great commitment to culture and shows it with the exhibition it puts on display in its streets. It has outdoor sculptures and artistic murals decorating the facades of buildings.
PLACES WE RECOMMEND VISITING:
-The Clock Tower, founded in the 15th century and preserved in perfect condition,
-The Castle of San Luis, erected in the 16th century by order of the Catholic Monarchs, the remains of which can be seen today.
The church of the Virgen de los Remedios, built in the 18th century.
–Punta Doncella lighthouse. This building has numerous vantage points from which to observe North Africa, the Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar. In addition to its heritage value, the lighthouse is still in operation and every day it emits light signals that help vessels to enter the Strait of Gibraltar.
–The prehistoric necropolis of Cerro de Corominas has an interpretation area under the tumulus in which the megalithic funerary architecture is recreated. It recreates, along with other remains, the five dolmens of Estepona, some 5,000 years old.
–Palaeontological Museum, with replicas of fossils, dinosaurs and findings from the Pliocene.
–Bullfighting Museum, dedicated to the master Antonio Ordóñez, where we can see a series of objects related to the national fiesta. The museum also communicates with the bullring of Estepona, which stands out for its unique elliptical floor plan.
– The Ethnographic Museum exhibits the way of life of the people of Estepona over the last few centuries.
– The Orchidarium Estepona / Botanical Park, is an original space that houses more than 5,000 plants, highlighting the 1,300 species of orchids from around the world.
–School of Equestrian Art “Costa del Sol”. This is one of the best equestrian centres in Spain and offers beautiful exhibitions with horses.
-Selwo Aventura, a park that turns into a mini safari in an all-terrain vehicle, immersed in an area with more than 2,000 animals of 200 different species. It is divided into four different villages: Portico of Nature, the Route of the Valleys, the Bird Canyon, and The Central Village. The proximity of the animals and the large play areas make Selwo Aventura one of the favourite plans for families and the youngest members of the family. It also has cabins with the possibility of spending nights in the middle of nature.
-For nature lovers, do not miss the Sierra Bermeja, a red coloured mountain range, the ideal place to enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities, such as walks to see birds of prey or different specimens of the ibex, mountain biking, hiking or those that can be performed both in the Paseo de los Pinsapos or in the Parque de San Isidro. Within this enclave, it is possible to contemplate and enjoy the sunsets with the view of the African coast in the background.
–The Gran Senda has a stage that ends in this municipality (Casares – Estepona) and at the same time begins another stage (Estepona – Marbella). We also have a stage of the Coastal Path (Estepona – Manilva).
–The Estepona Marina is the favourite place for lovers of nautical sports, in its interior we have bars, restaurants and discotheques, it is also the place of choice for nightlife.
–The Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones, hosts important events throughout the year.
–The Felipe VI Auditorium is possibly the most technologically up to date stage on the coast, as well as a space in which to enjoy theatrical, ballet and artistic performances of all kinds. It is not for nothing that a first class SCHOOL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS was installed here.
–The poetry route is undoubtedly the best way to get to know the corners and spaces of the city while you enjoy reading up to 45 poems reproduced on tiles by authors from all eras, and if it becomes too tedious, just know that this route runs alongside many places where you can relieve your thirst and fatigue.
