Estepona

Local information about Estepona

<< Back to the Costa del Sol

History and Timeline of Estepona

Almost the entire municipality of Estepona is dominated by the majestic Sierra Bermeja range. This massif is formed of volcanic rocks known as periodite, a mineral rich in iron oxide, that imparts a characteristic reddish tinge to the terrain. The Paraje Natural (Nature Park) of Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja (highest point 1,449 metres) is located in this setting. Here are found the largest masses of periodite in southern Europe. This natural space, with an area of 1,236 hectares, also preserves the only forest of Spanish firs on this type of rock.

The preceding may give some idea of this area’s extraordinary ecological value. This translates visually into an beautiful scenery, especially at the highest elevations, which command an extremely broad panoramic view encompassing not only the coast but also the Atlas mountain range on the neighbouring continent of Africa.

In the lower regions of the municipality the waters that come down from the mountains have formed several short rivers in the eastern part, including the Padron, Castor, and Velerin, on whose banks citrus and fruit trees grow, while in the west, and in some areas that meet the sea, one again sees fruit orchards and, even more frequently, broad fields of grain, low brush and grazing lands. This is in frank contrast to the coastal strip, where, besides the village itself, endless urban developments have sprung up, as is to be expected of a first class tourist locality.

The village’s origin is rather confusing, but it seems that the Phoenicians, who established a commercial trading post at this point, called it Astapa. Some historians connect Estepona to the Iberian town of Saldaba, which others think was in Marbella, and there are those who cite Cilciana as the origin of the village. Be that as it may, on the hill of El Torreon ruins have been found that well may be of this primitive settlement.

It has been established with more certainty that this locality was besieged by the Roman Lucius Marcius because its residents had remained loyal to the Carthaginians, until in 208 B. C. it fell to the Romans. Later, and after the customary confrontations between Muslims and Christians-Alfonso XI fought a historic battle off the coast of Estepona in 1342 and emerged victorious-the village was conquered by Enrique IV, under whose ruse the San Luis castle was built, of which some ruins still remain on Calle Castillo. The locality was subject to the jurisdiction of Marbella until 1729, when Felipe V granted it its independence by means of a document called a 'carta de villazgo' (charter of royal burgh privileges) that is preserved in the municipal archives.

Nevertheless, the municipality has avoided massive development as much as possible, so there are still large green zones between the most heavily developed areas, and even these generally have open spaces. This has led to the Town Hall of Estepona being honoured with the 'Live in Spain-CISA 2004' award for the best residential urban development planning.

Renowned for its beaches, which stretch along some 21 km of coastline, it is a popular resort and holiday destination. With many interesting facets, it has become a popular tourist destination and has several Blue Flag beaches, a modern sports marina with many tapas bars and restaurants and of course the white-walled town of Estepona itself offering shopping and picturesque squares.

Estepona Port

Estepona Marina is a working fishing port 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.

Local Beaches

"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 1.5 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 Sol, 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.

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 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.

Tourist Information

Town Hall, Plaza de Blas Infante, 1, 29680
Telephone: 952 801 100
Fax: 952 793 977

Tourism Office, Avenida de San Lorenzo, 1
Telephone: 952 802 002
Fax: 952 792 181

Estepona Townhall website