Estepona

The area has been occupied since prehistoric times; stone-age tools and dolmens have been discovered. Romans occupied the area, but a seaquake destroyed their town or villa in the 4th century. Archeologists have unearthed some foundations and ceramics, although the disaster's effects (together with massive redevelopment in the 1960s) make further finds unlikely. References to 'Salduba' or 'Silniana' as an important natural port in old documents may refer to this town, or possibly Marbella's San Pedro Alcantara district.

The name 'Estepona' probably comes from the Moorish Astabbuna or Al-extebunna.[3] In 1342, the Battle of Estepona took place in the Bay of Estepona between the fleet of the Kingdom of Aragon and that of the Marinid Dynasty, with the victorious Aragonese fleet subsequently destroyed near Gibraltar, but Christian forces ultimately winning the Siege of Algeciras. Aben al Jhatib, writing in the late 14th century, mentioned the town as being in a state of decay, living on its reputation for culinary delicacies, with its monuments deteriorated. Henry IV of Castile captured the town from the Moors in 1457. A church was built over what had been the town mosque, and a town grew around it, although it too was subsequently destroyed and all that remains is the old clock tower (and the nearby Simon Fernandez school). San Luis castle was built for coastal defense against Berber pirates.

In 1502, the town (or the 25 Christian families resettled from northern Spain) received its first charter. However, it was governed as an administrative district of Marbella until 1729. Philip V of Spain then granted Estepona its own town charter. As the 20th century began, Estepona had 9000 residents, mostly farmers and fishermen.[4]

In 1973, a culvert was built to allow the Monterroso river on Estepona's western edge to run underground.[5]

Gibraltar Airport is the nearest international airport serving Estepona. It is 45 km away and has direct flights to Manchester, London Heathrow Airport, 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 Autovía A-7 which runs along the Costa del Sol. There is also a toll road, referred to as the Autopista AP-7, 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.

The Costa del Sol railway is planned to link Málaga to Estepona via Marbella.

Estepona Port and 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. The market is usually in Estepona on Sundays but it travels around the Málaga province to areas like Puerto Banús, Marbella, Casares, Torremolinos, Fuengirola and more.

Estepona has a subtropical Mediterranean climate[6] (Köppen: Csa) with very mild, humid winters and hot, very dry summers. The summers are hot and very dry, with normally stable temperatures but temperatures above 35 °C (95 °F) are not rare. Winter temperatures are very mild, with average daytime highs around 18 °C (64 °F) and lows around 11 °C (52 °F). The annual average temperature is over 19 °C (66 °F).[7] The city gets more than 300 sunny days per year, and it gets between 2,800-3,000 sunshine hours on average.[8]

Puerto Banús is an upscale community about 30 minutes drive away from Estepona Port with a large number of designer stores.

Selwo Safari Park is styled after African safari parks and houses 2000 animals in semi-wild conditions. It is a 20-minute drive from Estepona Port on the public transport route.

Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Estepona is the exhibition and congress centre of Estepona, located opposite the 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.

Ruta de Murales Artísticos is an enjoyable walk around town that allows you to discover the Route of Artistic Murals which entails the facades of large buildings being used as canvases for more than 40 artistic paintings.[10]

Estepona Old Town - Centro Historico

Calle Papuecas - Estepona Garden of the Costa del Sol.

The San Luis castle (Castillo de San Luis) dates to the 15th century when Queen Isabella I ordered it built to protect the town against the Moorish invaders. Most of the narrow streets and small, one-storey, houses were built in the 18th and 19th centuries, and until the mid 1950s many had no running water or sanitation. Since then, many have had a second storey built (sometimes with a roof terrace on top), all have electricity and all mod-cons, and most are in the more than 100 streets and plazas that have been improved and embellished by having the street repaved, sewers re-installed, and flowerpots provided - and filled - by the Ayuntamiento, the Town Council. Each street has its own colour scheme. The local residents take pride in their attractive streets, mainly traffic free nowadays. Unlike many other Old Towns in Andalucia, these streets are not lined with row after row of shops and bars.

Cycling and tennis are popular in Estepona, with many road races held in the area, and three major tennis clubs. The many golf courses around Estepona include:

Atalaya Golf Old Course, Estepona

• Estepona Golf
• Valle Romano Golf Club
• La Duquesa Golf & Country Club
• La Resina Golf & Country Club
• El Paraíso Golf Club
• Finca Cortesin - Home of the VOLVO World Match Play Championship 2009, 2010 & 2012
• Doña Julia Resort

• The Town Clock Tower.
• The San Luis Castle.
• The Church of Los Remedios.
• The Original Bullring.

• San Isidro Labrador, agricultural religious celebrations on 15 May.
• Ferias y Fiestas mayores, annual town festival at the beginning/start of July.
• Quema de los bigotes de San Juan, traditional solstice-night celebration of 23 June.
• Virgen del Carmen, fishermen religious celebrations on 16 July.
• Virgen de los Remedios, religious celebrations on 15 August.

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  Estepona fishing port (2006)
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  Mountain view from the calvario of Estepona.
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  Photo from Los Reales to Gibraltar
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  One of the entrances to the beach
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  View of the sea from the promenade near Supersol
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  Clock Tower
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  Clock Tower Place
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  Clock Tower view front
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  Church Sta. María de los Remedios
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  Don Manuel, old priest of Sta. María de los Remedios Church
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  Plaza Antonia Guerrero, popularly known as 'la Plaza del Huevo' (The Egg Square) (this square was demolished in 2019)
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  Flower Place
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  Central Market
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  Town Hall
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  Town Hall
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  Town Hall
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  Town Hall
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  The Peseta - old Spanish money
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  St Louis Castle
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  Gibraltar view from Estepona Port

• Estepona travel guide from Wikivoyage

• Official website of Estepona
• Information Guide to Estepona