Estepona

Town · Andalusia, 🇪🇸 Spain

Estepona is a town on the Costa del Sol, in the province of Málaga, about halfway between Marbella and Gibraltar. It has a whitewashed old town full of flowerpots, painted murals and small squares, and a long seafront promenade and beaches.

It is calmer than Marbella and Torremolinos, and it is popular for a relaxed beach stay. On a clear day, you can see the coast of Morocco and the Rock of Gibraltar.

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When to visit

Spring and autumn are warm, with fewer crowds. Summer is hot and busy, with the beaches full in July and August. Winters are mild, and the old town is pleasant for walking, although some beach businesses close.

The town's flowers are at their best in spring.

Best time to visit: April, May, June, July, September, October, November

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Good

16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 6°–19°
10° at night
10 rainy days
14 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Good

17° (feels like 14°) · extremes 6°–20°
10° at night
8 rainy days
13 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Good

18° (feels like 16°) · extremes 8°–23°
12° at night
10 rainy days
14 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Great

20° (feels like 18°) · extremes 10°–24°
14° at night
8 rainy days
16 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in May

Great

23° (feels like 22°) · extremes 12°–28°
16° at night
6 rainy days
21 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
17°C · too cold to swim
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

27° · extremes 16°–32°
20° at night
2 rainy days
25 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
18°C · cool for a dip
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great

31° · extremes 20°–35°
23° at night
0 rainy days
29 sunny days
13 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
20°C · cool for a dip
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in August

Good

31° (feels like 32°) · extremes 20°–35°
23° at night
1 rainy day
28 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
21°C · cool for a dip
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in September

Great

27° (feels like 28°) · extremes 18°–31°
21° at night
5 rainy days
20 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
20°C · cool for a dip
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Great

24° (feels like 23°) · extremes 14°–28°
18° at night
8 rainy days
17 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
19°C · cool for a dip
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Great

19° (feels like 17°) · extremes 9°–23°
13° at night
9 rainy days
15 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
17°C · too cold to swim
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in December

Good

17° (feels like 14°) · extremes 8°–20°
11° at night
10 rainy days
13 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Top sights

The old town (casco antiguo) has narrow streets with flowerpots on every wall, murals, and small squares such as the Plaza de las Flores.
The Castillo de San Luis is a small castle with a tower in the old town, and the Torre del Reloj is a clock tower on the site of the old walls.
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios is the parish church on the main square.
The Museo Taurino and the Museo Etnográfico are small museums in the old town.
La Rada is the main town beach, with a seafront promenade, and the Faro de Punta Doncella is a lighthouse on the promenade.
The Orquidario (orchid house) is a botanical garden with a large collection of orchids.
Selwo Aventura is a safari park in the hills behind the town.
The Playa de Guadalmansa and other long sandy beaches are east of town, and the Puerto Deportivo is the marina.

Featured Lists

Eduardo Flores / CC BY-SA 4.0

Estepona Unmissables

Estepona's historic center is defined by the 18th-century Iglesia de los Remedios and the ruins of the 16th-century San Luis Castle. The town features unique landmarks like the Orchidarium, housing over 1,300 species under glass domes, and the Corominas Necropolis, which preserves five 5,000-year-old megalithic tombs. Along the coast, the 2.6-kilometer La Rada beach sits adjacent to the 1920s Punta Doncella lighthouse. Cultural venues include the large-scale Felipe VI Auditorium and the expansive Selwo Aventura safari park.

9 places

What to experience

Walk through the old town and look at the murals and flowerpots.
Spend a day on the beach and walk the promenade at sunset.
Eat fresh grilled sardines at a beach bar.
Go on a day trip to Ronda or Gibraltar.

Tours & Activities

Estepona — Map

Day trips

Marbella (about 30 km): a coastal resort with a pretty old town.
Ronda (about 70 km): a town on a gorge, with a famous bridge.
Gibraltar (about 50 km): a British territory with a rock and a nature reserve. Take your passport.
Algeciras (about 55 km): a port with ferries to Morocco.
Casares (about 20 km): a white village on a hilltop.

Where to explore

Other places nearby:

Costa del Sol: Marbella and Benalmádena.
Andalusia: Ronda, Algeciras and Antequera.

Getting there

By air: Málaga airport is about 80 km away, and Gibraltar airport about 45 km.
By bus: Buses run along the coast from Málaga, Marbella and Algeciras. There is no railway station in Estepona.
By car: The AP-7 toll motorway and the A-7 free road run along the coast.

Getting around

On foot: The old town and the seafront are flat and easy to walk.
Local bus: Buses connect the center with the outlying beaches and the port.
Bike: There are cycling and walking paths along the seafront.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Useful for day trips along the coast and into the hills, but not needed in town.
Parking: The old town has underground car parks. Many streets are pedestrian only.
Roads: The coastal road is busy in summer.

Food & drink

The cuisine is based on fresh fish and seafood. The classic is espeto de sardinas, sardines grilled on a skewer over an open fire on the beach. Also try pescaíto frito (fried fish), gazpacho and ajoblanco (a cold almond and garlic soup), and fresh seafood in the marina.

Tapas bars in the old town serve small plates with drinks.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Estepona is generally safe. In summer, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. Pickpocketing is possible in crowded areas. Check the swimming flags on the beaches, as currents can be strong.

History

The Estepona area has been settled since prehistoric times, and there are Roman remains nearby. The Moors held the town for centuries, and it was captured by the Catholic Monarchs in 1457.

In the 20th century, Estepona was a fishing and farming town. Tourism developed from the 1960s, and in recent years the town has invested in its old town, with flowers, murals and pedestrian streets.