Sandwiched between the mountains of the Sierra Bermeja to the north and the Mediterranean to the South, the actual municipality of Estepona covers an area of more than 130 million square metres. The town itself is situated just 83 km from Málaga and like most towns on the Costa del Sol has a rich and varied history. Ancient remains found in the area date back into pre-history with finds from the Neolithic, Copper and Bronze ages. Phoenician and Roman settlements came next and ruins of these can still be seen today in the Guadalmansa Estuary and may have once been part of the large Roman settlement of Salduba.

The conquering Moors ruled supreme for many years after the Romans and it was in the 10th Century that Estepona was born - at that time called Estebbuna - during the reign of the Caliphate of Córdoba. It was an important Arab settlement and they left behind the old quarter of modern Estepona along with the remains of their stronghold, El Nicio castle. This fortress dating back to the 9th century was very important during the rebellion against the Córdoba emirs led by Omar Hafsun. It was finally conquered by the emirate in 923 BC. Today parts of the old castle walls and several towers still remain, located on Calle Castillo.

Another local monument left by the Moors is the Clock Tower. During the Muslim reign, the tower was the minaret of the town's mosque. After the town was conquered by King Henry's troops in 1456, the Christain Castillans converted the old mosque into a church and the minaret became a clock tower. In the 18th century, a neo-classical dome was added, which was decorated with garlands and volutes. Today the clock tower presides over the lovely Plaza del Reloj which also houses a beautiful, wrought iron bandstand. Benches scattered throughout the plaza are the perfect place to contemplate the past under the shade of noble old trees.

Follow the steps from the Plaza del Reloj and you will find yourself at the entrance to Estepona's undercover, municipal market. Fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and meat are sold here and it's an interesting place to simply wander around soaking up the atmosphere. The food on sale here is also a good deal cheaper than the supermarkets. Estepona's main church, the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, is also well worth a visit. Situated between Plaza San Francisco and Plaza los Misioneros, the church was built in the 18th Century and was originally a tertiary Franciscan monastery. The entrance combines iconographic, Marian, Fransiscan and colonial elements and the doors to the interior with its lofty ceiling and bright stained glass windows are rarely closed.

Also located on the Plaza los Misioneros is the Museum of Palaentology. The Municipal District of Estepona is home to some of the most important Pilocene marine fossil beds in the entire Mediterranean. The museum exhibits over 2000 fossils, all around 5 million years old and in extraordinary states of preservation - some even retain their original colouring. The collection is one of the largest and most important in Europe.

The old part of Estepona is a delight to wander; the streets packed with shops of all descriptions as well as cafés, bars and restaurants. All of the street and plaza names are made from ceramic tiles and flowers and plants spill from window boxes and balconies. The Plaza las Flores as its name suggests is bursting with colourful blooms. A fountain in the centre of the plaza is surrounded by gorgeous velvety roses and each of the four entrances to the inner plaza is made of bright bougainvillea arches. Café tables and chairs scatter both the inner sanctum and the surrounding plaza and the Casa de Cultura is also located here. Exhibitions, excursions and an all round information point, the Casa de Cultura is well worth a visit.

If all the walking and wandering has you in need of a rest, why not head to the beach? The town's beaches have all been awarded the European Blue Flag meaning they are clean and well kept. Flanking the beach is the promenade or paseo as its known in Spanish with shallow pools and fountains running its entire length along with various statues. The latest of these depicts a child and a large one peseta coin, immortalising the currency which has now given way to the ubiquitous euro. Beach side chiringuitos serve up fresh seafood and cooling drinks and water sports are widely available for those with energy left to burn.

Follow the beach to its western extremity and you reach the small lighthouse and beyond, Estepona's fishing port and marina. The town has the largest fishing fleet west of Málaga and the daily dawn ritual when the returning fleets auction off the fish they've brought in is worth setting your alarm for. You should be there for 6am as by 7am it's all over and the fishermen get on with mending their nets and repairing their boats. Sadly the general public are unable to buy fish at the auction, but the frenetic pace at which it is held would be enough to worry even the toughest haggler!

The marina, situated at latitude 36° 24'8" north and longitude 5° 9' west can handle nearly five hundred boats and on shore the facilities cater well to the boating community. A plethora of bars, cafés and restaurants catering to every age and taste surround the water and at night, especially during the busy summer months, the port comes alive, often until the early hours. If you are able, visit the marina on a Sunday when a thriving arts and crafts market selling everything imaginable takes over the port.

Across the main road from the marina is the Plaza de Toros, Estepona's bullring. Used also as a live music and show venue, the bullring was designed by Juan Mora Urbano. Reminiscent of a Henry Moore sculpture, the bullring's elliptical arena and modern design make it an unusual and unique building. The bullring also houses several museums, one, devoted to this historic if controversial sport, is named after and dedicated to one of Spain's most famous matadors, Antonio Ordóñez and was inaugurated by his grandson, also a famed bullfighter, Francisco Rivera Ordóñez. Posters and photographs depicting old fights and posing matadors, irons and emblems of Spanish and Portugese breeders and suits worn by some of Spain's most famous fighters are amongst the collection on show.

The Ethnographic Museum displays exhibits covering the lifestyle, customs, economy and other aspects of the inhabitants' life in the area over the centuries. Over two thousand items are on show in twelve exhibition halls along with audio-visual displays. The halls are divided into The Miniatures Room, containing hand-made scale models of tools and agricultural equipment. The Country Room, in which information and utensils are gathered in functional groups; the country house, apiculture, sowing, harvesting, threshing, the storage of grain, livestock, forging and the "gaseosa" soda pop factory. The Marine Room, where hand crafted miniatures of a variety of sea vessels are exhibited alongside a fully equipped boat and the trans-Mediterranean room where scale models of passenger ships are on display together with a binnacle, command bridge and several paintings.

Finally, also housed within the bullring, are the exhibition halls of the Museum of Archaeology. Remains from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic Copper and Bronze ages include ceramics, cut stone tools and polished bronze axes. Amphorae, plates, urns, ceramics, coins, jewels and statues from the Phoenician and Roman eras are on show as well as some Moorish ceramics and coins found at the Castillo del Nicio.

There is also plenty to see and do around Estepona. The stunning scenery with its mountains, rivers and streams, groves of gnarled olive and almond trees and forests of pine and cork is perfect for all outdoor activities including hiking, biking, climbing or quad biking. Alternatively, take a leisurely drive through pristine white washed villages such as Casares, one of Andalucía's finest and sample some local food and wine interspersed with a bit of sight seeing.

Visit Selwo, a huge nature park situated just a few kilometres east of the town or tee off at one of several superb golf courses in the area. Watch the pure tradition of Andalucían equestrian art at the Escuela de Arte Ecuestre Costa del Sol or head out to sea and learn to sail with the Club Naútico de Estepona or deep sea fish with Prestige Fishing Tours. Alternatively take a trip dolphin spotting. The Estepona Exhibition and Conference Hall offers corporate entities an ideal framework for any kind of event with 3,000 m2 of multipurpose pavilion with conference lounges, reception offices and security installations of the highest standards. Visitors can also enjoy landscaped areas with waterfalls and lakes, cafeteria and catering facilities. The exhibition centre hosts a full calendar of events, many of which are open to the public.

In real estate terms, the area surrounding Estepona has been dubbed the "New Golden Mile" and for good reason. Stunning new developments such as Cabo Bermejo and hotels such as the five star Kempinski have placed Estepona firmly on the map and more and more foreign property buyers are opting for this end of the Costa del Sol. With all Estepona has to offer both within the confines of the town itself and throughout the municipality, the tourist office's claim of it being "a dream" is not so far from reality. With an historical heritage and culture second to none, beautiful blue flag beaches, the marina and the town's old quarter, Estepona and its environs have something for everybody, young or old, visitor or resident.

If you would like more information regarding Estepona itself or property in the area, please don't hesitate to
contact our friendly team at the Estepona branch.