Andalucian Pics

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General information Estepona

How to reach Estepona

• By Road.The N-340 (Duel carriageway) and the E-15 (Motorway) cross the municipality running parallel to the coast for more than 21 Km. A regular bus service connects with all the centres of interest of the Costa del Sol, cities of Andalusia and Madrid. Another alternative route, inland in this case, is available via the provincial road M-557 which takes us to the villages of the Serranía de Ronda and connects us with the provincial road 333 Algeciras - Ronda. At 1 Km. outside the boundaries of the municipality, in San Pedro Alcantara, you can join the provincial road 339 Ronda -Seville.
• By Train. The nearest main line train stations are those of Algeciras which is 50 Km away and Malaga. A local train service is available from Malaga International Airport to Fuengirola 53 Km away, where transport is available by road on the local bus service.
• By Air. Malaga International Airport lies 70 Km. away with regular flights to and from all the main destinations in the world. Gibraltar airport is situated only 45 Km. away.
• By Boat. The excellent installations of Estepona Marina can harbour most yachts and boats. The international port of Algeciras is 50 Km. away, with a ferry line to Morocco and also continents. The International Port of Algeciras is 50 Km away, from where passages are available to North Africa, also merchant and passenger sailings are available to all the continents.

Estepona history

The most ancient remains found in Estepona date back several thousands of years into the past, into prehistory, the Neolithic, the Copper and the Bronze Age. Amongst the numerous Phoenician and Roman settlements, the ruins on the Guadalmansa Estuary are particularly noteworthy and might belong to the Roman town of Salduba. The town of Estebunna, the forerunner of the current Estepona, was founded in the 10 Century during the reign of splendour of the Caliphate of Cordoba. In spite of the importance of the Arab settlement during the Muslim period, the town was conquered by the King Henry IV of Castillo’s troops in 1456 and was completely destroyed a few years later. At the beginning of the 16th Century, the Catholic Kings ordered the reconstruction of the walls of Estepona due to its excellent strategic location, and set about by colonising the area with 30 families comprising the core from which the population has grown to its present number. In 1559 the growing populace was sold to Marbella under the jurisdiction of which it remained until 1729, when Philip V conferred the town its charter, then a prosperous settlement of more than 600 inhabitants, which continues to grow today.

Estepona monuments

• El Nicio Castle. It is the ruins of a 9th Century fortress, from which the walls and several towers remain. The fortress was very important during Omar Ben Hafsun's rebellion against the Cordoba emirs and was finally conquered by the emirate troupes in the year 923 DC.


• The Clock Tower. The tower dates back to the Arab period during which it was the minaret of a mosque. After the town was conquered by the Castilians, the mosque became a church and the minaret was used as a bell tower.
In the 18 Century a neo-classical dome was added, and was decorated with garlands and volutes.
• The Watchtowers. Distributed along the length of Estepona's 21 kilometres of coast, there is 7 Watchtowers of Muslim and Castilian origin, testimony to a method of defence which lasted well into the 19th Century.
• The Ruins of the Castle of Saint Louis. The ruins are remaining of the Castle built on the orders of the Catholic Kings at the beginning of the 16th Century, to reinforce the walls of the town and encourage its resettlement.
• The Church of Our Lady of Redemption. Built in the 18 Century, the church was originally a tertiary Franciscan monastery. The entrance combines iconographic, Marian, Franciscan and colonial elements.
• The House of the Marquees of Mondéjar. Built during the 18 Century. An interesting example of aristocratic architecture.
• The Bullring. Opened in 1972, its asymmetric design by the architect Juan Mora Urbano, makes this bullring the only one of its kind.

Estepona Museums

• The Museum of Archaeology. Located in the unique setting of the Estepona Bullring the museum offers the visitor a multitude of objects associated with bullfighting including a complete collection of posters and, specially, several suits donated by the best "toreros" It is through the exhibits distributed throughout the twelve exhibition halls covering separate eras and themes that we are able to familiarise ourselves with the Estepona way of life over the last few centuries. The exhibits include themes on the importance of bee-keeping, harvesting cereals, livestock, the forge, fishing, and more.
• The Maritime and Country Museum. The Museum is located at the Estepona Bullring. The Municipal District of Estepona is home to some of the most important Pliocene marine fossil beds in the Mediterranean. Apart from its scientific importance, the museum enables the visitor to admire the beauty of these fossils which are more than five million years old.
• The Museum of Palaeontology. The Museum of Palaeontology is located in the Plaza de los Misioneros", next to the Church of Our Lady of Redemption -"Iglesia de los Remedios". Walking through the exhibition halls of this museum the visitor is able to take a complete tour of Estepona's most ancient history as they learn of the mark left on this land by the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Arabs and the Christians, familiarising themselves with the wealth of history which pervades both Estepona and the surrounding region.
• The Bullfighting Museum. Bullfighters in Spain.

Estepona Installations

Estepona Harbour

• Situation: Latitude 36º 24´8´´ north and longitude 5º 9´ west
• Number of berths: 442
• Total mooring capacity: 900
• Depth: 6 m.
• Technical Services: Water, electricity, fuel, ramp, mechanic workshop, docks, crane, chandlery.

Estepona Fishing Area

Where Estepona’s fishing fleet moors. Docks, ice factory, fish market and auxiliary workshops.

 

Estepona Bullring

Designed by Juan Mora Urbano; its elliptical arena and unique design make. Bullfighting, the national festival, finds its most important representations in Andalusia. The Bullring of Estepona has been the scene of many glorious and exciting afternoons. Also used as a venue for musical and this is an unusual bullring. Folkloric shows.

Costa del Sol craftsmanship

Craftsmanship has been of great importance to discover the development of mankind throughout history; an activity through which the human hand has been capable of expressing the reality of the surroundings in which the craft was practised. Estepona, a town well – routed to the country and the sea, brings us certain artistic activities of which some remain nowadays. Our ancestors knew how to teach their children so that this tradition would withstand the passage of time, which is why Estepona supports its local crafts fair, where everyone decorates their stand with the best items which the dexterity and the skill of their hands can create. The magnificent works which our local craftsmen create include lace-making, palm-work -using fine strips of intertwined dwarf palm leaves-, leather work for working saddle bags or as finery, wood carving, ceramics and polychrome; crafts which have led Estepona to preserve its village identity. It is through its traditions that our town has learned how to keep its craftsmanship and to enrich itself from those who came before us.

Estepona beaches

Succession of beaches with different degrees of usage and popularity according to the area. The Rada Beach, located in front of the town, has all services: restaurants, showers, lifeguards,etc. Awarded with the Blue Flag, it is the largest and most popular. The Cristo Beach forms a charming cove, and is ideal for any time of the year, being sheltered from the winds. The beaches La Galera and Bahía Dorada are distinguished by the beauty of the rocky areas with cliffs forming enchanting coastal landscapes. The beach of Costa Natura, first nudist beach of the Costa del Sol, offers a very popular alternative among the naturists of the whole of Europe. The following is a list of each of the beaches indicating the length of the coastline each case.

 

1. Playa Del Cristo : 680 m.
2. Playa de La Rada : 2.630 m.
3. Playa Punta de la Plata : 2.220 m.
4. Playa de la Punta Pinillo : 1.290 m.
5. Playa Del Castor : 2.040 m.
6. Playa La Galera : 960 m.
7. Playa de Bahía Dorada : 1.120 m.
8. Playa de Arroyo Vaquero : 585 m.
9. Costa Natura : 400 m. Naturist
10. Playa del Guadalobón : 1.860 m.
11. Playa Bella : 1.220 m.
12. Playa del Guadalmansa : 1.370 m.
13. Playa Del Saladillo : 2.630 m.
14. Playa de Casasola : 910 m.
15. Playa de La Atalaya : 1.070 m.

Marine Ecotourism Western Costa del Sol

The Straits of Gibraltar are a geographic funnel where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet and mix, producing a number of different currents and phenomena which are worthy of observation. It is the dynamic movement of these currents which gives rise to the incredible biological wealth in both abundance and diversity, in an area which many species depend on for food, reproduction and development. Marine mammals are long distance migratory species which are forced to pass through the Straits on their travels. However, there are resident groups of dolphins that move around the coast of Estepona without ever leaving its waters and it is Estepona which offers the visitor a 98% chance of seeing dolphins when the weather conditions are suitable for sailing. There are companies and Trusts which both in the winter and in the summer enable one to enjoy the unforgettable experience of watching and listening to the dolphins playing only a short distance.

Selwo Safari Park Estepona

It covers an area of 100 ha, where almost 2,000 species of animals live in almost complete freedom. The Park also has wildlife teaching facilities, supporting educational and environmental awareness. For the horse rider, Estepona is home to the Costa del Sol Equestrian Art School, where the purest form of Andalusia dressage can be enjoyed at the Centre's horse show.

Nature in the surroundings of Estepona

Sierra Bermeja (1,449 m) dominates the mountainous landscape enfolding Estepona with its imposing presence. Its summit is reached through exuberant forests of pinsapo fir trees, sweet chestnuts, pines and other indigenous species of flora of this spectacularly beautiful nature reserve. Deer, wild boar, mountain goats and a great number of smaller mammals, indigenous and migratory birds find their haven in this habitat. The keen naturalist may enjoy day trips along footpaths leading to places of inspiring beauty. Pedregales Park offers spectacular views of the coast of Africa and Gibraltar. The sandstone and clay deposits play with the shape of the terrain creating a rare and extraordinary place of natural beauty. Seven log cabins have been placed within the Park, providing an ideal base from which to combine a visit to the countryside, only ten minutes away from the coast by road, with a wide range of activities like mountain biking, horse riding and walking.

 

Estepona and the Folklore

Estepona’s tradition is similar in the whole of Andalusia and mainly, presents the same characteristics. Even nowadays, it is possible to hear in countries, some of the bars and in Flamenco Club, the sounds of one of the most pure forms of flamenco singing, the “Cante Hondo”. This club organizes during the year, shows and competitions, some of which are recognized as of the highest level, being frequented by guitar players, singers and dancers of good name, a lot of them from Estepona. The flamenco singing and dancing, deep-rooted can be heard and seen in the streets and premises of Estepona.

Estepona Festivities - Calendar

• Carnivals: 2nd week of February
• Colourful masquerades and groups of jesters enliven the streets at this time.
• Spanish film week
• Terror film week
• Costa del Sol fashions
• Easter Week: March-April
• Religious processions organised by the local brotherhoods.
• Festive pilgrimage to the chapel of the Saint in Los Pedregales Park.
• Evening of 23rd June Shrines and mannequins are consumed by flames in different parts of the town.
• The burning of St. John’s moustache
• The Town's Main Fair and Festivities: 1st or 2nd week of July Music, dance and colour invade the town during a week. Processions of floats, parades of horsemen, musical and folklore show. Events organised by the local fishermen in honour of their Saint. Impressive land and sea procession.
• Virgen del Carmen: 16th July
• Tourist Day : Numerous events are organised for the enjoyment of the visitors.

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Rentals in Estepona on the Costa del Sol