15 Things to do in Estepona
Nestled in the Western corner of the Malaga province, Estepona is one of the most appealing holiday destinations on the Costa del Sol. Its chilled beach vibe and proximity to Malaga airport make it…
Let’s get one thing clear from the start: it’s never exactly a bad time to visit southern Spain, as on any given day of any given week all year round, there’s something going on. However from full-on fiestas to solemn religious ceremonies, via annual harvests and music festivals, we’ve picked out a few of the very best times to visit.
Planning a Visit around the Weather
Weather-wise, when’s the best time of year to visit Andalucia? It’s a question that gets put to us a lot here at the Luxury Villa Collection. And the answer we always have to give is… it very much depends.
Andalucia’s a big region – four times as large as that default indicator of size, Wales – plus, it’s also an area of huge geographical diversity. So while you may have lovely winter sunshine and 20 degrees down on the coast, the snow might well be falling on the mountains inland.
That diversity allows for micro-climates and after all the Costa del Sol isn’t called the sun coast for nothing. Let’s focus on the average temperatures in Malaga, Granada and Cadiz provinces.
| Average temperatures | |||
| Malaga Province | Granada Province | Cadiz Province | |
| January | 17°C | 8°C | 13°C |
| Feburary | 18°C | 9°C | 14°C |
| March | 20°C | 12°C | 16°C |
| April | 21°C | 14°C | 17°C |
| May | 24°C | 18°C | 20°C |
| June | 28°C | 23°C | 22°C |
| July | 31°C | 26°C | 24°C |
| August | 31°C | 26°C | 25°C |
| September | 28°C | 21°C | 23°C |
| October | 24°C | 17°C | 20°C |
| Novemeber | 20°C | 11°C | 16°C |
| December | 18°C | 9°C | 14°C |
Traditional & Religious Events
Los Reyes Magos – Various towns and Cities; 5th January 2023: The epiphany on 6th January, is celebrated in Spain with a national holiday and gifts are said to be left by The Three Kings for children. The night before, The Three Kings visit most towns and cities in the form of a parade, festivities usually begin around 17.00hrs. Children collect sweets that are thrown by the kings and their helpers.
Carnival – Cadiz; 16th February – 26th February 2023: The weekend before Lent is a massive party weekend in southern Spain and nowhere does it bigger than the city of Cadiz. It’s a noisy, messy affair where everyone takes to the streets in fancy dress and parties until sunrise.
Semana Santa – Seville; 2nd April – 9th April 2023: With the sound of brass and the scent of incense on the night air, every Easter the streets of Seville are filled with the processions of Semana Santa (or Holy Week). While Seville undoubtedly puts on the biggest and grandest display of devotion, other places of note include all the big cities – Granada, Malaga and Cordoba especially – while the small town of Velez-Malaga in the Axarquia is a spectacular and lesser-known alternative.
Las Cruces de Mayo in Granada; 3rd May 2023: Another city, another full-scale party dressed up as a religious occasion. While the crosses which are displayed in squares throughout the city are undoubtedly lovely, Granada’s Las Cruces is, in reality, just a great excuse for a party. And why not?
Patios de Cordoba; 2nd – 14th May 2023: North, south, east or west, spring is one of the best times to visit Spain, wherever in the country you might be thinking of heading. Nowhere is that more the case than in Cordoba. In May, some of the oldest and most beautiful patios of the town’s historic centre are decked out in their full floral finery and opened up to the public. Unmissable.
El Rocio Pilgrimage – Huelva; Pentecost/depending on Easter: One of the region’s most impressive devotional displays, up to a million people have been known to make the journey to this remote church to see the Virgin make her spectacular appearance in the early hours of Pentecost Monday. With El Rocio sitting right in the heart of the Doñana National Park, it makes for a great excuse to explore one of Spain’s great natural wildernesses, too.
Music & Nightlife Events
Beach club opening parties, Marbella and Puerto Banus; mid-late April: Something of a curtain-raiser for summer on the Costa, the beach clubs throw everything they’ve got into their annual opening parties. Nikki Beach, perhaps the best of the bunch, gets their 20th season underway in 2023 around the 15th April (exact date TBC) with most of the others falling either side of it.
Granada international festival of music and dance; 13 June to 10 July 2022 (2023 dates TBC): While the flamenco on display during Granada’s annual festival is fantastic (headliners include Maria Terremoto), it’s undoubtedly the setting that steals the show. Sitting under the stars in the gardens of the Generalife accompanied by some top-class dance and exquisite views of historic Granada is an unforgettable experience.
Starlite Marbella; from 23rd June – 2nd September 2023: Marbella‘s music festival is now a firm fixture on the Andalucia events calendar. 2023’s big international names include:
23/6, 7/7, 13/7, 19/7, 26/7, 2/8, 9/8, 16/8, 24/8, 2/9 Juan Magàn
24/6 India Martinez
6/7 Lionel Richie
8/7 Gypsy Kings
12/7 Anastacia
18/7 Ludovico Einaudi
27/7 Norah Jones
29/7 Andres Calamaro
31/7 Carlos Rivera
4/8 Farruquito, Israel Fernandez & Diego del Morao
7/8 Zaz
9/8 Sara Baras
15/8 Taburete
17/8 Anotnio Jose
19/8 Vicente Amigo
More information: Starlitemarbella.com
Festival de 3 Culturas in Frigiliana; 24th – 27th August 2023. A all day street party with dance, live music, crafts, workshops and stalls all capped off with a huge fireworks display.
Flamenco festivals; June-September: while Andalucia’s greatest art form is very definitely a year-round affair (check out our guide to Flamenco), it really heats up every year along with the summer temperatures. Malaga’s summer alone is studded with superb flamenco events from Alhaurin de la Torre (June) and Alora (July) to Antequera and Ronda (both August) and finally, the main event of the Malaga Bienal Festival takes place in September 2023.
Guitar Festival of Cordoba; 1st – 9th July 2022 (2023 TBC)
Flamenco Festival of Sotogrande/Festival Tio Pepe; 15th July – 27th August various events expect huge names like José Mercé, Tomatito, Mayte Martín y El Pele. (2023 TBC)
If a music festival is on your agenda check out our guide on the best festivals in Spain.
Ferias
Spain as a whole celebrates more local virgins’ and saints’ day than you can shake a stick at. But if there’s a capital of the religious holiday, it has to be Andalucia. Aside from the religious elements, they mean one thing: letting your hair down and partying in a colourful blur of flamenco dresses, fairgrounds, dancing and drinking under the stars.
Ferias are held from April until September and are one of Andalucia’s greatest spectacles. In terms of city ferias, a few of the main ones of note are:
- Seville’s Feria de Abril: 23rd – 29th April 2023
- Feria de Caballo in Jerez de la Frontera; 13th – 19th May 2023
- Feria de Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Cordoba; 20th – 27th May 2023
- Feria de San Bernabé, Marbella; 4th to 11th June 2023
- Feria de Malaga; 12th – 19th August 2023
- Feria de San Pedro Alcantara; 16th – 22 October 2023
- Festival in honor of Virgen del Carmen; 16th July 2023. Virgen del Carmen is the patron saint of fishermen. This annual event is celebrated in coastal towns all over Andalucia. A statue of the Virgen is taken from the church and carried through the streets accompanied by bands and crowds of followers. In most places, she is put on a boat for a trip around the bay this time accompanied by a flotilla of small boats all dressed with flags and packed with revellers. Contact our concierge to organise your place on an accompanying boat. Fun fact in Malaga city in 1981 the diving club placed an image of their patron on the seafloor and now members descend every year to pay homage.
Gastronomy, Food & Wine Events
Down in Andalucia, the seasons – and the harvesting of the fruit of land and sea – still have a huge impact on people’s everyday lives. Spring sees olives, oranges, avocados, asparagus and the Almadraba fishing of bluefin tuna in Cadiz. By the late summer the region is exploding into wine harvests, while come the autumn the almonds and figs are bursting.
There are simply too many food and wine festivals in the region to name them all, but here are a couple that come with the LVC seal of approval:
Las Fiestas de la Vendimia y Otoño, Jerez de la Frontera; 1st – 18th September 2022 (2023 TBC): One of the oldest ferias in Spain, Jerez’s annual Sherry shindig is a blur of wine crushing, bodega visits and tastings, flamenco, horses and general festivities.
The Fiesta de la Vendimia Manilva; 2nd – 3rd September 2023: Celebrates the gathering of the grape harvest. The grape treading is a typical event and the first grape juice of the year is extracted and offered to friends and visitors. The Wine Harvest in Manilva is unique on the Costa del Sol and takes place at the end of the grape harvest. The festivities begin on Friday with cultural and folk events.
Axarquia food festivals; August to September: this mountainous region to the east of Malaga has been getting something of a name for itself in recent years for its cluster of food-related festivals – and all the singing, dancing and general celebrations that comes with them.
- Dia de Morcilla (blood sausage), Canillas de Aceituno; 22nd April 2023
- Dia de la Cereza (cherry), Alfarnate; 24th June 2023
- Fiesta del Gazpacho; Alfarnatejo; 5th August 2023
- Noche del Vino (sweet wine), Competa; 14th August 2023 (TBC)
- Fiesta del Ajoblanco (cold almond soup), Almachar; 2nd September 2023 (TBC)
Sporting Events
Moto Grand Prix – Jerez Motor Racing Circuit – 28th & 29th Abr 2023: one of the biggest events on the Spanish motorsports calendar roars into Jerez every year. The second race of the Moto GP season is a big deal in Spain, and the atmosphere track-side over the course of a long weekend in April is one of the liveliest around. For tickets see here.
Golf on the Costa del Sol: while the region’s +300 days of sunshine mean that golf is very much a year-round sport in Andalucia, the best times of year to book a golf holiday are probably spring and autumn, when you get the sunshine without the searing summer temperatures. (Have a look at our pick of the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol.) The big event during the summer of 2023 is the Aramco Team Series in Sotogrande. Held from 18th – 20th August at La Reserva Golf. The format to the tournament is three professionals and an amateur play in teams. More information Aramcoteamseries.com.There’s also the 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesín, Andalucía, Spain, 18 – 24th September the best ladies golfers will be there.
International Polo Tournament – Sotogrande; (dates TBC around 26th Jul to 28th Aug): Sotogrande’s Santa Maria Polo Club hosts one of the highlights of the polo calendar every summer. One of the most prestigious events in Andalucia, it’s an occasion in which to see and be seen – obligatory glass of bubbly in hand – as much as it is to watch what’s going on out on the field. Have a look at our guide for more details.
Sanlucar Horse Racing, Sanlucar de Barrameda; Friday to Sunday on the second and fourth weeks of August (depending upon tides): This hell-for-leather horseback sprint along the Sanlucar sands goes all the way back to 1845. The setting’s superb and the atmosphere’s lively (with more than a drop or two of Manzanilla being supped). Best of all, though, you get right up close to the action and feel the thundering of hooves underfoot.
Ski season in the Sierra Nevada: Europe’s most southerly ski resort opens for business every year with the first snows in December, before closing up again in late April. Which means that you can literally spend a morning on the slopes before dropping down to the coast and hitting the beach in the afternoon.
Nature & the Great Outdoors
Flamingo migration at Fuente de Piedra; late February: For many of us bird-watching is not exactly the stuff of riveting holidays. However, seeing the flamingos at Fuente de Piedra is a little different. To catch a glimpse of them, as a vivid flash of pink against the blue sky, before they descend on the salt lakes of is one of the most beautiful natural spectacles in Europe.
Arrival of the cherry blossom, Axarquia; March (depending on the weather): Andalucia’s cherry blossom season may not be quite as well-known as Japan’s, but it’s still pretty spectacular. Alfarnate’s Ruta de las Pilas, a 12km round trip through the orchard-lined countryside, is one of the very best ways to experience it.
Beach weather; May onwards: While you can obviously stretch out on the sand at any time when the sun’s shining in southern Spain, locals tend not to venture onto them until summer has really kicked in. May and October can regularly touch on 30 degrees Celsius – more than warm enough for most of us to get the beach bag out, in other words.
Cork oak harvest – Los Alcornocales Natural Park; June-August: The serious business of the cork harvest is still carried out by hand and mule every summer in the cork forests of Los Alcornocales. A morning winding your way through the sun-dappled trees, stopping off to watch the trees being painstakingly stripped of their bark along the way, can be neatly finished up with a long, leisurely lunch in a stunning mountain town like Gaucin, Jimena de la Frontera, Ubrique or Zahara de la Sierra.
Our guide to when to visit Andalucia is far from definitive, if you’ve booked with us our Guest Experience team can recommend things to do in and around your holiday villa. There’s simply SO much more to see and do in this fabulous region of Spain – to the extent, in fact, that we’ve missed out, not just one but two, entire provinces in Almeria and Jaen.
So what’s stopping you? See the best of southern Spain from one of our luxury villas.
Lindsay Gregory
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[post_content] => Nestled in the Western corner of the Malaga province, Estepona is one of the most appealing holiday destinations on the Costa del Sol. Its chilled beach vibe and proximity to Malaga airport make it the perfect choice for a family getaway.
Back in the 1970s, Estepona was little more than a sleepy fishing village. Despite undergoing significant development over the intervening years, it has lost none of its small-town charm. With its flower-filled parks, spacious promenade and pristine old quarter, it remains one of the most picturesque towns on the coast.
But Estepona is more than a pretty face. It also provides culture in spades, with museums, art galleries and ancient ruins all contained within the town. Known as the “Garden of the Costa del Sol”, it doesn’t feel like a typical urban setting, either: the town is home to numerous parks and even a spectacular, glass-domed orchid house.
Then there’s the coastline to consider: 21km of clean, sandy beaches fringed with soaring palm trees. There’s also a working fishing port and an upscale leisure marina where it’s often possible to spy a glittering super-yacht or two.
Estepona is also a dream location for any foodie, with a diverse range of tapas bars and restaurants on offer – many of them blessed with fabulous sea views.
1. Visit the orchid house
After just 5-minutes spent wandering the streets of Estepona, visitors will realise that it’s a town full of flowers. From its colourful parks to the lovingly tended window boxes of its residents, there are no shortage of beautiful blooms on display.
So great is Estepona’s love affair with flora that it’s devoted an entire building to orchids. El Orquidario de Estepona is 160,00 square foot botanic garden housed beneath three glass domes in the town centre.
Inside, the tropical park is spread over 2 floors and nurtures over 2,000 species of orchid in a myriad of colours, along with vertical gardens and an impressive 17-metre waterfall. Visitors can admire the stunning array of plants from a walkway angled behind the cascading water, which arches a series of pools beneath.
Entrance fees start at €3 for adults €1 for children aged 4-11 years, with children under 4 going free.
C. Terraza, 86, 29680 Estepona, Málaga. Orchidariumestepona.com Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 – 13.00 & 15.00 – 18.00 hours. Sunday: 10.00 – 14.00 Mondays closed
2. Take a walk on the wild side at Selwo Aventura
The sprawling safari park, Selwo Aventura, is located a 15-minute drive outside Estepona en-route to Marbella. Covering over one million square metres and containing upwards of 2,000 animals, this park prides itself on closely replicating the natural environment of its furred and feathered residents.
White rhinos, Bengal tigers, zebras and giraffes are just a few of the creatures which call Selwo home – along with birds such as the hornbill, ibis stork and crane. The best way to spot these animals is in one of the park’s camouflaged off-road trucks, which will allow you to get up close to a magnificent beast or two as they roam their vast enclosures.
As things to do with children go it's a hit for all age groups. There’s also a petting zoo for the younger children, along with trampolining and archery activities. For adrenaline junkies, there’s also the longest zip-line in Europe, which runs for 116 metres above the park’s central lake.
Autovía del Mediterráneo, Km. 162, 5, 29680 Estepona, Málaga. Selwo.es Opening Times: 10.00 – 18.00
3. Explore the picturesque old town
Estepona’s historic centre – or casco antiguo – offers visitors a slice of quintessential Andalucia. White townhouses line narrow cobbled streets, their walls splashed with bougainvillaea vines and pots of tumbling geraniums.
There’s also a range of tapas bars where visitors can stop to quench their thirst and enjoy a local delicacy or two. Casa del Ray is located in the heart of the old town and is known for its fabulous tapas and extensive wine list. Diners can choose to eat on the terrace or the interior courtyard, which is particularly charming at night.
Don’t leave without trying a portion of the mouth-watering shrimp croquettes or the fresh tuna tartare with creamy dill mayonnaise.
C. Raphael, 7, 29680 Estepona, Málaga. Lacasadelreyestepona.com Opening times: 12.00 – 00.00 daily
4. Take a wander in Parque del Calvario
The Calvario Park is the largest public garden in Estepona. Located a five-minute walk from the orchard house, it is a tranquil and verdant space populated with numerous water features, including a lake, jet fountain and waterfalls.
Along a series of lavender-edged pathways, visitors will also find a children’s playground, shaded benches and glorious blooming wisteria bushes in the spring. In the summer months, the area encircling the lake provides a stage for numerous open-air concerts.
The park also contains a restored Hermitage building – Erimta del Calvario – which dates back to 1829. The chapel was destroyed in the civil war and later rebuilt in 1936. Although it’s mostly kept locked, visitors are welcome to wander up and admire it from the outside, or peek through its windows to catch a glimpse of the interior.
Av. Andalucía, 41, 29680 Estepona, Málaga. Opening hours: 09.00 – 00.00
5. Hire a boat
With its silky-smooth Mediterranean waters and excellent year-round climate, Estepona is an ideal location for a spot of sailing.
Whether you fancy exploring hidden coves, indulging in some open-sea swimming or visiting neighbouring towns such as Marbella and Sotogrande, hiring a boat provides a stylish way to get from A to B.
Chartering a boat also allows you glimpse the vibrant marine life typical to this corner of Spain. Sail from Estepona into the seas between Gibraltar and Ceuta – the Spanish enclave in North Africa – and you may be lucky enough to glimpse pilot whales, dolphins and even orcas.
Local companies such as Sotoboats offer a range of vessels – from fishing boats to luxury yachts – for both half-day and full-day charters. Many come equipped with sea toys such as paddle boards, snorkels and sea bobs, and catering and refreshments can also be arranged on board.
Real Club Nautico, Puerto Deportivo de Estepona, 29680 Estepona – Málaga. Sotoboats.com
6. Hike in the Natural Park – Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja
There’s more to Estepona than its beautiful coastline; the surrounding area also contains the Sierra Bermeja natural park. Dominated by the Sierra Bermeja mountain range, this area of rugged natural beauty is located an hour’s drive beyond Estepona and is crisscrossed with hiking trails for walkers of all fitness levels.
Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja is one of the most popular routes for families or those looking for a casual stroll. This 2.1-mile loop stays fairly flat throughout and offers stunning views of the Med and surrounding mountains.
The best way to access the park is by car. Follow the Avenida de Andalucia in the direction of Genalguacil (MA 557). Turn left at the Peñas Blancas sign about half an hour outside of Estepona, then left at the sign for Los Reales.
7. Go for a stroll along the promenade
The recently completed Paseo Marítimo runs along the length of Estepona from La Rada beach to the fishing port. A 2.6-million-euro project commissioned by the mayor in 2020, the promenade means that visitors can now stroll from one end of town to the other along the scenic seafront.
The promenade is often at its busiest early evening, when locals and visitors alike step out to enjoy the sunset. This is best seen from a clifftop wooden walkway on the coastal path leading to Marbella. From here, it’s even possible to glimpse the Strait of Gibraltar on a clear day.
There’s no shortage of bars and restaurants populating the promenade, so should you fancy walking its entire length, there will be plenty of opportunities to stop for a refreshment along the way.
8. Stop for a coffee on Plaza de las Flores
One of Estepona’s most popular meeting spots, Plaza de las Flores is an idyllic square framed by fragrant orange trees and beds of bright geraniums. Fanning out from the stone fountain at its centre are a selection of cafes and tapas bars, making it the perfect spot to kick off the day with a coffee.
Plaza de las Flores, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
9. Casa de las Tejerinas
The square above is also home to Casa de las Tejerinas. This handsome building was once owned by the Tejerina sisters, who later donated it as a charity hospital for the poor. From the 1970s until 2010, the 18th-century building served as Estepona’s Cultural Centre, before being converted to its current purpose as a Tourist Office and art gallery.
The art gallery features contemporary work by predominately local artists such as Dadi Dreucol, Enrique Brinkmann, Chema Lumbreras and José Carlos Casado. Admission to the public is free.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9.00 – 20.00. Saturday: 10.00 – 14.00 / 16.00 – 20.00. Sunday & Monday: Closed
10. Soak up the sun on Playa DE LA Rada beach
Estepona is a beach lover’s paradise, with over 13 miles of coastline to enjoy. One of the most popular beaches, Playa de la Rada, is only a short walk from the town centre and is a firm favourite with families.
A wide swathe of sand fringed with towering palm trees, Playa de la Rada is also populated with a variety of beach bars – or chiringuitos – where you can seek refuge from the summer sun and enjoy a cold beer and some fresh seafood.
Playa Rada can get busy in high season, but as the largest beach in Estepona, there is always plenty of space to spread out. Public toilets and wash stations mean you can comfortably spend the entire day here. There are also sun loungers for hire with parasols to provide some welcome shade.
11. Check out some Urban Art
Although the houses of Estepona’s historic centre are known for their pristine paintwork, you will find the walls of other buildings decorated with unique and colourful street art.
Various vast murals can be seen around the town, the work of local artists such as Ana Cecila Salinas. At last count, there were 23 murals dotted throughout Estepona, but new art is constantly appearing as more artists are commissioned. One of the most eye-catching pieces is a highly realistic trompe-l’oeil image covering six apartment blocks, making it the largest mural in Spain.
Art enthusiasts wishing to check out the full range of Estepona’s murals should head to the tourist office on Plaza de las Flores. Here you will be provided with a detailed itinerary pinpointing where to locate each of the works.
12. Have a cocktail in the Marina
Estepona’s stylish marina is located between La Rada and El Cristo beach. Built on what was the original fishing harbour, it is now home to several bars and restaurants and has a buzzing atmosphere.
It’s a great spot to head in the evenings, where you can settle down for a cocktail at a waterside bar such as Reinaldo’s (which has Happy Hour from 20.00 – 21.00 every day) and admire the gleaming super yachts moored nearby.
There’s also a market to check out on Sunday, where various stalls are set up in the marina selling handicrafts and leather goods.
Reinaldo Café Bar, Urb Puerto Deportivo, 24 29680, Estepona. Cafebarreinaldo.gruporeinaldo.com
Open Hours: Mon – Sat 10.00-02.00. Sundays Closed
13. Visit the Prehistoric Dolmens
There’s plenty on offer for history buffs in Estepona, including the Prehistorica de Corominas museum – which contains the carefully conserved remains of an ancient burial site.
Venture underground at this futuristic museum and you will find five small dolmens (standing stones) dating from 3,000 BC. Displayed beneath a domed ceiling with fibre optic lighting, visitors can also see pottery vessels, stone tools, arrow heads, axes, personal ornaments, necklace beads and perforated seashells.
The majority of artefacts in the museum were actually unearthed nearby at Cero de Corominas when AP7 toll motorway was being constructed in 2011. They were then carefully transported to Estepona and reconstructed for public display.
The museum offers guided tours in English at 10.00 Tuesday – Sunday. The tour lasts approximately 1hr 15 minutes and must be booked in advance, either by WhatsApp on +34 675 942 975 or via email at info@dolmensestepona.com. Prices start at €5 for children and €12 for adults.
Parque San Isidro, Pedregales, 29680 Estepona, Málaga. Dolmenesestepona.com Opening hours: Open every day 11.00-13.00
14. SAMPLE SOME FRESH SEAFOOD
Estepona is known for its seafood, and many of the town’s restaurants have menus dedicated exclusively to its fabulous fresh produce. Local dishes include espeto de sardinas – sardines cooked over fire on cane sticks – and boquerones en vinagere – pickled anchovies doused in lashings of olive oil and garlic.
From Playa Rada to the marina, visitors will be spoiled for choice when it comes to seafood restaurants, but El Pescador is considered one of the best by discerning locals.
Everybody knows that seafood tastes better by the sea, and there’s no finer way to enjoy it than on this stylish restaurant’s beachside terrace with its dreamy sea view.
Inside, crisp white tablecloths and an understated colour palette create a soothing vibe. The menu is similarly simple and focusses on letting the star ingredients shine. Diners can choose between grilled king prawns, steamed mussels and fresh clams, along with crowd pleasers such as fried fish platters and oven-baked seabass.
Paseo Marítimo Pedro Manrique 129680. Estepona. Málaga. Elpescadorestepona.com Opening hours: Open every day 13.00-16.30 / 19.00-00.00
15. SNAP A SELFIE ON THE RAINBOW STEPS
One of the most colourful yet overlooked attractions in Estepona is the set of rainbow steps located just off Avenida del Mar.
Known as the Escalera Arco Iris, these 90 steps were originally built to link Estepona town to the country road above. Over the years, this quiet rural community has burgeoned into a large housing estate, which can be seen from the top of the steps along with views of the Sierra Bermeja mountain and the northern quarter of Estepona.
Traversing the steep staircase is sure to get your heart racing, but the climb is worth it for the views from the top.
Want to explore Estepona for yourself? Check out our collection of Estepona based villas here.
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[post_content] => For well over half a century, Mijas has been one of the most popular destinations on the Costa del Sol.
And there’s good reason for this popularity: it’s quintessentially Andalucian – a pretty white village of plant pot-filled streets, with a bull ring, Mudejar church and hermitage, all just a stone's throw from the coast. It really does tick a lot of boxes for the first-time visitor.
Here's our pick of a few of the best things to do in Mijas…
Mijas Pueblo
Let's get a taste of rural Andalucian life and start with the village in the mountains; Mijas Pueblo.
1. Parque La Muralla
This park easily leads on to a leisurely circular walking route from Plaza Constitucion to Parque La Muralla and then to the Torre Muralla.
We recommend starting with this, as you pass most of the sights in the village. The park itself has a 15-metre-high waterfall and some of the best views of the coast.
Our top tip: Andalucians traditionally go for a walk around 18.00hrs (add a couple of hours on to that for the summer). The views from the lookout spots down to the coast in the evening when the lights are twinkling is rather magical.
2. Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña
This rocky, almost cave-like, hermitage is in Mijas Pueblo. A virgin carved out of wood dating from 850 was found there by a shepherd and his children after, as story has it, they followed a dove to it. This virgin is now the patron saint of Mijas.
Address: Paseo El Compás; open every day and free entry.
3.Mirador del Compas
This square/look out spot has the most spectacular views down to the coast and across the Mediterranean Sea.
4. Plaza de Toros
An oval-shaped bullring and small museum showing posters, bull fighter clothing and past fights.
The seats are at either end of the oval rather than all the way round. Whether you love or loath bull fighting it’s an interesting place to visit.
Address: Cta. de la Villa, 0, 29650 Mijas, Málaga. Hours: Everyday 11 – 21.00hrs.
5. Museo Historico-Etnologico
A charming ethnological museum depicting mountain village life.
Address: Pl. de la Libertad, 1, 29650 Mijas, Málaga Hours: Everyday 10 - 15.00hrs and 17 - 19.00hrs
6. Plaza de Constitución
A small square with shops and restaurants in the historic centre of Mijas Pueblo.
Our top tip: Stop for a traditional breakfast of pan con tomate (toasted bread with fresh tomato and olive oil) at La Boveda del Flamenco.
7. Iglesia Inmaculada Concepcion
Quite typically of churches in the region the site was once a castle and then a mosque.
This 16th-century church we see today has Mudejar features - a bell tower and wooden ceiling - and it’s thought that the square tower was once that of the fort/castle.
Address: P.º de la Muralla, 29650 Mijas, Málaga
8. Donkey Taxi
The donkeys of Mijas go back to the 60s when tourists would see them being used to carry things up the narrow streets or returning from farming.
It’s said that the tourists would tip for a photo or ride, and it became so popular it quickly outstripped agricultural wages.
These days, all manner of donkey taxis are available, riding or in a carriage drawn by donkeys around the village.
The welfare of the donkeys is a priority, so there are strict stipulations that must be adhered to by the owners.
Address: Av, Pl. Virgen de la Peña, 29650 Mijas, Málaga
9. Hiking – Mijas Mountain Range and the Pico de Mijas
The Sierra de Mijas is a beautiful place to walk with rewarding views from the various routes.
The highest peak (Pico de Mijas) is 1150 metres - putting that into perspective, the highest peak in the UK is 1345 metres.
One of our favourites is Puerta de Malaga ('Doorway to Malaga'). It takes about 3 hours, is well signposted and is medium difficulty due to the steep inclination.
La Cala de Mijas
Meanwhile on the coast there's plenty to do on the beach from diving to jet skiing and even kite surfing weather permitting. Some highlights are:
10. La Cala Beach
Where Mija Pueblo is village life in the mountains, its counterpart is La Cala de Mijas, a stretch of coast near Calahonda.
The beach named La Cala beach is small, but with crystal waters and kayak hire it’s popular with locals and visitors.
This part of the coast has good facilities from watersports to restaurants. Do check out Max Beach with a pool, El Olivo for a traditional feel and El Océano part of a hotel by the same name.
Our top tip: Our favourite beach in the area is Cabopino, with its sand dunes and golden sand.
11. Coastal Walk
La Cala de Mijas coastal walk is 6kms along the coast that leads to Cabopino.
Take this walk at sunset and take your time with coffee stops and beach playtime along the way. Alternatively, it’s a lovely run in the morning.
Our top tip: During the summer, look out for concerts being held next to the 16th-century Torre Vieja watchtower.
12. A round of Golf
There are so many golf courses to choose from in and around Mijas, it really is a golfer's paradise.
Most locally, La Cala Resort Golf, with three 18-hole courses, makes the most of the area’s steep topography.
As an alternative - and much more forgiving - La Noria Golf Resort is a totally flat, 9 hole par 33 golf course near the coast with putting greens.
13. Cala de Mijas Festival
Not a year round option but this music festival held the first weekend of September attracts international bands and DJs.
It's first year was 2022 where The Blossoms, Arctic Monkeys and Bonobo among others played to 100000 festival goers.
It's held in Sonora Mijas and is very well organised with four stages. More information in our festivals blog.
Where is Mijas?
Mijas is in Malaga province and sits between Benalmadena and Fuengirola. It’s divided into Mijas Pueblo (village) which backs onto Mijas Sierra (mountain range) and Cala de Mijas (Mijas cove) on the Mediterranean Sea.
How to get to Mijas?
Mijas is very well connected. Mijas Pueblo is 26.7km (that’s under 30 minutes’ drive) from Malaga airport and 32.3km from Malaga Maria Zambrano train station.
Have we tempted you to this beautiful part of southern Spain? See villas in Mijas here.
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