FOR SALE: Plots 51, 108, 174 and 175 La Paloma de Manilva, Costa del Sol, Spain. Empty plots range from from €290k - €330k. For further information contact us.
Estepona, 17km from San Pedro, is an appealing seaside town and like San Pedro de Alcantara, it has managed to retain its "Spanishness" in the old quarter. Visitors can enjoy the attractive sea front promenade and stroll around the narrow streets and passageways, full of old whitewashed houses with pot filled balconies. It is a charming town, with many interesting corners and plenty to explore, especially one of its prettiest squares the Plaza de Las Flores, which is set in the heart of the town, where you can enjoy an ice cream or coffee at one of the many bars in this pretty flower covered square. In the Plaza del Reloj you will see the 15thcentury clock tower - all that remains of the church built by Henry IV. Estepona's long coastline offers a variety of water sports and fishing, while the town itself has a range of entertainment during the summer months, including leisure, sporting and cultural activities. Estepona even has its own bullring. One must not forget golf - for Estepona is very proud to have 8 excellent courses surrounding the town.
Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs have all left their mark on the town but of these the Arabs have had the most influence on the architecture due to the centuries of Moorish occupation and Arab watchtowers and remains of the town walls still be seen. If you are an early riser, watch the fishermen returning from their trips and unloading the catch at the quay. On Sundays there is a busy tourist market in the port.
The Estepona coast stretches for 23 kms and the beaches are as follows:
All of these beaches have facilities for hiring sun beds and shades and many benefit from extra facilities provided by the hotels and urbanisations that surround them.
Gimnasio Mediterraneo, C/lbiza 3, Tel:952806007. Aerobics,gym,sauna and step.
Hotel Elparaiso. Tel:952883000. Atalaya Park Golf Hotel and Resort. Tel:95288 4801.
Atalaya Park Hotel and Tennis Resort, Estepona. Tel:952884801. Scuba diving for beginners and advanced, sailing, sail and dive for experienced divers. Information 9.30am -10.30am / 5pm -7pm.
The original dolphin adventure with Blue Dolphin Beach Club. On the N340 heading towards Estepona exit "Estepona/Palacio de Congresos" , free parking shopping centre Carrefour") Reservations telephone them on: 639 72 02 46 find them on www.borntobewild.es on the internet.
Go off in search of the dolphins, a professional guide will assist you locate the Mediterranean dolphins in their natural habitat, they love to play around the bright yellow speed-boats. They get so close that you can almost touch them. Pilot your own speed-boat, a fast and unsinkable craft. Contemplate the legendary Columns of Hercules in the middle of the Straits. At this historical crossroads of two major civilizations, Europe and Africa, the views of both continents from this astounding stretch of sea remain unaffected by the pass of time. Enjoy an authentic "Beach Club" with restaurant, canoes, water skiing, ski tube etc.
Happy Divers Club. Diving for children from 5 years. Atalaya Park Hotel, Estepona. Tel:95288 9000.
Located just behind the main promenade. Tel: 95 280 0249.
Tel: 95 280 2900 / 95 280 2904.
The outdoor street market is located in Avda. De San Juan Carlos on Wednesdays from 9am -2pm. There is also a second hand market in pretty Estepona Port on Sunday morning and the indoor fresh produce market Monday -Saturday 8.30am 2pm in c/Castillo.
Parking in Estepona is extremely difficult and the police love to tow away illegally parked cars, so to be on the safe side, park in the underground car park, the entrance to which is on the left, (beach side) just past the Argentaria Bank, at the beginning of the promenade. From the car park, cross over and head up into town, via C/Terraza. This is where most of the shops are, such as they are - it is not a town for shopaholics! It is a pretty street lined with orange and grapefruit trees with two typical plazas, used by the locals, firstly Plaza Antonio Guerrero surrounded by palms and tropical plants, and further along, Plaza de Nuestra Senora del Rocio which has a small statue of the virgin in the centre with bunches of flowers and potted plants that have been offered to her. This is probably as far as you will want to wander along this street, and on the way back you can turn right into the Plaza Doctor Arce, a pretty cobbled plaza with heavily laden orange trees. From here you can wander into the Plaza de las Flores, the most attractive of Estepona's plazas, pedestrianised, surrounded by palms and plants with a few tables and chairs in the centre from the Meson Cordobes which is located on one side. Small children are catered for in the form of a new children's playground along the paseo Maritimo Pedro Manique in amongst the gardens. Very popular indeed with the Spanish children, especially during the early evening.
Fiesta Major usually held the first week in July, but check locally. Procession of Patron Saint, usually around 15 May, but check locally, with flower decked floats and locals in typical costumes. The fiesta day of "La Virgen del Carmen" is 16Julyand has a very big following in Estepona because of the town's long link with the sea. Carmen is the Virgin of the seamen and on that day a procession leaves the church with the image of the Virgin del Carmen lifted high onto the shoulders of the fishermen who carry it down to the sea front.
El Abrevadero, at the Escuela de Arte Ecuestre, Costa del Sol, Km 159, Rio Padron, Estepona. This restaurant, in the riding complex, offers the very best of Andalucian cooking, and a superb selection of wines to accompany it. Closed Sundays and Mondays, otherwise open for lunch and dinner. Tel: 952 80 80 77.
Gambs, at the Puerto Deportivo, Estepona. Tel: 952 80 43 97. Closed Wednesdays. Seafood specialities, with summer terrace overlooking port.
La Alborada, Puerto Deportivo, Estepona. Tel: 952 802037. Closed Wednesdays specialising in fried fish and rice dishes, views over the port.
Ying Yang, Thai restaurant. Hotel Santa Marta. N340 km 167. Tel: 952 88 72 45. Authentic Thai and European cooking, at this wonderful beach side restaurant. Dinner only, closed Sundays.
Piano Bar and Bistro Felix. Located at the Las Dunas Beach Hotel, N340 km 163.5 Estepona. European cuisine with live music, open for lunch and dinner every day.
Restaurant tido. Tel: 952 79 43 45. Another restaurant located at the Las Dunas Beach Hotel with views across the bay of Estepona to Africa.
Puerto Deportivo de la Duquesa. Estepona is just 15 minutes east this very attractive sporting harbour La Duquesa, surrounded by restaurants, bars, coffee shops and boutiques.
Estepona Port. The Marina is located very close to the centre of town and is an attractive mooring for both pleasure and fishing boats. During the day it is a tranquil spot with many restaurants offering a wide range of food. As night falls however, it is transformed into a crowded and enjoyable night-spot.
The Tool Museum. Museo de Aperos -located by the Plaza de Toros is open from 10am-1pm and 2pm -6pm and entrance costs 1.80euros (1999).It houses all kinds of implements, which were regularly used in fishing and agricultural work. Also on display are many other kinds of implements that were used in the daily life of the peoplein this rural area.
Museum of the Sea - Museo del Mar. Plaza de Los Misioneros, Estepona. Tel: 952 80 71 54. Open Monday -Friday IIam-2pm and 5pm-8pm. Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays II am -2pm. Here you can learn about the oceans from a different perspective, through the collection of shells and molluscs belonging to a private collector -fascinating.
Museo Municipal de Munecas. Doll museum. Open Monday -Friday6pm9pm. Edificio Panorama (Basement) Avenida de Espana 3. This museum houses a private collection of antique dolls consisting of more than 500 exhibits, from traditional rag dolls tomodern dolls with movement.
Escuela de Arte Ecuestre, Costa del Sol. The Costa del Sol Equestrian School inaugurated in 1998,lies on the banks of the River Padron, not far from the Sierra Bermeja. It is located only 800 metres from the beach within Estepona. Found off the CN340. They offer numerous activities, such as horse riding, carriage and driving lessons for all levels, pony club, shows, competitions and training for both horses and riders. There is even a tack shop. There is daily training between II am and 1pm.
The equestrian show here is an unforgettable experience. It contains the original choreography and selected music to which the pure Andalusian horses perform cabriolas, levadas, piruetas and other Alta Escuela movements in a unique surrounding. Tel:952808077 check locally or look them up on the internet at www.andalucia.com/equus. There is also a restaurant on site, El Abrevadero.
Avda.San Lorenzo I. Tel:952 8009 13.
Other places that are well worth a visit:
FOR SALE: Plots 51, 108, 174 and 175 La Paloma de Manilva, Costa del Sol, Spain. Empty plots range from from €290k - €330k. For further information contact us.