Sandwiched between Marbella’s blinged-out boutiques and the millionaire’s playground of Sotogrande, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Estepona is one of Spain’s most exclusive resorts. But rather than leaning into the elite urbanisation of its luxury neighbours, this humble town has preserved its identity as a traditional ‘Pueblos Blanco’ — one of the ‘White Towns of Andalusia’.
Spanning a 21-kilometre stretch of golden coastline, Estepona is steeped in history. What was once a site believed to have been occupied by the Romans is now a picturesque holiday spot, with a palm-lined promenade, traditional Spanish tapas bars and a micro-climate that bathes the streets in 325 days of sunshine each year.
![[Estepona guide]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233544606-fc2d.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Andalusia’s popularity is nothing new. In 2023, over 12 million international tourists flocked to the region, with most heading to hotspots such as Málaga, Marbella, Granada and Seville. But only 253,376 – just over 2% – stopped in Estepona, despite it coming second in the European City of the Year awards last year. Now I know why I never had to fight for a sunbed.
Like the rest of the Costa del Sol, Estepona is easy to reach. I flew from Manchester to Málaga, where a return trip with easyJet came to just under €121 (£100). Budget airlines including Wizz and Ryanair also fly to Málaga from UK airports, with one-way trips costing as little as €25 (£21) in low season.
From Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, it’s a one hour drive to Estepona. A taxi will set you back around €100 (£83), but if you’re on a budget a direct bus also runs from the airport to Estepona Bus Station. Tickets cost between €8 (£6.60) and €14 (£11.50), with a journey time of 70 minutes. This service is limited to six buses throughout the day, so try to plan your flight around the transfer if possible.
