Estepona Costa del Sol in Spain

Estepona was one of the first resorts to attract foreign residents and tourists some 35 years ago and, despite the surrounding development, the centre of the town still has a cosy old-fashioned feel- for good reason; the town’s roots date back to the 4th century. Decades later during the Moorish era, Estepona was an important and prosperous town, due to its strategic proximity to the Straits of Gibraltar. The town was subsequently home to what is thought to be the oldest Christian-built ecclesiastical building, as well as a castle. Unfortunately only a clock tower survives from the former, while the castle has fared even worse; little remains except for some walls and a rusty canon.

Estepona has an inviting seafront strip with a promenade studded with flowers and palms and low-rise apartment buildings backing a shingle beach. Traditionally an agricultural and fishing town, there is still a sizeable fishing fleet. The older part of town has some charming corners with cobbled alleyways and two lovely old squares – the Plaza Arce and Plaza Las Flores, which is surrounded by tapas bars and restaurants.

Estepona’s Puerto Deportivo is the heart and soul of the nightlife, especially at weekends and is also excellent for sea-sports, as well as bars and restaurants.

One of the most popular short trips from Estepona is visiting Casares, located just eighteen kilometres south-west of town. Touted as the most photographed pueblo blanco (white village) in Andalucía, Casares is in a spectacular position, clinging precariously to a steep hillside below a well-preserved Muslim castle from where there are panoramic views to Africa. The surrounding countryside, wooded with cork oaks and pines, is ideal for hiking and there is a wide choice of golf courses within easy reach.