Estepona blends the soul of a traditional Andalusian fishing town with the comforts of a modern Mediterranean resort. Its Old Town is a maze of flower‑draped streets, café terraces, and plazas perfumed by orange trees. The beachfront promenade (Paseo Marítimo) strings together sandy beaches, chiringuitos, and wide sea views.

History here runs deep—Phoenician and Roman traces dot the coastline—while today’s Estepona is famed for its Orchidarium with a soaring glass dome and the Ruta de Murales Artísticos, a growing open‑air gallery of monumental murals. Add Selwo Aventura safari park, family‑friendly Playa del Cristo, and nearby mountain trails for a week that feels both restful and adventurous.

Practical notes: Summer is hot and busy; May–June and September–October bring warm seas with fewer crowds. Restaurants often observe late dining hours; book popular spots for weekend nights. Carry your passport for the Gibraltar day trip, and if you’ll visit Granada’s Alhambra, secure entry times in advance (more below).

Estepona

Estepona’s charm is immediate: white façades trimmed with geraniums, a working fishing port, and a promenade ideal for sunrise jogs or sunset strolls. The Old Town clusters around Plaza de las Flores, while the marina and port area hum after dark with tapas bars and live music.

• Top sights: Orchidarium Estepona (a striking dome with orchids and waterfalls), Ruta de Murales Artísticos (40+ large‑scale murals—pick up a local map), Playa del Cristo (sheltered cove), Playa de la Rada (kilometers of sand), and Sierra Bermeja viewpoints.
• Family fun: Selwo Aventura (wildlife park with zip‑lines, rope bridges, and safari circuits).
• Food & drink: Tapas at La Casa del Rey (wine‑forward, creative bites), seafood at La Escollera by the fishing port (heaping platters of fried fish and grilled prawns), Basque‑style pintxos at Tapería del Pintxo, steaks at Restaurante Sur, and seafront Mediterranean plates at La Bulla Gastrobar.
• Fun facts: Estepona’s street‑art route includes a 6‑story mural of a woman watering plants—and on breezy days you can smell the sea and jasmine at once.

Where to stay: For beach days and sunrise walks, base along the Paseo Marítimo. For café culture, choose the Old Town. For marina nightlife, pick the port area.

• Check vacation homes and apartments on VRBO Estepona (beachfront condos, townhouses with patios, family‑friendly pools).
• Compare hotels by neighborhood on Hotels.com Estepona (Old Town boutiques, marina‑side stays, spa resorts).

How to get to Estepona: Fly into Málaga (AGP) or Gibraltar (GIB). From AGP, it’s ~55–70 minutes by car; by bus ~1h30 from Málaga bus station (about €10–€13 on Avanza/ALSA—search schedules on Omio buses). From GIB, cross the border at La Línea de la Concepción and bus ~1h20 to Estepona (about €7–€9).

• Flights (Europe): Compare fares into Málaga or Gibraltar with Omio flights (Europe).
• Flights (global): If you’re coming from outside Europe, check Trip.com flights.
• Trains in Spain: High‑speed trains run to Málaga María Zambrano from Madrid (~2h30) and Seville (~2h). From there, continue by bus to Estepona—search on Omio trains and Omio buses.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Ramble, and Tapas Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive, check in, and refresh. Start at Plaza de las Flores for a first espresso at Moments Coffee & Lounge or a pastry at Migan Bakery. Drift through Calle Terraza and Calle Real, ducking into ceramic shops and noting the color‑coded flowerpots on each street.

Evening: Follow the Ruta de Murales Artísticos around Barrio de la Arena for huge street artworks. Settle into dinner at La Casa del Rey: order the beef tataki, blue cheese croquettes, and a glass of Ribera del Duero. Nightcap by the marina at Reinaldo’s (classic gin‑tonics, harbor views).

Day 2: Beach Morning, Orchidarium & Marina Sunset

Morning: Walk the Paseo Marítimo as the light hits Gibraltar’s silhouette. Swim at Playa de la Rada; rent loungers if you like. Breakfast on the beach—eggs and fresh orange juice at a chiringuito like Palm Beach on nearby Playa del Cristo (a calm cove that’s perfect for families).

Afternoon: Visit the Orchidarium Estepona. The glass dome houses thousands of orchids and a 15‑meter waterfall—linger on the catwalks for canopy views. Lunch at La Escollera by the fishing port: try boquerones, calamares, and grilled sardines straight from the boats.

Evening: Stroll the marina; browse the small craft stalls if it’s Sunday market day. Dinner at La Bulla Gastrobar on the seafront—octopus with paprika, tuna tartare, and local wines. Gelato on the promenade to finish.

Day 3: Day Trip—Ronda’s Dramatic Gorge and Casares White Village

Pick up a car or arrange a driver; the mountain road A‑397 is one of Andalusia’s great drives.

• Logistics: Estepona → Ronda ~1h15–1h30 by car; optional stop in Casares (25–30 min from Estepona) en route or on the return. Expect fuel ~€20–€30 round trip; optional AP‑7 tolls elsewhere on the coast can add €7–€12 each way in peak season (you can avoid them via the A‑7).
• Ronda highlights: Puente Nuevo over El Tajo gorge, the Mondragón Palace gardens, Plaza de Toros (historic bullring/museum), and the Arab Baths. For viewpoints, descend the Camino de los Molinos for postcard shots back to the bridge.
• Where to eat in Ronda: Book Tragatá (inventive Andalusian tapas; try the oxtail brioche) or graze at El Lechuguita (beloved, standing‑room tapas bar). Coffee at Pan y Mermelada if you arrive early.
• Casares: Wander its steep lanes to the castle ruins for big‑sky views to the coast; if time allows, pause for a rustic merienda at a village bar.

Back in Estepona, go casual with pizza and grilled veg at El Rincón Toscano or steaks at Restaurante Sur.

Day 4: Selwo Aventura + Sierra Bermeja Sundowner Tapas Crawl

Morning: Head to Selwo Aventura (10–15 minutes by car). It’s a full‑on family day: suspension bridges, zip‑lines, and habitats for giraffes, rhinos, and big cats. Wear comfortable shoes; bring water and a hat.

Afternoon: Return to town for a light lunch—pintxos at Tapería del Pintxo (grab plates as they come out; the bill is tallied by toothpicks). Then drive 40 minutes up to Sierra Bermeja’s Los Reales. A short walk near the miradors leads through rare pinsapo firs with sweeping Mediterranean vistas.

Evening: Tapas crawl in the Old Town: start with salmorejo at La Taberna de Lucía, move to gambas al pil‑pil at El Pescador (town center location), and finish with cheesecake at Robbies (modern European plates and a good wine list).

Day 5: Day Trip—Gibraltar’s Rock, Caves, and Apes

Logistics: Estepona → La Línea bus ~1h20 (about €7–€9 via Omio buses), then walk across the border (carry passport; allow 10–45 minutes at peak times). Alternatively, drive ~1 hour (paid parking in La Línea is simple; avoid taking a rental car across to reduce paperwork).

• Sights: Take the cable car up the Rock for views over the Strait. Visit St. Michael’s Cave (dramatic light‑show chamber), the Great Siege Tunnels, and meet the Barbary macaques—keep snacks zipped away.
• Lunch: Classic British fish & chips on Main Street at Roy’s or The Clipper; or grab Mediterranean plates on Casemates Square.
• Practical: Currency is GBP; cards widely accepted. Return to Estepona by early evening.

Dinner back in Estepona at La Escollera (seafood) or a seaside table at a chiringuito for paella and a sunset Tinto de Verano.

Day 6: Day Trip—Granada’s Alhambra and the Albaicín (with reserved entry)

Why go: It’s a long day, but the Alhambra—Spain’s Moorish crown jewel—is unforgettable, from the carved cedar ceilings and arabesque stuccowork to Generalife’s perfumed gardens.

• Logistics: Drive ~2h30 each way via A‑7/AP‑7 + A‑92 (fuel ~€35–€45 round trip; variable coastal tolls up to ~€12 each way in summer). Without a car, bus via Málaga runs ~3–4h each way; check Omio buses.
• Your ticket: Secure timed entry to the Nasrid Palaces in advance. A convenient option is:
  Tickets : Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces Granada Last-Minute

  

  
  Note: entry times to the Nasrid Palaces are strict; plan to arrive at the complex at least 60–90 minutes before your slot.
• What to see: The Alcazaba ramparts, Nasrid Palaces (Comares and Lions Courts), and Generalife’s terraced gardens. Afterward, wander the Albaicín’s cobbled lanes to Mirador de San Nicolás for that postcard Alhambra‑and‑Sierra Nevada view.
• Lunch: Reserve at Aben Humeya in the Albaicín (terrace with views) or snack on piononos and tapas near Plaza Nueva.

Return to Estepona; a late, light dinner on the promenade—grilled sardines or a simple tortilla—will hit the spot.

Day 7: Market Morning, Last Swim, and Departure

Morning: If it’s Sunday, browse Estepona Marina’s open‑air market for ceramics, linen, and leather. Otherwise, savor a slow breakfast—toast with tomato and olive oil at Panadería Ortiz—and a final dip at Playa del Cristo.

Afternoon: Pick up edible souvenirs (local olive oil, almendrados) in the Old Town. Check out and transfer to Málaga or Gibraltar for your flight—buses via Omio run frequently, and a taxi to AGP takes ~1 hour depending on traffic.

Evening: Travel day. If you have extra time in Málaga, consider a quick paseo around the Cathedral area before heading to the airport.

Estepona Eating & Drinking Shortlist (save this!)

• Breakfast & coffee: Migan Bakery (pastries, good espresso), Moments Coffee & Lounge (smoothies, light bites), Panadería Ortiz (classic Andalusian tostada).
• Lunch: La Escollera (seafood by the port), Tapería del Pintxo (fast, tasty pintxos), Palm Beach at Playa del Cristo (salads, sandwiches, and sangría with toes‑in‑sand vibes).
• Dinner: La Casa del Rey (wine bar with creative tapas), La Bulla Gastrobar (modern Med plates by the sea), Restaurante Sur (Argentine steaks), El Rincón Toscano (wood‑fired pizza and fresh pastas).
• Drinks: Reinaldo’s at the marina (classic cocktails), promenade beach bars for sunset Tinto de Verano.

Getting Around During the Week

• On foot + taxi: Old Town, marina, and beaches are walkable; taxis are plentiful and affordable for short hops.
• Bus: For Marbella, Málaga, La Línea (Gibraltar), and beyond, search timetables and book on Omio buses.
• Train connections: For long‑distance rail (e.g., Madrid ↔ Málaga), compare options on Omio trains and continue by bus to Estepona.
• Car: Easiest for Ronda, Sierra Bermeja, and Granada day trips. Parking garages ring the Old Town; blue‑zone street parking is time‑limited.

Summary: In a week, you’ll get Estepona’s essentials—beaches, orchids, murals, and marina sunsets—plus high‑impact day trips to Ronda, Gibraltar, and the Alhambra. Expect Andalusian flavors, sea breezes, and mountain panoramas, all within easy reach on the Costa del Sol.