Five reasons to choose Estepona, the Costa del Sol's new hotspot

This hidden gem is right now one of the most attractive places for both tourists and Spaniards who want a little something extra on holiday.

Here are the reasons the town is such a popular destination in Spain. Picolo earns a small commission if you book a hotel through our links, at no extra cost to you.

1. Estepona is the Costa del Sol's best kept secret in Spain

"Shh!"

"Don't tell anyone about this place," my wife whispers to me, as we both smile at the sun on the intimate Playa del Cristo beach in Estepona.

I agree completely with my better half, standing with my feet in the water to cool down.

Estepona is a small Spanish town with that little something extra you want on a trip. It sits at the very southern tip of Spain, where you can look across to Gibraltar and Morocco in the distance. This Mediterranean gem is romantic, beautiful, calm, family friendly, intimate and authentic.

Just 20 minutes from better known Marbella, this fishing village has in recent years grown into much more than a holiday spot for sun seekers. Just under 50,000 people live here, most of them Spaniards. Estepona has looked after its heritage while developing the town with flower filled pedestrian streets, promenades, cycle paths, architecture and art.

2. La Rada and the chiringuitos

Estepona has kept much of its local character, with a laid back atmosphere and a relaxed street life. What makes it extra attractive for sun and sea is that this cosy town has miles of beaches for every taste. Along the wide promenade lies the main beach, La Rada, a good beach for all ages.

What I like best about the main beach is all the options it gives me. I can sunbathe and swim for hours, then stroll a few metres for a lovely lunch in the centre, or browse the shops for a bargain.

If you want better service and a good sunbed, I recommend one of the town's beach bars, the chiringuitos, where the food and service are good. The beach is popular with Spaniards and tourists alike. I would recommend Chiringuito Paco, run by two sisters. The beach bar serves top quality seafood but has something for every taste. My favourites are gambas al pil pil, a tapas dish of large prawns fried in chilli oil and herbs, or a grilled fish, ideally a local sea bream. With a good bottle of wine or a jug of sangria, you get a lovely lunch break in the shade.

Close to the harbour in Estepona you find the family friendly beach Playa del Cristo.

It is shallow and easy to keep an eye on, and the sand is fine for young and old. Check out the popular beach bar Lo Lailo, right by the water, if you are hungry or thirsty. Personally, I think they serve the best gambas al pil pil in town. Find out for yourself when you visit this intimate beach.

3. The old town and the harbour

For a lovely Spanish atmosphere, the old town is the place to go. I love everything it offers: beautiful whitewashed houses, flowers and art, narrow alleys, clean car free streets and bars and restaurants for every taste.

Whether you are after traditional tapas, Indian, sushi, seafood or the most delicious steaks, the choice is wide and varied.

One of my favourites is Plaza de las Flores, an intimate and beautiful square surrounded by cosy restaurants serving high quality food and drink. Also check out Casa Doña Jerónima and Fogón 18, or the roof terrace at the beautifully renovated boutique hotel El Pilar.

In the side street, check out the tapas bar Restaurante La Esquina del Arte, where you can sit for hours enjoying delicious modern small plates.

Walk further into the cosy streets and you find more good and varied places to eat. There are two other favourites I especially recommend. For seafood lovers, Alma de Miguel is a popular choice, with lovely food and drink and excellent service.

Remember to book a table in advance on the busiest days of high season in July and August.

As I usually travel with two young children, the family restaurant El Rincón Toscano on Calle Real is one of our favourites. It is a cosy and warm Italian restaurant.

The food and service are of a high standard, and they look after the children well, so we as parents can relax and enjoy the warm summer evening.

There are endless options for good local food in this unique and cosy seaside town. And if you just fancy a beer or want to share a bottle of wine, the choice is even bigger. La Casa del Rey is a popular wine bar where you can find exclusive and local wines from all over Spain.

Another exclusive and good wine spot is La Trocadero, a lovely 20 minute walk from the centre along the seafront promenade. It is a beautiful place with lovely design and interiors and a perfect view of the sea. The atmosphere is simply magical.

A short walk from the centre brings you to Estepona's harbour. Among the yachts and sailing boats there are several restaurants and bars, and nightlife for grown-ups who want to make a night of it. A small favourite is the restaurant La Escollera, buzzing with both local Spaniards and tourists. The fresh seafood is world class and the atmosphere is palpable. It is charming and often very busy. A small tip: buy a drink at the bar outside and wait a few minutes. You will get a table, and I promise it is worth the wait.

4. Sightseeing in Estepona

Spain and the Costa del Sol have plenty to offer when it comes to experiences on holiday, and Estepona is a perfect place to see and do new things. If you want to get close to dolphins or charter a yacht to cruise to more luxurious Puerto Banús in Marbella, the harbour is the perfect place to start, with several reputable operators.

Estepona is much more than restaurants and shopping. One place to explore is a unique and spectacular orchid park. El Orquidario de Estepona is on the main street, Calle Terraza. Inside the striking glass dome there are over 8,000 different types of flowers. And speaking of flowers, the town is bursting with colours and shapes. Estepona is called the garden of the Costa del Sol, and it is easy to see why.

A big plus is that Estepona is one of the cleanest towns in Spain. You never see litter in the streets.

Also check out the ruins of an old castle, the church, the lighthouse and all the old, unique plazas. Keep your eyes open for the street art by local artists on buildings around town. It makes the town even more special, and the old meets the new without losing its traditional roots.

5. Road trips and day trips

Estepona is well placed for day trips to other places in colourful Andalucía. An hour's drive takes you to the cultural city of Málaga.

The city, Pablo Picasso's birthplace, is bursting with historic sights, luxury shops with famous brands and plenty of good places to eat and drink.

The hours fly by here, so take your time.

For something closer, jet set Puerto Banús in Marbella is just 20 minutes away, with luxurious shops and restaurants and superyachts bobbing in the harbour. For more shopping in Marbella, La Cañada shopping centre is a favourite for every budget, and you can even stroll around with your own personal shopper if you need help finding your way around the exclusive shops.

One of my favourite towns is the mountain town of Ronda, a small, unique Spanish town 750 metres above sea level. The drive from Estepona takes about an hour. Ronda is called the cradle of bullfighting and has kept its fantastic architecture and traditional style. On a unique bridge completed in 1793, you can impress on social media as you look down into the gorge. It takes your breath away. This romantic, traditional mountain town surrounded by beautiful olive groves is a nice break from sun, sand and sea. Book an extra night at one of the town's beautiful hotels. The hotel Parador de Ronda sits right by the gorge. Magical.

One place I strongly recommend visiting is one of Britain's remaining overseas territories, Gibraltar. Much has been said and written about the Rock, a 40 minute drive from Estepona. It is both strange and exciting to cross the border from Spain to this historic rock at the tip of Spain. A piece of land in Spain that is not Spanish.

Here you drive on the left, pay in British pounds and everything has English names. The top of the Rock may be a bit of a tourist trap with its famous monkeys, but the cable car ride up is still worth it. The view across the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa and Morocco is mighty and spectacular. There can be queues at the border, so bring enough to drink in the car. Check out the official Gibraltar visitor guide if you need more tips. There is lots of history to discover.

Estepona is the town you keep coming back to

As you will have gathered, Estepona has a lot to offer, and it is a fishing village you want to return to year after year. Perhaps you now understand why my wife did not want to tell anyone about it. You worry the place will lose its character. But Estepona has understood that you can look after the old and traditional while modernising the town for both those who live there and those who visit.

That makes this gem a unique destination on Spain's sunshine coast, well worth discovering when you want a little extra from your holiday.

Frequently asked questions about Estepona

Where is Estepona?

Estepona is on the Costa del Sol in the very south of Spain, only about 20 minutes from Marbella. From the town you can see across to Gibraltar and Morocco in the distance. Just under 50,000 people live here, most of them Spaniards.

What is the main beach in Estepona?

The main beach is La Rada, along the town's wide seafront promenade. It suits all ages, and from the beach it is only a few metres to the restaurants and shops in the centre. Playa del Cristo is a smaller and more intimate beach.

Why is Estepona popular?

Estepona has kept its local character and a relaxed atmosphere, while the town has been developed with flower filled pedestrian streets, promenades, cycle paths, architecture and art. It is romantic, calm and family friendly.

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