Top 6 things to do in Estepona
Estepona is one of the main tourist destinations on the Costa del Sol. Located 90 kilometres west of Malaga, this town stands out for its beautiful beaches, historic center full of whitewashed houses decorated with pots of multiple colours and a lively atmosphere with the arrival of summer. Today you will discover a variety of things to do in Estepona.
This city is one of the enclaves that multiplies its population with the arrival of the summer months. Sun and beach tourism is one of its primary references. However, Estepona is much more than a town on the shores of the Mediterranean. In fact, its cultural and leisure offer during the rest of the year is one of the most interesting in the province of Malaga.
What to do in Estepona
Now, you might ask yourself, what is there to do in Estepona? Firstly, Estepona is a city with a wide variety of tourist attractions. From visiting one of Spain's most spectacular theme parks and zoos to walking through its streets or hiking routes in the surrounding area. An experience that goes far beyond the traditional sun and beach tourism is always recommended here. Here are the many activities and things to do in Estepona.
Visit Selwo Aventura
Selwo Aventura is a zoo with an extension of more than 14 hectares and where more than 2,000 animals of different species from all over the world live. These animals are located in three different areas:
- Nature Gateway: home to a variety of species such as the cheetahs, the red pandas, various primates such as the white-handed gibbons and marmosets, the flamingos, the always curious meerkats and the hyenas, one of the emblematic species of the African fauna of vital importance for their ecosystems.
- Birds Canyon: this area is home to lynxes, thanks to the Iberian Lynx Conservation program, otters and a wide variety of birds in the natural aviary.
- Central Village: with one of the world’s greatest predators: the lion; which inhabits an exclusive territory with viewpoints that allow you to observe how the king of the African savannah lives.
- Lakes Reserve: the most emblematic area of Selwo Aventura that will take you to the legendary Africa to discover the large herbivores that populate the savannah! You will find large herds of beautiful species such as zebras, antelopes, impalas or wildebeests as well as the rhinoceroses or the hippopotamus.
There are different adventure attractions throughout these territories, such as zip lines, elastic platforms, an archery facility and a large suspension bridge. In addition, every day, there are talks with expert animal keepers, exhibitions, guided tours and visits, etc. Finally, there are several restaurants to spend the day with the family inside the zoo.
Strolling through the historic center
The historic center of Estepona is one of the most beautiful and picturesque in the province of Malaga. Here you can see the best of typical Andalusian architecture. With its pedestrian streets and its beautiful whitewashed houses, it is a pleasure to get lost in the Barrio de la Villa to know the Castle of San Luis of the sixteenth century, the Clock Tower of the same century, the parish church of Santa Maria de los Remedios or the Archaeological Museum of Estepona with its collection of pieces from the Neolithic and the Copper and Bronze Ages.
Visiting the Estepona Marina
Visiting the Marina is one of the best things to do in Estepona. Not in vain, it is one of the most spectacular in southern Europe. It is just over a kilometre from the historic center and has room for 447 moorings. It is ideal for strolling along the sea and enjoying many boats, luxury yachts and other pleasure crafts. But in addition, this area is the center of nightlife with the arrival of summer.
Visit the Orchidarium Botanical Park
The Orchidarium of Estepona is the largest in Spain. More than 5,000 plants and 1,300 different orchids live in this modern garden, of which about 125 are in permanent bloom. The building to visit is divided in two, both separated by a beautiful bamboo forest - a fantastic tour with waterfalls and a spectacular collection of orchids for nature lovers to enjoy.
Hiking with the Estepona Natural program
A few years ago, the Estepona City Council launched the Estepona Natural program. A program with which you can go hiking and horseback riding, cycling or walking through the natural surroundings of this city. Routes such as the Paseo de los Pinsapos, the Sendero del Pico de los Reales, the Ruta de la Fuente del Porrejón or the Ruta de la Casa de los Guardas are among the most interesting.
Taking a dip on the beaches of Estepona
Finally, one of the best things to do in Estepona when summer arrives is to visit its beaches. With fine sand and quietness, the city has several beaches where you can spend a lovely day with family or friends. The beaches of la Galera, Bahía Dorada, Costa Natura, la del Cristo, la Rada, Guadalmansa, el Saladillo or el Padrón are some of the beaches you can visit. In addition, most of them are very close to the city center.
So, if you are thinking about what to do in Estepona, here you have a wide variety of options for you to enjoy the city.
