Estepona: White Pearl on the Costa del Sol
Estepona: photos of one of the most beautiful Andalusian towns, the “White Pearl” of the Costa del Sol. It has a magnificent coastline, an historic old white village of narrow streets, full of color, plants, cacti and flowers. Estepona has a long seafront, beautiful, clean beaches and many street art murals on apartment buildings. On clear days, Gibraltar can be seen on the background (see picture below).
Estepona is a former fishing village 80 kilometers from the city of Málaga that is now a very popular tourist destination. It features a beautiful coastal promenade (the Paseo Marítimo), a marina, hotel apartments, and many restaurants and bars. An authentic Andalusian atmosphere still prevails in the old town, with its typical Andalusian streets, whitewashed houses, and colourful flower pots.
With the warm summer weather, all those plants and flowers in the old town center need plenty of water. Above, you can see a municipal worker watering the plants.
The sea, coastal views and the Paseo Marítimo promenade, the jewel of Estepona
Pictures above and below: the beautiful and clean beaches of Estepona. Above you can see the British Gibraltar, nicknamed “The Rock” – referencing its iconic 426-meter-high limestone monolith.
Below you can see Africa Beach, a chiringuito on Playa de la Rada in Estepona. Chiringuitos are informal beach bars or restaurants, typical of the Spanish coast, where visitors can enjoy food and drinks close to the sea.
Below: the Paseo Marítimo of Estepona, a lovely promenade for a walk. The seafront promenade stretches for nearly 3 kilometres along the Mediterranean and connects La Rada Beach with Estepona Port. Often referred to as the “jewel of Estepona”, the promenade is known for its sea views, cycling paths, playgrounds along the beach.
As can be seen above, much of the seafront promenade is lined with a mix of cacti, tropical palms, exotic succulents, and flowering Mediterranean plants. It is sometimes known as the “Garden of the Costa del Sol”.
One of the Paseo Marítimo’s most distinctive features is the series of white and blue parasols with circular patterns, creating shaded rest areas while allowing fresh sea breezes to pass through.
Estepona’s old town: white chalked houses, colourful flowerpots and a quiet Mediterranean atmosphere
The old town (casco antiguo) of Estepona is considered one of the best-preserved historic centres on the Costa del Sol. Its narrow pedestrian streets feature typical Andalusian whitewashed houses, colourful flower pots and charming squares. It is often called the “Garden of the Costa del Sol” because of its many flowers, plants and cacti. Murals and other examples of urban art can also be found in parts of the old town. Together, they create an interesting contrast between traditional Andalusian architecture and contemporary art. Check out the pictures below to explore this unique part of Estepona.
Strolling through Estepona’s old town is a very relaxing experience, thanks to the tranquil atmosphere created by the white houses—a setting that contrasts beautifully with the abundance of plants and flowers. Given its proximity to the sea, a gentle breeze often blows, offering a refreshing sensation when combined with the shade provided by the traditional Andalusian houses.
I didn’t note down all the street names for the photos I took in the old town (casco antiguo), but below you can see Calle San Antonio.
Above and below, you can see Plaza de Juan Bazán. It is a charming, lushly planted square in Estepona’s old town. Benches line every side, allowing you to enjoy the shade at any time of day. Because I was using a 50mm lens, I couldn’t capture the entire square in a single shot. I therefore split it into two photos; this also allows the beautiful details to stand out more effectively.
Below, the Orchidarium of Estepona can be seen. Opened in 2015, the building is organised on two levels separated by a bamboo garden and includes a lake, a waterfall of more than 15 metres and three glass domes, the highest reaching around 30 metres. Inside, visitors can discover more than 5,000 plants and over 1,300 species of orchids from around the world, mainly recreating the warm habitats of South America and Southeast Asia, together with large vertical gardens.
A former fishing village and the traditional Jábegas
Below you see traditional fishing boats on the beach of Estepona. Before tourism transformed the town, Estepona was largely a working-class fishing village, and these brightly painted boats honour the generations of families who built their lives around the sea.
The traditional Jábegas, recognised by their long narrow hulls, pointed bows and raised sterns, were historically used for nearshore net fishing and remain an important symbol of Málaga’s and Estepona’s maritime heritage.
Other pictures of Estepona: Jacarandas and the old cemetery
Above: a quiet street in Estepona during the jacaranda blooming season, when the trees produce wonderful purple flowers. Below, you can see the entrance to Estepona’s old municipal cemetery.
