Is Estepona a Good Place to Live?

6 mins read

Whenever house buyers in Spain ask us is Estepona a good place to live, our answer is always the same. An enthusiastic yes, yes, yes! We love Estepona and think it is one of the best places to live in Andalusia – Spain. Sitting in the Costa del Sol region of southern Spain, it belongs to the Malaga province that is home to many foreign ex-pats enjoying a good lifestyle all year round. Estepona has one feather in its cap, though, that many other places cannot offer.

It combines an authentic Spanish ambience with the benefits of modern living. Plenty of other places in Spain sold out on their cultural heritage to embrace tourism and accommodate foreigners wanting to live in Spain. Still, Estepona held onto theirs, and this has put it on the map as a delightful gem. They did not turn their back on cosmopolitan, modern amenities, though. They have managed a fine blend of both, so let us look at other reasons to choose Estepona as a place to retire in Spain.

Why Estepona is a Good Place to Live

1: Beautiful Beaches

Twenty-one kilometres of gorgeous coastline and the Serrania de Ronda mountain range backdrop make beachfront Estepona a scenic destination and a great place to hang out on sandy beaches. But seaside Estepona has another advantage. While other beaches in Spain crowd with people during summer, beachgoers have space to move around on the beaches in Estepona. The main beach Playa Rada has a palm tree-lined promenade with bars and restaurants serving snacks. Families love El Christo beach near the marina, which also offers water sports, and the shallow waters are great for young children. If beaches are your idea of a fun day out, Estepona delivers in style, and in addition, two are blue-flag.

2: Picturesque Old Town Charm

One hundred twenty pedestrianised streets make up Estepona old town that captivates everyone with stunning colours and traditional architecture. Whitewashed houses covered with flower pots burst with colour while restored cobbled paths make it easy for wheelchair users and mothers with prams to soak up the authentic Estepona vibes. Head to a plaza to sit in a pavement café or restaurants, and people watch, drop by the archaeological museum in Plaza Blas Infante or browse through the shops on Calle Terraza. Regardless, it is a great place to return to, and if you live in Estepona, that can be every day.

is Estepona a good place to live

3: Estepona Marina

Close to the heart of Estepona, you do not have to own a yacht or be interested in sailing to enjoy the marina. Many residents meet there to enjoy the weekly craft market and the high standard of dining establishments serving top-notch food. Serving international and Mediterranean cuisine, naturally, fish is top of the menu but take your tastebuds on a delightful tour to same all of them, then head to a cocktail bar to finish the evening. Otherwise, if you own a yacht, the Estepona marina has 447 berths and excellent nautical and maritime services.

4: Golfing in Estepona

Whether you are a seasoned player of the sport or someone who would like a new hobby, Estepona delivers with seven golf courses on your doorstep. We all know Spain is a top golfing destination globally, and Estepona can count itself as part of that. Ranging from 9 to 36 holes, the courses offer a challenging or easy round and fantastic clubhouses to raise a glass after the game. Beginners can also sign up for group or private lessons in a golf resort. In next to no time, your golfer neighbours will call you Nick Faldo!

5: Things to Do

So aside from all the above, what else is there to do? Plenty. Living in Estepona opens a world of exploration. Head away from the beaches to inland countryside destinations that are great for treks, or book a day fishing on sailing boats. The indoor and outdoor sports facilities offer various activities, including tennis and football, while art lovers should head to the Coleccion Garo at Plaza de las Flores. Take up scuba diving or enjoy a stroll around the adventure park. Buggy tours, horse riding, catamaran boats. You name it. No resident of Estepona ever complains of boredom.

6: Nearby Places

Of course, Estepona has much to offer, but maybe you would like to get out to explore more places in Costa del Sol. This is where Estepona delivers because its ideal location makes a great base. Marbella is 25 minutes’ drive away, upmarket Puerto Banus is 19 minutes drive, and famous Gibraltar, just 50 minutes. Alternatively, head to Malaga, an hour away or 2 hours’ drive away, are Granada and Seville, both favourite places that should be explored by anyone wanting to live in Estepona permanently.

living in Estepona Spain

7: Nightlife and Gastronomy

Part of the enjoyment of living in Spain is the outdoors lifestyle which includes fantastic places to eat. But put aside the Paella because Estepona offers more than enough choices of places to dine. Fifteen beach bars and clubs open during the day and head on well into the night to serve delicious fish and seafood delights. To continue the traditional Spanish theme, dine out in a tapas bar, or head to a fine dining establishment or cafés for international cuisine like pasta, steak, Chinese, Thai, and of course, a delightful bottle of Spanish wine to wash it all down.

8: Malaga Airport

For many retirees living in Spain, the short flight time is ideal. But even better is Estepona is only 60 minutes’ drive from Malaga airport, so anytime you want to nip back home to see friends and family, hop on one of many flights scheduled all year round. Malaga, Spain’s fourth busiest airport, hosts millions of air passengers during an average year when COVID is not around. This award-winning hub gets people through smoothly and efficiently for easy travel.

9: Weather and Climate

Many expats end up in southern Spain simply because the weather is warmer than in northern Spain. Estepona’s geographical location offers up the typical Mediterranean climates so expats can enjoy roughly 320 days of sunshine a year. Even those days, when the sun doesn’t shine down, are mild, especially when compared to the coldness of places like the UK. The ideal weather also encourages an outdoor lifestyle which is good for our health, so doctors will agree that a move to Estepona is the best thing.

10: Real Estate in Estepona

Given Estepona refuses to turn itself into a concrete jungle, one might think the property market is limited. Yet one glance reveals a varied choice of townhouses, apartments, and villas. Some are in the traditional Spanish style, while others feature modern architecture and the latest in home décor and design. All make an excellent base for year-round living and are within walking distance of local amenities. To understand the property market in Estepona, browse our portfolio here. Each listing contains everything to know, including price, neighbourhood, home features and contact details to find out more via email or arrange a viewing.

costa del sol

Summary

So, as you can see, Andalusian Spain is full of expat and tourist towns, but Estepona offers something special for a home fronting the Mediterranean Sea. To read more about living in Spain, browse our blog. We talk about places like Fuengirola, Madrid, Torremolinos, Mijas Costa, Benalmadena and Nerja. We also discuss day to day topics like the culture, settling in, traditions and how to kickstart a new life in Estepona.

About Us

We hope we have proved Estepona is a good place to live. To talk with an agent about buying property in Estepona or other parts of Spain, give us a call today. Also, follow us on Facebook to stay updated with expat and property news out of Spain.

estepona costa del sol

About Natalie

Natalie is a dedicated real estate professional currently working at Spot Blue International Property. With over a decade of experience in the industry, she has acquired a wealth of knowledge and expertise regarding global properties.