Property Sales & Consultants in Costa del Sol, Spain
INFORMATION ABOUT ESTEPONA
Estepona is the Costa del Sol's most westerly resort and lies 75 km from Malaga airport at the foot of the Sierra Bermeja mountains. Originally a fishing village Estepona has developed as a mainly Spanish resort and has managed to avoid too many high rise hotels and apartment blocks.
It has a much more authentic atmosphere than many of the other resorts of the Costa del Sol with typical Andalusian whitewashed houses and balconies decorated with flowers. The houses are whitewashed and iron gates painted every year to maintain the feeling of a cared for town.
Locals can often be seen chatting outside these houses. In the old part of the town the streets are still cobbled whilst along the seafront runs a very pretty promenade lined with palm trees and flowers. Some chiringuitos (beach bars) are to be found along this promenade
Of course all the usual beach and water activities are available such as jet-skiing, parasailing, diving and pedalos. If you have your own transport and want to find some quieter beaches with golden sand these can be found anywhere beyond Tarifa.
Estepona is a perfect resort for families and people looking for a quiet holiday away from the busy nightlife of some of the more commercialised resorts along the coast although there are some disco pubs around the marina. There are many traditional tapas bars around Plaza Las Flores and some excellent restaurants specialising in seafood and fish dishes such as sardines on the spit (espeto de sardinas).
There is plenty to do in and around Estepona. For the early risers the fish market at the harbour is an interesting sight. A large variety of fish are auctioned off but you must be there by 6am as it tends to be finished by 7am. The 18th century Church of Los Remedios in the Plaza de San Francisco was once a Franciscan monastery. The Torre Reloj (clock tower) has organised tours every Thursday starting from the tourist office. The bull ring, on the outskirts of the town, has four museums in it one of which has an interesting collection of bullfighting memorabilia. Ronda, famous for its incredible gorge provides a fabulous day out. The little known town of Casares is a typical white Andalusian town set on a hillside and you can find out how to get there from the tourist office in Estepona.
The village of Manilva has some Roman sulphur baths which are interesting if somewhat smelly. For the kids there's Selwo Aventura, a safari park where you can see animals such as tigers, lions and elephants, go on a camel ride, have a go at archery and walk on the overhead walkways.
Golf, of course, is a big pastime in this area. There are many world class Costa del Sol golf courses around Estepona some of which have 5 star hotels and sports facilities attached. The mild, dry winter climate makes it a pleasure to play golf all through the year. If you do intend to use any of the courses do remember to bring your handicap certificate with you as it will be almost impossible to find a course which does not require it.
Estepona, like all other Andalusian towns, takes the opportunity to celebrate and party as much as possible. Three of its main festivals are San Isidro celebrated on May 15th with processions and a party in the countryside, the local town festival celebrated during the first week of June in the fairground and the festival of the Virgen del Carmen on July 16th when a statue of the Virgen is carried out to sea and back on fishing boats.
SURROUNDINGS
PUERTO BANÚS
While Marbella is seen by many as Europe's get-away spot for the rich and famous, Puerto Banus is just as desirable a destination - not just for the famous but also for holidaymakers ranging from high-flying business men and women to families just looking for a relaxing time away, with plenty of sunshine.
Puerto Banus is a relatively recent travel destination however, as it has only opened it's doors to the general holidaymaker in the last 10 years or so; previous to that it was a very exclusive spot, known only to the locals and filmstars!
Notably the premier Spanish department store El Corte Ingles with it's five stories, and the Marina Banus Shopping Centre are two of the most popular locations that shoppers head for. Alternatively, a visit to the weekly market held in the bullring each Saturday morning is a great way to buy both local products and holiday souvenirs!
Puerto Banus nightlife is as good as it gets and holds a world-class reputation. It can carry on until dawn if you want it to, or if you prefer something a bit more sedate then you can settle for a quiet drink and tapa in any one of the countless local bars spread throughout the town. If you do get the urge to have a taste of Tinsel Town, there are numerous cocktail and wine bars spread around the Marina and seafront areas, known as the Muelle Rivera - incidentally these are great areas for doing a bit of 'star spotting'!
Puerto Banus is only a few kilometres west of Marbella, and being under the Municipality of Marbella shares many characteristics of the Costa del Sol's most well known resort. Famous for it's picturesque marina filled with multi-million dollar yachts, Puerto Banus also boasts a beach that stretches for one kilometre - the golden sands are a major attraction to this town that was once a traditional Spanish fishing village decades ago.
As with any resort associated with the rich and famous, Puerto Banus has more than it's fair share of pubs, clubs, restaurants, world-class shopping and casino facilities. Designer names can be found on all the main streets, but if you prefer to browse smaller, more traditional Spanish shops and boutiques then there are plenty of these too.
The surrounding areas of Puerto Banus are also to be explored and enjoyed. The Sierra Bermeja Mountains rise up to the north of the town, and numerous golf courses are scattered within a 10 kilometre radius of Puerto Banus. Needless to say, the golf courses are some of the best in Europe and go towards making Puerto Banus one of the world's top golfing holiday destinations.
MARBELLA
Marbella is one of the original Costa del Sol resorts, made famous by becoming Europe's playground for the rich and famous.
Indeed, mention the name Marbella and it usually conjures up images of plush hotels, casinos, multi-million dollar yachts and Ferraris.
But today Marbella is not exclusively for the jet-set. Being only 30 minutes drive to the west of Malaga airport and with the recent increase in airlines providing cheap flights, the resort is within very easy reach for most people and has become a popular destination for hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers each year.
Of course, the main resort of Marbella is predominantly hotels, apartment blocks and beaches but the older parts of town still remain and hold the traditional Spanish feel and atmosphere.
Exploring the back streets of Old Marbella will reveal stately buildings that date back to the 16th century or beyond, along with small traditional shops, cafes and galleries - a far cry from the modern Marbella just a stone’s throw away that most people only know about and see.
Throughout the old town, small plazas lined with local bars and orange trees add to the traditional feel and are a great place to take a break and soak up the atmosphere before heading back to modern day life. To escape the hustle and bustle further, the Sierra Bermeja Mountains rise up behind the resort and are ideal for exploring by 4x4 or on foot; plenty of viewpoints provide opportunities to see the two and a half mile coastal spread that is Marbella.
At the Western end of that spread is Puerto Banus, Marbella's own playground for the rich and famous, with it’s modern day marina packed with large yachts and motorboats, while back in the town centre you can find world-class shopping and entertainment together with all the attractions that a top holiday resort could possibly provide. The Avenida del Mar is the town’s principal seafront promenade, with countless bars and restaurants serving only the best quality food and drink. Or if you prefer, local traditional seafood dishes such as barbecued sardines on a spit or paella can be enjoyed at the nearby beach huts, or chiringuitos – well worth a visit.
Dotted around the immediate vicinity of Marbella are numerous Costa del Sol golf courses, making this part of the Costa del Sol one of the most popular golfing destinations in Europe. Tennis clubs, horse riding centers, bike hire, water sports and air sports such as paragliding all ensure that even the most adventurous holidaymaker won't be going home disappointed, while the 12 or so beaches that Marbella boasts keep the sun worshippers happy!
The jewel in the crown is of course the Marbella weather – the area’s very own micro-climate results in a year-round average temperature of 19 degrees Celsius and 320 days of sunshine annually. Shorts and t-shirts in the summer and light trousers and sweater in the winter are all that's required.
With this kind of weather and the huge diversity within the immediate area, it's easy to see why Marbella is visited by so many people time and time again.
