Estepona Honeymoon Guide
Escape the more commercial resorts of the Costa del Sol for the quiet pleasures of Estepona, a less developed seaside village that still maintains an authentic Spanish ambiance and provides all the ingredients you need for a relaxing honeymoon or romantic getaway in Spain.
Estepona Beaches
Discover Estepona’s 1.5km-long beachfront, with the central areas offering good facilities including numerous chiringuitos and restaurants.
The best beaches in Estepona, include…
Playa El Padron
Unwind on the light golden brown sand of this 1km-long beach located 2km east of Estepona and in front of the luxurious Kempinski Hotel and Resort.
Facilities include sun beds, parasols, toilets, showers, lifeguards, regular police patrols and several chiringuitos. Water sports including snorkelling and wind surfing, which can be arranged through the Kempinski hotel.
Playa La Rada
Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on the golden sands of this 2.6km-long beach, centrally located in Estepona and edged by an attractive palm-fringed promenade.
To the west lies a marina. Facilities include sun beds, parasols, toilets, showers, lifeguards, regular police patrols, water sports and several chiringuitos.
Playa El Cristo
Located on the other side of the Estepona marina, this crescent of fine brown sand shelves into a protected cove perfect for families and small children.
Facilities include two popular chiringuitos, sun beds, parasols, toilets and showers, lifeguards and regular police patrols.
What to do and see in Estepona
Explore the old quarter of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed buildings, ancient squares and friendly tascas (tapas bars). Admire the 14th century church of Sta María de los Remedios and the nearby ruins of an old aqueduct.
Then unwind on a choice of beaches flanked by the attractive and broad Paseo Marítimo, which is lined with manicured flower gardens. Play golf at the Estepona Golf Course, which nestles between the Sierra Bermeja mountain range and the Mediterranean Sea.
Watch African wildlife at the nearby Selwo Safari Park or drive up to the pueblo blanco mountain village of Caseraer, which sprawls across mountain slopes beneath the remains of a Moorish castle.
Where to stay
Estepona offers newlyweds an excellent choice of accommodation options, including the following 4- and 5-star hotels…
Kempinski Hotel Bahía Beach Resort & Spa
Location: Playa El Padrón, Estepona
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD443 per room
Description: Kempinski Hotel Bahía Beach Resort & Spa is set on the beachfront and offers views of the Mediterranean, just 20 minutes’ drive from Marbella. It features 3 outdoor swimming pools, gardens and a spa. Rooms at the Kempinski Marbella are luxurious and feature a balcony or terrace. Each room has a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and a marble bathroom. Facilities at the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Beach Resort & Spa include a fitness studio and tennis courts. The hotel spa has a sauna, steam room, indoor pool, and 6 treatment rooms. There is also a children's club available. The Kempinski has a buffet restaurant and 3 further restaurants, offering a range of Mediterranean cuisine. Guests can enjoy a drink on the terrace or at the poolside snack bar. The resort is a 5-minute drive from the centre of Estepona and Los Flamingos Golf Club. Puerto Banús can be reached in 15 minutes by car. Malaga Airport is 73 km away.
Marriott's Playa Andaluza
Location: Carretera de Cádiz, km 168, Estepona
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD297 per room
Description: Nestled on the beach, the Marriott's Playa Andaluza is within 5 km (3 mi) of Saladillo Beach, El Paraiso Golf Club, and Atalaya Golf and Country Club. Real Club de Golf Guadalmina and Basilica Vega Del Mar are also within 5 km. All 171 apartments feature comforts like pillowtop beds and premium bedding, while conveniences include microwaves and coffee makers. Free WiFi and balconies are standard, as are LCD TVs with satellite channels. Spend the day catching some rays at the beach, relaxing by one of Marriott's Playa Andaluza's 3 outdoor swimming pools, or pampering yourself at the full-service spa. The property's Solera Restaurant serves a range of international and traditional Andalusian food.
Elba Estepona Gran Hotel & Thalasso Spa
Location: Carretera Estepona-Cádiz, 151, Estepona
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD205 per room
Description: This luxury, beachfront hotel is located just outside Estepona, on the Costa del Sol. It offers a spa, indoor and outdoor pools and elegant rooms with sea view and a private balcony or terrace. The air-conditioned rooms at Gran Hotel Elba Estepona & Thalaso Spa feature stylish décor. Each has satellite TV and a private bathroom with hairdryer. The Elba complex has 3 themed restaurants and offers all inclusive service. In summer months, Kids' Club activities are organised. Available for an extra cost, the Elba Estepona’s spa features a sea water circuit, hot tub, sauna and an igloo. A wide variety of relaxing, therapeutic, or beauty treatments are on offer. Easily accessible from the AP7 Motorway, the hotel is 20 minutes’ drive from Marbella.
Iberostar Costa del Sol
Location: Puente de Cancelada, Estepona
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD190 per room
Description: Located next to the beach, on the Costa del Sol’s Golden Mile, Iberostar Costa del Sol offers direct beach access, a swimming pool complex and spa. The hotel features free WiFi access. Rooms at the hotel all have a furnished balcony and satellite TV. The en suite bathroom has a round bath and separate shower. Set in gardens, the hotel has a large outdoor swimming pool with water slides, jets and hot tub. There is a wide variety of entertainment, featuring daytime and evening activities, and including a kids club for children between 4 and 12 years old. The hotel's large Sensations spa includes various pools, a sauna, hammam and ice cave, as well as tropical showers and a relaxation area. Beauty and wellness treatments are also available. Iberostar Costa del Sol is set between Marbella and Estepona. Puerto Banus is just 10 km away. Special discounts are available for guests at the many golf courses in the area around the hotel.
Hotel Fuerte Estepona
Location: Arroyo Vaquero Playa, Estepona
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD136 per room
Description: Set on the beachfront on the Costa del Sol, Hotel Fuerte Estepona offers 4 outdoor pools, a spa and free WiFi throughout. The centre of Estepona is 5 minutes by car. The stylish, modern rooms and suites at the Fuerte Estepona are spacious and air conditioned. They feature a balcony, and satellite TV. All rooms have tea and coffee-making facilities and some have a terrace with a hot tub. The Fuerte Estepona Hotel has a bar and a stylish restaurant. Outside, there is a sun terrace and attractive gardens. The Estepona’s spa has a sauna, an outdoor hot tub and offers a range of beauty treatments. Other hotel facilities include Balinese beds, tennis, paddle and volleyball courts. Vallderrama Golf Course is 15 minutes' drive away, and discounted green fees are available at a number of nearby courses. The nearby A-7 and AP-7 roads give direct access to Sotogrande and Puerto Banús in 20 minutes, and Gibraltar in 40 minutes.
Best time to honeymoon in Estepona
The best time to visit Estepona is during May, June, September and October when the days are long and sunny but lacking the crowds and torrid heat of July and August, when midday temperatures regularly soar beyond 30°C (86°F).
May to June and September to October midday temperatures average 23ºC (73°F) to 28ºC (82°F). Winter on the Costa del Sol offers bright sunny days with little or no rain, however the water is chilly for swimming.
The Costa del Sol receives more than 320 days of sunshine a year, with an average temperature of 22°C (72°F).
For more climate info: Costa del Sol Weather Guide…
Getting to Estepona
Estepona is located 25km (15.5mi) from Marbella and 85km (52.8mi) west of Málaga on Spain's Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun).
The most convenient route to Estepona is by air to Málaga Airport (AGP), located 8km (5mi) from Málaga and 80km (49mi) southwest of Estepona, followed by either bus, bus-train combination, taxi or hire car.
A twice-daily bus runs from Málaga Airport to Estepona, taking just 1 hr 10 mins. Alternatively, the airport train runs every 30 mins to Fuengirola, taking 35 mins.
From there, a bus runs every 15 mins to Estepona's Paseo Maritimo, taking a total of 2 hrs 44 mins, including transfer time. A taxi or self-drive car should take about 55 mins taking the faster toll road.
By air-conditioned bus, Estepona is a also stop on the frequent Málaga to Algeciras route.
An alternative route is to fly into Gibraltar Airport (GIB), the nearest international airport, located 45km (28mi) from Estepona.
Gibraltar Airport has direct flights to and from Manchester, London Gatwick and London Heathrow. A once-daily bus takes 45 mins from La Linea De La Concepcion to Estepona.
More information on how to get to Estepona…
Latest update: Estepona: 9 May, 2022
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