Whilst Marbella might be the big-name resort of the Costa del Sol, in recent years Estepona in the western half of the Costa has been growing in popularity. Not only is this because it offers more value for money, but also because of improvements to the area.
Estepona is a good place to live as it ticks all the boxes that make the Costa so popular: year-round beautiful weather, close proximity to airports, relaxed lifestyle and great facilities.
It's fast becoming one of the most attractive places to buy a property on the Costa del Sol.
In fact Estepona (alongside Marbella) is in our top five Spanish locations for property searches and enquiries, according to our Best Places to Buy Abroad 2024 and of those who decided that Estepona is a good place to live during 2023 was our own Jasmine Harman.
So what is Estepona like to live in?
An Introduction to Estepona
Often referred to the ‘Garden of the Costa del Sol’, Estepona was once a fishing and farming town that developed in the 1970s when tourism took off in the region. It offers some of the best and quietest beaches on the Costa del Sol - there are two Blue Flag beaches to enjoy: the small cove of Playa Del Cristo which is to the west of the town, and the other being the long sandy La Rada Beach to the East of Estepona marina.
It is under an hour from Malaga Airport, developments such as Atalaya to the east of Estepona are around 70km are around 50 minutes. Gibraltar Airport is an alternative, 45km away.
Estepona itself has plenty of charming squares and parks and this areas have been improved in recent years. The Old Town – with many of the streets pedestrianised and flanked with white-washed houses decorated with window boxes of scarlet geraniums.
A new cultural centre is set to open - Mirador del Carmen - on the western end of the seafront promenade. A landmark building, designed by architect Salvador Moreno Peralta, will house a 15-storey library, music school and exhibition centre. The town is already home to numerous art galleries, museums and theatres.
Upgrades to the Avenida de Andalucia and a wide-open pedestrian space will connect central Estepona with the port along the seafront with the Mirador del Carmen.
Extensive renovation has also been undertaken on the beach promenade, which now offers a picturesque walkway along the coastline, perfect for strolling, jogging or rollerblading along the seafront. New beach bars, restaurants and water sports facilities have accompanied the promenade renovations, expanding the town’s tourism offering.
New roads, bridges and tunnels have enhanced Estepona’s connectivity which mean that it’s easier to access the town as well as to explore the local area, visiting Marbella, Gibraltar and a range of other destinations.
Between the town centre and San Pedro de Alcántara lies the area known as the New Golden Mile. This stretch of coastline is home to a succession of high-end developments and luxury hotels. The Los Reales mountain range to the north is great for adventurous types.
Another attraction for visitors is Estepona’s sports facilities. Nearby Finca Cortesín hosts world golf events – there are at least five golf courses in the local area, including the popular Estepona Golf resort. Also, 2024 is year of the Bike for the city: along with events the town also plans to extend its network of cycle lanes. For the families, there are many day trip attractions such as Selwo Safari Park which has 2,000 animals.
For expats living in Estepona there are health centres, private hospitals and schools (including Colegio San José, which usually tops the list of Andalusia’s best schools).
Estepona is also looking to the future, having implemented renewable energy projects, eco-friendly transportation options and green spaces, making it a strong choice for environmentally conscious property buyers.
Properties in Estepona
In Estepona, you can expect to get far more property for your money when compared to similarly priced properties in tourist-popular destinations such as Marbella. Currently, in and around Estepona there is a lot of property available to suit most buyers’ requirements and budgets.
For a one-bedroom apartment, expect to pay from around €120,000, with plenty of two-bed options for around €150,000. You can find a townhouse from €200,000.
Popular property choices are apartments within close proximity of the coast and with access to a communal pool and gardens. Alternatively, you could escape toward the valleys and find a new build villa or townhouse within a gated complex.
For golf lovers, there are many developments either situated on or near to the award-winning courses which allow you to be only a short walk from the first tee. There are also exclusive club resorts that offer the residential community with additional benefits such as gyms, indoor pools and a local bar as well as access to the golf course.
New two-bedroom apartments – such as those at Taylor Wimpey’s Sunny Golf - start from around €250,000.
Making the move and living in Estepona
Like the rest of Costa del Sol, Estepona attracts many holidaying tourists. However, unlike some towns, the expat population in Estepona is relatively small with the majority of the community being Spanish. For some, this is a huge benefit and allows buyers to embrace the Spanish culture.
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