HISTORY AND MONUMENTS

Estepona, a Spanish town located in southwest of the province of Málaga in Andalucía, at 82 km. from the capital. It was known as Cilniana in the roman era and Estebbuna during the arabic occupancy, situated in the mediterranean  coast-line at the foot of Sierra Bermeja. 

Today it is an important tourist area in the Costa del Sol. The fertile valleys situated in this mountain, are used for subtropical mediterranean farming; cattle raising, inshore fishing and shell fishing.

I would like to point out The Torre del Reloj (XV century), The Parochial Church Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (end of XV century) with an XVIII th century fugade, the Dominican convent and the roman Aqueduct of Salduba.

Our population was 38.000 inhabitants in 1995 but currently the population es over 40.000.

BEACHES

The Estepona coastline, shallow and sandy, extends over more than 21 km. Offering a succession of beaches with different degrees of usage and popularity according to the area. The Rada Beach, located in front of town, has all services: restaurants, showers, lifeguards, etc.

Awarded with the Blue Flag, it is the largest and most popular. The Cristo Beach forms a charming cove, and is ideal for any time of the year, being sheltered from the winds.

The La Galera and Bahía Dorada are distinguished by the beauty of the rocky areas with cliffs forming enchanting coastal landscapes. The Beach of Costa Natura, first nudist beach of the Costa del Sol, offers a very popular alternative among the naturists of the whole of Europe.

The following is a list of each of the beaches indicating the length of the coastline each case.

BEACHES

MUSEUMS

The Bullfighting Museum. Located in the unique setting of the Estepona Bullring, the museum offers the visitor a multitude of objects associated with bullfighting, including a complete collection of posters and, specially, several suits donated by the best bullfighters in Spain.

The Maritime and Country Museum. It is through the exhibits distributed throughout the twelve exhibition halls covering separate eras and themes that we are able to familiarise ourselvels with the Estepona way of life over the last few centuries. The exhibits include themes on the importance of bee-keeping, harvesting cereals, livestock, the forge, fishing, and more. The museum is located at the Estepona Bullring.

The Museum of Palaeontology. The Municipal Distrit of Estepona is home to some of the most important Pliocene marine fossil beds in the Mediterranean. Apart from its scientific importance, the museum enables the visitor to admire the beauty of these fossils which are more than five million years old. The Museum of Palaeontology is located in the "Plaza de los Misioneros", next to the Church of Our Lady of Redemption "Iglesia de los Remedios".

The Museum of Archaeology. Walking through the exhibition halls of this museum the visitor is able to take a complete tour of Estepona´s most ancient history as they learn of the mark left on this land by the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Arabs and the Christians, familiarising themselves with the wealth of history which pervades both Estepona and the surrounding region. The museum is currently located at the Bullring.

CRAFTSMANSHIP

Craftsmanship has been of great importance to discover the development of mankind throughout history; an activity through which the human hand has been capable of expressing the reality of the surroundings in which the craft was practised. Estepona, a town well- routed to the country and the sea, brings us certain artistic activities of which some remain nowadays.

Our ancestors knew how to teach their children so that this tradition would withstand the passage of time, which is why Estepona supports its local crafts fair, where everyonedecorates their stand with the best items which the dexterity and the skill of their hands can create. The magnificent works which our local craftsmen create include lace-making, palm-work using fine strips of intertwined dwarf palm leaves, leather work for working saddle bags or as finery, wood carving, ceramics and polychrome; crafts which have led Estepona to preserve its village identity. It is through its traditions that our town has learned how to keep its craftsmanship and to enrich itself from those who came before us.

NATURE

Sierra Bermeja (1.449 m) dominates the mountainous landscape enfolding Estepona with ets imposing presence. Its summit is reached through exuberant forests of pinsapo fir trees, sweet chestnuts, pines and other indigenous species of flora of this spectacularly beautiful nature reserve.

Deer, wild boar, mountain goats and a great number of smaller mammals, indigenous and migratory birds find their haven in this habitat.

The keen naturalist may enjoy day trips along footpaths leading to places of inspirig beauty. Pedregales Park offers spectacular views of the coast of Africa and Gibraltar. 

The sandstone and clay deposits play with the shape of the terrain creating a rare and extraordinary place of natural beauty. Seven log cabins have been placed within the Park, providing an ideal base from which to combine a visit to the countryside, only ten minutes away from the coast by road, with a wide range of activities like mountain biking, horse riding and walking.

FOLKLORE

Estepona´s tradition is similar in the whole of Andalusia and mainly, presents the same characteristcs. The Flamenco Club organizes during the year, shows and competitions, some ofwhich are recognized as of the highest level, being frequented by guitar players, singers and dancers of good name, a lost of them from Estepona. The flamenco singing and dancing, deep-rooted can be heard and seen in the streets and premises of Estepona.