Living in Estepona: What Is Estepona Like to Live In?

We live in a world where it’s possible to find the best place for any taste. Sea, mountains, plains… People have different preferences; many of them want to live in a warm place next to the sea. Have you noticed that some countries gain more popularity among expats than others? Spain with its sunny weather and favorable climate attracts many of them.

Estepona is a popular Spanish city located on the coast next to the sea. Its favorable geographic position and weather contribute to choosing the location for emigration by foreign expats. Besides a sunny climate, the city has a strong infrastructure, which creates the perfect environment for relocation. Below, we invite you to discover the region and answer the question, «What is Estepona like to live in?»

Beautiful views from the apartments in the Estepona

Location and Climate of Estepona

Estepona is a coastal city on the Costa del Sol. It is located in the province of Malaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. The city of Estepona is located 82 km from Malaga and 48 km from Algeciras.

Estepona is famous for its beachside, which stretches along 21 km of coastline. Sandy beaches attract lovers of sea activities. Inland there is a fertile valley with small streams and the Sierra Bermeja mountain range, which reaches its highest point (Los Reales peak) at 1,452 meters above sea level. The mountain range protects the city from cold and Western and Northern winds. The plain is occupied by crops and pastures.

Its favorable climate is one of the main advantages of the Spanish city. Estepona has a Mediterranean climate due to the proximity of the Strait of Gibraltar. Thanks to its geographical position, surrounded by the sea, Estepona has an excellent microclimate with more than 320 sunny days a year. Summer is hot, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. An average maximum reaches 35 degrees Celsius. Winter is mild, with an average temperature of 10-13 degrees Celsius in January-February. Annual precipitation is low; rain falls no more than 35 days per year. The combination of mild winters, warm summers, and plenty of sunshine creates the perfect environment for life and leisure.

Such a favorable climate impacts dwellers’ lifestyles, providing them with more opportunities for outdoor activities. They can try different work and entertainment options, diversifying their routines and enjoying every day of their lives. Golf is one of the most popular kinds of sports in the region. There are several dozen golf clubs around the city. Besides, horse racing, cycling, Nordic walking, and sailing sports are in demand. This feature contributes to living your life with a positive mood and energy.

Quality of Life and Infrastructure

Being one of the top destinations for not only leisure but also life and work, the city offers a branched infrastructure with all the needed establishments and state institutions. Dwellers have a

Healthcare establishments (medical centers, hospitals, outpatient hospitals, etc.). A wide network of healthcare institutions is developed in the city to guarantee prompt professional assistance to people who have health problems.
Nursery houses and kindergarten. Dwellers can leave babies and children in specialized care centers, where professional specialists take care and look after them.
Educational institutions (schools, colleges, universities, etc.). Children and teenagers can get full-grade education, study different sciences and subjects, master skills, etc. Numerous courses, workshops, and seminars are arranged in the city to let students and pupils develop thinking, study new materials, etc.
Shopping centers. A great number of shops are open in the city. Both local over-the-counter stores and large shopping malls are scattered around the city. Expats can find all they need in such shops. Clothes, appliances, household things, etc. are provided. Thus, dwellers have all the needed staff for their lives in the city.

The housing stock is another important aspect of relocation when selecting a suitable city for life. Estepona is ready to satisfy the demands of all expats, depending on their tastes and budgets. The following types of apartments for sale in Estepona area are available in the city:

Squat houses.
Blocks of flats.
Luxurious villas.
Hotels.

Attractions and Leisure Activities in Estepona

Rich culture is one of the pearls of the Spanish city. Its landmarks with historical monuments, museums, entertainment centers, zoos, and parks attract visitors and charm with unique features. The following attractions deserve particular attention:

Historical center. The Old Town, which occupies the center of Estepona, looks like a typical provincial Andalusian village. Here, every piece of architecture deserves attention and is worthy of being called a landmark. In the Old Town, there are not only numerous historical landmarks but also authentic cafes, art salons, and souvenir shops.
Paseo Maritimo Promenade. It is a well-kept alley with numerous flower beds, an attractive fountain, children's areas, rollerblading and skateboarding areas, cafes, and restaurants. Concerts are often held here. Paseo Marítimo stretches for 3 km along Playa La Rada, ending near a famous local landmark — the fishing port.
Port Deportivo. The local port is a modern marina with 447 berths. Here, visitors can rent a yacht for a walk or fishing, and it will cost much less than in other cities in Spain. Puerto Deportivo is also a territory for walks, where the specific smell of the sea and coastal restaurants-cafes-bars with slightly exorbitant prices reign.
Botanical Garden and Orchidarium. The Botanical Garden with the Orchid House is one of the most interesting attractions. It’s found in every Estepona guide. The Botanical Garden occupies an area of 13,000 m², where numerous paths are laid among more than 5,000 plants. There are original vertical gardens, a lake, and a high waterfall with pools.
Urban Murals. Original paintings, called «murals», decorate the facades of many buildings in different areas of Estepona. A special Artistic Painting Route (Ruta de Murales Artisticos) has been developed for the resort’s guests. The map is regularly updated, as new paintings appear in Estepona.
Selwo Aventure Amusement Park. It’s the perfect combination of a theme park and a zoo, where ideal conditions for an active family holiday have been created. The entire territory of the amusement park is divided into two parts.

At the bottom, where there are many plants and shade, visitors can enjoy a variety of entertainment attractions. They can walk along a suspension bridge, fly along a high bungee, go down a cable (zipline) over the Great African Lake, or ride a camel.

Above, in the far part of the park, there is an African savannah, where there is much less shade, but there are fountains-showers installed next to all the paths. Every half hour, a safari tour is conducted through the savannah. Groups are accompanied by an English-speaking guide. On the territory of Selwo Aventura, animals of more than 200 species live, and the most natural living conditions are reproduced for all.

Since the city is coastal, the beachside plays a significant role. The Mediterranean coastline, which stretches along the entire Estepona for 21 km, is occupied by 17 beaches. All of them have sand or sand with pebbles surface. The coast is clean, and the entry into the water is smooth and comfortable. The most famous beaches include:

Playa del Cristo;
Playa de la Rada;
Playa del Padrón.

Proximity to the sea determines preferable activities. Sailing, sunbathing, yachting, and other beach-related entertainment and sports are popular. However, multiple sports complexes and parks are also developed for athletes.

Leisure activities for all ages are available in the city. If you prefer a peaceful measured pace of life, you can spend time in numerous cafes, restaurants, and bars, admiring the surrounding views and talking to a soulmate. Anyway, the city is ready to satisfy the demands of all visitors and expats.

Social Life and Expat Community

Estepona is a popular destination for relocation. Thus, a large expat community exists in the city. Being aware of this fact, the local authority creates favorable conditions for a smooth borderless integration of expats into the city’s life. In particular, language classes are organized for relocators, community events are frequently held. Thus, newcomers face a friendly welcome and can enter the city’s life smoothly.

Neighborhood with different communities provides dwellers with opportunities for assimilation and cultural exchange. The local nation is open and friendly toward relocators. They help expats assimilate and get life in order in the new place. As a result, a multicultural and multinational society is created, which contributes to tolerance and cohesion between dwellers.

Pros and Cons of Living in Estepona

To summarize the article, let’s list the key points of relocation to Estepona. The city has both strengths and weaknesses. Pross include:

A favorable climate. A lot of sunny days, hot summers, mild winters, and warm winds determine the favorable geographical position of the city. The climate attracts expats who do not like the cold and seek a calm place with warm weather.
Peaceful lifestyle. A peaceful environment reigns in the city. When you come to Estepona, it seems that calmness and relaxation are everywhere. People do not hurry; they are relaxed and do not bother themselves with extra tasks. They prefer to rest on a bench along the coast and admire the sea, or sit in a cafe and enjoy every minute of a morning breakfast.
Developed infrastructure. The city has everything needed for comfortable living. Healthcare institutions, educational establishments, shopping malls, and leisure centers are available. A branched network of roads allows for moving through the city with comfort.

Cons are:

Potential adaptation challenges. Any expat faces adaptation; it’s impossible to skip it. So, expats encounter the need to adapt to a new lifestyle, culture, and language. However, local dwellers help visitors adapt by creating courses and events that help them delve into the new society.
Seasonal tourism. When the vacation season starts, the city attracts thousands of tourists. So, be ready that tourism will affect your routine.
Property prices. The city has quite high prices for real estate due to its popularity among tourists and its favorable geo-location. These features raise the cost of square meters.

Is Estepona Worth Moving To?

Answering the question «Is Estepona a good place to live?», note that the city is an excellent choice for different categories of dwellers who like a hot summer climate and want to live in a warm place. Due to its location and pace of life, the city is suitable for both family relocation and peaceful retirement. Although the city has certain drawbacks, there are many more advantages that attract expats and encourage them to move to this coastal Spanish city.