Adam Neale (Columnist)
Estepona has something for everyone: a historic centre, miles of golden-sand beaches, the mountains of Sierra Bermeja and some of the best-value areas to own a property on the Costa del Sol.
Estepona, which bills itself as the Garden of the Costa del Sol, has undergone a transformation in the past decade, blossoming from a quiet town at the western end of the province of Malaga into an attractive tourist and residential destination in its own right. Home to 70,000 people, it was officially declared a Tourism Municipality by the Junta de Andalucía in 2020.
As Andalucia is still in provincial lockdown at the time of writing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, here’s a virtual visit around Estepona, taking in eight of the most in-demand areas for those looking to invest in a home here to live year-round or for your holidays. If it’s any recommendation, we moved here and set up our business almost 20 years ago and wouldn’t think about living anywhere else on the Costa del Sol.
Estepona Old Town: charm, amenities and the beach on your doorstep
The Old Town is a maze of cobbled streets and shaded squares, lined by whitewashed houses and filled with flowers in colourful pots. Much of the area, which stretches back from the Paseo Marítimo and Playa de la Rada, has undergone a transformation in the past decade. Many streets are now pedestrianised, which has allowed bars and restaurants to expand dining terrace areas and new shops to open their doors to passersby.
Properties range from building plots and older houses for redevelopment, resale and new-build apartments and penthouses, some which enjoy sea views, and fully restored townhouses, many with patios and roof terraces. There are also larger buildings with potential for commercial development. Prices start at less than six figures, although these are getting harder to find, and can climb to over a million euros.
Seghers: sea views and services, all from a pine-forested hillside
Located west of Estepona’s centre, the residential neighbourhood of Seghers is characterised by low-density developments with a mix of small- to medium-sized villas and townhouse developments. Just a short stroll from the blue-flagged Playa del Cristo beach and surrounded by green spaces, the area is conveniently close to services in the port, and home to the Jardín de Seghers nursery school and Babylon sports club. Seghers is the only location with panoramic sea views in Estepona that places residents within walking distance of the beach, the historic town centre and the Marina.
El Padron and Benamara: beachside and countryside on the New Golden Mile
Lying to the east of the Old Town, the New Golden Mile runs along the coastline towards San Pedro de Alcántara, connecting Estepona to all the amenities of the Costa del Sol, while offering residents privileged access to natural attractions like quiet beaches and lush valleys. El Padrón, which lies between the Padrónriver and the Río Castor has retained a real sense of life in the country, while Benamara is just steps away from the sands of Playa Saladillo.
Properties in El Padrón include traditionally designed Andalusian villas occupying large plots with open views, although there are also some urbanisations nearer to the coast road. Benamara, meanwhile, offers a choice of apartments in complexes such as El Presidente, as well as luxurious single-family homes within walking distance of the Mediterranean. Prices here start at under half a million euros and can reach multiple millions for a front-ine villa on the beach.
Casasola and El Paraíso: contrasting choices for luxury living in Estepona
Further to the east and close to neighbouring San Pedro de Alcántara, Casasola and El Paraíso are among Estepona’s finest residential addresses. Casasola is tucked away beside the Guadalmina River and bordering the Hotel Guadalmina Spa and Golf Resort, with easy access to the beaches and a wealth of local services. Occupying the hills and valleys north of the N340 coast road, verdant El Paraíso is home to golf and country clubs.
There are housing options to suit almost everybody in both areas, with exclusive developments and townhouses, as well as modern villas, some of which have front-line plots, in Casasola. In El Paraíso, buyers can choose between apartments in urbanisations and high-end, single-family homes. Asking prices for the very best properties in both areas can exceed 10 million euros.
Los Reales: amazing mountain views on the way to Sierra Bermeja
Just a short drive away from the centre of Estepona, the rustic splendour of Los Reales really feels like another world. The road to Genalguacil rises into a verdant swathe that stretches across the slopes above the town, protected by the Sierra Bermeja mountain range, where the peak of Los Reales stands 1,452 metres above sea level. The area has its own micro-climate and feels refreshingly cool in summer.
The rare properties that come to the market in Los Reales tend to be rural country estates with Andalusian-style villas set among extensive gardens, many of which have incredible panoramic views of the Costa del Sol. Prices are not as high as the altitude may lead you to expect, averaging around the million-euro mark.
- TERRA MERIDIANA
- 77 Calle Caridad | 29680 Estepona (Málaga) Spain
- +34 951 318 480
- Terra Meridiana
- info@terrameridiana.com
