Moving to Estepona

Estepona is one of the most popular places on the Costa del Sol of Spain that expats consider moving to.

We interview locals and find out just what living in Estepona is REALLY like.

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For 30 years, I built businesses with one goal in mind: the finish line. Like many, I pictured the classic dream—moving to Spain, soaking up the sun, and finally switching off. But now that I’m here, I’ve started questioning everything.

Watch the video below and let me know in the comments: are you ready to retire or are you ready to reinvent?

Should you move to Estepona?

We attempt to answer all your most popular questions to help you decide whether Estepona is the right place for you or not.

For other related advice, see our popular moving to Spain page or our tourist guide to Estepona.

If you are thinking of moving to Estepona, then you must read our interview with Celeste Alonso of The Property Agent below.

Celeste is a real estate agent and inmobiliaria based in Estepona and Sotogrande and covers all nearby areas.

We are very grateful to her for this helpful local knowledge she has kindly provided exclusively to us:

Celeste, where in Spain is Estepona, and is it easy to get there from major airports?

Estepona is one of the largest seaside towns on the Costa del Sol situated in the southwest of Malaga province between Marbella and Sotogrande. Marbella is a 20-minute drive, Gibraltar airport is 40 minutes, and Malaga airport is just over 1hr by car.

What is Estepona best-known for?

Estepona is a harbour town and has its roots in the fishing industry. Over the years, this bustling mid-sized coastal town has become a leading tourist destination on the Costa del Sol. It is nestled between the Sierra Bermeja mountain range and a sprawling 23km coastline dotted with some of the best beaches anywhere in Southern Spain.

Estepona has an extensive promenade that runs along the beachfront. There is a marina at the end of the boardwalk, just a few minutes from the town, and is home to many yachts and sailing boats. The place comes alive during the summer months with a vibrant nightlife scene, expect everything from Karaoke to Celtic music and of course Flamenco.

What would you say would be the advantages to living in Estepona compared to other towns on the Costa del Sol?

Estepona has seen the most investment in recent years of all its neighbouring towns on the Costa del Sol.
Great infrastructure, new roads, a new hospital, a green facelift is also underway.
Estepona sits on a long stretch of glorious beach, so you have the sea pretty much on your doorstep.
Good choice of restaurants and bars with excellent value for money.
Cost of living is also cheaper than neighbouring towns like Marbella, Benahavis, and Sotogrande.
A down to earth town with typical Andalucian charm.

Would the Estepona area not suit certain types of people, i.e. are there any possible downsides? Is Estepona a nice place to live?

Not as upmarket as Marbella and being a small town it doesn’t have the variety of a city.

What proportion of the local population in Estepona is Spanish?

About 75% Spanish, with the remaining 25% made of up foreigners.

What are your favourite things to do in the Estepona area?

I like getting lost in the old town with its beautiful cobbled lanes or enjoying tapas with friends in any of the delicious restaurants that line its streets. Jogging along the 2.5km beachfront promenade is a great way to keep fit. There is plenty of water sports, and the mountain that sits behind the town has some