Estepona is an excellent base for exploring the Costa del Sol and all of Andalusia. Charming historic towns, picturesque white villages, mountains with both, easy and challenging hiking trails, excellent gastronomy, lovely people. Every time you visit, you discover something new. Andalusia is a love for life. For beginners, we have some advice on where to look.

Ronda

Fascinating city in the mountains was built above a steep gorge. Ernest Hemingway, Orson Welles and Rainer Maria Rilke succumbed to his charm. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and is considered the cradle of bullfighting. Enjoy the view from the unique Puente Nuevo bridge, or from the Mirador de Aldehuela and Balcón de Coño. In and around Ronda, there are numerous excellent restaurants, offering a slightly different cuisine from the one on the coast, specialties are various kinds of sausages. Local bodegas – wine cellars – should not escape your attention either.

75 km, 60 minutes drive from the apartment.

Pueblos blancos

White villages are typical in the Andalusia region, and you can find them all around. Most of them are built on top of a hill, so you can do some exercise while exploring them. In the smaller ones, the time has stopped and the locals might stare at you. And you stare back at them as they sit quietly in a chair in front of their white-painted houses, decorated with pots, not being in a rush to anywhere in particular. Our favorites are Setenil de las Bodegas with houses squeezed under huge boulders, Zahara de la Sierra, Gaucín or Arcos de la Frontera. You will surely find your favorite pueblo blanco here.

The closest one is Gaucín 39 km, 50 minutes from the apartment.

Gibraltar

A piece of England in Spain: fish & chips, Gibraltar pound, duty-free shops, and a runway crossed by a busy road. If you don’t stop at red, you’re out of luck. The overseas territory of the United Kingdom is squeezed into an area of just 6.5km². It is dominated by a massive rock – The Rock, inhabited by unrestrained monkeys. You can get to the top by a cable car, there is an entrance fee if you go by car. From the highest point, there is a beautiful view of the entire town, port and airport. Caves and tunnels from World War II inside the rock are also worth a visit. There is a shortage of parking spaces at Gibraltar – sometimes it is better to park in front of the border crossing and walk / or take a taxi. Attention, a passport is needed to enter Gibraltar, a European ID is not sufficient!

40km, 30 minutes from the apartment.

Tarifa

A place close to our heart, Europe’s southernmost place with a relaxed hippie atmosphere, stylish shops and African flair. A paradise for kite and windsurfing, great nightlife, beautiful nature. You just have to get used to the wind blowing constantly. The Tarifa Center spreads around a medieval castle and a small harbour, from where boats leave for the Moroccan city of Tangier (most of the ships go to Morocco from Algecirras). If the weather is good, you can easily see the African shores across the sea. Take a swim in the pretty beaches around the town, or visit further towns Zahara de los Atunes and Vejer de la Frontera. Or drive even further, to Costa de la Luz.

70 km, 50-60 minutes from the apartment.

Málaga

The birthplace of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas cannot be missed. The historic centre around the cathedral and the Paseo del Parque promenade have a unique genius loci. Enjoy brunch, an afternoon coffee or an evening drink. You can see the entire city from the viewpoint at Gibralfaro Castle. If you feel lazy – up you can go up by car. Along the way, you can see the Moorish Alcazaba Fortress. A great experience is visiting the market, we recommend a local specialty, almonds and figs. Once you try them, you will never want to eat any other. There are three interesting museums in Malaga, the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo, the Museo Picasso and the private collection Museo Carmen Thyssen, one of the largest bullring in Spain and the Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepcion. It’s also an excellent place to go shopping, especially for clothes and shoes. Most shops in the city centre are on the main street Larios, Corte Ingles stores are just outside the centre, by the river. There’s also a popular shopping village Plaza Mayor near the airport. Parking – in the centre, there is a fee almost everywhere, if you don’t find a parking place on the street, park in the underground garage.

Malaga centre 90 km, 60 minutes from the apartment.

Marbella a Puerto Banus

Marbella resort and Puerto Banús yacht harbour are a symbol of luxury and expensive holidays for the Spaniards and the European aristocracy. Who wants to show off their new car, yacht, jewellery or their new plastic surgery, is heading right here. You can spend money for prestigious brands in the boutiques of Puerto Banús, or sit in one of the restaurants and bars. Marbella and Puerto Banús are connected by the famous Golden Mile, where you can find the most expensive hotels and private villas. Marbella itself is a pleasant little town, it has a charming historic center with white streets and houses with pots of colourful flowers. Avenida del Mar’s main pedestrian promenade is decorated with statues by Salvador Dali. Parking in the evening can be a problem, especially in the summer, even the underground garages can be crowded in Puerto Banús.

30 km, 25 minutes from the apartment.