Estepona by car: old town, murals & beaches
The 'Garden of the Costa del Sol' keeps a genuinely Spanish old town — flower-filled lanes, a famous mural route and an easy, walkable centre — west of Marbella with long, uncrowded beaches.
- Flower-filled old town and the Ruta de Murales
- Long, less crowded beaches than its neighbours
- Easy parking and a relaxed, local feel
Getting to Estepona by car
Estepona is 25 km west of Marbella — 25 minutes on the A-7. From Málaga it's roughly an hour on the AP-7 toll. It also makes a natural stop on the way to or from Gibraltar and Sotogrande.
Parking and the old town
Parking is far easier here than along the rest of the coast. Leave the car near the marina or Plaza de las Flores and walk in — the centre is compact, flat and made for strolling.
What to see and do
Follow the Ruta de Murales, the open-air mural trail painted across the old town, then lose yourself in the geranium-lined lanes around Plaza de las Flores. The palm-lined promenade and long beaches are a few minutes away, and the marina is good for seafood.
Rent a car for Estepona
Best explored by car. Compact automatic from €28/day — or pick any class.
Parking
Easy compared with Marbella — use the underground car parks near the marina or Plaza de las Flores, both a short walk from the old town.
Nearest pickup
Málaga Airport — 85 km
More places worth the drive
Three towns in one — a pretty pueblo, a busy beachfront and the playful Puerto Marina — plus a mountain cable car and a fairy-tale castle. A varied, family-friendly stop close to Málaga airport.
Free parking at El Chorro entrance. Book the walk in advance.
Steep narrow streets. Park at the edge of the village.