Dolan Property
Your trusted Marbella real estate agent and property specialist on the Golden Mile.
22nd May 2023
By Michael Dolan
Estepona and the “New Golden Mile”
The term the Golden Mile is synonymous with Marbella, Spain. A tree lined avenue starting at the western edge of Marbella City and running east to Puerto Banús, it is one of the most renowned luxury real estate stretches in the world, the home to beachfront villas, exclusive residential urbanizations, and even a palace, or two!
But in the last 20 years, during the property boom of the early 2000s, a new stretch of land, slightly further west along the coast towards Gibraltar, in Estepona has popped its head up, and started vying for attention, crowning itself the “New Golden Mile” (Nueva Milla de Oro).
The new “Golden Mile, Estepona”.
Running east of the Old Town, the New Golden Mile stretches along the coastline to El Paraiso (on the outskirts of San Pedro Alcántara). Contained along the coastline there are the luxury five-star hotels Las Dunas and the Kempinski, the Marriott resort and several commercial centres and golf courses.
Developments and urbanisations along this stretch include Benamara, El President, and Costa Lita and are a mixture of beachfront detached villas, gorgeous townhouses, and apartments in a variety of shapes and sizes.
With plenty of bars, restaurants, schools, banks, shopping, supermarkets, and beautiful beaches, this area is popular all year round as a holiday destination; and is a permanent home for many British, Scandinavians, Dutch and French expats, as well as the Spanish natives.
Where is Estepona?
Estepona lies in the heart of the Costa del Sol; between San Pedro Alcántara to the east, and Casares Playa to the west. It has over 20 km of coastline, with 17 different beaches. It is 45-minutes from Gibraltar, an hour from Malaga airport and only 2.5 hours’ drive to the ski resort of Sierra Nevada.
Its sheltered setting; nestled between the sea and the mountains; gives Estepona a protected natural environment supplying an all-year-round micro-climate with approx. 325 days of sunshine annually.
The flowers, tree lined boulevards, green spaces, and shaded squares all contribute to the natural beauty of Estepona and have helped to give it the moniker, “the garden of the Costa del Sol” (El Jardín de la Costa del Sol). It is also home to The Orchidarium, which is the largest botanical garden in Europe and houses hundreds of orchids and other tropical plants.
Spring and Summer see a host of cultural events: the food and wine market along the promenade; open air concerts; and a variety of shows ranging from the holy and spiritual; rock, pop, and classical music; through to stand-up comedy. Despite Estepona being more low-key than some of the neighbouring towns such as Marbella and Puerto Banús – there are for instance no nightclubs and late-night drinking establishments (or very few). However, there is always something happening, and its vibe is artistic, tranquil, and easy-going.
Estepona Port and Marina
Estepona itself is a long established, traditional fishing community, and the marina continues to be a working commercial port. It hosts the Estepona Yacht Club, a diving centre, and several charter boats. There is a daily auction held for fresh fish and seafood and the weekly Sunday market - a mass of stalls selling everything from toys, clothes and bags to fresh fruit and vegetables. It is also the location of the local town hall (ayuntamiento de Estepona).
Estepona Old Town
The Old Town of Estepona is stunning; quaint; and traditional all at once. It is a veritable maze of cobbled streets, whitewashed town houses and colourful pots filled with blooming flowers. The added beauty of the town is that it isn’t spoiled by masses of shops and is mostly pedestrianised, meaning you can lose hours leisurely meandering through the streets.
The pedestrianisation is continued into the shopping area, which is a mix of small and medium sized shops selling local produce and goods. Boutiques can be found in the main town centre which offer some popular sporting, cosmetic, and clothing brands. Mixed in amongst the shops are plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants with terraces – somewhere to stop, rest, relax and watch the world go by.
Property Sales in Estepona
The municipality of Estepona shares inland borders with Benahavis and the Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja Natural Park. It is home to residential areas and developments such as Bahia Dorada, Galera Park, Seghurs, Selwo, Casasola, Reinoso, El Padron, Benamara, El Paraiso, Estepona West, Marina and Port, Old Town, and the New Golden Mile.
If you are looking for a home, or holiday apartment on the Costa del Sol, fairly close to a bustling metropolis with lots to do, but with a slightly more relaxed vibe, and plenty of sunshine, Estepona is the place to buy a property in Spain.
We understand that choosing a new home is a big step, and for those of you buying or selling a property in a foreign country, it can be very stressful. Our team of real estate experts provide a full ‘hands on’ service. We work in partnership with you (our client), your lawyer and any other professional advisers or consultants. Dolan Property is here to help you through the whole process, every step of the way.
We are based in the heart of Marbella’s Golden Mile and specialise in high quality, desirable properties in prime residential locations; Marbella, Istan Road, Nueva Andalucia, Benahavis, San Pedro and Estepona.
Dolan Property specialists are committed to the highest levels of business and ethical standards, and we are proud members of the Leading Property Agents of Spain (LPA).
