Estepona is a large town on the southern Costa del Sol, about 60 kilometres north of Gibraltar and 30 kilometres south of Marbella. Despite having a population of 70,000, tourist guides and locals will both tell you it has managed to retain a Spanish feel and is one of the most attractive coastal towns on this stretch of the Costa del Sol. Its beaches are famous in Spain and beyond, with over 20 kilometres of wonderful white sands. The town itself has a quaint historic centre while the houses there have a tradition of lining their walls with flowerpots, adding to the charm. San Luis Castle is an important historical site dating back to the 15^th century and there are several other monuments and sites dotted around. There are numerous other things to do in and around Estepona such as botanical parks, guide walks, water sports, tennis, the theatre, flamenco shows, boat trips horse riding and even paintball. They are too numerous to list here and the best idea is to go to one of the tourist offices and see what takes your fancy - activities do vary depending on the seasons. There are countless places to eat, suiting all tastes and budgets as well as a good night-life if that’s your thing, especially in July and August. Shoppers will also find plenty to keep them occupied, from street markets to designer fashion boutiques and everything in between. There are several golf courses within a few minutes drive, most of them open to non-members. 

The Costa del Sol is the south of Spain is one of the most popular destination for British travellers to Spain as well as for those starting out a new life over there. It has grown from a few small coastal villages to having some of the most important towns and cities in the country including Malaga, Estepona, Torremolinos, Marbella and Nerja. Due to large presence of foreigners the gastronomy in the region covers almost every type of food from around the world. However if you want to eat like a local you can and much of the food, such as breaded anchovies, has a strong Arabic influence. There are a number of excellent seafood restaurants in the region, many of them on the beach not far from where your dinner was freshly caught. Due to the climate and the choice of dozens of courses for players of all levels, the Costa del Sol has been described as a golfers paradise. People moving to Spain also like the region due to it’s wonderful climate, with over 300 days of sunshine a year and average temperatures that range between 17 degrees centigrade in the middle of winter to around 30 degrees in August.

The Costa del Sol’s main city is Malaga which with 600,000 or so people is the Andalusia regions second largest. It is one of Europe’s oldest cities and has changed hands over the centuries meaning there are a huge number of things to do for fans of museums and culture in general. For more modern culture Pablo Picasso was born here and has left his stamp all over the city while there is a museum dedicated to him. There are of course numerous opportunities for shopping and eating out and miles of sandy beaches. Other large municipalities worth a visit include Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas Marbella, Estepona and Nerja. All have their own character and things to do and it is worth doing a little research dependant on the time of year and what takes your fancy – bustling nightlife, a quiet stroll on unexplored streets or something in between.

Due to the weather and proliferation of courses, the region has often been described as a golfer’s paradise. You are never far from a course, some world standard championship courses and some better suited to the enthusiastic amateur. Before going, consider your skill level, budget, how far you want to travel and other factors before deciding which is the best for you. All of them benefit from the great climate and many players prefer having a round in the winter as opposed to the summer, while others favour spring or autumn. The coast also offers a wealth of marine attractions, boat hire, angling, snorkelling, jet skiing, sailing, wind surfing or just swimming. Many places such as Marbella and Malaga have marinas where you can hire a yacht for the day – or just find a local restaurant or bar and enjoy the views (and maybe some people watching). If you just want to lie on the beach for the day, you are never far away from a stretch of pristine white sand on the Costa del Sol.

For a family day out, there are a number of theme and water parks dotted along the coast, some big some more compact. Sould Park (Fuengirola), Aquavelis (Torre del Mar), Costa Water Park (Fuengirola), Tivoli (Benalmadena), Fun Beach (Estepona) and Costa Jump (San Pedro) are among the best regarded. Please be aware that many parks are seasonal, especially the water parks. If you go a few kilometres inland you are soon in rural Spain, with wide open spaces, natural parks and the classic whitewashed towns you associate with Andalusia. These areas are ideal for hiking, bike riding, nature watching, bird spotting and other outdoor activities, away from the hustle and bustle of the coast.

The Costa del Sol probably has one of the widest choices and varieties of places to eat in Spain, reflecting the cosmopolitan mix of visitors and expatriates from across the planet. Andalusia is also one of the oldest cradles of civilisation in Europe and the ancient influence of the Romans, Arabs and other cultures can still be found in the region’s food. Malaga and Marbella are the best places to head for high end gastronomy, while the odd bargain can still be found if you wonder off the well-trodden path. Even the very best places come and go somewhat or change hands - before travelling try to consult an on-line guide for up to date availability. Any expatriate missing home comforts such as roast dinners, fish and chips or Indian food won’t have to look to far in the Costa del Sol resort towns.

Along the coast locally caught sea food remains the staple (hake, shellfish, bream, octopus, squid, sardines etc), although unlike the pre-tourist days dedicated meat eaters are well catered for these days, much of it reared inland of the region. The vegetables are almost certainly locally grown as well, but don’t expect the menu to boast of this – locally grown produce is still the norm in most of Spain.

Across Andalusia, expect olives, fried food (usually with flour, not batter) and the kind of sweet treats you may still find at a Moroccan market are all commonly eaten here, all Moorish influenced dishes. Typical offerings include gazpacho (chilled pepper and tomato soup), pescadito frito (small fried fish), rabo de toro (oxtail) and hearty soups such as arroz marinero, a rice dish with seafood.