Things To Do in Estepona

Estepona’s old city remains remarkably untouched by the easy money and glitz of the resorts on its fringes. It’s fun to poke around its narrow streets, eat and drink at local bars, and shop the morning street markets that take place on Wednesday at Children’s Park and Sunday at the Port. The Sunday morning market at the ABC Plaza specializes in crafts.

One modern attraction has substantially brightened the old center: The Orquidarium, Calle Terrace, 86 (tel] 95-151-70-74, pictured above), features more than 1,300 species of orchids beneath a parabolic dome roof. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday 10am‒1:30pm and 3‒6pm, Sunday 10am‒2pm. Admission is 3€ adults, 1€ ages 4–11.

Outside of town, families enjoy visiting Selwo Aventura wildlife park.

The hotels often bring in flamenco dancers and musicians to entertain in the summer months. Otherwise, after-dark diversions consist mostly of hitting the tapas bar. You'll find most of them -- called freidurías (fried-fish bars) -- at the corner of Calle de los Reyes and La Terraza. Tables spill onto the sidewalks in summer, and gambas a la plancha (shrimp) are the most popular (but not the cheapest) tapas to order.