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See also: Sierra Bermeja.

Estepona spreads over almost 13,200 Hectares (50 square miles) of coastland and mountain, to the village of Genalguacil, Jubrique and Juzcar in the north, the Mediterranean in the south, Benahavis and Marbella in the east, and Casares in the west. A variety of beaches - some with coral - span 21.5 kilometers (13 miles)of coast.

Little is known about the history of Estepona town; records were lost in the Civil War. Ancient Estepona was probably begun by the Phoenicians. Muslim Estepona fell around 1457 in a raid ordered by King Henry IV of Castille. Joan the Mad subjected Estepona to Marbella. Finally, in 1729 Estepona, with some 600 inhabitants, was given her independence by King Philip V. Today, the population is 42.500.

Legends make up for lack of history. There is the tale of 'The Bride's Leap' - the unwilling bride who escaped moments before her marriage, put on her most beautiful jewels and, before the entire wedding party, leapt to her death - possibly from ‘Punta de la Doncella', by the harbour lighthouse.

Strict orders from the Mayor ensure that each year the town centre is white washed, windows are repaired, and doors are wrought iron painted in time for summer visitors. The withwash comes from limestone dug from Estepona’s mountains.

Estepona's wealth was based on farming and fishing. Down at the harbour, fish is auctioned daily on the quayside: brill, hake, sandpiper, swordfish, lobster, octopus, squid, red mullet, anchovies and the famous sardines. Most inhabitants still farm a strip of land in their spare time. Rings outside town houses are used to tether mules and donkeys when they return with produce from the fields. Craftsmen still stitch the bright trappings for donkeys and mules. Others produce basketwork, woodwork, wrought ironwork, lacework and embroidery. A statue of a farmer and fisherman on the promenade pays tribute to the men who gave the town prosperity.

Most of Estepona's buildings date to the 19th century and the town is a maze of the unexpected, side-streets, squares and pretty patios. The charming San Francisco square at its entrance of the parish church of Estepona is a reminder that the church was once a Franciscan monastery.

Outside the town is the start of the mountain road which will eventually join Estepona with Ronda. To date, it climbs 15 kilometers through beautiful pine woods, hunting reserves and past bubbling springs to Peñas Blanca at 980 metres.

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Date and time this article was prepared:7:38:59 PM, 12/9/2024.