Estepona’s Sunny Side: How a Mediterranean Town Reinvented Christmas

When you think of Christmas getaways, the image that usually comes to mind is one of cold, snow, and wintry inland landscapes. However, on the shores of the Mediterranean and in the heart of the Costa del Sol, Estepona has established itself as an increasingly popular alternative for those looking to experience Christmas from a different perspective. With its Andalusian essence, cosmopolitan vibe, and a profound urban transformation behind it, the city has become one of southern Spain’s most attractive destinations during this time of year.

The intense renewal the municipality has undergone in the last decade, with a firm commitment to pedestrianization, sustainability, and the improvement of public spaces, has created an environment especially conducive to strolling, leisure, and celebration. During Christmas, this effort takes on a special dimension: illuminated streets, squares turned into cultural stages, and a program of events that extends from the historic center to the coastline.

The Andalusian charm of the historic center

One of the main hubs of this experience is Calle Terraza, the commercial heart of the urban center. Remodeled to prioritize pedestrians, the street is adorned with carefully selected Christmas decorations that enhance its role as a meeting point for shopping and festivities. Along with the nearby Plaza Antonia Guerrero, it has become one of the busiest spots in December, combining local commerce, restaurants, and a festive atmosphere.

The Old Town is another of the main attractions. Today, more than 130 pedestrian streets make up an urban fabric that has completely revitalized this part of the city. Under the municipal project “Estepona, Garden of the Costa del Sol,” small streets decorated with flowerpots, flowers, and green spaces offer a particularly appealing route at Christmas. Adding to this is the well-known ceramics route featuring fragments of poetry scattered in different corners, which reinforces the cultural and unhurried nature of a visit.

Shopping in the center of Estepona.

The transformation of Avenida de España has been another major urban milestone. The old N-340 road has been converted into a pedestrian boulevard nearly two kilometers long, creating one of the most extensive seaside promenades in the country. During this season, the promenade comes alive and solidifies its status as a favorite spot to enjoy the mild climate, the sea, and the Christmas lights, in a clear commitment to quality of life and sustainable mobility.

Among this year’s new features is the Christmas Park, set up on the esplanade outside the Felipe VI Theatre Auditorium. The venue includes an ice rink, Santa’s grotto, a carousel, children’s rides, bouncy castles, and a large dining area, expanding the family entertainment options until early January. This is complemented by a cultural agenda that includes theater, street music, and food fairs held in various parts of the municipality.

The cultural component finds its greatest expression in the Mirador del Carmen Cultural Center, a twelve-story tower that has become Estepona’s great cultural beacon. This facility houses an auditorium, exhibition halls, a music conservatory, and a unique eight-story vertical library, crowned by a viewpoint with sea views. At Christmas, the center enhances its programming and solidifies its position as an essential visit for both residents and visitors.

The offering is rounded out by first-class natural and tourist resources. The Litoral Corridor, which connects nearly all of the 23 kilometers of coastline with trails and wooden footbridges, allows you to travel the coast on foot or by bicycle even in winter. And the Botanical Park-Orchidarium, with the largest collection of orchids in Spain and one of the most important in Europe, remains one of the most visited spaces during this time of year as well.

Estepona’s seaside promenade.

Hotels nearly at 80% capacity

This urban and cultural appeal is reflected in the tourism figures. According to data from the Association of Hotel Entrepreneurs of the Costa del Sol (Aehcos), the Costa del Sol is heading into Christmas with hotel occupancy close to 75%, a figure that confirms the destination’s draw even outside the high season. The profile of visitors arriving at this time also maintains a high average spend, in line with national data, with stays costing around €1,300-€1,400 per trip and daily spending of about €150-€180, particularly benefiting local commerce, restaurants, and cultural offerings.

Connectivity also reinforces Estepona’s position as a Christmas destination. For the 2025-2026 winter season, the Málaga-Costa del Sol airport has scheduled 10.4 million seats and 58,282 flights operated by 42 airlines, connecting to 135 destinations in 118 cities across 34 countries. This extensive network of routes, with year-on-year growth in both seats and operations, facilitates the arrival of national and international visitors and places the Costa del Sol among the main air connectivity hubs in southern Europe during the winter.

With light, sea, tradition, and a city designed for pedestrians, Estepona shows that Christmas can also be enjoyed under the Mediterranean sun, establishing itself as one of Andalusia’s most sought-after enclaves for enjoying the holidays from a different, unhurried, and uncrowded perspective.