Estepona is surrounded with culture and history there where you look. A day exploring this remarkable region can reward you with flamenco, rolling vineyards, beaches, and tours of Granada’s Alhambra or Seville’s Giralda.

Here is a small list of our favourite day trips, authentic and enriching.

GRANADA

Just two hours away, Granada is a cultural highlight that should not be missed, especially if you’re looking for a good mix of sightseeing and winter sports.

The name of Granada is synonymous with Alhambra, the legendary fortress that dominates the city with its gorgeous tiled courtyards, once a palace that was home to the last Muslim kings before their expulsion. The classic view of the Alhambra silhouetted against the snow-capped Sierra Nevada is a stunning sight.

If you are planning to visit Alhambra, advanced online booking is strongly recommended.

Your visit to Granada must include eating tapas. Tapas are usually served free of charge with an alcoholic drink like a beer or a glass of wine. It is the waiter who chooses the tapas and serves it to customers with their drinks.

SEVILLA

The architectural riches of this city are only two hours away, with an artistic heritage that includes Roman, Islam, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque influences.

Sevilla is the capital of the Andalusia region offering plenty for those seeking a cultural day out. Warm and welcoming, the picturesque city straddles the Guadalquivir River. Central Sevilla comprises an abundance of twisting streets and narrow lanes that really add character to the city. Get to the heart of the city by exploring these streets, as well as Maria Luisa Park, Giralda, Torre del Oro and charming Jewish Quarter.

CÓRDOBA

Córdoba is the perfect destination for culture lovers – the wealth of history and diversity has earned it a distinction as a World Heritage Site, and the combination of Islamic, Jewish and Catholic influences can be seen in everything from the architecture to day-to-day life in the city.

The Mosque, Jewish Quarter, Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos and the Old Town are only two and a half hours away.

MÁLAGA

Take a stroll through Pablo Picasso’s birthplace and the capital of the Costa del Sol. Moorish castles, Roman ruins, museums, art galleries and the famous Malaga Cathedral all await the enthusiastic traveller just an hour away from Estepona.

Discover the heritage and locale of Picasso’s early years. Visit the Picasso Museum, the Malaga Thyssen Museum, the Picasso Native Home Museum and their family home. Complete the tour by visiting the Church of Santiago, the Cathedral of Malaga, the Roman Theatre, the Citadel and Constitution Place. Do not forget to enjoy Malaga gastronomy with Spanish tapas and a glass of vine.

RONDA

The small city of Ronda boasts one of the most impressive sights in southern Spain – the entire city is stretched over a deep canyon, connected by the massive El Tajo Bridge. Around the historical centre, explorers will also find remains of prehistoric settlements and cave paintings dating back to the 6th century BC.

A one-hour journey to Ronda is along a snaking road that separates the provinces of Malaga and Seville lets you see the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar and Africa’s coastline.

If you are a wine lover, visit the best bodegas in Serrania de Ronda, meet the winemakers and discover some of the finest wines in Spain.

GIBRALTAR

Discover the great history of the last English colony in the world, with an endless array of tourist attractions including Pillars of Hercules, Great Siege Tunnels, 100 Ton Gun, Europa Point, Top of the Rock and St Michael’s Cave – all an hour away. (ID is required).

TANGIER

Hop across to Africa – a continent so close and yet so different. Ideal for a day trip from the Costa del Sol, Tangier’s history and rick cultural diversity makes it an excellent destination for adventurers.

Cross the Strait of Gibraltar from Tarifa, the southernmost city of Europe in the province of Cádiz, here where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. The port of Tangier is only 16km away, inviting you to explore the Souk, the Medina and the Kasbah. This vibrant city is an hour and a half to the port and 45 minutes boat journey. (Passport required!)

TARIFA

Explore the narrow Moorish old-town streets, then the wide sandy beaches on this wild, beautiful Atlantic coastline, beloved by surfers.

Thanks to the two strong winds that shape the climate in this part of Spain (the Levante from the east and the Poniente from the west), Tarifa has become the kitesurfing capital of Europe. If kitesurfing sounds like way too much hard work, you can simply lie on Tarifa’s stunning beaches instead. The two most popular are Playa de Los Lances, a largely unspoilt stretch of sand that’s free of kitesurfers during the summer months and, a little further north, Playa de Valdevaqueros, where you’ll find some amazing sand dunes.

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA

Well-known for its sherry production, Jerez de la Frontera boasts a history as rich and vibrant as its most famous offering. Moorish influences clash with Catholic here, alongside the traditional Spanish lifestyle, resulting in a melting pot of cultures just an hour and a half drive away from Estepona.

Don’t miss the magnificent equestrian ballet at Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre, the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and take a tour in the stallions of the which is adjacent to the historic 19th century Palacio de las Cadenas. Go on a tour of the 60 stables arced around a cobbled courtyard and a superb tack room, containing harnesses and tacks worn by the performing stallions dating back to the 18th century. Afterwards, you may visit a typical wine cellar with a small guided tour and wine-tasting session.