Even as summer comes to an end here in Estepona, the town continues to brim with life and excitement! The beauty of Estepona is that even when the peak tourist season ends in September, the town offers year-round charm with a range of cultural activities, local events and beautiful weather.
In this blog post, we’ll be looking at some of the latest news coming out of Estepona and how the town continues to be one of the hottest destinations on the Costa del Sol to live, buy and invest.
New Shopping Centre that could dwarf Marbella’s La Cañada
Estepona is set to become the home of one of the largest commercial macro-complexes in Spain, potentially surpassing the iconic La Cañada shopping centre in Marbella. Originally proposed in 2008, this ambitious project was revived in September 2024, with the Andalucían Government now reviewing the viability of reclassifying 251,000 square meters of land in Estepona for commercial use.
The complex, if greenlit, will span approximately 130,000 square metres, creating a regional commercial hub designed to bridge the gap between Marbella and Campo de Gibraltar while alleviating the strain on Marbella’s current infrastructure.
This development reflects Estepona’s growing role as a prime location for both commercial and residential opportunities. With its strategic location, the project promises to become a central destination for shopping and leisure on the Costa del Sol.
Seamless train travel from Marbella and Estepona to Málaga and Madrid
Whilst the Costa del Sol train line only runs to Fuengirola (for now!), Iryo, a private high-speed train operator, and Avanza, a bus company, have teamed up to provide enhanced connectivity between Fuengirola, Marbella and Estepona, with Málaga’s train station. The move means that travellers can now buy a single ticket that combines both a bus and train ticket to and from Madrid, providing smoother journeys for tourists and regular commuters alike. Iryo will maintain their 10 daily high-speed train connections between Madrid and Málaga, while Avanza will operate 20 daily bus services to Marbella, Estepona, La Línea and Algeciras.
In other transport news, we’re pleased to announce that members of Spain’s government, the Junta de Andalucía, the Diputación de Málaga and local mayors have reopened talks about the prospect of extending the rail service beyond Fuengirola. The representatives have agreed to undertake the first feasibility study as soon as possible. Once completed, they will later put out to tender the study ‘of a train service model for the coast’. If approved, it could revolutionise travel on the Costa del Sol and provide those much-needed travel connections to Marbella and Estepona.
Estepona Council to build new central boulevard
Estepona is undergoing a significant urban transformation, with a new project focused on Avenida San Lorenzo and Avenida España. The plan includes creating a large pedestrian area featuring parks, gardens, and additional commercial spaces in the town’s centre, close to the new town hall. A €17 million budget has been set for this project, which will also feature an underground car park with 300 spaces at just €1 per day. This project marks the final stage of Estepona’s decade-long urban revitalisation, recognised for promoting accessibility, social inclusion, and pedestrian-friendly initiatives.
Foreign buyers account for a third of homes bought on the Costa del Sol
Foreign buyers have become increasingly crucial in Malaga’s real estate market, with 33.5% of homes purchased by non-Spaniards in 2022. This makes the province fourth in Spain for foreign property purchases, behind Alicante, Tenerife, and the Balearic Islands. The majority of foreign buyers come from the UK, Germany, and France. Residential tourism, especially post-pandemic, has surged due to the rise of remote work, with Málaga emerging as a top destination. The impact of this sector contributes significantly to Spain’s GDP and employment, particularly in construction.
Estepona – the Costa del Sol’s hottest location
At Paraiso Real Estate, we believe Estepona’s ongoing development makes it one of the best places to invest in property. Whether you’re looking for a holiday home, a permanent residence, or an investment opportunity, Estepona offers an unmatched quality of life on the Costa del Sol.
Our extensive property portfolio includes everything from resale properties to new developments, ensuring that we have the perfect fit for any lifestyle or budget. Contact us today to explore the opportunities available in this rapidly growing region!