While beaching in Estepona, a resort town on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain, I had a few morning runs by the Paseo Marítimo de Estepona, a paved 2-mile long palm-lined promenade along the Alboran Sea waterfront, next to Playa de la Rada beach. I have to admit, those runs were the most enjoyable runs I have ever had, breezy, sunny, filled with beautiful scenic views. Since my runs started early, usually before sunrise, I was able to see maintenance services the city provides every morning, washing marble tiles, cleaning public beaches, taking care of gardens and flowers. They do really care!
The promenade is a great place to go for bars and restaurants (some with live music), water sports facilities of Puerto Deportivo, and there is a fishing port next to the promenade. The smell of the fishing port is not as fresh [smile], especially when you run, but it’s worth seeing. Once, I saw racks filled with thousands of air-drying sardines! that looked really fishy!
There are not many designer stores (mostly real estate offices) near the promenade, but shopping is available on the parallel streets. Also, there are other interesting spots in the old town with beautiful flower-filled square of Plaza de las Flores.
***Just FYI,
- The name Estepona more likely derives from its Moorish occupation, when it was named Astabbuna.
- Due to its natural environment, surrounded by the sea and the mountains, Estepona has a micro-climate with over 325 days of sunshine per year.
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gmeanm3r
