Estepona, world capital of ham

After last edition success and for the second year in a row, Estepona will become the world capital of ham. The professional ham cutter, Jose Maria Tellez, will organize the largest tasting of this delicious product at Estepona promenade. The event will be held from 12 till 16 August, and more than 150.000 visitors are expected.

A total of 69 companies of the sector will offer their products for "five euros the dish" with cheese, pepperoni and soft drinks.

The best ham cutters in the country will be at the event, so one of the highlights of this meeting will be watch to these ham professionals preparing the dishes that will be later offer to the guests.

This event will be open to both the public and professionals in the industry, and the main objective is none other than to value and publicize the high variety and quality of the Iberian products existing in Spain.

Exhibitors will remain open on the town centre promenade between 20:00 and 2:00 hours.

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Viva la Virgen del Carmen!!!!

This Thursday (16th of July), Estepona will be celebrating  the Virgen del Carmen, the Patron Saint of fishermen and sailors and the main Patron Saint of the city. 

The procession is one of the most important traditions in Estepona. Will start at the Church of  "Nuestra Sra. Del Carmen" (1) around 19:30hs and continues along the promenade, where two large groups, one of tourists and devotees of Estepona on the seashore, and the other in boats of all sizes decorated for the occasion, follow it in an atmosphere of joy and festivity. 

Once they reach "Correos", the beach near the post office, (2) the Virgin is put into the water (if the weather and sea conditions allow it), while the devote bearers sing "La Salve Marinera". Then, they raise the Virgin and put it on a boat. The Lady of Carmen continues its procession by sea, followed by all the boats crowded with people cheering, using the boat's sirens and  throwing fireworks. 

It was once believed, that the Virgin cleared up the waters with her presence and that only after July 16 would the sea be fit for swimming in. We can clearly confirm that it was the Virgin that kicked off the swimsuit season!!.


It is also an evening where all the restaurants in the city centre get packed, so if you are planning to go out to have dinner (on the Spanish dinner time, after 22:00), booking a table is recommendable. 

Keep in mind that Thursday is bank holiday in Estepona. Supermarkets, banks and shops are close.  


Viva la Virgen del Carmen!!


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Old town treasures

Explore the old town and you will always find new treasures.

Plaza Manuel Alcántara

Estepona beautification drive began back in 2012 and dozens of streets have not only been given a facelift, thanks to pedestrianized roads and squares, new pavements, and the now-famous plants pots chosen by local residents.

Plaza Blas Infante

Calle Figueroa

So far, you probably have been at Plaza Las Flores a hundred times. It is the central square in the heart of Estepona old town, where you can smell the orange trees that surround the square. All year round the central fountain is surrounded by terraces, with people enjoying some tapas, lunch, coffee or a good glass of wine. 

Plaza de las flores

From Plaza las Flores many narrow streets lead into new squares and many more terraces, restaurants and (tapas) bars. You can start from there to visit some of the most beautiful spots.

Plaza Begines

Calle Murillo

The Old Town is really coming in to its own. Gorgeous floral displays, lovely mosaics dotted around the town, the cool plazas, fountains and artwork, a few hours walking around and taking in the sights is well rewarded.

Pasaje María Cintrano

Calle Aurora

The Old Town is so well-maintained that you experience beauty at every turn and the well-managed flora not only brings an abundance of colour to the area but it also makes the back streets smell glorious!

Plaza Juan Bazan

Welcome to the not-so-secret garden of the Costa del Sol.

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Estepona Fair and Major Festivals 2015

If you are going to be in Estepona between the 7 and the 12 of July, you cannot miss its famous "Feria Grande" (Fair and Major Festivals).

During this week, working life in Estepona is completely stopped as a high percentage of the population throws himself to celebrate his Fair. During the day there are numerous open bars, there are lots of colour on the streets where residents and visitors gather to enjoy manzanilla wine, music and dancing.

But the main attractions will be located at the recinto ferial (on the outskirts of the town). There is a traditional amusement park with lots of rides, things to win and music all day for all ages to enjoy. 

This year stands out installation of a wheel that exceed 30 meters, and it will become one of the most interesting for the public.

Sociocultural Councilman area, Blas Ruzafa, explained that the event will start on Tuesday, at 21.00, with the opening speech of the painter from Malaga Antonio Montiel, renowned for the portraits he has done of such outstanding figures as Queen Sofia, Fidel Castro or the Queen of England.


Here you can find this year highlights:

Tuesday, July 7

19:00: A Parade of Giants in the city center will announce the start of the Fair and Major Festivals of Estepona, departing from the College Victor Serna.

A fireworks show will announce the beginning of the Fair and Major Festivals of Estepona.

00:00: Opening of the Real de la Feria and Amusement Park, with the traditional ribbon cutting by authorities, raising of flags and opening of the Caseta Municipal, accompanied by the Municipal Band of Estepona.

00:30: CRUISE Orchestra perform every night at the Caseta Municipal.

Wednesday, July 8

12:30: Opening of the "Feria de dia" at the fairgrounds. (Every day from 12:30 till 18:00 aprox.) dance, party, drinks and more party.  

NOTE: This day will be dedicated to children, and all the attractions will have a 50% discount. (attractions normally start circa 19:00hs)

Thursday, July 9

21:30: Performance Group "Ballroom Dancing, Cabaret and Eastern Dance" of the Department of Culture, led by Mariví Rodriguez, and the Group of "Modern and Contemporary Dance" Claudia Ramirez Rodriguez.

Friday, July 10


21:30: Performance Group "Classic-Spanish Dance and Flamenco" of the Department of Culture, directed by Lourdes Barrientos.

00:30: Great festival of Sevillanas with "CANTORES of HISPALIS". Free entrance.

Saturday, July 11 

20:30: GRAND PARADE at the fairgrounds. A procession of carriages will carry the Queens and Ladies of the Fair. 

00:30: Concert by MELODY. Free entrance.


Sunday, July 12

19:30: Bullfight for the Fair and Major Festivals 2015 at the bullring. The bullfighters Francisco Rivera "PAQUIRRI", Cayetano Rivera and Javier Jiménez will cope 6 Bulls of the MURUBE lifestock.

Visitors are always welcome!!

How to get to the Feria: The "recinto ferial" is at the end of Juan Carlos I avenue. There is a big parking area near the theatre.  

GPS: 36.431478, -5.159535



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Angel Garó art collection.

Located in the old 'Casa de la Cultura'  at the Plaza de las Flores in the centre of the old town. The 18th century building itself is interesting. Called "House of Tejerinas" it has a central patio surrounded by columns, a balcony with arches and a lookout tower on the upper floor. It was owned by the sisters Carmen and Francisca Tejerina who donated it to become a charity hospital for the poor. The town hall took it over and for many years it was the 'Casa de Cultura' where exhibitions and courses tool place.

This artistic collection was donated by Angel Garó, comprises of more than 300 pieces from the 15th century to the present day. It includes oils, drawings, prints, sculptures, ceramics and ivory and some furniture and decorations. 

Don't be put off by the austere religious work on the ground floor but climb the stairs all the way to the 3rf floor watchtower for the full viewing

The collection includes an oil on canvas of Mariano Salvador Maella entitled "Ascension of the Virgin" dating from the XVIII century. 

Garó includes a collection of drawings and handwritten notes from the historical painter and portraitist of Queen Victoria of England, George Hayter. 

"Amigas" A nude study of two women dressing, by Jorge Owen Wynne Apperley (Isle of White 1884 - Tanger 1960) who lived and painted for many years in the Albaicin and Sacromonte of Granada, is one of his tamer works.

The collection also includes Picasso signed prints (including "Sculptor, model and sculpted bust", "Three Stars" and "resting Women"; works by Rafael Alberti ("Odalisque") as well as parts of Federico García Lorca ( "winking Pierrot" and "Woman with madroñera") Of the sculptures a highlight is "St. Joseph with the baby Jesus" by Pedro de Mena, "Child of Passion" by f José de Mora. 

The entrance is free and its open from  Monday to Friday (9:00 to 15:30) and Saturday (10 to 14h). 

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Noche de San Juan - San Juan's Night

San Juan's night is full of bonfires, fireworks, music, dancing, and sardines. It's the welcome to summer, and its celebration takes place during the shortest night of the year.

Many towns, cities or villages celebrate this first Summer Fiesta. All the celebrations share some things in common, yet each also has its peculiarity.

Bonfires, fire and water are the protagonists of the night. Men and women, young people and children, all dedicate their days and afternoons to the preparation of bonfires. According to tradition, if people jump three times over a bonfire on San Juan's night, they will be cleansed and purified, and their problems burned away.

It is the night of San Juan, night of pagan and religious rites, magical night of the summer solstice, where the fire and the water become protagonists, the fire as a purifying element, the water to recover.

Certain festivals seem to summarize life in Spain, with its love of having a good time in the company of friends and loved ones. The Night of San Juan is definitely one of these events. It is a celebration that is usually held on the beach with roaring bonfires, drink, food, and friends. It is a memorable, almost surreal scene and one that needs to be experienced.

I hope you can jump over the fire next year!!!

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