Atalaya-Isdabe, Estepona districts
By Sinéad Mangan-Mc Hale
Atalaya-Isdabe occupies the easternmost end of the Estepona municipality, lying between Avenida Hacienda del Sol to the west and the Río Guadalmina to the east. The coastal side of this district developed after the beachfront Atalaya Park Hotel opened, and the area now features a wide range of villas, apartments, and hotels.
Beaches
The Atalaya beach is a narrow stretch of gravel based sand. There are many rocks along the shore making it a good place for scuba divers and snorkellers. Visitors can access other beaches along the coastline. More>
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Residential areas
Atalaya-Isdabe comprises apartment complexes such as Paráiso del Sol, townhouses, and villas. One of the main urbanisations is Hacienda del Sol; a gated complex built in phases between 2004 and 2007. Within the community there is a gymnasium, sauna and outdoor jacuzzi as well as two flood-lit padel tennis courts and swimming pools. The urbanisation, located close to the Marriott’s Playa Andaluza hotel, is set in beautifully manicured gardens with 24 hour security. Toward the eastern area of this district close to the Rio Guadalmina, the urbanisation Alhambra del Golf is also a gated community with swimming pools and a dedicated barbecue area. It is a blend of low-rise residential apartment buildings and homes, completed in three phases from 1989 to 2001, with the fourth and last phase separated from the rest by the Club de padel Alhambra del Golf, a paddle tennis club with a restaurant and social club
There are some large high end villas in the district most notably the 1200m2Palace Marbella, built in the early 1990s by members of the Saudi royal family. Its architecture reflects Middle Eastern design and is very opulent. It is available for rent and is located on Calle Castillo towards the beach front.
There are many properties of all sizes and forms available for short and long-term rent.
places of interest
The Torre de Baños (also known as the Torre de Casasola) is the oldest and most easterly of the Estepona series of Torres Viaga (Watchtowers). The original build was constructed in the 13th century by the Moors and is now located within the gardens of the Hotel Globales Playa Estepona. More>
For padel enthusiasts or those wanting to take some lessons in this popular sport, the Alhambra Padel Club (Club de padel Alhambra del Golf) on Avenida los Andaluces, has six outdoor glass padel courts. As well as providing customised private lessons, it runs summer camps, designed for players of all ages and levels. It also has a highly recommended restaurant on site.
Football fans might be able to watch up and coming football professionals playing at the Atalaya Football Center, a popular destination for young football players. Located on the Avenida de Andaluces.
Water sports enthusiasts will find Aquaplaning Watersports, providing boat, jet skis, paddle boards, kayaks and hydropedals as well as guided jet skis safaris. Located at the beach end of Calle de Lavante.
Hotels
Visitors to Atalaya-Isdabe have a wide range of options when it comes to choosing hotels in this district. A part of the Marriott chain, the Marriott’s Playa Andaluza, located on Calle Campo de Luna, has a wide range of leisure and sporting facilities and free parking. With an on-site water park, Splashworld, the Hotel Globales Playa Estepona, another four star hotel, has much to offer visitors including a free shuttle service to nearby locations or activities. Of historical interest is the Atalaya Park Hotel, now the Sol Marbella Estepona Atalaya Park hotel, built in 1966 and renovated and reopened as part of the Meliá Hotels International Group in 2018 after a significant 18 million euro investment. The Atalaya Park Hotel is forever linked to the Atalaya Golf & Country Club, located on the mountain side of Atalaya-Isdabe, developed in 1968 to provide a golfing venue for its guests.
For visitors looking for a different type of accommodation, there are many individual villas, apartments and even a one-bedroom private romantic cabin, on Calle de Grulla, available for rent. Other choices include Marbella Bed and Breakfast on Avenida de las Golondrinas, or SkySea Holidays Banus, a series of self-catering apartments located on Avenida de los Andaluces.
Restautants and Beach bars
As with the choice of hotels, visitors to the district have a wide range of restaurants and tapas bar to enjoy. Some are located within the hotels such as the beachside Solera Restaurant and Bar set within the Marriott’s Playa Andaluza grounds. Close to the A-7, Dulce Coffee--open until 7pm—can be found within the Centro Commerical Isdabe del Sol Mall just off Avenida Matas Verdes. In the same mall, diners will also find Pizzería El paraíso and Tbilissimo Restaurant (a Georgian, Russian, and European restaurant).
Atalaya House Restaurant and Bar on Avenidia La Union just off the A-7 offers both food and live entertainment. Nearby, in the Jardines de la Atalaya urbanisation visitors can find the unusual but aptly named PizzaSushiTaxi restaurant, which combines Italian dishes with Japanese and Thai options. For those seeking something more contemporary, Gastrobar de Arturo on Avenida de las Golondrinas, is a pet-friendly restaurant catering for all tastes including vegetarian and vegan options.
Services
On the beachside is the commercial centre Isdabe del Sol Mall. In 2014, the ALDI Supermarket chain invested two million euros in the construction of the centre, originally a disused municipal plot. Also located within the mall are coffee shops, and restaurants as well as a car park. Along the Avenida la Unión, there is a launderette, Lavamax, an ATM, and around the corner on Calle Aguila is a well-regarded pharmacy, Farmacia Pharmacy Apotheke.
There are also two 24-hour electric vehicle charging stations (Punto de carga Activacar) at the beach end of Avenida de las Golondrias.
For public buses towards Marbella there is a bus stop close to the commercial centre Isdabe del Sol Mall. More>
Neighbouring Districts
The neighbouring district to the west (Estepona) is El Presidente
The neighbouring district to the east (Marbella) is Guadalmina
