El Padron (mountainside) - Estepona districts
By Sinéad Mangan-Mc Hale
El Padrón Mountainside is a largely rural district east of Estepona, extending inland towards the Sierra Bermeja mountains. The area is characterised by pine forests, eucalyptus, olive trees, and scrub-covered hillsides, with views across the Mediterranean coastline. Although there are no officially defined boundaries, the district generally extends between Río del Castor and the Río del Padrón. Development consists primarily of villas, country estates, apartment complexes, and a number of industrial plots.
Residential areas
Like its neighbouring district of El Velerín, El Padrón is not defined by urbanisations or gated communities. Instead, the inland area is characterised by lower-density development often concentrated in specific areas and consists primarily of villas, country estates, apartment developments, and newer residential communities. Properties are generally larger than those found closer to the coast, with generous plots, mature gardens, private pools, and elevated sea views.
The area's housing stock spans several decades. Near Avenida de las Adelfas there are houses built in the early 1970s, mainly on individual large plots. Many older properties in the area have undergone renovation in recent years, incorporating modern amenities, open-plan layouts, air conditioning, and sustainable features such as solar panels.
Forest Hills, located further inland of the AP-7 towards the Sierra Bermeja, is a well-established hillside community surrounded by pine forests and natural greenery. With villas and apartments located in this elevated position, visitors can enjoy panoramic sea, mountain and countryside views. While the surrounding rural area features historical fincas, Forest Hills was purpose-built as a residential mountain and sea-view community, with several of its signature detached villas and plots recording their initial construction dates around 1988.
Another well-established residential area is Puerto Romano, also located near the mountain range and sometimes referred to as part of Las Lomas in El Padrón. Development took place during the late 1980s to 1990s, with traditional Andalucían-style townhouses and detached villas. From the 2000s onward, there is a mix of urban and rustic parcels, individual luxury villas, and more modern-style custom homes.
While not an residential area, Finca Los Limoneros is an area well known in El Padrón. The finca is a traditional, family-owned country estate but it is also home to the equestrian club, Hípica Los Limoneros. The broader Finca Los Limoneros area and its surrounding urbanisation (Puerto Romano) are also associated with recreational activities like Paintball Estepona, which is located at the same complex. In addition, the area serves as the namesake for Los Limoneros Homes, a local real estate agency that grew out of the original family finca. The estate has deep roots in the region, dating back to the early 1960s when it operated as a traditional lemon grove and rural retreat for visitors to experience authentic Andalucían culture, food, and flamenco.
Places of Interest
A notable feature when driving into Estepona from El Padrón on the A-7 is the collection of statues displayed at Collection World – Garden and House Art. Visitors can see statues of all sizes made from stone, marble and iron on display since the premises opened in 2005.
A notable feature when driving into Estepona from El Padrón on the A-7 is the collection of statues displayed at Collection World – Garden and House Art. Visitors can see statues of all sizes made from stone, marble and iron on display since the premises opened in 2005.
The Browns Farm is a small, family-friendly hobby farm located in the hills of the El Padrón area. It is primarily known as a private or boutique finca that raises miniature goats, donkeys, and other small animals. While it is not a large commercial petting zoo or a massive agricultural farm, it has become a popular local countryside name in the region.
Marbella Buggys, located on Camino de Montesol, offers guided buggy tours using a fleet of two- and four-seater Can-Am side-by-side vehicles. across mountain tracks and scenic countryside between Marbella and Estepona. Drivers must be 18 years of age with a full driving licence.
Also on Camino de Montesol, visitors can find Centro de Doma y Cría El Padrón, for horse riding, pupillage and breeding.
In the Finca Los Limoneres, is Hípica Los Limoneros, on Camino de Puerto Romano. It is a dedicated equestrian club in the Río Padrón area that offers personalised horse-riding lessons, focusing on a calm pace and connecting with the horses.
Within the same area, Paintball Estepona offers five different game scenarios across a 27,000 m² facility for visitors of eight years and above.
Escuela de Arte Ecuestre Costa Del Sol (Costa del Sol Equestrian Art School), opened in 1998, has a reputation as one of the most prestigious equestrian centres in Europe set in more than 80,000 m² of grounds. Known for its excellence in training, shows, pupillage and competitions, the school combines Andalucían tradition with technical innovation. Combining years of practical experience along with modern technology, the school has an Olympic outdoor track for training and competitions and EBB-Flow technology, air-conditioned indoor riding arena with stands, professional lighting and EBB-Flow technology, exclusive Pony Club with infrastructure adapted for children, ventilated and safe stables, walker, rope tracks, paddocks, and a gym for riders. It offers a wide range of services from children's initiation to high competition, with personalised classes and training, adapted to the level and objective of each rider. Located on Calle del Búho.
Estudio Padrón, (Padrón Studio) is a hidden artistic and musical secret in El Padrón. As well as being a recording and rehearsal studio, it is renowned for its live music sessions on a Sunday afternoon, followed by lively jam sessions. It also hosts additional music sessions during the year. The music on offer ranges from the purest flamenco and improvised jazz to independent rock and intimate acoustic sessions. Tickets are free and can be booked online. It is located near to Lavandería Industrial Rosy on Camino Alberdina.
Club de Tenis Y Padel Estepona (Estepona Tennis and Padel Club) was founded in 1988 and managed by renowned coach Fernando Gil from 2016 until 2024 and is now managed by Alberto Gil. It is a facility of 24,000 square metres open to the public where adults and children can enjoy tennis, padel, and pickle ball on clay, fast, padel and pickle ball courts. Located by the Forest Hill urbanisation, north of the AP-7.
Rebalance Wellness Centre is a wellness and naturopathic centre located in a nature haven surrounded by two rivers with waterfalls, organic fruit trees and vegetable
Marpop Equestrian & Yeguada Club (Club Hipíco & Yeguada Marpop) is a stud farm and horse riding school for beginners and experienced riders. Located north of the AP-7.
Hotels and Accommodation
Accommodation options on the mountainside of El Padrón are limited and consist primarily of small rural properties and holiday rentals. Some of the options include Finca Alegría Estepona, a small vegan eco farm offering breakfast, meals, and accommodation. All meals are gluten-free and dairy-free and while in the main are vegan, eggs and honey are also served. Accommodations include two studios with private bathrooms. The property includes fruit trees, a vegetable garden, and a swimming pool.
An option for adults seeking a quieter environment is La Piña Verde Boutique B&B, on Camino Alberdina. It is an adult-only boutique retreat with five individually designed rooms offering a calm and peaceful stay. In addition, there is a wide selection of holiday rentals, particular on fincas, within the area and a broader range of hotels and holiday accommodation is available in neighbouring districts.
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Shopping
Aldi supermarket is located on the slip road off the A-7. The store offers groceries, fresh produce, bakery items, household products, and seasonal goods. It opened in August 2012 and was the second Aldi location to open in the municipality.
In the same area, there is a Burger King and a BP petrol station with a small supermarket and bistro.
There is also a tobacconist, Estanco El Padrón on Paraje de la Alberdina.
The Lavandería Industrial Rosy in the Poligno Bernal (industrial estate) is an industrial laundry services, bed linen rental, towels, and tablecloths.
Restaurants and Bars
The mountain side of El Padrón has a limited selection of bars and restaurants within its boundaries. However, a popular option is The Sun Inn El Padrón which opened in 2024 on Camino de Montesol. As a family run bar and restaurant, the venue offers a wide range of choices as well as entertainment such as quiz nights and live music. Regular visitors to the area may have known it as La Cabana or Eden Bar.
Bus Service
There are also public bus services passing Resinera Voladilla: L-79 Estepona - Marbella between Estepona town and Marbella town, La Cañada Shopping centre and Marbella Bus Station. There is also the municipal E-3 Microbus (only four services a day) to and from Estepona town.
For buses to Estepona, the bus stop, El Castor, is on the slip road near the roundabout by the BP station. Bus top number 41018. Timetable and live wait times.
For buses to Marbella, cross the A-7 coast road on underbridge then either walk towards Estepona for the EL Padron stop number 41092 on the service road by Mar Azul Resort near BYOKO (formerly Wilde) restaurant or walk towards Marbella to the El Gastor bus stop number 41082 on the pull in by the old roadworker cottage before the road decends to Rio Castor. Timetable and live wait times.
Car Hire, Taxi and Transfers
In addition to hiring a car in Estepona, Malaga Airport, or Gibraltar Airport, Estepona taxis and several firms offer private transfers by minibus car or limousine to and from the airport and the surrounding areas. Bolt and Uber Apps also work within the district.
For those who want to enjoy more of the sights of Andalucía, the district is situated close to the A-7 coastal highway and within a short distance of the AP-7 toll road. This road is typically quieter, but there are toll booths at Manilva, San Pedro and Calahonda in both directions – tolls can be paid in cash, by credit card, or VIA-T (non-stopping) so visitors can easily access destinations on either side of Estepona. Along the coast to the west, these include Sotogrande, Gibraltar, Tarifa and the golden sand beaches of Costa de la Luz. Along the coast to the east, these include Marbella and Malaga. They can also explore the inland villages of Casares and Gaucin on the road to Ronda. Not forgetting the magnificent cities of Seville, Cordoba and Granada.
Neighbouring Districts
The neighbouring district to the west (Estepona) is Punta Plata
The neighbouring district to the east (Marbella) is Los Llanos and Resinera.