With its revitalised old town, arts centre, and Michelin-star dining, Estepona attracts visitors in all seasons — ideal for investors seeking steady, year-round occupancy instead of seasonal peaks.
There’s a quiet moment when you step back and realise Marbella isn’t the only name in the game anymore. That moment — for more and more high-net-worth buyers — comes somewhere between the Old Town streets of Estepona and the sun-drenched hills above Manilva. Same coastline. Same climate. Very different stories.
Estepona has grown up. Sleek new developments line the beachfront. Golf courses are pristine, restaurants are full, and the street art has become part of the town’s identity. Manilva, meanwhile, still feels like it’s catching its breath — not quite on the tourist map, but very much on the investment radar.
According to Idealista, Estepona property prices climbed 8.7% in 2023. Manilva’s increase is slower, but steadier — and with more room to move. So if you're choosing between the two for a long-term investment, a retirement base, or a new place to call home on the Costa del Sol — it's worth looking past the postcard pictures and into the real numbers, lifestyle, and future trajectory.
Estepona: All Polished and Paved
Let’s start with the favourite.
Estepona has undergone a full transformation in the last decade. Millions in municipal investment has gone into streetscaping, beach walks, cultural murals, and traffic-free zones that feel like someone’s ticked all the boxes from a quality-of-life wishlist.
Property here ranges from €500,000 two-bed flats in gated new builds like Residencial Infinity to multimillion-euro penthouses at Emare with infinity pools and glass walls facing the sea. There’s no shortage of beachfront options. The New Golden Mile is home to names like The Edge and Velaya, offering 24/7 concierge, spas, and private cinemas.
Infrastructure is strong. There are international schools nearby, such as The International School Estepona and Atlas American School, plus private hospitals, retail centres, and a growing number of creative spaces and co-working hubs for those bringing business with them.
You’re about 50 minutes from Málaga airport, 35 minutes from Gibraltar, and less than an hour from Sierra Bermeja’s nature parks if you ever fancy swapping golf for hiking boots.
Manilva: The One to Watch
Drive 10 minutes west and things slow down — in a good way. Manilva is coastal Spain without the pretence. It’s small-scale, residential, and surrounded by working vineyards. Here, you can still walk through a fishing village without hearing a word of English — unless you’re at Duquesa Marina, where the cappuccinos are hot and the real estate chatter is real.
What you’ll find here is value. In Los Hidalgos, La Paloma, and Duquesa Golf, €700,000 can still get you a four-bedroom detached villa with a private pool, sea views, and a decent chunk of land. You’re not paying for prestige — you’re paying for proportion.
Developments like Blue Sunset, Golden View, and Small Oasis are attracting second-home buyers and families who want to be close to Sotogrande but not locked into its price bracket.And there’s access. It might not be as direct as Estepona, but the A-7 makes Málaga and Gibraltar easy drives. For education, Sotogrande International School is just 20 minutes away — one of the best in Spain.
Thanks to lower taxes, simpler licensing for short-term rentals, and fewer urbanisation restrictions, Manilva is easier for newcomers navigating Spain’s bureaucracy for the first time.
Day-to-Day Life: What Actually Happens When You Live There
In Estepona, life hums. There are open-air concerts in summer, artisan markets every weekend, and enough restaurants to keep even the pickiest eater entertained. Fancy something niche? You’ll find sushi, vegan mezze, Michelin tasting menus, and a cocktail bar with a DJ on Thursday nights.
Golf is a given — Valle Romano, Estepona Golf, El Paraiso — all within reach. Plus, the beaches are well-kept, and the new promenade runs for miles, perfect for cyclists, runners, and dog walkers. There's also a strong year-round community. It's not just a place for seasonal visitors — people live here. And it feels that way.
Manilva, on the other hand, is quieter. But there’s a rhythm to it. Mornings at the local café. Walks along Playa de Sabinillas without having to dodge a dozen beach clubs. Weekends at the marina — La Duquesa Port is smaller than Estepona’s, but offers great food, live music, and enough nightlife to keep things interesting.
If you're into outdoor pursuits, it delivers. Coastal hiking routes, kitesurfing in nearby Tarifa, and biking trails through the vineyard-covered hills. It’s a slightly different pace — more space, more nature, less noise.
The Numbers: What €750,000 Buys You
In Estepona:
- 3-bed apartment, 130m²
- Beachfront complex
- Shared pool, gym, concierge
- Modern finish, sea view, underground parking
In Manilva:
- 4-bed villa, 200m²
- Private pool and garden
- Full sea view, gated plot
- Larger terraces, quieter surroundings
For investors, Manilva offers higher yield potential. Rental income in peak season rivals Estepona’s, but entry prices are lower. Estepona, meanwhile, is already well-performing — safe, but with a tighter growth margin going forward.
Who Should Choose What?
Estepona suits those who want ease. It’s all there — international schools, infrastructure, community, restaurants, and no need to explain where you live to a taxi driver at Málaga airport. It’s reliable, well-connected, and already proven.
Manilva is for those who see the future. It’s for buyers who prefer space over buzz, who’d rather hear the sea than traffic, and who don’t need a champagne bar on every corner. It’s also for smart investors — the ones who buy before everyone else catches up.
📌 Thinking about making a move to the Costa del Sol?
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