Arroyo Vaquero and Enmedio - Estepona districts
by Sinéad Mangan-McHale
Arroyo Vaquero is a coastal district to the west of the town of Estepona comprising beaches, historical landmarks, hotels, commercial centres, a new hospital and existing housing communities including villas and apartments on both coastal and mountain sides as well as new ongoing residential developments. On its eastern edge, Arroyo Vaquero is flanked by the Arroyo Vaquero stream which separates it from the Enmedio district of Estepona, whilst to the west its neighbouring district is that of Bahía Dorada.
Beaches
There are several beaches along the Estepona coastline and the nearest one to Arroyo Vaquero is the Playa Arroyo de Vaquero. This beach is located off the A-7 and is about one kilometre long and 50 metres wide. It is a black sand and pebbled beach only eight kilometres from the centre of Estepona. Though a popular beach for locals and tourists, it is typically quieter than other beaches in the area, whilst the rock formations in the water make it an interesting site for divers. The seabed is initially rocky but after only about 30 metres swimmers reach a clear and sandy bottom. There are toilet and shower facilities open during the summer season and a wooden walkway providing beach access for prams or wheelchairs. The car access is via the roundabout by the Estepona Spa and Resort Hotel which faces this beach. Parking is free but limited and can be busy during the summer. Upon entering the urbanisation in front of the hotel entrance, turn left or right and travel along the streets down to the beach.
To the west of the Playa Arroyo de Vaquero is home to Spain’s first official nudist beach, dating back to the mid-1980sPlaya Costa Natura, a naturist beach of approximately 400 metres. This naturist stretch of beach runs from the small headland at the eastern perimeter, in front of the Costa Natura Complex and adjacent to The Edge residential complex and the Nido Beach Club to the east of the Arroyo Enmedio stream.
Continuing along the coastline, those interested in the area's history will enjoy visiting the Torre de Arroyo Vaquero (Beacon Tower), a notable historical and cultural landmark. The tower, believed to be of Nasrid origin (an Arabic dynasty), though rebuilt in 1987, is 13 metres high and 8.45 metres in diameter. It is in the gardens of the Bahía Dorada urbanisation near the mouth of the Arroyo Vaquero (Vaquero stream), from which it derives its name. Like other beacon towers along the Andalucía coast, it acted as a surveillance point and warning mechanism for Arab and Christian rulers. Today, it is recognised as a Bienes de Interés Cultural (BICs, or Assets of Cultural Interest) and is one of seven similar towers along the coast of Estepona.
Golf
Outdoor life is a key part of living in Spain and Estepona offers a range of sporting and outdoor activities. The Arroyo Vaquero district has sporting facilities for those interested in hiking, golf or football. Golf enthusiasts travel to this area to enjoy a round at Estepona Golf Course set amongst the natural landscape of Arroyo Vaquero. In addition to being close to golf courses such as Valle Romano and Azata Golf, the popular courses can be discovered on Estepona Golf Courses page. Their 18-hole course offers an enjoyable but challenging game for all levels of players, offering views of both the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra Bermeja mountains. As with most golf courses in the area, visitors can hire golf buggies, trolleys and even golf clubs in addition to the option to enjoy refreshments in the clubhouse.
Estepona Hospital
As an extension of the healthcare facilities in Estepona, a new hospital, Hospital de Alta Resolución de Estepona (HAR), the High Resolution Hospital of Estepona, was opened in early 2021. The hospital belongs to the Andalucian Health Service. It offers primary and hospital care services, including an extensive range of specialist medical services such as Cardiology, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pneumology and Otolaryngology. It has a 24-hour emergency service and is located at 9 Irene Villa Gonzalez Street. To get to the hospital by car, take the exit at the Rotonda de Las Hormigas (Roundabout of the Ants – given its name due to the large metal ant structures featured in the roundabout) opposite Estepona Spa and Resort Hotel and follow the signs.
The famous 'Venus de Estepona', a small clay feminine figure found in 2011 at Loma de la Alberca' in Arroyo Vaquero district is thought to be a fertility symbol over 5,000 years old. The Venus can be seen in Estepona Archaelogical Museum.
Enmedio
To the east of Arroyo Vaquero is the lesser known district of Enmedio and they are separated by Arroyo Enmedio stream. Separating Enmedio from the town of Estepona is the established district of Arena Beach.
The zone behind the main commercial centre, close to the hospital, is undergoing redevelopment with low-level apartment blocks under construction. Properties are available for short- and long-term rent through local Agentes Inmobiliarios (real estate agents) and Airbnb, enabling visitors to enjoy the beauty of the area within a settled community.
Hotels
However, there are plenty of beachfront options in this area for visitors looking to stay in luxury hotels or avail themselves of spa health and beauty services. These include the five-star Elba Estepona Gran Hotel & Thalasso Spa, the Estepona Spa and Resort Hotel and the Costa Natura Resort.
Shopping
One of the main commercial centres in the area has seen significant development over recent years. Located along the Calle Josefina Samper, a street parallel to the A-7, the parade houses restaurants, a petrol station, a fast-food outlet and a Chinese discount bric-a-brac store, amongst others. It also houses one of Spain’s most well known family-run supermarkets, Mercadona, with a large store located at the end of the shopping strip. However, other international supermarkets, such as Aldi (currently under renovation) are also in the area. There is parking along the street and outside the various shops, though traffic can get congested during busy times. The entrance to the commercial centre is at the roundabout opposite the Costa Natura Resort.
Football
Estepona Football Centre, also known as Arroyo Enmedio, is part of the Marbella Football Centre group. The training and playing facilities are located behind the Mercadona commercial centre, accessible by the Costa Natura roundabout on the A-7. The facilities include one 11-a-side football pitch (105x68m), one 7-a-side football pitch (60x40m), and a state-of-the-art gymnasium designed to improve footballers' sporting performance. Local and international football teams use the training facilities.
Transport
One significant advantage of Arroyo Vaquero district is that it is just on the outskirts of Estepona Town, making it convenient to the many restaurants, shops, and bars in the town. Being close to the A-7 coastal road, the town is easily accessible by car, taxi, and public transport. And with the Senda Litoral, it is easy to take a scenic walk along the coast directly into Puerto Estepona (Estepona Port).
In addition to hiring a car in Estepona or Malaga Airport or Gibraltar airport, Estepona taxis, and several firms offer minibus car or limousine private transfers to and from the airport and the surrounding areas. The Bolt and Uber Apps also work within the district.
There is an Estepona microbus service operating along A-7 stopping at the entrance to many of the Estepona western districts. E-1 Bus service operates along the A-7 coast road from Buenas Noches, passing Bahia Dorada, Arroyo Vaquero, Arena Beach, Valle Romano and Guadalabón on its way to Estepona town centre and terminating at Avenida Juan Carlos I.
There is also an Avanza-Portillo M-240 service from Estepona to La Linea which can be used to or from Sabinillas, Duquesa, Torrequadiaro, Sotogrande, San Roque and La Linea (for Gibraltar). This M-240 bus is not permitted to issue tickets to passengers for journeys entirely within the Estepona municipal district.More details.
For those who want to enjoy more of the sights of Andalucía, the district is close to the A-7 Coastal highway 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 inland villages of Casares, Gaucin on the road to towards Ronda. Not forgetting the magnificent cities of Seville, Cordoba or Granada.
Property for Sale in Arroyo Vaquero district of Estepona
Property for Sale in Arroyo Vaquero district of Estepona
Neighbouring Districts
The Neighbouring district to the west is Bahia Dorada.
The Neighbouring district to the east is Arena Beach.
The Neighbouring district inland is Estepona Golf.
