El mirador de Estepona

En abril de 2023, el Ayuntamiento inauguró el Mirador del Carmen con un evento espectacular, con música, fuegos artificiales y espectáculo de drones, que dibujaron bellas figuras en el cielo de Estepona. Este impresionante equipamiento cultural y turístico pone el broche de oro a la gran transformación de la ciudad de cara al mar y es el punto de referencia de uno de los Paseos Marítimos más bonitos de España. Su ubicación privilegiada posibilita vistas panorámicas impresionantes de la ciudad y del mar Mediterráneo. Y en su interior, apuesta por albergar una interesante oferta cultural, con biblioteca y sala de exposiciones incluidas.

Vista panorámica desde el Mirador del Carmen

El Mirador de Estepona ofrece una visión de 360º desde la que se puede contemplar el Mar Mediterráneo, el estrecho y Gibraltar, la ciudad de Estepona en todo su esplendor y la increíble Sierra Bermeja.

A name change with a lot of vision.

The first name proposal for the new socio-cultural facility in Estepona was not Mirador del Carmen, but El Faro. Why the change of name? Just as plans for the new building on the seafront began to be considered, controversy arose over its location. The tower would be erected right in front of the Church of Carmen, patron saint of fishermen, but a building with such a magnitude would deprive the vision of the Virgin of Carmen to the sea.

The protests were not long in coming and someone with a keen eye in the City Council thought that the best option would be to change El Faro, which simply referred to the proximity of the new architectural project to the Estepona lighthouse, to Mirador del Carmen. In addition, he also thought it would be a good idea to involve the Parish, the Hermandad and all those who might be offended by the construction of the new complex in its promotion. So it was that, for some time now, the initial noise became a murmur and at the time of its inauguration it was practically an anecdote.

Mirador del Carmen: a cultural and touristic treasure in Estepona

El Mirador del Carmen is a place of cultural and tourist interest in the city of Estepona. It is a modern and avant-garde space that offers visitors a unique experience. Designed by Salvador Moreno Peralta (National Urbanism Award) as a balcony that opens to the sea, this complex represents an investment for the city of almost 15 million euros.

The architectural complex includes:

  • Public facility that will house a large library.
  • Music Conservatory.
  • Auditorium for cultural events.
  • Exhibition hall that will open its doors with pieces from the Carmen Thyssen collection.
  • 360º viewpoint that will allow panoramic views of Estepona and the Mediterranean.
  • Large open pedestrian area in front of the Pescadores neighborhood.
  • Staggered parks that connect to the fishing port from the beach of La Rada and through the gardens of El Faro.

A work of architecture that enhances the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea

El Mirador del Carmen is an architectural project that has been designed to enhance the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea. This building, located below the level of Avenida de España, has a steep slope towards the Paseo Marítimo and Playa de la Rada, which makes it ideal for commercial and restaurant premises.

The roof of the building has been transformed into a large pedestrian area of more than 15,000 square meters, with a lookout tower as a landmark. The elevation of this pedestrian area gives a special character to the Mirador del Carmen, providing a walkway as a balcony overlooking the beach.

El Mirador has already become a meeting point for tourists visiting the city and a place of recreation for local residents. In addition, the remodeling and pedestrianization of Avenida de España has improved accessibility and safety for pedestrians, creating a new green space in Estepona.

The Mirador del Carmen has a lighting system that allows the building to change color. In addition, the mesh that surrounds the building is a magnificent canvas that generates spectacular plays of light and shadow at different times of the day.

    Fritz Bamberger, Estepona Beach with view of the Rock of Gibraltar, 1855.

    Fritz Bamberger, Estepona Beach with view of the Rock of Gibraltar, 1855.

    The Mirador del Carmen in Estepona opened with the exhibition ‘Living in Painting’ from the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection.

    The Mirador del Carmen in Estepona opened its doors to the public with the exhibition ‘Living in Painting’, which presents 46 works of Spanish painting from the late nineteenth century to the early twenty-first century. The exhibition, which is available until September 25, includes paintings by renowned artists such as Sorolla, Romero de Torres and Mariano Fortuny, as well as avant-garde works by Antoni Tàpies, Antonio Saura, Luis Feito and Menchu Galicia. For all registered in Estepona, access to this exhibition will be free of charge.

      Access fees to Mirador del Carmen

      There are four types of entrance tickets:

      • General Admission: 6€.
      • Reduced (with accreditation): 3€, for seniors over 65 and pensioners, students under 26 years old, Youth Euro card and large families.
      • Groups: 4€. Cost per person. A minimum of 8 and a maximum of 20 people are required (no additional reductions apply).
      • Free of charge (with accreditation). They are managed at the center’s ticket offices. Minors under 18 years of age, accompanied minors under 13 years of age, persons with a disability of more than 33%, unemployed persons, students of any Spanish university, teachers and students of formal education in Fine Arts or Art History, guides with official accreditation, journalists with official accreditation, members of ICOM.

      Visiting hours to the Mirador del Carmen

      El Mirador del Carmen is closed on Mondays (except holidays and holiday eves).

      It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00.

      Address: Avenida de España, 290, 29680 Estepona (Málaga)