Giant Chess Boards

Something fun we came across in Estepona are the giant chess boards on the boulevard in the centre, around the height of the post office and Chiringuito La Peseta. There are a few big boards next to each other, and there are often people playing or standing around watching, so it's worth walking past just to have a look.

The pieces are big enough that you more or less have to walk around the board to make your move, which is half the fun. The boards are usually free and playable, so you can easily jump in and play a game yourself, or just watch for a while. It's the kind of stop that takes ten minutes or an hour, depending on how the game goes.

In summer the town hall also organises free games on the boards in the evening, in 2026 from 30 June to 23 August between 19:00 and 22:00, and there's a night chess tournament in August, so that's a good moment to see it busy. It's free and short, so easy to combine with a walk along the promenade and a drink at one of the chiringuitos nearby.