Best places to buy on the Costa del Sol
There are plenty of reasons to love the Costa del Sol, gorgeous weather, delicious local cuisine, culture, beautiful art and the typically Spanish laid-back lifestyle. But which areas fit your budget and lifestyle preferences. Here is a guide to the areas of Costa del Sol.
The region comprises a string of resorts with excellent access to sandy beaches, marinas, golf courses and world-class amenities. Whether it’s a glitz life or a family-oriented haven, Costa del Sol has something to offer everyone. Similarly, you will find properties for all budgets and tastes – townhouses perfect for families to exclusive luxury villas costing more than most of us will earn in a lifetime. Here is our insight into the main resorts of Costa del Sol.
Torre del Mar and Nerja
These areas are ideal for families seeking a peaceful beach destination with all the amenities within easy reach. Surprisingly, Torre del Mar and Nerja have retained a traditional Spanish feel. The most common type of properties bought here are beachfront apartments or villas within walking distance to the seafront.
You should be able to find a two-bed apartment for around €150,000, with more expensive properties in popular areas such as El Capistrano Village in Nerja.
Torremolinos
Torremolinos is a popular holiday destination, particularly with the younger market. The area has an excellent nightlife. Visitors to Torremolinos can enjoy a seven-kilometre beachfront easily accessed from the many apartment blocks and hotels along its length. Within Torremolinos, there are quieter districts – Playa mar and Pueblo Blanco.
Buying a property here, you will need to budget around €200,000 for a two-bedroom apartment in a complex with decent facilities.
Benalmádena
Benalmádena is an excellent location for families thanks to superb facilities, attractions and a modern seafront while retaining Spanish charm. Puerto Marina was twice voted ‘World’s Best Marina’. Local attractions include an aquarium, ice skating rink, amusement park, casino and cable car up to Calamorro Mountain.
Properties surrounding the marina are most popular. A two-bed apartment on a complex will cost around €200,000, with villas starting at approximately €350,000.
Fuengirola
Fuengirola area sits on flat land, so only the highest buildings or those on the seafront have Mediterranean sea views, but they also cost the most. However, the marina, restaurants serving delicious local and international foods, a wide sandy beach and a buzzing nightlife are within easy reach.
While prices in sought-after locations can be €1million-plus, you can still find affordable properties off the seafront, e.g. a two-bedroom apartment for €150,000. Further inland, you will find quieter locations where you can get more property on a smaller budget.
Mijas Costa
Sitting between Fuengirola and Marbella, Mijas Costa includes, among other areas, El Faro, La Cala de Mijas, Riviera del Sol and Calahonda. This area has long been popular for British and Irish holiday homeowners. As a result, Spanish influences have been a bit diluted. Mijas Costa has many excellent Spanish restaurants, varied nightlife and superb beaches. Golf is a common interest of many of the expats living here.
Two-bedroom apartments start at around €100,000. More up-market options are closer to the Miraflores Golf Complex.
Marbella
A strange area that gives the public a chance to hob-nob with the elite while remaining ultra-exclusive for the ridiculously rich and famous. Out of season, Marbella remains vibrant. You can still find properties in Marbella for sale starting from £120,000, as well as luxury apartments and villas.
Estepona
Estepona, in recent years, has promoted itself as the “Garden of the Costa del Sol” by undertaking various projects to transform this former fishing village. From the beautiful promenade and long sweeping beach, you can see the distant silhouette of Gibraltar. Estepona still has a busy fishing harbour, and its old town has retained its traditional Spanish charm compared to other resorts.
Two-bed apartments start at around €120,000, and houses start at about €270,000.
La Duquesa
Located next to Sabinillas, La Duquesa is essentially a modern “suburb” of Manilva municipality centred on the tranquil marina, which has developed into a thriving expat community. No longer a hidden gem, property buyers here will enjoy long stretches of beach and a beautiful mountain backdrop. The area is a haven for boating enthusiasts, and plenty of top golf courses are within easy reach.
You will find a wide range of properties to meet most tastes and budgets, from a one-bed apartment that start at around €80,000 to luxury villas for about €1.6 million.
Sotogrande
Sotogrande is a vast 5000-acre estate with three championship golf courses, a beautiful marina, polo grounds, tennis, beach clubs, sailing clubs and spacious, clean beaches. Sotogrande manages to combine ritzy glamour with sophistication. Thanks to the resort’s amenities, Sotogrande is great for golfers, a sailing enthusiast’s paradise and popular with polo players. Fine dining for foodies and boutique shops for the shopaholics. Sotogrande has all the boxes ticked.
Surprisingly, it is still possible to find a studio apartment for around €70,000 and a two-bed duplex penthouse for about €160,000. At the other end of the scale, a luxury seven-bedroom villa will cost about €7 million.
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