Introduction
When looking at different locations and places to buy in Spain, you may feel a little overwhelmed, particularly if you are not familiar with the local areas. In this article we will discuss what the different Costas have to offer in terms of the best places to buy in Spain.
Costa Blanca
When looking at buying property in Spain you will find huge availability on the Costa Blanca and in particular, Costa Blanca South. The mountains in this area are set further back from the coast meaning there is not a shortage of flat land, perfect for building to take place. In particular if you search for new build properties in Spain, you will find hundreds for sale on the Southern Costa Blanca. Building is still taking place in this beautiful area and this is likely to be the case for years to come.
If you are looking for the cheapest places to buy in Spain then property for sale on the Costa Blanca varies in price but is very reasonable and you can get a lot for your money. You can buy a new build apartment for as little as €100,000 up to a luxury villa in the millions. This is just one reason why it is seen as one of the best places to buy in Spain.
The Costa Blanca region has an average of around 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. This equates to around 325 days. This is just one of the many reasons it is such a popular location for those looking to buy a property in Spain. The region is also home to many golf courses and it is popular among golfers for this reason. Another huge attraction of course is the miles and miles of stunning sandy beaches on offer here.
The capital of the Costa Blanca and the province of Alicante is the city of Alicante. However when looking at places to buy in Spain the city of Torrevieja on the Southern Costa Blanca is a more popular choice. In recent time Torrevieja has significantly grown in size. It is a very popular area for those buying a holiday home in Spain as well as those making a permanent move. You will find property for sale in Torrevieja available for all budgets including apartments, villas and townhouses. The area has much to offer; stunning blue flag beaches, traditional Spanish culture and all the amenities you could.
Torrevieja is home to nature reserves including two stunning salt lakes; Laguna de la Mata and Salina de San Miguel which are pink and blue in colour. They are home to an impressive 250 species of birds alone including their famous pink flamingos. Not only are they stunning to look at but the salt lakes emit iodine into the atmosphere and this along with the unique microclimate here has huge health benefits. In fact it has been declared as one of the healthiest areas to live in the world by the World Health Organisation.
In terms of places to buy in Spain on the Costa Blanca south, there are many towns and villages you will come across including Torrevieja, Villamartin, Ciudad Quesada, La Zenia, Benijofar, Playa Flamenca and Daya Nueva to name just a few. Villamartin is another area which has grown in popularity. Similar to Torrevieja when searching for property for sale in Villamartin you will find huge availability starting from prices as low as €110,000.
Moving up to the Northern Costa Blanca, although when searching for places to buy in Spain you may find less availability it is home to the popular City of Benidorm. Benidorm is not only a popular tourist destination but is also very popular for those moving to or buying a holiday home in Spain. If searching for new build properties in Spain you will find many to choose from in Benidorm and its surrounding areas including apartments, townhouses and villas.
The City of Benidorm itself is a popular and busy tourist destination. However in terms of places to buy in Spain you will also find several smaller and more traditional towns and villages nearby along the stunning coast as well as inland. For example, just south of Benidorm, can be found the old town of Villajoyosa famous for its chocolate.
Finestrat is another popular location for buying property in Spain, set in a beautiful location between the mountains of Finestrat and the Mediterranean sea near Benidorm.
If you are thinking of buying a property in Spain then the Costa Blanca really does have something for everyone.
Costa Calida
In the Spanish province of Murcia, nestled between the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol lies the beautifully unspoilt region of the Costa Calida. Over 250 kilometres between the provinces of Alicante and Almeria, the Costa Calida offers a sharp contrast to other more commercialised areas and boasts rugged coastline, spectacular mountain views, pine forests and the unique Mar Menor lagoon.
This is one of the least-known and perhaps most secluded regions of Spain – a real hidden gem.
Surrounded by the inland mountain ranges of Andalucia, Castilla and Valencia, Citrus, Almond and Olive groves are farmed here using centuries old systems of irrigation.
The Costa Calida is often referred to as the ‘warm coast’. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, people come here from all over the world to escape the harsher winter months at home.
No visit to the Costa Calida would be complete without a trip to the Mar Menor, a 170 square kilometre lagoon separated from the sea by a stretch of land known as ‘La Manga’. The famous therapeutic qualities of its high salt and iodine content together with the ‘healing muds’ of Mota de la Calcatera have tourists flocking to the area every year. Its shallow waters give peace of mind to those with children and its warm waters mean it is popular all year round. Also enjoy the many water sports on offer or simply just soak up the sun and relax on its beautiful beaches offering spectacular views.
The Costa Calida and the region of Murcia is full of ancient history and breathtaking architecture. Murcia, the province’s capital is now a bustling Centre blending the old part of the city with its magnificent Cathedral with its busy new commercial and shopping areas. Historic Cartagena is another stunning city and port from where the Spanish Armada set sail. It is also now the site of recently discovered Roman remains including an amphitheatre.
There’s also Puerto de Mazarrón boasting beautiful beaches, bars, shops and restaurants. The Port is now undergoing modest development offering excellent opportunities for those buying a holiday home in Spain or a rental property with investment potential.
Further to the north of the region lies the Parque Natural de Espuña, a haven for hikers and climbers with 240 square kilometres of unspoilt highlands and pine forests. This really is the place to enjoy a wonderfully relaxed lifestyle, for long weekends, for unforgettable holidays, for permanent living or for the carefree retirement you’ve always promised yourself.
In terms of places to buy in Spain, you will find a good selection of towns and villages on the Costa Calida with property for sale in Spain. Los Alcazares, Roda, San Javier, Santiago de la Ribera and Dolores de Pacheco are just a few examples of towns you are likely to come across when looking at property for sale on the Costa Calida. Some are located on the coast itself and others are inland offering a quieter way of life.
Costa Almeria
The Costa Almeria is one of the least known Mediterranean coastal regions in Spain. Part of the wider province of Almeria, it can be found in the south-east corner of the Iberian Peninsula with the city of Almeria as its capital.
Until recently, international tourism largely bypassed this area with its barren, almost lunar landscape where many Italian ‘spaghetti westerns’ were filmed in the 1960’s. You can still see the movie sets left behind by the makers of classics like ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’, ‘A Fistful of Dollars’ and the Peter O’Toole epic ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.
The region is also famous for its troglodyte villages where modern-day cave dwellers live in extraordinary homes burrowed out of the soft rock. You can see the doors, windows and chimneys from the outside but most of these ‘casas cuevas’ are buried within the hillsides, protecting their occupants from the summer heat.
Holiday resorts as well as new property developments are now beginning to spring up along this 200 kilometres coastline which offers stunning uncrowded beaches, pretty sheltered coves and the rugged wilderness of Spain’s south-eastern cape. Therefore when looking at places to buy in Spain you are likely to see the Costa Almeria pop up.
The region boasts Europe’s only real desert, and while much of the landscape is rather barren, there are still flowers and a variety of crops grown here. In fact, around 250 million kilos of flowers and crops are cultivated here each year.
The Costa Almeria is serviced by three international airports. Although they are further away Alicante and Murcia Airports are the most popular. You do however also also have Almeria Airport itself which is used by a smaller number of British operators. In addition, it can be reached by rail or road.
The city of Almeria and its coastline have much to offer holidaymakers, visitors and residents and even the dry interior has its own unique charm. Almeria city is a lively, modern and very Spanish commercial centre with a ferry terminal, sports marina and working fishing port. International tourism has made little impact here but there’s still plenty to explore in the city.
Tourist centres have built up on the eastern coast of the province at Mojacar. This attractive ancient town with its clusters of whitewashed buildings and narrow, winding streets, is now a thriving centre of international tourism with a lively beach and busy nightlife in the summer months. You’ll also find good beaches, marinas, international restaurants, hotels and sports centres on the southern coast west of the city, at Aguadulce, Roquetas de Mar and Almerimar.
30 minutes minutes north of Mojacar you will find Pulpi. When searching for property and places to buy in Spain on the Costa Almeria, you will likely come across Pulpi where you will find some beautiful new build apartments and villas for sale. Mar de Pulpi resort boasts an enviable location facing the beaches of Los Nardos.
Costa Del Sol
The Costa del Sol is a popular holiday destination and is part of the province of Malaga. In fact it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe. The area is well known for its endless sandy blue flag beaches. The coastline runs from Sotogrande in the west near Gibraltar all the way to Nerja in the east over 150 kilometres away. The coast offers a diverse landscape with cliffs, sand dunes, bays and estuaries as well as it’s sandy beaches. Inland the landscape is mountainous. Therefore in terms of places to buy in Spain on the Costa del Sol you will find more availability along the coast itself.
As well as the beaches the spectacular mediterranean climate is a huge attraction giving more than 300 days of sunshine to enjoy every year. This is a big attraction for tourists but also for those buying a holiday home in Spain or a property to live in permanently.
The area is also well known for being home to the highest number of golf courses in a single area in Europe. The Costa del Sol is now home to over 60 golf courses.
The capital city of the Costa del Sol is Malaga. Malaga Airport has regular cheap flights to the rest of Europe. A majority of tourists flying into Malaga airport go straight to their beach resorts along the coast and do not visit the city itself. They are missing out on a vibrant city filled with beautiful architecture and Spanish culture. The city is a great place for shopping, museums and has a great selection of bars and restaurants. The waterfront has undergone a regeneration and is definitely worth a visit.
In terms of places to buy in Spain on the Costa del Sol, there are a few places you are likely to come across selling beautiful new build properties in Spain. Marbella, Estepona and their surrounding areas have become popular areas for expats and for building to take place. You will find beautiful luxury apartments here with stunning sea views. Some towns and villages worth looking up include Benahavis, Estepona, Mijas, Puerto Banus and Sotogrande. Property here is however much more expensive than the Costa Blanca where availability is much higher. A 2 bedroom apartment in this area on the Costa del Sol is likely to cost a minimum of €250,000 so if you are looking for the cheapest places to buy in Spain then the Costa del Sol is probably not for you.
At Movehappy, we specialise in new build properties on the Costa Blanca South and Costa Calida and all of our properties come complete with our Movehappy package saving you up to €18,000! With a complete after sales service there is simply no easier way to purchase your new dream home in Spain.
If you have any questions about the Costas, places to buy in Spain or anything else at all please do not hesitate to contact us at Movehappy. We are always here to help.
