Purchasing or Owning a Property in Andalusia, Spain – What Costs to Consider?

Intro

I’ve noticed that those who are in the early stages of thinking about owning a property in Spain frequently have no idea which region to choose. Of course, Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca quickly come up when they read forums, as they’re very popular among expats.

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I thought it would be a good idea to write an article comparing these two regions. Hopefully, this will help you decide where to invest.

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Costa Blanca vs Costa del Sol – short overview of the regions

Costa Blanca

The famous Spanish “White Coast'' is located in the Alicante Province. It stretches for over 200 km along the Mediterranean coastline – from Denia in the north, all the way to Torrevieja in the south. Alicante, which you’ve probably visited or at least heard of, is the capital. But there is much more to Costa Blanca than Alicante. Here’s a short overview of the main cities and towns:  

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• Alicante – a port city, known for its beautiful beaches, lively marina and historic Santa Barbara castle which overlooks the Mediterranean
• Benidorm – with its high-rise skyline, busy nightlife, and long sandy beaches is a popular destination for both expats and tourists
• Torrevieja – it’s a charming coastal town, known for salt lagoons and diverse cultural events – it’s got a large expat community, too
• Calpe – it’s where the iconic Peñón de Ifach rock formation is. It offers the perfect mix of lush beaches and scenic coastal hikes, all topped with a relaxed town vibe. 
• Villajoyosa –  it’s famous for the picturesque, colourful houses located along the waterfront. You can expect a lively market scene and traditional charm while visiting Villajoyosa. 

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If you’re a family thinking about owning a property in Spain, then you definitely won’t be bored in Costa Blanca. You can hike, go on a cruise, swim, visit an animal park, or just stay on a beach all day. To get the most up to date information about what’s happening in the area, including events and festivities, I recommend joining a local Facebook group – just google “Facebook group events + ‘location'”. Also, there are a lot of good international schools that your kids could go to. 

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If you’re a party animal, then you also have quite a few options to choose from – for example in the Levante area in Benidorm. But overall, Costa Blanca is rather more family oriented, and therefore quieter than Costa del Sol. 

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Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol is another area which lures expats and tourists with its catchy name – Spanish for “Sunny Coast”. It’s the southernmost part of Spain’s Mediterranean coast. It’s part of Andalusia, covering a 150 kilometre long coastline from the town of Nerja on the east to Sotogrande on the west. Costa del Sol is a narrow strip of land, naturally cut off from other in-land parts of the region by high mountain ranges.

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The biggest city and the Andalusian capital is Malaga, known for its historic locations and modern art scene. It’s where you’ll likely start your experience with the Sunny Coast, since it has the biggest airport for international travel. Other major towns include:

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• Marbella – known for its large expat community, picturesque Old Town, and high-end resorts and amenities
• Estepona – which has been gaining popularity among home buyers in recent years, known for its pristine beaches and a traditional Andalusian vibe
• Benalmádena – home to the famous Tivoli Park and Sea Life attractions, as well as a picturesque marina
• Mijas – a quiet village located a few kilometres inland, famous for its whitewashed buildings and stunning views of the coast
• Fuengirola – a popular tourist location thanks to long, wide beaches and family-friendly amenities.

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You might wonder, what’s the best place in Costa del Sol? There’s no single answer to this question. For me, it’s Marbella, where Hometailor is located, but there are tens of cities that could be your perfect fit. 

Climate and weather

When you think of the Costa Blanca vs Costa del Sol dilemma, then the weather is surely an aspect that you need to consider. Let’s start with Costa Blanca.

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The climate in regions like Calpe, Denia, Moraira, and Javea is great all year – with as many as 325 sunny days. As for the temperatures, they’re manageable even in the summer thanks to the sea breeze – with the highest typically occurring in August. Thanks to the mountains protecting the area from cold winds, you won’t experience temperatures lower than 5 degrees even in winters. 

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You’re probably thinking, well, what about rain? As you can imagine, due to its location Costa Blanca doesn't experience a lot of rainy days. The driest season is from June till August. The rain picks up a little from September, but it’s still mostly sunny. 

Costa del Sol gets a very similar number of sunny days – at least 300 per year for the entire region. You could say it’s a tie in Costa Blanca vs Costa del Sol, since some cities like Marbella, get 325 clear-sky days, too. 

Similarly to Costa Blanca, the warmest parts of the year are August (with averages at 29 degrees). Temperature in Costa del Sol in December and January, the coolest part of the year, circles around 15-20 degrees during the day. 

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Also, just like in the White Coast, mountains shield the towns in Costa del Sol from breezy winds from the Atlantic in winter months. Some areas, particularly those located close to the Strait of Gibraltar, might get some rain in the autumn months, but they’re usually brief. Marbella, for example, gets 23 full sunny days during the most ‘wet’ season – which is a pretty great alternative to gloomy Northern Europe.

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Lifestyle and amenities

As someone who loves Spain, I must admit that both costas have their unique charm. They do, however, differ quite strongly in the ‘lifestyle and amenities’ category.

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The White Coast offers a good choice of essential amenities. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops, and open-air activities like affordable golf courses. But, if you’re looking for a more high-end, luxurious experience, you won’t find the same variety as in the Costa del Sol.

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It doesn’t mean that Costa del Sol is a good choice only for those who want premium experiences. However, it does offer incomparably more luxurious amenities and services than its neighbouring northern coast. 

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In Marbella, for example, you’ll find high-end designer boutiques and shopping centres, like the famous Puerto Banus located in the city’s marina.

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I’ve mentioned ‘golf’ for Costa Blanca, but it’s Costa del Sol that the National Club Golfer called “Continental Europe’s premiere golf destination”. It’s home to some of Spain’s most prestigious spots, like the Marbella Club Golf Resort.

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Now, here’s the best (unbeatable) part – Costa del Sol is also a skiing destination. Yes, you’ve read that right. You can go for a sunrise ski ride in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and then enjoy the sun on the beach or visit the Pablo Picasso museum in the afternoon. It’s just a two hour ride from Malaga. 

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Top that with world class healthcare facilities and international schools, and it’s clear as day that Costa del Sol is the winner in this category.

Accessibility and infrastructure

Both Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca are well connected with the entire country as well as other European cities. The former is mainly served by Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), which handles the majority of flights. And with as many as 65 airlines operating, you won’t be short of options. The airport is only 8 km away from the city centre, and you can either take a cab or a train, and in 11 minutes you’ll be in Malaga. There are also smaller regional airports, which aren’t used for international flights, these are: 

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• Granada-Jaén Airport (GRX) - About 125 km from Malaga
• Jerez Airport (XRY) - Located about 180 km from Malaga

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As for the road network in Costa del Sol, it’s well developed and includes the AP-7 toll motorway and and the A-7 freeway, which both run along the coast, offering easy access to towns and cities. 

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If you love nature, like myself, then I recommend the freeway – it only takes about 5 minutes longer to get from the airport, but the views are stunning. You’re driving along the coast, which makes the commute much more enjoyable.

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The main airport in Costa Blanca is Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC), which is around 10 km away from Alicante. With only 34 airlines operating here, there are fewer connections compared to Costa del Sol. Alternatively, you could fly to Valencia. The roads are of good quality so you’ll be able to get to different towns and cities easily. And if you don’t fancy renting a car, you can use buses and trams. 

Property market overview

The number of properties for sale on the Spanish coast have been going down in recent years. As many as 19 of the 22 provinces saw a reduced supply of homes and apartments in the last year. This, of course, causes higher prices virtually everywhere. 

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Take a look at the table below. In 2023, the average cost per/m2 in Costa Blanca’s Alicante was €1,908, while in Costa del Sol’s Malaga it reached €2,849.

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Yes, Costa del Sol is more expensive, but it’s also a better investment opportunity. It sees higher YoY property price increase – the region’s capital saw an impressive 14% growth, while Alicante reached 11%.

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Malaga isn’t the only city that’s seeing property price growth. Just take a look at the increase between 2019 and August 2024 below. 

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Here’s the trend for Marbella:

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It’s clear that the trend isn’t showing any signs of stopping, making it a good investment choice.

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Of course, “average” prices aren’t always the best investment indicator for an entire region. Especially, if you’re looking for a small, resale apartment, or a new development with a high square footage, like a villa. Differences between specific cities or even areas can be massive. Look at the image below, and notice how the prices differ among Manilva, Benalmadena, and Istan:

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You can get a much better estimate when you contact a realtor, who’ll take into account the type of property you’re looking for. We’ll be happy to talk about your investment ideas and help you decide where to buy property – reach out.

Costs of living

As for living costs, the differences are subtle. Of the two major cities we mentioned earlier, Malaga is slightly more expensive when it comes to property rental, which isn’t surprising given their higher standard. 

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Rent aside though, the difference is just 2.2% higher in the southern region. Differences in costs like meals for two people at a restaurant or grocery shopping are hardly noticeable. For a detailed breakdown, here’s a table:

Costa Blanca vs Costa del Sol – who’s the winner? 

Time for the face-off. Here’s a quick recap:

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Both costas can be a great place to live, that’s a fact. But, if you’re looking for a destination that has a luxurious feel, offers high-end amenities, and a large expat community, then Costa del Sol is a better option, hands down. 

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I’ve been living here for a while myself and believe me when I say that it has it all.

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Leaning more towards Costa del Sol? Take a quick look at our piece on the main mistakes to avoid while buying property in Costa del Sol and how to avoid them.