Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol – where should I buy?

Most people looking to buy property in Spain are seeking beautiful beaches, plentiful sunshine, stunning golf courses, a host of sea and land-based leisure activities and fabulous cuisine. All of which Spain’s southern coast has in abundance! This means it can be hard for buyers to pin down the area that is best suited to them. As such, the helpful Fastighetsbyrån Overseas team has put together this comparison of the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol – to help you make up your mind!

Malaga

Spain’s “white coast” is so named thanks to its 200 km coastline, which features white, sandy beaches that are perfect for long, lazy days of relaxation. The area enjoys average temperatures of 27-29°C in the summer months and lows of 11°C in January.

The area’s main tourist centres are Benidorm and Alicante, which serve a wide-ranging crowd of visitors each year, including many from the UK and Germany, as well as those from many other European (and non-European) nations. Benidorm has two wide, sandy beaches and a huge array of tourist attractions, from water parks to animal parks. The port city of Alicante is also an excellent choice for beach lovers. The colourful, twisting old town area adds plenty of character. Both have lively shopping, dining and nightlife scenes.

Alicante

• Altea – home of beautiful beaches and labyrinthine streets and known for its particularly mild microclimate.
• Benissa – one of the Costa Blanca’s oldest towns, with tiny coves and beaches.
• Calpe – a great location for anyone wanting a base near the Natural Park of Penyal d’Ifac.
• Denia – one of the most attractive and culturally rich cities in the country.
• Orihuela Costa – perfectly located for access to the Sierra de Orihuela mountains.
• Pilar de la Horadada – home to beautiful churches and 5 km of beaches, along with large communities of expats from Northern Europe.
• Torrevieja – a former salt-mining village that is now a booming tourist destination.
• Villajoyosa – famous for both tourism and chocolate, as well as its impressive Gothic church.

The Costa Blanca is also home to a plethora of small villages, offering a quieter style of living than some of the more touristy areas.

The “sun coast” delivers just that – in abundance. July and August see average temperatures of 25-26°C, while the average only drops as low as 12°C in January – still relatively warm by many countries’ standards!

The Costa del Sol is home to some of the most expensive tourist resorts in Europe, but also has more affordable pockets, meaning that its stunning beaches are accessed by a diverse group of holidaymakers and expats every year. The city of Málaga is one of its most well-known locations, with its historic centre, impressive architecture, strong cultural credentials and fantastic foodie scene.

• Torremolinos – particularly popular with Scandinavian tourists, this was the first of the Costa del Sol’s resorts to be developed as a tourist mecca, thanks in large part to its vast beach.
• Fuengirola – home to more than 8 km of beaches and a charming medieval Moorish fortress.
• Marbella – known for its cultural events, pretty old town and lively nightlife.
• Puerto Banús – a veritable playground for the rich and famous, with a marina packed full of superyachts.
• San Pedro de Alcántara – a pretty town with plentiful gardens and quiet parks, as well as a bustling central shopping area.
• Estepona – a popular holiday destination with splendid beaches and a large harbour.

The Costa del Sol also features many smaller towns and villages, which are popular with those looking to escape the crowds of tourists during the summer months.

Puerto Banus

Both Costas have a great deal to offer, which can make choosing between them very difficult. The best approach is, of course, to visit both and find out which one charms you the most!

Property prices can vary hugely depending on the particular village, town or city that you are looking at. As such, if an area is a little beyond your reach in terms of budget, don’t despair – it’s likely that there’s somewhere close by that’s a little more affordable.

Whatever your budget and whichever Costa you prefer, the Fastighetsbyran Overseas team is available to help you find the Spanish property of your dreams.

COSTA BLANCA

Marshmallow
Alicante C
Gran Alacant
Ciudad Quesada
Torrevieja
La Zenia
Torre de la Horadada
Mar Menor / Murcia

COSTA DEL SOL

Nerja
Torre del Mar
Malaga
Benalmádena
Fuengirola
Marbella Nueva Andalucia
Estepona

Words and all image credits Fastighetsbyran