Where to buy property in Spain

Choosing a location to buy a property in Spain may come very easy to some buyers as they simply choose their favourite holiday spot. For others, there are many other considerations depending on whether this is going to be a purely holiday home or their permanent residence.

Once you have established your intent for the property and your budget, there are other factors that you should also consider when deciding on a location.

Factors influencing location choices

Climate

Spain has a diverse climate, from the warm Mediterranean coast to the cooler northern regions. The south has seen some particularly scorching temperatures, which might make the north more appealing. Spanish islands offer all year-round sunshine and became popular with retirees. Choosing the right climate to suit your preference is an essential consideration.

Amenities

Consider the local amenities, such as shops, restaurants, hospitals, and schools. If you are moving with children, then you will find most international schools in the major cities and areas with high expat populations, such as Alicante. Can you drive, or do you need amenities to be very close by? Assessing access to local amenities will help with understanding what day-to-day life will be like.

Accessibility

Check the transport links, including proximity to airports and public transport. Some regions in Spain have seasonal flight schedules, meaning that your property could be difficult to get to outside of the summer months. If you are looking at somewhere close (or with good transport connections) to the major cities of Barcelona or Madrid, or an area already popular with overseas buyers, such as Alicante, then this will not be an issue.

Property price

The property prices per square metre vary across Spain. Cities like San Sebastian, Madrid and Barcelona have some of the highest prices per square metre. Coastal locations like Balearics and Malaga are also leading the way with prices per square metre according to Registradores.com.

Cities with Highest Prices: San Sebastián (5,378 €/m²), Barcelona (4,374 €/m²), and Madrid (4,060 €/m²) as the cities with the highest prices per square meter.

Coastal Areas: Illes Balears (3,496 €/m²) and Málaga (3,319 €/m²) are highlighted as coastal areas with significant prices per square meter.

The Costas are popular for property investment

With consistent sunshine, close proximity to the beach and well served by international airports, many international buyers look for their dream home along Spain’s glorious coastline. Here are the top Costas that overseas buyers choose.

Costa Brava

Sitting just across from the French border, the Costa Brava is in north-eastern Spain. Temperatures are a little cooler, the coastline is rugged and dotted with pretty villages.

Costa Blanca

The favourite of overseas buyers, the Costa Blanca is positioned on the southeast of Spain. The north of the region is warm, green and tends to attract more year-round residents. The south is warmer, super-easy to reach from Alicante Airport all year, and a little more built up.

Costa Cálida

Just below the Costa Blanca, this warm coast is known for its incredible resort towns such as La Manga and Mar Menor. It is also a superb spot for golf, boasting some of the best courses in the world.

Costa del Sol

The alluringly named sunshine coast enjoys about 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, around double the number of sunshine hours in the UK. In the winter months you can still expect to be sitting outside on the seafront or playing golf in your shirtsleeves! The popular city of Málaga, the birthplace of Picasso, gives the region an arty charm.

Costa Almería

In the south-east, the Costa Almería is the hottest coast on the mainland. Many of the beaches are unspoiled. The vibe is a little more Bohemian and it has a quaint history as the film set for spaghetti westerns. Property is relatively inexpensive.

Costa de Luz

The stretch of coast that leads from Gibraltar up to the Portuguese border is known for wide, empty beaches, full of windsurfers in summer but empty in winter. Plus, property is more affordable than the nearby Costa del Sol or Portugal’s Algarve.

Investing in an island home

Spain also has fantastic choices for those looking for an island home, whether you want to buy somewhere with the heady scenes of Ibiza or the quieter atmosphere of Fuerteventura in the Canaries.

Balearic islands

You’ll find the Balearic Islands off the coast of Catalonia. They are formed of three major islands: Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza, plus some smaller islands.

Each has a particular appeal for tourists, whether that is the clubs of San Antonio in Ibiza, the expensive shops and restaurants of Mallorca (aka Majorca) or the gentle, sandy beaches of Menorca.

Look beyond those cliches and you’ll find a little bit of each in every island. They have something for everyone and a good range of prices too. What all have in common is a navigable size. Even in the largest island, Mallorca, you’re never more than an hour from the airport.

Canary islands

As Spain’s southernmost region, the Canaries are a superb choice for sun-seekers. Tenerife is the largest island, with the highest population. It is naturally beautiful, home to Spain’s tallest mountain, and offers fantastic resort-style property options too. Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are no less beautiful and each special in their own way.

Cities

If you just love the bustle of city living or are looking to work in Spain, you may want to purchase a property in one of its cities.

Madrid

We have to start with Spain’s capital city. Madrid has a lot to offer in every respect. It is an elegant city with plenty of green spaces, a first-class metro and bus service, an international airport and wonderful museums and art galleries. It also has a great music scene offering everything from classical concerts to late-night jazz.

Barcelona

A modern, vibrant city by the sea, Barcelona is home to a busy port, beautiful beaches, leafy residential districts and the centre has a wealth of wonderful architecture thanks to Gaudí. It is one of Europe’s major cities for tourism and has attracted hundreds of international businesses.

Seville

Seville is located in the southern region of Spain, Andalusia. Seville is home to numerous historical landmarks, including the Seville Cathedral, one of the world’s largest cathedrals, and the Alcazar Palace, a beautiful example of Mudéjar architecture. Seville is ideal if you’re looking for an authentic Spanish culture experience.

Investing in a countryside home

Many would-be expats are attracted to the pretty inland towns and villages that are surrounded by vineyards and steeped in history. You will still find urbanisations in the country areas, but it is more likely that you will come across typical village houses.

Village properties are generally cheaper than the bigger towns (unless it is a village which particularly attracts tourists such as Mijas, Andalucía or Pals, Catalunya), but they are more likely to need some (if not total) renovation, and the running and maintenance costs may be quite high. These properties are popular, nevertheless, especially when the village offers a bar or two, shops, chemist, and other amenities within walking distance. Life in the villages runs at a slow pace.

Emerging real estate markets in Spain

While traditional hotspots remain popular, several emerging markets offer excellent investment potential.

Valencia

A smaller city than Madrid or Barcelona but one that has become increasingly eye-catching, Valencia is known for its impressive arts and sciences district and its green credentials.

Asturias

A lusciously green region in the northwest, Asturias has recently been fitted with a high-speed railway to Madrid. Plus, it is home to Ponga, a small town offering a financial incentive to those who move there. In the coming years, northern destinations may prove more popular as some buyers might find the heat of the south too hot.

Spain’s property market continues to offer a wide range of opportunities for overseas buyers. Whether you’re looking for a coastal retreat, a city apartment, or an investment property, Spain has something to suit every buyer.