The preferred place for many British people for retirement or a second home is the coastal region of Andalusia known as the Costa del Sol. Here are the residential highlights, and a few favourite golf courses too.
Since package tours started in the 1950s, the Costa del Sol has probably been Spain’s most popular region. The most beautiful and glamorous people on the planet were associated with it – Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando… – drawn to its glorious climate and stunning coastline.
For a while, in the 1970s and 80s this stretch of coast became associated with cheaper tourism. Now, it is most definitely back at the glamorous end of the market. As one buyer told us: “I remembered if from 20 years ago as being super super-tacky. But we went on a family holiday to Estepona and they had built up the boardwalk and made it look beautiful. I said to my wife, ‘wow this has really changed, maybe this is something we should look at’”. With the tourist authorities devoted to quality above all, the Costa del Sol’s long sandy beaches, white villages and Spanish way of life are attracting the global jet set again.
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There is a lot of variety however in landscape and types of property, so we are taking a look at what’s on offer.
The Costa del Sol lies in the south of Spain and officially begins in Torremolinos, stretching down to Estepona. It is in the province of Andalusia, which for many is the spiritual home of Spain. Although heavily influenced by tourism and the large British/international community here, it remains very Spanish.
Downtown Malaga (trabantos / Shutterstock.com)
Exciting cities
There are several towns along the coast, those to the east are close to Málaga and those in the west are within easy reach of Marbella.. These two main towns are very different in character but both offer excellent amenities and leisure activities.
Málaga in recent years has undergone a total facelift. It is now a delightful city with a smart promenade, many upmarket hotels and shops and several top class museums. In 2014 it was declared the best place to live in Spain. The centre of culture on the Costa del Sol, Málaga has a great music scene and plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy. The international airport receives in the region of 15 million passengers a year.
A city of almost 149,000 inhabitants, with 15.9% coming from foreign countries, Marbella offers a high standard of living and a multicultural society
Marbella has a wonderful traffic-free old town with cobbled streets and little squares. The new town which borders the sea is full of restaurants, bars, shops and a pleasant garden on the promenade. Its climate is warm all year round as it is protected by the Cordilla Penibética mountain range. A city of almost 149,000 inhabitants, with 15.9% coming from foreign countries, Marbella offers a high standard of living and a multicultural society. The Costa del Sol Hospital is the main hospital for the region and is located here.
Liveable towns
Torremolinos
Tucked just below Málaga is Torremolinos, a very popular place with the British and Dutch, both for property purchase and for tourism. Once upon a time a small fishing village, it is now the most popular tourist destination in Andalusia. The promenade has recently undergone some renovation and the authorities are constantly updating parts of the town. Brigitte Bardot, was a regular visitor in the ‘50s and ‘60s. She helped to popularise going topless on the beach in what was then a somewhat backwards and conservative Catholic country!
Benalmádena
Torremolinos gives way to Benalmádena, the next town on the coast. The original village of Arroyo de la Miel above the new town still retains some of its Spanish charm and is home to the Hospital de Alta Resolución de Benalmádena. The area closest to the sea has a splendid marina, around which are apartments, shops and restaurants. It also has two aquariums, a casino and amusement park. The average temperature here is a pleasant 19º and there are 20 kilometres of sandy beaches to enjoy. What’s more, there are plenty of bars and shops which cater to British tastes, so you don’t have to worry about missing home comforts.
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La Cala de Mijas
Some 18 kms south lies La Cala de Mija and the delightful white village of Mijas Pueblo. Again, the British are among the largest number of non-Spaniards, but there are numerous other nationalities too.
There are five main beaches and 11 golf courses, with La Cala Golf and Country Club being one of the largest in Europe. There is also a modern hospital in Mijas which serves a wide area, including Fuengirola. The village up in the mountains is a typical Andalusian white village with quaint narrow streets and craft shops. Below, in Cala de Mijas, there are many restaurants and shops in the well laid-out streets.
Mijas Pueblo, looking towards the sea
Fuengirola is located below Mijas Pueblo and east of Cala de Mijas and is a pleasant seaside town which dates back to the Phoenicians.
Today Fuengirola has a large foreign population with the British making up a substantial number. There are seven sandy beaches with calm seas and there are plenty of sports and facilities on offer, including football, a skate park, indoor swimming pools and a sailing school. There is also an excellent Tuesday market.
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Estepona
The next town of notable size and the last on the Costa del Sol is Estepona which boasts 23 kms of coastline. The airport in Gibraltar is actually the closest, just a 45-minute drive away.
The population is around 70,000 and the largest group of foreigners are once again the British. It’s old town is a lovely place to take a stroll with beautiful streets and a genuine Andalusian feel.
Estepona is one of the prettiest towns on this coast. Head here to discover a host of upmarket developments to suit most budgets as well as golf urbanisations.
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Property Market
As Spain continues to recover from the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, house prices are buoyant. Overall, property prices in Spain have risen by 4.4% year-on-year in May 2021.
The Costa del Sol, in particular, has seen a boom in prices. According to several sources, the average home in the Costa del Sol will now cost around €2,000 per square metre. In the first quarter of 2021, prices rose by 13.6% year-on-year in Malaga (average property price now €2,190), 6.3% in Estepona (average property price now €2,348) and 4.1% in Marbella (average property price now €3,156).
Foreign buyers usually account for around 30% of the Costa del Sol’s property market but Covid-19 travel restrictions have limited the number of international buyers in the last year or so. Nonetheless, the number of foreign buyers was only 1.68% lower than in a normal year, showing that there is still a large interest in the area.
A couple of reasons for the Costa del Sol property market remaining buoyant include the demand for properties with more space and the rise in remote working. More and more people are moving out of the big cities towards the coast and many are planning to spend more time at their second homes.
The Costa del Sol is easily accessible from most large airports in the UK, with frequent low-cost flights, making it incredibly easy to hop across to Spain to work remotely for a few months.
SEARCH for properties in the Costa del Sol.
The ‘Golf Coast’
For golfers, the Costa del Sol delivers in a big way. Here are five courses that have been attracting British players:
Alcaidesa
With beautiful views towards Gibraltar and Morocco on one side and the snowcapped peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the other, Alcaidesa is arguably one of the stunning locations to tee off on a clear day. It has two fabulous courses: the links course, which slopes down to a golden beach, and the heathland course, part of which meanders through a river valley.
Alhaurin golf course
Alhaurin
Between Malaga and Marbella, in the mountains above Fuengirola, this course was designed by Seve Ballesteros. It has a reputation as being quite “unforgiving”, but if your short game lets you down, at least you can enjoy the views of the Sierra de Mijas hills and the resort’s sauna and spa!
Atalaya
This golf and country club enjoys the prestige of being home of the European PGA. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Blanca mountains, its two magnificent 18-hole courses – the old and the new courses – are lined with mature eucalyptus trees, cactus and palms, and pink and white azaleas that fill the air with an unforgettable and intoxicating scent.
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Baviera
This course is characterised by its wide fairways, large greens and water hazards. It’s a challenge for golfers of all handicaps. The marina and beaches in Caleta de Vélez are also just a short walk away.
Flamingos
Perfectly placed elevated tees offer beautiful views of the Mediterranean, Africa and Gibraltar. The course winds around lakes and the Arroyo Del Taraje stream. Each hole features its own type of tree, including pines, olives, cypresses and chestnuts. Finish your round with a delicious meal at the famed La Cantina restaurant.
