A little inland from Spain’s most popular costas, you’ll find an even more relaxed pace of life, less tourists, a chance to perfect your Spanish and beautiful, budget-friendly property options.
The Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and Costa Cálida are each lined with beautiful Blue Flag beaches, glitzy resorts, full of sun-kissed (and sometimes sunburnt) people, all enjoying the leisurely, laidback lifestyle. But look a little inland, and you can experience a different atmosphere and more affordable property options. And often, the sea is just a short drive away, anyway – ideal for day trips.
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Could an inland location suit you best?
If your idea of the perfect property in Spain is one where you can take lengthy walks in the countryside, laze in a hammock with a book until sundown, get good at Spanish, and feast on fresh food paired with locally produced wine in small restaurants, this is the article for you.
Plus, inland has excellent options for property hunters who are after rustic-looking homes with beautiful bones and plenty of character. You could buy a cheap cortijo, a white-washed townhouse or a sprawling, relatively inexpensive villa with its own garden and pool.
Inland locations are a better option for those that want to intergrade into a more authentically Spanish location than the coast offers. While some holidaymakers do like to decompress in the countryside, they tend to prefer the coast. There are pockets of foreign buyers in inland locations, but more often than not, they have made Spain home, rather than just bought overseas as an investment opportunity.
Today, we’re going to look at the lifestyle offered, weather, towns to buy and property options in inland Andalucia, Valencia and Murcia.
Inland Andalusia
Your new neighbourhood?
Inland Andalusia is the southernmost region of mainland Spain. Famously, inland Andalusia has a landscape made up of stunning, white-washed villages with winding streets, surrounded by rugged trees, olive groves and vineyards. If you love to stretch your legs, then there are multiple natural parks to explore, including Sierras de Cazorla, Parque Nacional de Doñana and Málaga Natural Park.
Weather: You can enjoy over 300 days of sunshine here! In summer, feeling even the tiniest drop of rain is noteworthy. One thing to bear in mind is that it can be very hot, and the breeze of the Med is not there to cool you down. January is the time of year your teeth are most likely to chatter, but even then, there are highs of 18 degrees.
Airport: The best-connected and busiest is Málaga airport, though you may be closer to airports in Seville, Granada or Almería.
Places to buy:
Jaén: a quaint, historic city with Arabic baths, Andalusian architecture, and a surrounding countryside that is famous for its olive oil production. Discover more about living in Jaén here.
Úbeda and Baeza: Two UNESCO World Heritage sites, recognised for their incredible Renaissance buildings.
Salares: the least populated village in all of Málaga, Salares has 192 residents, twenty are British, four are Belgian, two Moroccan, and there’s a Dane and Romanian, according to the Olive Press. Perhaps you’d like to join them?
Antequera: Known as the “Heart of Andalusia,” Antequera is rich in history with ancient megalithic structures and the stunning El Torcal Natural Park.
Ronda: Perched on a dramatic cliff, Ronda offers breathtaking views, the deep El Tajo gorge, and a historic centre filled with traditional charm.
Property options: On the Your Overseas Home property portal, prices start as just €50,000 in inland Andalusia – though these homes will probably need some TLC. Still, you can easily find lovely, traditional multi-bedroom homes that have been revamped for upwards of €100,000. Homes in historically significant or especially scenic areas can command higher prices. Still, along the coastline, you would be very lucky to find a tetchy apartment for around €100,000.
Transfer tax in Andalusia is particularly low, levied at just 7% for a resale (10% VAT for a new build). However, generally speaking, homes are more affordable in Murcia and Valencia.
Read more about buying in Andalusia.
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Inland Murcia
Castle in Moratalla, Murcia.
Murcia is a small autonomous region situated between Valencia and Andalusia. Inland, you will find majestic mountains, pine forests, and diverse wildlife.
Sierra Espuña is one of the greenest spots in the region, it is popular for hiking, mountain biking and bird watching. While the Almadenes Canyon is fun for eagle and otter spotting, as well as kayaking and canoeing. Inland Murcia is most celebrated for its wine production in Jumilla, Yelca and Bullas.
Weather: With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Murcia is one of the sunniest regions in Spain. Murcia is quite arid, receiving about 290 mm of rain annually. The summer sees highs of 30°C. You’re most likely to chatter in January, but it could be jumper weather too, with highs of 17°C.
Airport: Murcia International Airport is in Corvera, in the centre of the region. It is useful for getting to the inland, city and coastline. You may find more flight options from Alicante, a busier airport, which is just 45 minutes from Murcia city.
Places to buy:
Murcia city: The region’s capital is approximately 40 kilometres inland. It is made up of beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It is the home of the University of Murcia, which gives it a young, vibrant atmosphere.
Moratalla: Located in the northwest of Murcia, Moratalla has a beautiful medieval castle surrounded by woods and hills.
Bullas: Red wine and rose fans will feel at home here – the region is famous for its Monastrell grapes. It also has a Wine Museum dedicated to the tipple.
Ojós: A picturesque village in the Ricote Valley, Ojós is known for its traditional Spanish architecture and the beautiful Azud de Ojós, a historic water reservoir.
Ulea: Nestled along the Segura River, Ulea is famous for its charming old town and the Church of San Bartolomé, which dates back to the 18th century.
Property options: You can buy an older, traditional family home inland Murcia for less than €100,000. For this same price, you could purchase a small apartment by the sea. Generally speaking, property in inland Murcia is more budget-friendly than Andalusia and Valencia.
Transfer tax is levied at 8%, more than Andalusia, but less than Valencia.
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Inland Valencia
Buñol.
Inland Valencia is truly breathtaking with green valleys, orange and lemon groves, and medieval villages. Natural parks perfect for hiking and cycling include Sierra Calderona and Sierra de Espadán. It also has beautiful wine vineyards, such as Requena and Utiel, which is known for its cava and red wines.
Weather: Valencia enjoys over 300 days of sunshine and an average annual temperature of 19°C. The “Levante” wind from east can bring moisture, while the “Poniente” wind from the west is dry and hot. It is slightly cooler and wetter than inland Andalusia and Murcia. August is the warmest with highs of 31°C and the chilliest month, January, is 15°C.
Airport: Valencia airport has both domestic and international flights, it is situated in Maines about 8km west of Valencia city. Alicante airport may also be an option.
Places to buy
Buñol: is home to the world-famous La Tomatina festival, which involves fun tomato-throwing. It is surrounded by the Buñol River and nearby mountains.
Chelva: boasts of a beautifully preserved historic centre with influences from Moorish, Jewish and Christian cultures.
Ontinyent: Located 82 kilometres from Valencia city, Ontinyent has been declared a Property of Cultural Interest for the aesthetic of its pretty 18th and 19th century buildings.
Ademuz: Nestled in the Rincón de Ademuz district, Ademuz is a picturesque village with houses clinging to the slopes of Mount Zafranes. It’s known for its local rice dish, empedrao, and excellent honey.
Ayora: Famous for its historic Ayora Castle and the 16th-century Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Church, Ayora offers a blend of history and natural beauty with nearby La Hunde Nature Reserve.
Property options: Rural homes and land plots tend to start from €50,000. With a budget of €200,000, you could buy an incredible multi-bedroom villa in a tranquil setting. Property can cost more in the more popular wine regions.
Valencia has the highest transfer tax out of the three, it is levied at 10%. However, property is more affordable than Andalusia.
Read more about buying in Valencia.
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