5 Most Popular Coastal Areas on the Costa del Sol

5 Coastal paradises

In today’s blog I use Spanish property market data to tell you which are the 5 most popular coastal areas on the Costa del Sol in terms of people’s buying habits and other economic indicators. 

Furthermore, I point out why each area has such a strong attraction for home buyers and why you might consider moving there yourself, along with links to VIVA's Area Guides.

So, in no specific order, here goes…

New kid on the block: Casares

There is a reason why the ever-developing town of Casares is referred to as the Costa del Sol’s "rising star".

With a 70.5% year-on-year sales volume increase from 2016 to 2017 (2018’s interannual data is still not available), Casares saw the biggest percentage increment in home purchases of any other Costa del Sol area.

Owing to its outstanding location and affordable real estate prices, a number of new development projects are now underway. After all, people want to buy into the area “where the mountains meet the sea”, where golf and beach lovers are comprehensively catered for, and which is safe and quiet, yet has all the amenities you would need for year-round living.

For more information, why not check out our Casares Area Guide? 

Charismatic fishing town: Estepona

The pretty fishing town of Estepona, just 15 minutes from Puerto Banús and Marbella, is no longer in the shadow of perhaps its more chic and showy neighbours.

Its 26.6% year-on-year increase in home purchases to 2018 was evidence of this rise in popularity, while the investment in the area’s future is also very apparent. Building licence concession shot up 370% in the same period – the biggest jump of any coastal region.

Estepona stands out as one of the most popular coastal areas on the Costa del Sol for many reasons. One of these is the preservation of its Andalusian identity; its picturesque squares with ornate fountains, cobbled streets with whitewashed houses and hanging baskets, and charming port area.

It also offers its residents a great quality of life with a wide range of local and international cuisine options, as well as cute and inexpensive cafes to simply take in the peace and tranquility of the old town.

Furthermore, it is home to high-quality, blue flag beaches which are lined with beach bars and water sports centres as far as the eye can see.

For more information, why not check out our Estepona Area Guide?

A melting pot of nationalities: Fuengirola

Fuengirola has long been a beach mecca for expats, so it is unsurprising that it makes the cut for the 5 most popular coastal areas on the Costa del Sol in 2019.

The Fuengirola coastline, which runs from the imposing Sohail Castle to the wide, golden expanses of Los Boliches beach, has four blue flags to its name. This makes it one of the three best municipalities in terms of beach quality in the province of Málaga along with Estepona and Marbella (which also boast four blue flags) and means the entire eight-kilometre stretch is of impeccable quality.

Besides its beautiful coastline, Fuengirola is perfectly set up for expats of all different nationalities. With large communities of British, Germans, French and, specifically, Scandinavians, the town centre and beachfront form a patchwork of international shops, bars and restaurants.

With so much on offer, you really could dine somewhere different every day for years!

Fuengirola is also ideally located between Málaga airport and Marbella. Residents love its proximity (less than 20 minutes by car and also accessible by train) to the airport for frequent visits, while Marbella is less than half an hour’s drive in the other direction.

What's more, its advanced infrastructure means that residents need not leave the municipality at all. Fuengirola has its own shopping centre complex, cinema, department stores, several supermarkets, sports and leisure centres, water park and zoo.

…and with a 288% rise in building licences for new residential projects, there will soon be even more places to live there, too!

For more information, why not check out our Fuengirola Area Guide?

Something for everyone: Mijas Costa

Occupying a long, 12-kilometre stretch of beach from just east of Cabopino beach – Marbella municipality’s last sandy outpost – until immediately before Fuengirola, Mijas Costa comprises various different residential complexes (urbanizaciones) offering all types of property from great value apartments to luxury villas set on large plots.

The area has a dense residential population, both Spanish and from elsewhere in the world, so the significant supply and turnover of property are part of the reason why it is undoubtedly one of the most popular coastal areas on the Costa del Sol.

Mijas Costa also has another string to its bow: golf. Located not far inland from the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean, the area boasts several top-notch golf clubs as well as shorter, 9-hole courses for beginners and improvers.

Besides being a haven for golfers and beach-tanners, Mijas Costa has a generous smattering of bars and restaurants ranging from snack bars to chic gastro bars and exclusive beach clubs.

There is plenty to keep people of all ages entertained in lively hubs like La Cala de Mijas, for example, which has Irish bars, wine bars, cocktail bars, late-night watering holes and nightclubs, as well as plenty of places to take part in pub quizzes.

For more information, why not check out our Mijas Costa Area Guide?

Class is permanent: Marbella

No list of the most popular coastal areas on the Costa del Sol would be complete without Marbella, the city which arguably most emblemises the entire Coast.

The typical snap of La Concha mountain rising up from behind Puerto Banús marina or the city’s metropolitan beach area doubtless appears in thousands of photo albums going back several generations.

It is from here – the beachside path that runs through the city and on to Puerto Banús and Marbella West – that you can fully appreciate the variety of properties in the numerous residential areas in the municipality.

And, of course, there is much more to the municipality of Marbella than just its beautiful beachfront vistas. There are plenty of golf courses, some of the finest dining experiences on the Costa del Sol, spas, beach bars and beach clubs, all the best clothes brands for shopaholics, all amenities you could ever need, plus a level of prestige other areas aspire to. 

For more information, why not check out our Marbella Area Guide?

Are you lucky enough to live in one of these coastal areas? If so, let me know what you think the biggest benefits of living there are in the comments below. And keep your eyes peeled for a post about the most popular inland Costa del Sol areas… Coming soon!