Three reminders of why the Costa del Sol is so special

Variety, international excellence, affordability, exclusivity and more – the Costa del Sol is a fantastic place in which to buy a property.

As recent news events have shown, Spain’s 17 autonomous regions are rightly proud of their identity, which is wrapped up in everything from cuisine and language to culture and history.

But one of the most famous corners of Spain isn’t an autonomous region whatsoever. The Costa del Sol is a relatively loosely defined slice of southern Spain’s eastern coastline. Much of the area falls under the jurisdiction of Málaga province, but speak to somebody in, say, Manilva whether they feel like they are part of Málaga and they will most likely say no.

All of the Costa del Sol, however, is within the autonomous region of Andalucía – a fact that does give the region a distinctive uniformity in terms of climate, terrain, cuisine.

But drill down to an even more regional level, and the Costa del Sol’s unique strengths become apparent.

Here are three reminders why the Costa del Sol is so special…

1. It is truly international

Blessed with the excellent Málaga airport servicing all corners of the Costa del Sol, the region is extremely easy to get to – from right across the world. This very fact makes the Costa del Sol more international than, say, anywhere else in Andalucía, even the world-famous city of Seville. Beyond Andalucía, the Costa del Sol is probably more international than anywhere else in Spain bar Madrid, Barcelona and Ibiza.

This fact means that the region is freshly supplied with the finest restaurants, bars, trends and fashions. It means Marbella remains synonymous with the international jet set; Fuengirola stays at the forefront of mass tourism, and Puerto Banús remains a port of call for celebrities, film stars, footballers and multi-millionaires. 

2. It is more varied than you might imagine

For every huge, shore-hugging hotel complex complete with restaurants, pools and family entertainment that the Costa del Sol boasts, one can also seek out charming little whitewashed villages that offer a genuine slice of traditional Spanish life.

For every expat enclave equipped with plumbers, pubs, electricians, football teams, schools and cafés aimed squarely at Brits, there are similar areas that have a more distinct Scandinavian feel, a German flavour, and even a growing Asian influence. But the bulk of the Costa del Sol remains staunchly Spanish. Even in Marbella, just a few streets back from the shoreline one will find tight, cobbled streets where the Andalusian population is generations deep. This mixture makes the Costa del Sol endlessly fascinating.

3. It has lashings of beauty

Little can prepare one for the sights and sounds that await them on a summer’s Friday night along Puerto Banús’s second line. Hen parties and stag parties at play, straight-backed and stylish Swedes sauntering, the Irish, and all manner of Americans, Brits, Germans and Spanish mingling and having fun. This is perhaps what the Costa del Sol is most well-known for; as a place to unwind and party for a few weeks of the year.

But there is so much more. The beaches, too, range from rammed to rural. The resorts are as exclusive or as cheap and cheerful as you want. The choice of property to buy covers all budgets and tastes. And the terrain goes from urbanised beachside living to semi-wilderness mountains in just a few short miles.

There really is something for everybody down on the Costa del Sol.