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Spain's most famous coastline, with the best climate in Europe,
conjures up images of sunshine and beaches, golf, relaxation and
holidays. Except that now many British people have realised that
there's no need to limit their enjoyment to a fortnight a year
and instead have made a permanent home there by buying a property
on the Costa del Sol. Now growing numbers of visitors to the Costa
del Sol aren't coming for the traditional package holiday to resorts
such as Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella; they're coming
to stay in their own Costa del Sol Marbella property.
PROPERTY PRICES
ON THE COSTA DEL SOL
Property prices have risen sharply in the Costa del Sol over the past few years and the average house price is now €270,000 (approx. £200,000). Frenetic increases came about as a result of the speculator bubble, which saw its peak in April 2003. With so many investors buying multiple properties off-plan at once, then selling before the building had even reached completion, a sense of ‘buy now or miss out’ swamped the market.
In the past year, the frenzy has come to an end and Costa del Sol house prices are leveling out. Now the investors have gone and prices are more realistic, as are expectations for how much they will rise in the next 12 months (estimated to be about 10%).
If you head either inland or east of Malaga you will get more for your money than on the most established strip of the Costa del Sol, from Malaga heading west to Sotogrande. This will also open up the range of potential properties on offer, including fincas and rural townhouses.
Climate on the Costa del Sol
The weather is the reason most people come to the Costa del Sol. It's certainly the overriding reason for moving here as the climate is as near perfect as you can get in Europe. Winters are warm, blue-skied and sunny, similar to those in Australia or California. Summers are extremely hot - but there's always the sea at hand when it's get too much.
The coast sees an average of 330 days of sunshine a year with an average temperature of 22°C and with an average sea temperature of 18°C, rising to 24°C in August. It rarely rains, even in winter, although it can get cold enough to need some form of heating in your house, even if it's just a portable heater to take off the chill.
Geography of the Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol runs from Malaga west to Sotogrande, passing on the way the resorts of Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas Costa, Marbella, Puerto Banus and San Pedro de Alcantará. Running parallel to the sea is the N340 which links all towns along the coast.
The flat coastal terrain soon becomes green and mountainous a short way inland, leading to hilltop towns such as Mijas and, further west, you cross the mountains to get to the likes of Ojén, Monda and Coín.
Marbella is evocative of California, with its straight wide boulevard cutting through the middle, lined with palm trees, designer shops and furniture outlets. The most exclusive developments are hidden in tree-lined avenues or behind walls leading to the beach.
You are only ever a short distance from the sea or the mountains here which means that while the Costa del Sol may evoke images of bright lights, lots of tourists, holiday resorts and noise, there is also more than a fair share of stunningly beautiful landscape. If you are a person who would usually enjoy spending your summer in Lake District Cottages, there is no reason to think that the Costa del Sol is not for you as the smaller towns in the hills behind Malaga also offer peace and tranquility in a perfect climate.
Once you travel beyond the traditionally tourist towns of the Costa del Sol you can find some truly idyllic spots that are not too far from the coastline, yet far enough from the hustle and bustle of the busy areas. As well as the life and energy of the Costa del Sol, many tourists also come to enjoy the quieter Spanish towns and luscious green countryside slightly inland. With so many golf courses, there is also a lot of well maintained greenery which offer perfect views if you are lucky enough to live near one. Given the perfect settings, many visitors choose to get married along this stretch of Spanish coastline and a wedding planner Spain can help you organise you perfect day if this is something you are thinking of.
Getting to the Costa del Sol
Malaga is the main airport serving the Costa del Sol. Airlines flying from the UK to Malaga are: EasyJet, MyTravelLit, BMI, ThomsonFly, Aer Lingus, Ryanair, FlyBe, Air Scotland, Excel, Iberia, BA, Monarch and Jet2.
Gibraltar airport, 130km west of Malaga, is useful to reach destinations on the Western Costa del Sol, including Sotogrande and Estepona. Airlines flying to Gibraltar are: BA and Monarch.
If you are visiting the Costa del Sol it makes sense to hire a car, for the best deals on car hire Spain then visit www.simplycarhirespain.com. |