Häuser und Chalets in Axarquía Costa del Sol, Málaga (2023)

FAQs

What is the nicest area of the Costa del Sol? ›

The Golden Mile in Marbella and Puerto Banus are the most glamorous destinations on the Costa del Sol. They have always been the meeting points for the Marbella jetset and for all travelers looking for a luxury holiday on the Costa del Sol.

The #1 Costa del Sol Travel Guide

The area is renowned for its blue flag beaches and a near-perfect year-round climate with over 300 days of sunshine a year. Spain´s sun-coast is also famed for its relaxed atmosphere, first-class beaches, excellent food, and vibrant nightlife.

Costa del Sol sales in 2022

According to the Property Registrars' Association, there were 10,919 transactions on the Costa del Sol in Q3 this year. This figure brings the year-on-year total to 41,898, an increase of 39.6%.

Andalusian Traditions. Make no mistake about it, Spain's Costa del Sol is touristy. Yet, you will find that the local population still preserves its own traditions and customs.

Costa Del Sol has a mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. If you're a sunseeker the best time to visit Costa Del Sol is between July and August. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 28 C and an average low of 22 C.

In general, Marbella is an excellent choice for those looking for a relaxing beach holiday in a compact city with a small-town atmosphere. On the other hand, Málaga is a good choice for those looking for a big city with lots of things to do along with a great beach to enjoy.

Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the 8th century BCE. It is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. Malaga is home to the Alcazaba, a Moorish castle and palace that dates back to the 11th century.

Fish and seafood are the most popular dishes at the chiringuitos (beach bars) of the Costa del Sol, but sardine skewers are the star dish. Benalmádena, Fuengirola and Estepona are peppered with fishing boats on the sand where the sardines are skewered and roasted.

British expats are said to be leaving Spain "in droves", with numerous retirees abandoning the popular area of Costa del Sol as a result of Brexit. Travel experts have noticed a decrease in the number of Brits in the country due to more stringent immigration rules brought in after the UK left the European Union.

The latest property report from the OMAU in Malaga, the capital of the Costa del Sol, reveals that on this stretch of coastline, property prices are way ahead of those nationally. In Q1 this year, real estate values on the Costa del Sol rose by 4.16%, more than quadruple the national rate.

What is the cheapest area in Costa del Sol to buy? ›

East Marbella is by far the most affordable area to buy and live in. Property here is great value, and you will also find a host of 'hidden gem' restaurants and bars where the prices are far more competitive than in the flashy marinas nearby.

Property investment in Spain: a very strong return of +11.2%

According to statistics released by the Central Bank of Spain in November 2022, the return expected on the residential Real Estate market in Spain is 11% and 8.4% if you take a mortgage – Green line on the chart. Not a bad property investment in Spain!

Costa del Sol Weather averages and climate information

January is the coldest time of the year, with the average daily temperatures at around 17 °C.

Tap water in Marbella is safe to drink but it has a high sodium content in some areas making it bitter. We recommend buying bottled water, especially for babies and children.

Sean Connery, Joan Collins, Gunilla von Bismarck, Alan Sugar, Simon Cowell, Dolph Lundgren, Antonio Banderas, Julio Iglesias, Fabio Capello and Novak Djokovic are just some of the many famous names that own or have owned properties here, while the likes of George Clooney, Eva Longoria, Hugh Grant, Rod Stewart, Vladimir ...

The Costa del Sol and the Cabo de Gata in Andalusia, the Canary Islands, and the Costa Blanca are all destinations where you'll find a climate of eternal springtime practically all year round. You'll find it perfectly possible to take a dip at the beach and then relax in the sun.

Today's Costa del Sol sea temperature is 86 °F.

Warmest places in mainland Spain in Winter – Marbella

Marbella is a town on the Southern coast of Spain known as the Costa del Sol. Marbella is southwest of Malaga and takes about 45 minutes to drive to from Malaga airport.

Marbella is considered to be the most popular holiday destination in Spain. Marbella is not only about lively nightclubs and bars but has pristine beaches to explore, some world-class museums with art galleries to visit, and incredible architecture to witness.

Sandy beaches and the weather are one of the main reasons why Malaga is so popular. There is a very wide variety of beaches available! There are urban beaches near the city that allow you to combine city life with water sports and fun.

Do they speak English in Marbella? ›

Costa del Sol has a particularly large expat community. So if you're interested in property for sale in Marbella, or the surrounding areas, speaking Spanish isn't that big of a deal. English is very widely spoken.

The Arab Fortress, the Roman Theatre, the Gibralfaro Castle and the Cathedral of Malaga are monuments you should not miss. A nice way to start your day visit in Malaga is to walk up to the Gibralfaro Castle, which dates to the Phoenician period and whose outer walls are linked to the Arab fortress.

Málaga is a very walkable city. Its main attractions are spread over a concentrated area and the best way of getting around is on foot.

Tarta Malagueña is a traditional Spanish cake originating from Malaga. The cake is always made from local ingredients and it's typically soaked in moscatel, spiced with cinnamon, filled with raisins, and topped with apricot jam and slivered almonds on top.

As with most of the rest of Spain, Spanish is the main language.

Warm weather, a relaxed lifestyle, excellent cuisine, and a welcoming culture. These are just a few of the things that Spain offers to expats. Around 6 million foreigners choose to call Spain home, thanks to its high standard of living, excellent healthcare, and a competitive education system.

Teanitos is where the most expats live.

You can expect to come across students and young families alike. For families with young children, international schooling might be of importance. Málaga has a lot of international schools that are regulated by the local authorities.

Expats in Spain are selling up as a result of Brexit and new immigration rules. There has been a huge drop in the number of Brits living in Spain due to more stringent immigration rules, which have been brought in as a result of Brexit.

Despite the sharp rise in interest rates and economic uncertainty, Spanish house prices rose by an average of 7.4% in 2022, Eurostat figures show. However, this trend is expected to end in 2023. The favourable tailwind of falling interest rates has reversed over the past year.

Will house prices go down in 2023 in Spain? ›

The Spanish real estate outlook 2023

Last year, we predicted a strong market with price increases between 3 and 6 per cent. We were spot on! The Spanish real estate market should be more stable in 2023 and we could even see some price decreases.

Many property market experts predict a 12% reduction in buying and selling in 2023, partly due to the rise in the Euribor, or Eurozone interest rate, making borrowing more expensive.

Historically the Costa del Sol's – and Spain's – most upmarket and fashionable place to own property, the Golden Triangle encompasses the most desirable parts of Marbella, Benhavís and Estepona, including San Pedro de Alcántara and the famous hot spots of the Golden Mile and Puerto Banús, with its glitzy marina.

The cheapest province in Spain to live in is known to be the Andalucia province, located in the southern region. Here, you can find cheap cities such as Almeria, Malaga and Granada with an average cost of living that is significantly lower than most other places in Spain.

In all, both the Algarve and Costa del Sol are two wonderful places to visit and there is really no wrong option. It will come down to personal preferences and holiday budgets. In my opinion, the Algarve is generally a more relaxing and calmer destination, if you are looking for a quiet holiday on the coast.

How Long Can I Stay in Spain if I Own a Property? Even if you own a property in Spain, you're still entitled to stay for only 90 days in a 180-day period without applying for a residence permit or a visa. You can still buy or rent your property as you wish, but you must be careful not to overstay the 90/180-day rule.

Yes, you can get residency in Spain after buying a house, and that is thanks to the golden visa scheme. Since 2013, non-EU citizens who purchase a property in the Spanish territory can get a 2-year residence permit (that can be renewed) as long as the property investment is at least € 500.000.

May-August

Summertime is Marbella's sweltering high season, when both temps and the number of travelers skyrocket.

Average daily temperatures

It can be quite cool at this time of year, so visitors are recommended to take warmer clothes especially for venturing out after dark. The average daily maximum is 17 C and the average daily minimum is 13 C.

Can you swim in Costa del Sol in January? ›

Swimming in january in Andalusia, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Marbella, Almeria, Gibraltar, Nerja, Torremolinos and Almuñécar is possible... with a wetsuit! Indeed, the water is cold at this time of year with an average temperature of 61°F (min: 59°F/max: 63°F).

Visitors to the country will be pleased to know that the drinking water is potable in many areas, although many travellers do choose to buy bottled water instead because they are unaccustomed to the taste or constitution of Spanish water.

A question often asked by foreign visitors when they come to Spain is “Is it okay to drink the tap water here?” The simple answer is yes, you can! Spanish tap water is considered to be 99.5% safe to drink, although the taste may vary somewhat according to the region.

Costa Express for Business

Nothing – We provide all concessions and Ingredients (with the exception of fresh, semi-skimmed milk) free of charge. The only cost to site will be the provision of a water, waste and electrical supply.

It is no surprise that Marbella has been identified as the most costly place for property buyers in Andalucia, and 9th overall in Spain. A square metre in this municipality comes out at €4,138. This is an increase of over 14% if compared to a year ago, as it was around €3,558 in April 2022.

Cost of living on the Costa del Sol

In Málaga, for example, the estimated monthly costs for a single person are 608.34 without rent, and 2,162.27 euros for a family for 4. This is according to Numbeo's cost of living estimator, which also states that living in Málaga is 13.38% less expensive than in Barcelona.

Sierra Blanca is the most exclusive and sought-after area in Costa del Sol. Located in the heart of the prestigious Golden Mile, Marbella and known for its modern villas and high-level security, Sierra Blanca is the Mediterranean dream.

Both Mijas Pueblo and Nerja are scenic, Mijas Pueblo is the less spoilt although both have significant expat communities and both were originally small places that have now been rather overrun with tourism.

Málaga City is a great city break, Torremolinos is effectively a suburb of Málaga (20 mins by local train, with the airport in between). I'd look at the hotel/apartment prices and quality to start with, there can be surprising differences depending on your dates. All is easy with either choice.

if you need a lot of activities to fill your free time. if you're looking for a place with great nightlife (Malaga is a better option) if you want to see museums and experience more of the authentic local culture (aim for places like Granada or Seville)

Why is Nerja so popular? ›

Nerja is mainly known for its natural beauty, and walking along the Rio Chillar is one of the best opportunities to soak up the gorgeous nature of Spain's southern coast. Admire the magnificent rock walls, wade through the crystal clear water and dip in one of the pools as a reward for your hike.

Mijas Costa is the part of the municipality of Mijas which covers the 12 kilometre stretch of coastline joining (from East to West) El Chaparral, La Cala de Mijas, El Combo and Calahonda and takes in the two major urbanizations, Riviera del Sol and Sitio de Calahonda.

Whatever your choice of in any of the Nerja hotels, there is something for every visitor. Nerja is worth visiting and is one of the loveliest towns in Andalusia. It offers visitors plenty of things to see and do when planning your next visit to the Costa del Sol.

If you love the heat and sun, the best time to visit Malaga is between June and September. The hottest time of the year is July and August, which has an average temperature of 31°C and 11 hours of warm sunshine per day.

So, if you want to visit Málaga as a quick city break, then two to three days in the city could be the ideal amount of time. Two days will allow you to see all the main tourist sites and hit a couple of museums and a third day is ideal for a day trip or beach day.

Malaga is best known for its extraordinary art culture and as the home city to the famous artist Pablo Picasso. Many of Spain's best museums are located right in this coastal city of the south. Malaga's art museums include the Picasso Museum, Museo Carmen Thyssen, CAC Malaga, the Malaga Museum, and Centre Pompidou.

Calle Marques de Larios, mostly known as Calle Larios, is the most famous street in the historic center of Malaga.

Where is the best area in Malaga? The best area for the average traveler in Malaga is La Malagueta. It's close to the city's top attractions and restaurants, but not right in the middle of it all. If you're trying to decide where to stay in Malaga to experience the local nightlife, La Merced is the best choice.

East Marbella is by far the most affordable area to buy and live in. Property here is great value, and you will also find a host of 'hidden gem' restaurants and bars where the prices are far more competitive than in the flashy marinas nearby.

Which Costa in Spain is best? ›

To summarise, the Costa Blanca is the most popular part of Spain for both tourists and those looking to relocate alike. The climate is considered one of the best in the world, in particular, the microclimate of Javea.