The best areas in Spain to buy a house on the coast

A practical guide to the best regions and investment opportunities in Spain for buying a house on the coast.

Buying a home on the Spanish coast is the dream of many Europeans. Spain has a great diversity of coastal areas, from beaches with crystal clear waters and warm weather all year round, to seaside towns full of history and charm. Each area offers a different lifestyle, with variations in climate, infrastructure, available services and, of course, different investment opportunities.

Knowing the particularities of each region is not always easy, especially for those who do not live in the country. What kind of properties can I find in each area? Which areas are more touristy and which are quieter? Is it an active area all year round or only in high season? In this article, we help you to answer these questions and to discover the best areas of the Spanish coast to buy a property.

The best coastal areas in Spain

Below, we analyse the most outstanding regions in Spain for buying a house by the sea so that you can identify the area that best suits your needs and buying objectives.

Buying a home on the Costa Blanca

The Alicante coastline offers a wide variety of residential options, from modern beachfront flats to private villas and townhouses in the most exclusive areas. The Costa Blanca is home to towns such as Moraira and Jávea, which are known for their peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, and others such as Benidorm, which is more touristy and attracts those looking for a livelier lifestyle.

Prices tend to rise the closer you are to the beach or in prestigious areas, although the choice is diverse and adaptable to different budgets.

The Costa Blanca has a strategic location between the airports of Alicante and Valencia, which guarantees a convenient connection to both Spain and the rest of Europe. In addition, it has a complete infrastructure that includes international schools, hospitals and all the services necessary for day-to-day life. Its Mediterranean climate, warm and stable throughout the year, allows for outdoor activities such as golf, water sports, local markets and a varied cultural offer. Also, the presence of well-integrated foreign communities facilitates the adaptation of new residents.

From a real estate point of view, it is an area with a high demand for holiday rentals, especially in towns such as Moraira, Altea and Jávea, where the tourist attraction is combined with a quality residential environment. This makes the region an interesting option for those looking to invest.

• You may be interested in: The Valencian community is the most profitable community in Spain

In many of these areas, English and German are common languages, making integration easy for international buyers.

Buying a property on the Costa del Sol

Living on the Costa del Sol is synonymous with good weather, sea and style. Areas such as Marbella, Puerto Banús or Málaga offer modern and exclusive homes, well connected and with all the necessary services. The sun shines almost all year round, which allows you to enjoy sports such as golf, paddle surfing or diving, as well as culture, beaches and excellent food. Buying a property on the Costa del Sol can be a good investment as holiday rentals work very well and prices tend to rise, although there are some restrictions depending on the area.

The Costa del Sol is one of the most expensive areas in Spain to buy a property, with prices well above the national average and high tourist saturation in high season. The Costa Blanca, on the other hand, offers better value for money and a quieter atmosphere even in summer.

Buying a house on the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava has that Mediterranean charm that mixes quiet villages like Cadaqués or Calella with livelier ones like Lloret or Tossa. The houses tend to have a rustic style or sea views, and its offer combines cultural life, gastronomy and nature.

However, despite its great beauty, the climate on the Costa Brava can be colder and windier, especially outside the summer, which means that many areas lose activity during the winter months. In this respect, the Costa Blanca offers a clear advantage: its mild and sunny year-round climate allows you to enjoy outdoor activities and an active lifestyle in any season.

Buying a house on the Balearic coast

Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera offer an exclusive lifestyle, with seafront homes, luxury villas and refurbished homes with lots of charm. Prices are high in the most sought after areas, but the quality of life and services available are well worth the investment. The climate is mild all year round and the tourist and cultural offer is extensive, especially in the summer months.

However,the property market in the Balearics has become increasingly restrictive, with very high prices and urban planning limitations which, together with the insularity of the islands, make both the purchase and maintenance of properties more expensive. In comparison, the Costa Blanca offers an easier connection to the mainland, a more balanced cost of living and a more accessible property market without sacrificing the Mediterranean climate and quality of life.

Buying a property on the Canary Coast

The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura) offer a wide variety of properties, from flats and bungalows to villas with swimming pool, generally at more affordable prices than in the Balearics. Their warm and stable climate all year round is one of their main attractions, ideal for those looking for sun in any season.

In addition, investment in holiday rentals tends to be profitable thanks to the constant arrival of European tourists. However, the distance from the mainland makes it difficult to travel frequently and increases logistical and maintenance costs. In contrast, the Costa Blanca is more centrally located and better connected to Europe, with direct and quick flights from Alicante or Valencia airports, making it easier both to visit and to manage the property.

Buying a house on the Cantabrian coast

If you prefer green landscapes and a cooler climate, the Cantabrian coast (Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country) may be your ideal destination. The area combines villas with sea views and modern flats in cities such as Santander or San Sebastian, with good quality of life and complete services. Although summers are pleasant and there is activity all year round (hiking, surfing, culture and gastronomy), the climate is rainier and cooler than in the Mediterranean, which limits the enjoyment of the sea and outdoor activities for much of the year.

In comparison, the Costa Blanca offers more than 300 days of sunshine a year, allowing you to live and enjoy the beach and the outdoors in any season, making it a particularly attractive option for those seeking climatic stability and quality of life by the sea.

So, where to buy a house on the coast?

Spain offers many options for those looking for a home by the sea, but choosing the right location can be tricky, especially for those who live outside the country and are unfamiliar with the particularities of each area and the buying process in Spain. The Costa Blanca stands out for its mild climate all year round, its excellent connection with Europe and a range of properties adapted to different budgets, combining tranquillity, services and investment opportunities.

At Hispania Homes by Keller Williams, real estate agency on the Costa Blanca North, we have been helping foreign buyers find their ideal property for years. We offer comprehensive advice, both in person and remotely, covering the entire purchase process: from the search for the property to the management of documentation, taxes and associated costs, ensuring that the purchase is simple, safe and adapted to each client.