Why Costa del Sol?
It's fair to say that buying an overseas property has never been easier or as tempting, due to the current market conditions. With quality of life being high on everyone’s agenda more and more people are choosing a second property abroad as an alternative to “trading up” in the UK and an increasing number of families are looking to move permanently to Southern Spain. Listed below are some of the reasons why the Costa del Sol should be your No1 choice when buying a dream home or investment property.
• Best climate in Europe, 320 sunshine days a year, averaging 70 F
• Stunning scenery, beautiful beaches and award winning Marinas
• Fastest growing economy in Europe after Ireland
• Unrivalled number of quality golf courses
• Lots of modern quality properties with Andalucian charm
• The California of Europe, playground to the rich and famous
• Good shops, top restaurants and fabulous nightlife for all tastes
• Skiing in the mountains and sun drenched beaches only 2 hours apart
• Modern living in breathtaking surroundings with a laid back culture
• No work restrictions, good local and International schools
• You can speak your own language, largest British Ex-Pat community
• Good health care and relaxed lifestyle
• All year round buzz due to residential as well as holiday homes
• Area attracts mixture of ages and nationalities
• With low cost flights and internet access, you could still run a UK business
• Strong property market with buyers from all over Europe
• Great investment potential
The Costa del Sol stretches along just over 150 kilometres of Malaga province and is one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations. The area's mild climate is the root attraction that makes it possible to enjoy the beaches and a wide variety of outdoor activities all year round.
EASTERN COSTA DEL SOL
This is the 54 kilometre stretch of coast to the east of Malaga city (the capital of Malaga province). Though highly developed from a property point of view, it is not anything like the property development on the western Costa del Sol.
Nerja is the most important urban centre on this end of the coast and has grown rapidly. Much of the eastern Costa del Sol's accommodation for tourists is found in Nerja, which is surrounded by tourist pueblos. This town also has one of this area's main tourist attractions - the Nerja Caves, a spectacular find that is open to the public and that hosts an annual music and dance festival within its famous caverns. At the foot of Nerja town a winding footpath joins several coves and there are some good beaches to be found in this area.
Some popular locations in the Costa del Sol
Benalmadena
There is more to Benalmadena’s sprawling area than first meets the eye. The municipality is divided into three distinct parts, Benalmadena Pueblo, Benalmadena Costa and Arroyo de la Miel. This picturesque village and its coastline are eminently suitable for tourism, residential living and investment. There are many multi million Euro villas surrounding the Pueblo, a lovely promenade, large beautiful park and world beating Marina all of which are scattered with restaurants to suit all tastes. Set in between the pueblo and the coast, there are new apartments and golf developments, which remain in Andalucian style which can be purchased for substantially less than in Marbella and Puerto Banus. This leaves plenty of scope for price increases.
Benalmadena Costa
The World Class Marina is probably the most spectacular and proudest asset of Benalmadena, with mooring space for approximately 1,000 boats of all lengths, with rumours of it doubling in size. The marina boasts some particularly attractive Moorish style architecture, has man-made islands housing some very exclusive apartments and has a special alluring ambience. Here is an ideal place for families during the day, and in the evening provides a perfect place to be pampered yacht side, sipping a drink in one of the many open-air restaurants and bars. All of the above resulted in it previously being awarded the best marina in the World. The setting is close to ideal with its impressive mountain backdrop and ocean views.
In addition, there is an attractive stretch of beach spanning an impressive 9 kilometres with an inviting palm fringed promenade.
Benhavis
Benahavis is synonymous with food. It has the highest concentration of high class restaurants in the region and draws visitors by the thousands who come simply to savour the cuisine.
It also has an extremely high percentage of resident expatriates who have found its situation and ambience irresistible.
In spite of this, it has remained remarkably unspoilt, with its picturesque narrow streets.
Parking should be found at the entrance to the Village and the tour of its streets undertaken on foot. There are numerous bars serving excellent tapas and even a small pizzeria. Its restaurants are its glory, and it celebrates the fact by describing itself on the road signs that guide you there as the gastronomic corner of Andalucia. There is very little development in the Village itself but the surrounding areas host new urbanisations most of which keep the Andalucian theme.
Calahonda
Calahonda and Riviera del Sol, although just a twenty minute drive from little village of Mijas which is still steeped in the old Andalucian traditions and customs, the residential and beach life of the coast is very much 21st century. The properties available range from studio apartments to major villa developments.
Calahonda and Riviera del Sol are catchment areas forming large villages in their own right and have all the amenities such as commercial centres, supermarkets, golf course, sports centres, bars and restaurants for every day living. Many British and other foreign residents live here permanently and in summer, it is also very popular with holidaymakers in hotels and rented properties. Due to the great number of English speaking residents and visitors, it is easy to find English medical centres and most people there can speak English. The main motorway divides the sea side from the mountain side, but the outlook is the almost always blue horizon onto the sparkling Mediterranean.
Estepona
Estepona is a coastal town that has succeeded in maintaining its pueblo charm and character.
Numerous street cafes and tapas bars still serve traditional Spanish delicacies and the steep, cobbled, narrow streets seem more suited to horses than cars. You will also find unusual shops and bodegas in Estepona, where you would least expect them, all very inviting and friendly - and very cheap! Yet all the tourist facilities are here, including hotels, restaurants, leisure and cultural activities and shops.
Estepona Marina
Located at the West end of the Paseo Maritimo, this Marina is a delightful place to wander round, look at the boats, sit in one of the bars and have a meal. It offers a great alternative to the busy Puerto Banus or Benalmadena Marinas.
There are beautiful long beaches littered with shops and restaurants and complete with all the usual beach facilities.
The area has grown rapidly in the past few years with many villas, town houses and apartments sprawling out from the original town.
Fuengirola
Fuengirola is probably most famous for its five miles of Sandy beaches, flanked by hotels and residential blocks of apartments with magnificent views of the Mediterranean and its sweeping coastline. A recent landscaping drive by the local municipality has resulted in a wider promenade and plenty of palm trees. The beaches known as Boliches, Gaviotas and Torreblanca hold a European blue flag.
Fuengirola is particularly popular with Spanish nationals, many of whom own summer apartments here. There are also a considerable percentage of British and other nationalities with the result being an impressively wide variety of entertainment and restaurant choice.
Every Tuesday you will find the largest and liveliest street market on the coast. There is certainly no shortage of things to do in Fuengirola, ranging from such family fun activities as the aqua park, a trip to the zoo and a host of sea sports. A leisurely sight seeing tour on a horse-drawn carriage.
Los Boliches, still reflects the ambience of a bygone era with narrow streets, shops and traditional white washed houses which once belonged to the local fishermen.
Marbella
Marbella's motto is 'A Way of Life' and, certainly, this luxurious resort town seems to have it all and is, once again, rising to the fore as a favourite location with the rich and famous, as well as more ordinary folk who are willing to pay just a little bit extra for Southern Spain's answer to St. Tropez.
Not too long ago, Marbella sharpened its image still more thanks to a considerable investment in landscaping the area.
Marbella has a rich, yet down to earth feel with an air of individuality that can be best appreciated by exploring back streets in the old part of town. One of the prettiest places is 'Orange Square' where you expect to meet with stately buildings, small shops, art galleries, bar and bistros in a hub of activity day and night. Depending on the time of year, the colours here can be vibrant, with the trees and exotic tropical plants set against a backdrop of dazzling white buildings and a deep blue sky.
Be sure to explore the maze of surrounding narrow streets where homes and shops intermingle to create the atmosphere of a small village, rather than a cosmopolitan town. There are numerous excellent restaurants to choose from ranging from those specialising in the predictably pricey exclusive cordon bleu to the gritty individuality of a back street Spanish bar.
Along the enormous stretch of sunny beaches you can enjoy traditional fish and seafood favourites likes sardines on a spit, fried fish and the incomparable paella. There are also two large Parks in Marbella, which provide some welcome shade. Providing casinos, clubs and just about every sporting activity, few places can match Marbella for world-class tennis, sailing and golf. In addition, there are also three pleasure craft harbours.
Mijas
Mijas is a typical Andalucian white Village, perched high above Fuengirola and Mijas Costa and like so many of the Pueblos it offers spectacular views of the coast and surrounding heavily wooded mountains. There are no main thoroughfares here, instead a web of narrow cobbled streets complete with terraces and archways.
The Village is made up of many nationalities; this is reflected in the international cuisine, cosmopolitan clubs and associations and in general the influence of foreign culture and the arts.
Fortunately, however, the village has still managed to retain some of its quaint traditions, one of the most unusual being the donkey-taxis, which line the central plaza.
Mijas Costa
Just as Mijas Village is serenity, tradition and culture, so Mijas Costa equals that magic combination of sun, sand and sea sports. The beaches at La Cala have been awarded the "Blue Flag" as among the best in the province.
Puerto Banus
Puerto Banus is located just West of Marbella. It is a Marina town and is exceedingly popular with the rich and famous.
This is the place to he pampered yacht side and watch those fabulous luxury yachts while sipping a drink at one of the many open air restaurants and bars. The setting is close to ideal, with its impressive mountain backdrop and ocean views.
The Port features a casino, commercial shopping centre, Corte Ingles department store, marine observatory and just about anything else you need to enjoy this stunning marina town.
Puerto Banus buzzes at night with a choice of alfresco bars, piano clubs and discos, while during the day it is a window shopper's dream with world renowned fashion houses, in addition to, small and interesting shops and boutiques.
There are beaches either side of the Marina that hold the European Blue Flag and have a host of bars and restaurants.
Every Saturday morning at Puerto Banus, by the bullring, is a very popular street market where you can pick up all sorts of bargains and interesting gifts.
San Pedro
San Pedro is just West of Marbella. An ancient farming community, once famous for its sugar cane, today San Pedro is a refreshingly unspoilt pueblo with an appeal all of its own.
Be sure to head for the central plaza with its parish church and surrounding narrow streets, which are packed with intriguing small shops, sidewalk cafes and bars..
A pleasant walk is from the centre of town to the beachfront, along the Avenida del Marques del Duero, that is a particularly attractive wide avenue flanked by palm trees. This modern wide promenade is ideal for continuing your stroll where you will pass several excellent chiringuitos (beachside restaurants) specialising in fish dishes.
Nueva Alcantara
Nueva Alcantara is the beach side area by San Pedro, which is home to a great deal of new developments. This thriving area houses shops, restaurants, hotels and a large property market.
Sotogrande
Sotogrande is a luxury resort estate on the Mediterranean coast 20 minutes from Gibraltar and approximately an hour from Malaga. Sotogrande is a very quiet and peaceful place to relax. There are local supermarkets, the nearest town is Estepona to the East and La Linea to the West. A car is essential.
The area boasts luxury hotels, villas with their own swimming pools and beach apartments with communal pools. From some of the beach apartments there are breathtaking views of the Strait of Gibraltar, particularly beautiful at sunset, in winter months.
Sotogrande has three golf courses including Sotogrande and Valderrama. There are facilities for horse riding, polo, tennis, paddle tennis and sailing. Sototgrande is one of the top venues in the world for polo and the only place in Europe where the sport is played throughout the year. During the summer months there are tournaments, mostly at weekends and spectators are welcome.
Due to the success of the first phase, there is now a lot more development in the Marina and surrounding area.
El Paraiso
El Paraiso is, as the Spanish name suggests, a paradise. One of Marbella's more prestigious urbanisations, this community is made up of villas and apartments and enjoys a peaceful setting, which is preserved by strict rules governing the type of development that can take place within its borders.
A fine four-star hotel, El Paraiso, located within the urbanisation, is known for its health clinic which focuses on wellness therapies and strategies. Also on site is an 18-hole golf course with its accompanying club and various tournaments, including a celebrity Pro-Am, that are held here every year. To complete the offering five hard courts are available at the tennis club and there is a lawn bowls club as well.
All amenities are available at the community's commercial centre, which includes a bank, supermarket, restaurants, travel agency, care hire and an array of other professional services.
El Paraiso is located approximately 10 minutes (driving) from Marbella, heading west towards Estepona. The nearest airports are located in Málaga and Gibraltar, each of which can be reached in about one hour.