Where to buy your dream vacation home in Spain

Secondary homes in Spain, available to buy at affordable prices, are attracting more British buyers. Despite Brexit, Brits continue to love Spain. Their love of sunny coastlines continues to attract us, whether it's for a relaxing vacation or fun nights out. Brits bought almost 10,000 properties in 2022 and they remain the largest national group in Spain in the first quarter of 2023.

Which places are we looking to buy? Beaches and popular resorts dominate Rightmove's list of the 15 most popular places to buy in Spain this month, and with high inflation and rising interest rates in the UK, there are affordable places to buy. Let's take a closer look at the most desirable places to buy a second home.

Marbella

Marbella's old town offers a more relaxed pace of life compared to the luxurious port. Glitz and glamor nearby. The glitzy hub of the Costa del Sol has around 45,000 foreign residents, with Brits predominating among recent arrivals, according to the local council. From the shady squares of the charming old town to the stores of Puerto Banus, beaches or golf courses, Marbella remains a dream for many people. Expect to pay around €400,000 (£342,000) for a good one-bedroom apartment, says Sean Cannon of Panorama Properties.

Estepona

Homes in Estepona are selling at around 40% off compared to nearby Marbella. 30 minutes west of Marbella on the Costa del Sol, Estepona is becoming an increasingly popular affordable option. Its revitalized beach promenade is literally overflowing with new bars and restaurants, while its cultural heritage offers art galleries, museums and theaters. "Estepona is attracting the UK market as Gibraltar Airport is an alternative to Malaga Airport, which are an hour away," says Mark Pritchard of Taylor Wimpey España. "According to average prices on Idealista.com, it is cheaper than Marbella by about 40%." British buyers make up the largest group at Sunny Golf (prices from €250,000) and Green Golf (from €348,000), the company's developments.

Barcelona

Barcelona continues to attract more digital-nomads looking to work on the Catalan coast. The picturesque Catalan capital continues to grow, attracting more high-income earners, according to real estateagency Knight Frank, as well as "digital-nomads" attracted by neighborhoods such as El Poblenou, a former industrial zone turned creative destination. The Superilla initiative turns public spaces into car-free zones. The most popular neighborhoods for British buyers are usually Eixample, Sarria Sant Gervasi, Poblenou and Sant Antoni, according to agency Lucas Fox. The agency is selling a one-bedroom loft apartment in the Poblenou neighborhood for €795,000.

Torrevieja

Torrevieja, with a vibrant year-round atmosphere, is popular with those looking to move abroad. Just outside the city of Alicante, Torrevieja is famous for its pink salt lakes, home to flamingos, and its many restaurants and stores within walking distance of the city center or La Mata beach.

Moraira

Moraira offers good real estate investment opportunities as the lack of nearby hotels helps to keep rents high. Long popular on the northern Costa Blanca, Moraira remains sought after by property buyers and prices are steady. Like neighboring Javea (see below), it is a location without high-rise buildings, in demand year-round, with Blue Flag award-winning beaches surrounded by vineyards. According to Dawn Williamson of Select Villas Moraira, the average selling price is €335,000 this year. "But for a small villa with a private pool, buyers will need at least €475,000."

Havea

The old town of Javea is full of picturesque streets that serve as a meeting place for cosmopolitan culture. Located between two capes in the north of the Costa Blanca, this green peninsula with olive groves, secluded coves, and crystal-clear waters is a cosmopolitan town popular among holiday homeowners and foreign residents. Tony Holmes moved from Ashford in Kent two years ago with his wife and two children. He is expanding his four-bedroom villa while his wife teaches at a local school. "The quality of life here is wonderful. The kids interact with children from all over the world, and we lead a very active outdoor sports life," says Holmes. "You can buy a villa with a pool for €450,000, but most cost around €800,000," says Tony Little from the agency Home España.

Puerto Pollensa, Mallorca

Potential buyers can find apartments starting from £200,000 in Puerto Pollensa on the northern coast of Mallorca. This is a favorite spot of Agatha Christie, who wrote a mystery novel set in this area called "Problem in Puerto Pollensa." It offers everything that might interest people: mountains and a long sandy beach, attracting cyclists, sailors, and water sports enthusiasts. There is also a family atmosphere, says Gary Hobson from Engel & Völkers Mallorca North: "There is all kinds of real estate here, from luxury villas to fishing houses or apartments, just five minutes from the yacht club." The agency sells apartments starting at €210,000 or traditional townhouses for around €400,000.

Benalmádena

Benalmádena has always been a slightly more prestigious place, thanks to its awards and the ancient whitewashed old town, which is located between the resorts of Fuengirola and Torremolinos in the oldest part of the Costa del Sol. There is also a more touristy beach area or the Arroyo de la Miel district, from where you can easily reach Malaga airport by train. "Buyers love apartments that are just a few minutes' walk from the beach, and the fact that you can get to the airport in just 20 minutes, as short trips have become so popular," says Mark Rollins, owner of Your Dream Home agency. "Expect to pay between €180,000 and €220,000 for a two-bedroom apartment or from €550,000 for a villa."