Property on the Costa Blanca
On the Spanish mainland, the Costa Blanca is the most popular place for British property hunters seeking an affordable home in sun. Three of our top five most popular Spanish locations in terms of searches and enquiries are in the Costa Blanca: Torrevieja, Villamartin and Ciudad Quesada.
Haven’t heard of Ciudad Quesada? It’s one of those locations, along with the Oriheula Costa, that’s really become a hot spot for British buyers over the past five years or more.
Why do we still love it so?
The weather is simply superb. You can expect sun on at least 320 days each year, mild winters, and the edge taken off summer temperatures by the sea breeze. In practical terms, it’s never too hot or too cold for a round of golf or a stroll along the beach. If you want to pop down for a long weekend, Alicante airport has flights all year even from regional airports in the UK – many home owners on the Costa Blanca talk about booking their flights months in advance to get prices of well under £100 return.
A wide range of property options
In recent years there’s been a surge of boxy, contemporary style new villas on new urbanisations ideal for modern living, but there’s something for all different sorts of house-hunters. There are plenty of traditional Spanish townhouses at affordable prices on communities or golf developments, and luxury villas too.
Costa Blanca North & Costa Blanca South
The Costa Blanca North, above Alicante, is more mountainous, with pine forests leading down to attractive bays and beaches set around old fishing villages. In the past few years, inland areas of the Jalon and Orba Valleys have become more popular.
South of Alicante the Costa Blanca is flatter and hotter, but also more affordable and this is where numerous cranes have been dotting the skyline for the past five years or so. The beaches are as perfect as you would imagine, but there are also numerous affordable golf courses, marinas, waterparks and family entertainments, shopping malls.
Where to Buy
Stretching up from the tip of the Mar Menor via Alicante city to Gandia in the north, the Costa Blanca is a large and diverse stretch of coastline. Along side the Costa del Sol it’s the most popular region for British buyers, who have been visiting, investing and relocating there in large volumes.
Part of its broad appeal is the suits a wide range of buyer, from those seeking sophisticated former fishing towns to resorts catering for mass tourism, or affordable inland homes. Alongside its Blue Flag beaches and excellent transport links - with Alicante, Murcia and Valencia airports all serving the region - is that it's fast been evolving to offer the sort of infrastructure and amenities that the Costa del Sol has done for some years. So where are the hotspots?
North Costa Blanca
Moraira
Moraira, variously known as the “St Tropez of Spain” or the “gem of the Costa Blanca crown” is a small upmarket coastal town backed by mountains and vineyards. The most desirable areas are El Portet, Pla del Mar, Pinar de L’Avocat and La Cometa. You won’t find much to buy for €100,000, a small apartment maybe, with two bedrooms from €150,000 and two bedroom villas from around €200,000. Villas go up to over €1m or even €3m.
Javea
Once a sleepy fishing village, Javea has grown into a thriving town, with a happy mix of old and new. Known as Xabia in Valencian, the town has its own marina and a beautiful white sandy beach at Arenal Bay. This and the pebbly beach, La Grava, are Blue Flag rated and are flanked with restaurants and bars.
Denia
Whilst Dénia itself is a city with a population of over 41,000 (although this increases to over 200,000 in the summer with tourism), properties can be obtained in vastly different areas. In terms of property for sale in Denia, apartments or small townhouses set you back anywhere from €100,000 to €300,000 for comfortable properties located conveniently only a stone’s throw from the sea. There’s a lot of choice of two-bedroom apartments if you have €150,000 to spend.
Orba and Jalon Valley
Located in the northern part of Spain’s famous Costa Blanca, the Jalon and Orba Valleys are home to 14 quaint towns and villages, set against a backdrop of lush and beautiful scenery are these two valleys.
South Costa Blanca
Torrevieja
Originally a salt-mining centre, Torrevieja is now a bustling city, and is one of the fastest growing places in Spain. It’s the single most searched-for location onaplaceinthesun.com every year
It apparently does boast the highest proportion of British expats in Spain, and that’s because it’s got a lot to offer: two salt-water lagoons, five golf courses nearby, Blue Flag beaches, a thriving market, family friendly facilities and plenty of nightlife. Around Torrevieja the locations of Benijofar, Los Montesinos, Ciudad Quesada, Los Altos and Guardamar del Segura attract interest. Orihuela Costa - south of Torrevieja, down to around Campoamor – is also very popular.
Villamartin
Inland, Villamartin is very popular: its Club de Golf Villamartin is a prestigious course; good restaurants are plentiful at Villamartin Plaza and there’s a vibrant international community of owners and expats.
Three coastal hotspots are Playa Flamenca, La Zenia and Cabo Roig. Prime shopping aside, La Zenia itself has two Blue Flag beaches, with many two- and even three-bed apartments around €130k. Pricing is similar at next-door Playa Flamenca, a small, busy resort combining historic buildings with plenty of new-build.
Cabo Roig
At the bottom of the Costa is Cabo Roig, a peninsula of palm-lined avenues, the Blue Flag beaches, three golf courses and lovely views towards La Manga and the Mar Menor. There are plenty of two-bed apartments available for €115k.
Buyers Need to Know
Purchase taxes in Valencia is 10 per cent
