THE LURE OF THE COSTA DEL SOL
THE LURE OF THE COSTA DEL SOL
Spain is home to huge regional variety. In this recent interview, Marc Pritchard, Director of Sales and Marketing at Taylor Wimpey España, shares his insights into one of the country’s most popular destinations – the Costa del Sol.
Which areas of Spain are particularly attractive to Polish second home buyers?
The Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol are both very popular areas that have attracted an increasing number of Polish buyers in the past couple of years. While the Costa Blanca is the cheaper of the two areas, the Costa del Sol is the better known. It is home to cities such as Malaga and Marbella, world-class golf facilities, a superb local gastronomy and a welcoming community.
Spain’s long, sandy beaches are another reason that the area is so popular with second home buyers. Spain has more Blue Flag beaches than any other country, demonstrating the cleanliness of the beaches, seawater and facilities. The Costa del Sol is home to 56 Blue Flags in 2023, 47 of them located in the Malaga area.
Within the Costa del Sol, we have seen Polish buyers drawn to the Malaga area. We well both golf-front homes and properties by the beach there, so buyers have a choice of locations. All homes are designed to make the most of their locations, of course, with large outdoor areas, such as terraces, private gardens on the ground floor and solariums for townhouses and penthouses. On-site facilities such as lovely communal swimming pools and landscaped grounds complete the appeal.
What range of property types is available in the Costa del Sol?
There is a huge variety of homes available, making the area an ideal choice for buyers with a wide range of needs. From beachfront apartments to frontline golf townhouses, buyers can find the property that suits their budget and their preferences in terms of location, views, layout, number of bedrooms, nearby amenities and more.
Our townhouses at Green Golf in Estepona, for example, provide panoramic views over the course at Estepona Golf. Some of the homes have lovely sea views, as well, as they are just 3 km from the beach. Buyers at Solemar, meanwhile, have the beach practically on their doorstep! The homes all face southeast to make the most of the abundant natural light and plentiful sea views.
What does the Costa del Sol have to offer for eco-conscious buyers?
There are plenty of homes in the Costa del Sol that have been built with sustainability in mind. I mentioned Solemar just now. Those apartments have an A rating energy certificate. They come with double glazed windows, aerothermal technology for heating and cooling, pre-installation for electric vehicles, water-saving and electricity-saving measures in communal areas and more.
As a country, Spain is also very committed to sustainability. It is setting the standard when it comes to embracing renewable energy and is largely viewed as one of Europe’s best eco-friendly tourism destinations.
Are most of your buyers purchasing homes to use for holidays or as an investment?
It tends to be a mix of both. After all, the two are not mutually exclusive: if you purchase a property to use for family holidays, you still enjoy the potential to see it go up in value while you own it, even if making a profit wasn’t your main goal.
On the other hand, we do have buyers who purchased their property with investment firmly in mind. Others still have their eyes set on retirement, with plans either to move to the property fulltime or perhaps just spend their winters in the warmth of the Spanish sun. Second home ownership in Spain meets a range of needs.
Is the Costa del Sol an area in which to enjoy luxury, escapes, or more budget-friendly breaks?
The region is home to such versatility that it provides both. At the more luxurious end of the scale, there are places such as Puerto Banús, which is known around the world for its beautiful beach, superyacht-filled marina and upscale spas and boutiques. It’s a hotspot for the international jet set every summer. And while you obviously get concentrations of luxury amenities in locations such as this, the Costa del Sol generally is home to some outstanding high-end restaurants, prestigious golf clubs, exclusive beach clubs and much more.
That said, there are also plenty of ways to enjoy a very budget-friendly holiday here. The cost of living is much lower in Spain than it is in many other European countries. The latest figures from Numbeo, for example, show that the cost of living in Spain is 21.3% lower than it is in the UK. Long, lazy days out on the beach with a picnic and a swim in the warm sea, meanders around beautiful old cities, hiking in the serenity of the Montes de Malaga Natural Park, lunch in local cafés… it’s easy to enjoy an amazing break on a budget in the Costa del Sol.
Which areas of the Costa del Sol would you particularly recommend to holiday home buyers?
Estepona is great for easy access to both excellent golf facilities and the coast. If you’re looking for somewhere more tucked away then Istán is just beautiful – it’s tucked away in the mountains – the Sierra de las Nieves – so you get incredible views, but it’s also just a 25-minute drive from the bright lights of Puerto Banús, so buyers can enjoy the best of both worlds. There’s definitely something for everyone in the Costa del Sol.