If you adore the sun-kissed shores of the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol but dislike the crowds, we’ve picked out four beautiful alternative Costas to hunt for a home. They promise budget-friendly property options, historic towns and unspoiled beaches.
Costa del Azahar
Peñíscola’s 14th century castle.
Sandwiched between the Costa Blanca and the Costa Doroada, the Costa del Azahar has not seen the same levels of tourism or second homeowners. The Costa extends 120 kilmoetres from Vinaròs to Almenara.
Its alluring name, the Orange Blossom Coast, refers to its stunning natural surroundings. You’ll have the opportunity to mix up beach days with strolls through orange and lemon groves, natural parks and mountains.
If you are after some buzz, you’ll find it concentrated in Peñíscola. Known for its white-washed buildings, 14th century castle overlooking the Mediterranean, and charming old quarter. Due to its shallow waters, its super popular with families. Benicarló is a quaint fishing port with narrow winding streets, colourful streets and a town that dates back to the Middle Ages. But you’ll also find quieter gems along the coastline.
Property is more affordable along the Costa del Azahar than the Costa Blanca. With a budget of €60,000, you can buy a small apartment or an older townhouse. If you are on the hunt for a new-build property, there are less options.
How to get there: The Castellon airport serves the Costa del Azahar. However, as flights are infrequent, you may prefer to fly to Valencia or Alicante airport.
Browse properties for sale in Costa del Azahar.
Plus, discover homes in Valencia.
Costa de Luz
Tarifa, Europe’s kitesurfing hotspot.
If you prefer the touch of the Atlantic, discover the beauty of the Costa del Luz, which starts in Tarifa and ends at the mouth of the Guadiana River, encompassing Cádiz. It offers a traditionally Spanish atmosphere with a choice of unspoiled beaches.
Europe’s windiest town, Tarifa, is a popular spot for kitesurfing, water sports, whale and dolphin watching. Between Tarifa and Cádiz, Conil de Frontera is a carefully preserved fishing village with charming, white-washed buildings and 16 kilometres of coastline. El Puerto de Santa Maria is home to grand buildings, indicative of its interesting past, as it was where Juan de la Casa finished mapping the New World in 1500 and it went on to be an important trading post. For the greatest buzz, base your property search in the ancient port city Cádiz, which brims with flamenco bars, jazz bars, casinos and seafood feasts.
Along the Costa de Luz, properties to renovate sell for €50,000. For around €100,000, a little inland, you can buy an older townhouse in a pretty historic area. For the same amount, you could buy a small apartment close to the beach.
How to get there: Two international airports serve the Costa de Luz, Jerez and Seville. Jerez airports are seasonal. You can also fly to Faro in Portugal or Gibraltar.
Find your dream home in Cádiz today.
Costa Tropical
Almuñecar.
Along from the Costa del Sol, in the province of Granada, you’ll find the gorgeous, laidback Costa Tropical. As it is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Costa Tropical has its own microclimate, which makes it well suited to growing mangoes, custard apple and avocado trees.
The Costa Tropical has a unique dual season appeal as the Sierra Nevada mountains are dusted with snow and open for skiing during the winter. The beaches are varied: you can head to a well-facilitated one at La Herradura, Almuñécar or Poniente, Motril while the beaches of El Caletón and El Pargo are pretty natural coves. You can ski in the morning, enjoy a beach stroll, picnic and dip in the afternoon.
The historic Moorish city of Granada is famous for the Islamic Alhambra Palace with enchanting, landscaped gardens. Granada makes for an affordable destination, with great cheap for beer and tapas.
The following towns and villages make for idyllic home-hunting locations: Almuñécar, known for its restaurants, hotels, and beaches; La Herradura with a picturesque with a beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay; Salobreña: a classic whitewashed village atop a rock, featuring an imposing Moorish castle; Motril: one of the larger, more bustling spots, with a port and historic sites and Nerja, a gorgeous “pueblo blanco” by the sea, home to the famous Nerja Caves.
The Costa Tropical is a fantastic place to look for an inexpensive property. You’ll find many characterful older homes for less than €100,000. Even an apartment right by the sea can be bought for €60,000.
How to get there: Granada has a small airport, but most people will head to Málaga or Almería, as they have international, frequent flights.
Browse properties for sale in Granada.
Costa do Marisco
Hercules Tower, A Coruna, Galicia.
While it is rarely given a look in by overseas buyers, Costa do Marisco in Galicia, on Spain’s northern coastline, could suit home hunters looking to escape the heat of the south and east. Due to the brace of the Atlantic and greater rainfall, the Shellfish Coast is a beautifully green. The large Atlantic waves also make it a surfer’s paradise. As its name anticipates, the Shellfish Coast is home to a plethora of top-quality seafood restaurants.
In terms of where to buy, the Costa do Marisco is mostly made up of fishing ports and sleepy villages. While quiet and tranquil may be what you are after, it’s worth visiting the Costa do Marisco a few times before you buy, as it offers a Spain so distinct from the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol.
For around €60,000, you can buy a small house or even a sea view apartment. New-build and modern properties are quite hard to find.
How to get there: Vigo international airport will get you to London and the rest of Europe. You may also like to travel by train or car through France.
