The best areas to live on the Costa del Sol for your plans

How to choose between Costa del Sol areas

Before looking at homes, answer three questions: will you live here all year or for seasons? Do you need international schools? How much will you use the car? That rules out half the map.

The prices in the table come from the developments in our catalogue today, before VAT. Journey times are approximate and change with summer traffic.

Estepona and Marbella: the western Costa del Sol

Estepona is the area that has grown most in new builds. It has a flower-filled old town, a marina and over 20 km of beaches. On the New Golden Mile there is plenty of golf and developments such as Adagio or Omnia.

Marbella is still the benchmark for services: international schools, clinics, restaurants and Puerto Banús. Nueva Andalucía and Las Chapas are two of its most sought-after districts. We compare it with Estepona in Marbella or Estepona.

Mijas, Fuengirola and Benalmádena: the practical choice

If you travel a lot, these areas save you time: the airport is 15-25 minutes away and the commuter train runs to Fuengirola.

• Mijas Costa has La Cala, with Blue Flag beaches, and Las Lagunas, the most commercial and affordable part.
• Fuengirola is a year-round town, with a seafront promenade and services on foot.
• Benalmádena mixes the marina, the hilltop village and urbanisations with sea views.

Málaga city and the Axarquía

Málaga is the option if you want a city: museums, the high-speed train to Madrid, jobs and a university. Districts such as the Zeta District or Campanillas concentrate new builds at moderate prices.

The Axarquía, to the east, is the quietest Costa del Sol. Vélez-Málaga, Torre del Mar and Rincón de la Victoria offer lower prices and a very mild winter climate.

Our recommendation for your situation

1. Family living here all year: Estepona, Marbella East or Mijas, for schools and services.
2. Second home with frequent short trips: Benalmádena, Torremolinos or Fuengirola, for airport access.
3. Buy-to-let investment: Málaga city and Las Lagunas have demand all year.
4. Quiet retirement: La Cala de Mijas, Casares Costa or the Axarquía.

Tell us about your situation and we will send you two or three developments in the area that suits you best, with their real costs. For daily life, also see the cost of living on the Costa del Sol.