Where to buy a holiday home in Spain

Spain is consistently one of the most popular countries in the world for holiday home buyers. The combination of reliable sunshine, accessible flights from most of Europe, a wide range of property types, and a well-established international buying market makes it a practical as well as enjoyable choice. The question most buyers arrive at quickly is not whether to buy in Spain, but where.

The answer depends on what you are looking for. Spain's coastline stretches over 8,000 kilometres, taking in everything from the lively resort towns of the Costa del Sol to the quieter, more rural stretches of the Costa de la Luz and the island landscapes of the Canary Islands. If you are less familiar with the different coastal areas, our guide to the Spanish costas is a useful starting point. Each area has a distinct character, a different price range, and a different kind of buyer experience. This guide covers the most established destinations for holiday home buyers, and the practical questions you will need to answer before you begin your search.

Is buying a holiday home in Spain a good idea?

For many buyers, yes — though it is worth being clear about what you are buying it for. A holiday home in Spain can offer genuine personal enjoyment, a reliable escape during the colder months, and, in the right location, the option to generate rental income when you are not using it. Property in the most popular coastal and island areas has held its value well over the long term, and whether buying a property in Spain is a sound investment depends largely on location, budget, and how you intend to use it.

That said, a holiday home is a significant financial commitment. Running costs — including the annual IBI (property tax), community fees, insurance, and maintenance — apply whether you are using the property or not. Non-residents also pay an annual Modelo 210 income tax, even on a property that is not formally rented out. If you do plan to let it, you will need a regional tourist licence; the requirements vary by autonomous community, and some areas have introduced restrictions on new licences, so it is worth checking the rules for your specific region before purchasing with rental income in mind. The financial and legal considerations involved in buying a second home in Spain are covered in detail in a separate guide.

How much deposit do you need to buy a holiday home in Spain?

As a non-resident buyer, Spanish banks typically lend up to 60% to 70% of the property's purchase price or valuation — whichever is lower. This means you should plan for a minimum deposit of 30% to 40% of the property value, according to mortgage specialists active in the Spanish market.

On top of the deposit, purchase costs add approximately 10% to 12% of the purchase price, covering transfer tax (ITP), notary fees, Land Registry costs, and legal fees. For new-build properties, ITP is replaced by 10% VAT (IVA) plus stamp duty, though the total upfront cash requirement is broadly similar. Taken together, a non-resident buyer should typically plan for around 40% to 50% of the total purchase price in cash before taking out a mortgage.

The best places to buy a holiday home in Spain

These are the destinations that consistently attract the highest number of international holiday home buyers, each for different reasons.

Costa del Sol — Andalucía

The Costa del Sol remains the most established holiday home market in Spain. Stretching along the southern coast of Málaga province, it offers reliable sunshine for more of the year than almost anywhere else in mainland Europe, excellent international flight connections from Málaga Airport, and a very wide range of properties — from affordable apartments in Torremolinos and Estepona to high-end villas in Marbella and Benahavís. The infrastructure for international buyers is well developed, with English-speaking lawyers, agents, and property managers widely available.

Entry-level apartments in towns such as Fuengirola and Benalmádena start at accessible prices, while the western stretch around Marbella commands a significant premium. Buyers who want a combination of good amenities, a lively social scene, and a property that is straightforward to manage from abroad will find the Costa del Sol a strong starting point for any search.

Costa Blanca — Comunidad Valenciana

The Costa Blanca is the other great pillar of the Spanish holiday home market. Stretching along the Alicante coast, it divides naturally into two distinct areas. The northern stretch — around Dénia, Jávea, and Moraira — is quieter, greener, and more oriented towards buyers who prefer a relaxed pace and a less built-up environment. The southern Costa Blanca, centred on Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa, offers some of the most affordable coastal property in Spain, making it a popular entry point for first-time buyers.

Alicante Airport serves both areas well, with frequent connections across Europe, and the region benefits from one of Spain's lowest ITP rates. The Costa Blanca is one of the most versatile markets in the country, with something across almost every budget.

Balearic Islands — Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca

The Balearic Islands occupy a different position in the market. Property here — particularly in Mallorca and Ibiza — tends to command a significant premium over the mainland, driven by the islands' popularity, limited land supply, and strong seasonal rental demand. Buyers are typically looking for something more exclusive: a villa with sea views, a traditional finca, or a stylish apartment in Palma's old town. Menorca offers a quieter, more affordable alternative within the archipelago, with a strong appeal for buyers who prefer unspoiled landscapes and a less commercial environment.

For buyers with a higher budget looking for long-term value and strong rental yield potential, the Balearic Islands offer an island lifestyle that is difficult to replicate elsewhere in Europe.

Canary Islands — Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura

The Canary Islands offer something no mainland destination can match: year-round sunshine, with average temperatures rarely falling below 18°C even in winter. This makes them particularly attractive for buyers who plan to spend extended periods there in the colder months, or who want a property that can generate rental income throughout the year rather than just in summer.

Tenerife is the most developed and diverse of the islands, with everything from resort complexes in the south to quieter residential areas in the north. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura appeal to buyers drawn to volcanic landscapes and world-class beaches, while Gran Canaria combines the resort infrastructure of Maspalomas with the cultural depth of Las Palmas. If year-round use is a priority, the Canary Islands deserve serious consideration.

Costa Brava — Catalonia

The Costa Brava stretches along the Catalan coast north of Barcelona, taking in rugged clifftop scenery, small fishing villages, and some of the most visually striking coastline in Spain. It is a more discreet market than the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca — properties tend to be bought for quality of environment rather than resort amenities, and the buyer profile skews towards northern European buyers, particularly French, given the proximity to the border.

Barcelona's proximity adds significant appeal for buyers who want to combine time at the coast with time in the city, and Girona Airport provides good connections across Europe. Catalonia suits buyers who want character and natural beauty over resort infrastructure.

Costa de la Luz — Andalucía

For buyers looking for something more affordable and less developed than the Costa del Sol, the Costa de la Luz — running along the Atlantic coast of Huelva and Cádiz provinces — offers long sandy beaches, a strong local culture, and property prices that remain among the most accessible on the Spanish coast. Towns such as Conil de la Frontera, Vejer de la Frontera, and El Puerto de Santa María have built a strong following among buyers looking for an authentic Andalucían experience without the crowds of the more established resorts.

There are fewer international flights here and the reliable season is shorter than on the Mediterranean, but for buyers drawn to the Atlantic character of the area or planning to drive from northern Europe, it is an excellent and genuinely undervalued option. Properties across Andalucía — including the Costa de la Luz — cover a wide range of budgets and styles.

Where is the cheapest coastal area in Spain to buy property?

The most affordable coastal property in Spain is consistently found in the southern Costa Blanca — particularly around Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura, and Pilar de la Horadada — and in parts of the Costa de la Luz and the Costa Cálida in Murcia. These areas offer direct beach or near-beach access at significantly lower price points than the Costa del Sol, the Balearics, or the northern Costa Blanca. For a broader view of where prices are lowest, Spain's most affordable coastal areas covers this in detail.

Inland areas of Andalucía and the interior of Valencia also offer very low prices for those who do not require a seafront or near-beach location. The trade-off in all these cases is typically lower rental demand and fewer international amenities than the more established resort areas.

What to consider before you buy

Whichever area you are drawn to, these are the practical factors that matter most for holiday home buyers:

• Flight connections: how easy is it to reach the property from where you live? Frequent, affordable flights are essential if you plan to use the property regularly, and directly affect its rental appeal
• Rental regulations: research the tourist licence requirements in your specific region and municipality before you buy — the rules vary, and some areas have tightened them significantly in recent years
• Property management: a holiday home needs someone to look after it when you are not there; factor in the cost of a local property manager, particularly for island and more remote locations
• Seasonality: mainland coastal areas have a strong summer season but quieter winters; the Canary Islands offer year-round demand — consider how this affects both your personal use and any rental income projections
• Annual running costs: IBI, community fees, insurance, utilities, and maintenance apply regardless of how often you use the property; budget for these as part of your overall financial planning
• Legal due diligence: always engage an independent property lawyer in Spain before signing anything — their role is to protect your interests at every stage of the transaction

Find your ideal holiday home in Spain

Once you have identified the area that matches your needs, the next step is exploring what is available within your budget. You can filter by location, property type, and price, and save your searches without registering. Use our property search to start finding the right property in the right place.