Property in Spain remains the daddy for British second homebuyers. Depending on whose statistics you go by, anything between 500,000 and a 1.5 million of us own a place on its shores.

Our love affair with Spain began in earnest on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca in the early 1980s, and while the relationship has had its ups and downs, it has blossomed and is now beginning to explore new avenues inland. The Costas – primarily del Sol, Blanca, Calida, and Almeria – the Canaries and Balearics remain the prime buying destintions for British buyers, but rural Catalonia, Galicia and city destinations like Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Granada are beginning to attract significant numbers of Britons.


Improved communications, including the opening up of budget airline routes, but also better roads, have driven the interest in the country’s interior but so have rising house prices on the Costas.

Where once Spain was cheap as the proverbial chips, today £200,000 will not buy you much, if anything, on the Costa del Sol, especially not frontline. For many buyers, if you are going to be five miles from the beach you may as well be 50 and take advantage of the significantly cheaper prices found inland. For example, a two-bedroom apartment just outside the stunning city of Granada – 90 minutes drive from the Costa del Sol’s beaches – can be picked up for around £100,000.

Still bargains to be had! - you must check out the up and coming Costa Almeria, here small pockets of build are happening with good prices, £100,000 for nice 2 bedroom apartments and villas (detached) are available here from around £150,000 mark.

The Costa Blanca is one of the UK’s favourite places to buy, and offers good value for money properties. Although some areas here are very ‘over crowded’ bargains can still be found in these and other areas here.