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Last Updated on 26/08/2025 by STEPHANE
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The Complete Costa Blanca Guide: Spain’s Most Accessible Mediterranean Dream
Picture this: You’re sipping morning coffee on your terrace, the Mediterranean stretching endlessly before you, while checking property values that have appreciated 5% annually. Your rental income from the summer season has already covered your annual costs. This isn’t a dream—it’s the reality for thousands of international property owners on Spain’s Costa Blanca, where beachfront apartments still start at €150,000 and rental yields reach 8%.
While Mallorca and the Costa del Sol price out middle-class buyers with million-euro villas, the Costa Blanca quietly delivers the complete Mediterranean package at prices that make financial sense. This 244-kilometre stretch of Alicante province combines authentic Spanish culture, world-class healthcare, and proven investment returns—all accessible via Europe’s most connected regional airport.
The Cultural Soul of the Costa Blanca
Before diving into property opportunities, understanding the Costa Blanca’s cultural depth reveals why this region offers more than just sun and sand. Many civilisations have shaped this coastline—Iberian, Roman, and Arabic cultures have all left their mark, creating a heritage that spans from prehistoric cave paintings at Pla de Petracos to the Roman ruins of Lucentum and the dramatic Arabic castles crowning hilltop villages.
This rich history translates directly into property value. Unlike purpose-built resort towns, Costa Blanca’s cities and villages offer authentic Spanish living with centuries of culture embedded in their streets. When you buy here, you’re not just purchasing real estate—you’re investing in communities with genuine character and year-round vitality.
The white beaches of Benidorm
Beaches That Define the Mediterranean Dream
The Costa Blanca’s beaches consistently rank among Europe’s finest, with 69 Blue Flag awards confirming their exceptional quality. But beyond the statistics, each beach offers a distinct character that attracts different buyer profiles:
- La Granadella, Jávea: Rocky coves perfect for diving enthusiasts—properties here command premium prices but offer unmatched natural beauty
- Playa Carabassí, Elche: Golden sand with protected dunes, attracting nature-conscious buyers seeking quieter coastal living
- Levante Beach, Benidorm: The investment hotspot—high-rise apartments here generate year-round rental income from diverse tourist markets
- El Postiguet, Alicante: Urban beach living at its finest, where city amenities meet Mediterranean waters
Each beach area creates distinct property markets. Understanding these differences helps buyers match locations to their lifestyle and investment goals, whether seeking tranquil retirement spots or high-yield rental properties.
Festivals: Living Culture That Drives Property Demand
The Costa Blanca’s festival calendar creates year-round vibrancy that sustains property values. The famous Moors and Christians festivals transform towns like Alcoy and Villajoyosa into living history theatres, while Alicante’s Bonfires of San Juan rival Valencia’s Las Fallas for spectacle. These aren’t tourist shows—they’re authentic celebrations that locals have maintained for centuries.
For property investors, this cultural calendar translates into consistent rental demand beyond the summer beach season. The Cabalgata de Los Reyes Magos in Alcoy (Spain’s oldest, dating from 1885) and Elche’s Nit del Albà create shoulder-season rental opportunities that many coastal destinations lack.
View of the city of Alicante from the Castle
Cities and Towns: Finding Your Perfect Costa Blanca Location
Alicante: The Complete Package
Population: 330,000 | Average price: €2,500/m² | Rental yield: 5-7%
Alicante offers everything international buyers seek: urban sophistication, coastal beauty, and investment stability. As the regional capital and transport hub, it attracts business travellers, cruise passengers, and tourists year-round. The historic quarter around Santa Bárbara Castle provides character properties with renovation potential, while the beachfront districts offer modern apartments with sea views.
The city’s infrastructure advantages—airport, high-speed rail, university, and major hospitals—create multiple economic drivers supporting property values. With 330,000 residents, Alicante maintains an authentic Spanish urban life while offering all international amenities.
Benidorm: Europe’s Rental Yield Champion
Population: 66,000 (swells to 400,000 in summer) | Average price: €3,200/m² | Rental yield: 6-8%
Benidorm defies every stereotype. Yes, it has the high-rises and British pubs, but it also delivers Europe’s most consistent rental yields and a year-round economy that outperforms many Spanish cities. The skyline that some find jarring creates exceptional rental density—more apartments per square kilometre means better amenities, services, and investment liquidity.
The city’s genius lies in serving multiple markets simultaneously. British retirees seeking winter sun, Spanish families enjoying summer beaches, young Europeans partying in super-clubs, and health tourists visiting world-class hospitals—all create overlapping rental demand that eliminates seasonal voids.
Torrevieja: The International Village
Population: 85,000 (40% foreign residents) | Average price: €2,300/m² | Rental yield: 5-6%
Torrevieja has evolved into Costa Blanca’s most international city, where 40+ nationalities create a genuinely multicultural community. The city’s unique position between two salt lakes creates a microclimate many residents find beneficial for respiratory and joint conditions, attracting health-conscious retirees from across Europe.
What sets Torrevieja apart is its international infrastructure. British supermarkets, German bakeries, Scandinavian medical centres, and Dutch real estate agencies make integration effortless. This isn’t a Spanish city with some expat services—it’s a truly international community that happens to enjoy Spanish sunshine and prices.
Denia: Gastronomy Meets Investment
Population: 40,000 | Average price: €3,200/m² | Rental yield: 4-6%
UNESCO’s recognition of Denia as a Creative City of Gastronomy reflects a sophistication that attracts discerning buyers. The town perfectly balances authenticity with amenity—Michelin-starred restaurants coexist with traditional tapas bars, while the marina hosts both fishing boats and luxury yachts.
Denia’s position at the foot of Montgó Natural Park adds another dimension. Buyers here aren’t choosing between beach and mountains—they’re getting both. This diversity attracts a refined buyer profile that sustains premium property values and creates a more stable, less tourist-dependent market.
The Costa Blanca Property Market: Understanding Your Investment
Market Performance: Why Now Is the Time
The numbers tell a compelling story. While Spanish property prices nationally have recovered to within 10% of their 2007 peaks, Costa Blanca prices remain 40% below those highs. This isn’t because the region lacks appeal—tourism numbers exceed pre-crisis levels, infrastructure has improved dramatically, and international accessibility has never been better.
This pricing gap exists because the Costa Blanca market corrected more severely during the crisis, creating current opportunities. Savvy investors recognise this as a rare chance to enter a mature, proven market at discount prices.
| Costa vs Competition | Costa Blanca | Costa del Sol | Balearic Islands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Price/m² | €2,500 | €3,800 | €4,200 |
| 2-Bed Apartment (coastal) | €180,000 | €350,000 | €450,000 |
| Annual Rental Yield | 5-8% | 4-6% | 3-5% |
| Days of Sunshine | 320 | 300 | 300 |
| Flight Connections | 100+ | 130+ | 150+ |
| Annual Tourism | 6 million | 12 million | 14 million |
| Healthcare Quality | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Value for Money | Outstanding | Moderate | Low |
International Buyer Trends: Opportunity in Transition
Brexit has reshaped the Costa Blanca property market in ways that benefit today’s buyers. British purchasers, once 40% of the international market, now represent just 15%. This reduction has eliminated the feeding frenzy that previously drove prices up, creating a more balanced market where negotiation is possible.
The gap has been filled by diverse European nationalities—French, Belgian, Dutch, German, and Scandinavian buyers who appreciate finding Mediterranean property at prices their domestic markets haven’t seen for decades. This diversification creates market stability; the Costa Blanca no longer depends on any single nationality’s economic fortunes.
Rental Market Dynamics: Multiple Income Streams
The Costa Blanca rental market’s strength lies in its diversity. Unlike single-season destinations, this region generates income year-round through multiple tenant profiles:
Winter rentals (October-March): Northern European retirees escaping cold weather pay €600-1,000/month for long-term stays. These tenants often return annually, providing stable income with minimal management.
Summer tourism (June-September): Peak season weekly rentals can reach €1,500/week for quality properties. The combination of Spanish domestic tourists and international visitors creates robust demand.
Corporate rentals: Alicante’s business community and Benidorm’s conference facilities generate weekday demand at premium rates, filling gaps in leisure travel patterns.
Health tourism: The region’s hospitals and clinics attract medical tourists who need quality accommodation for recovery periods, paying above-market rates for suitable properties.
Choosing Your Investment Strategy
For Holiday Home Buyers
If your dream involves lazy beach mornings and tapas-filled evenings, the northern Costa Blanca delivers the classic Mediterranean experience. Javea, Calpe, and Altea offer postcard-perfect settings where your holiday home can generate income when you’re not using it.
Budget €250,000-400,000 for quality holiday homes in prime locations. While this seems substantial, remember you’re buying in established areas with proven rental demand. A well-located two-bedroom apartment in Javea might cost €300,000 but can generate €20,000 annual rental income—a return that beats most traditional investments.
MARKET ALERT: Costa Blanca Prices Still 40% Below Peak
January 2025 Update: While property prices across Spain have recovered to within 10% of 2007 peaks, Costa Blanca remains exceptional value at 40% below historical highs. With tourism numbers exceeding pre-2020 levels and infrastructure investments continuing, this pricing gap represents one of Europe’s last great coastal property opportunities.
Key opportunity: British buyers now represent just 15% of purchases (down from 40% pre-Brexit), creating less competition and better negotiating positions for decisive buyers.
For Pure Investment
Numbers-focused buyers should concentrate on Benidorm and Torrevieja, where rental yields consistently exceed 6%. The key is understanding that aesthetic appeal matters less than location and amenities. That concrete tower in Benidorm might not win architectural awards, but its 8% annual yield certainly impresses investment portfolios.
For Retirement Living
The Costa Blanca has perfected the retirement lifestyle formula. Established expat communities provide instant social networks, while world-class healthcare delivers peace of mind. The sweet spot for retirees lies in urbanisations around Orihuela Costa, where €150,000 buys a comfortable two-bedroom apartment in a gated community with pools, gardens, and walking distance to amenities.
These communities offer something unique: the comfort of familiar languages and customs combined with authentic Spanish living costs. Your pension stretches further here—a couple can live comfortably on €2,000/month, including rent, food, and entertainment.
For Digital Nomads
Spain’s new digital nomad visa has transformed the Costa Blanca into Europe’s remote work capital. Combine 300+ days of sunshine with fibre optic internet, co-working spaces, and living costs 50% below Northern European cities, and you understand the appeal.
Alicante city centre offers the best infrastructure for remote workers. €1,200/month rents a modern two-bedroom apartment, while co-working spaces provide professional environments for €150/month. The city’s size—large enough for culture and cuisine, small enough to navigate easily—creates the perfect work-life balance.
Success Story: From Manchester to the Mediterranean
“We bought our Torrevieja apartment in 2019 for €125,000, thinking it would be a holiday home. When COVID hit, we moved here permanently and rented our UK house instead. Our Spanish property costs us €400/month, including everything, we’re healthier than we’ve been in years, and the apartment has already appreciated 20%. Should have done this years ago!”
Investment Fundamentals: Building Wealth on the Costa Blanca
Understanding True Costs
Spanish property purchases involve approximately 10-12% additional costs above the purchase price. This includes transfer tax (8-10%), notary fees (€1,000-1,500), registration (€500-1,000), and legal fees (1%). Budget accordingly—a €200,000 property requires approximately €220,000 total investment.
Annual running costs remain remarkably low. Property tax (IBI) typically runs €300-800/year, community fees €50-150/month, and utilities average €100/month. These figures make Costa Blanca properties affordable to maintain even when generating modest rental income.
Financing Your Purchase
Spanish banks actively court international buyers, offering mortgages up to 70% of the purchase price for non-residents. Current rates hover around 3-4% for fixed-rate mortgages, with terms up to 25 years. The key requirement: proving income equivalent to 3x the mortgage payment.
Check the real estate price evolution for Alicante and Spain since 1995
Read more: Real estate prices in Alicante and the Costa Blanca property prices are available in our Spanish property report, updated quarterly.
Living the Costa Blanca Lifestyle: What to Expect
Healthcare That Exceeds Expectations
The Costa Blanca’s healthcare system regularly surprises international residents with its quality. Public hospitals like Hospital General Universitario de Alicante rival anything in Northern Europe, while private facilities like Vithas Internacional Medimar cater specifically to international patients with multilingual staff and direct insurance billing.
More importantly, the system works efficiently. Emergency room waits rarely exceed two hours, specialist appointments happen within weeks rather than months, and prescription costs remain negligible. Many residents report better healthcare access here than in their home countries, at a fraction of the cost.
Integration Without Isolation
The Costa Blanca has solved the expat paradox: how to maintain cultural connections while experiencing authentic Spanish life. In Torrevieja, you can buy British groceries at Iceland, get German bread at Lidl, and still shop at traditional Spanish markets. This isn’t cultural isolation—it’s an artistic choice.
Spanish language learning happens naturally here. Unlike tourist resorts, where locals switch to English immediately, Costa Blanca residents encourage language practice. Most internationals achieve conversational Spanish within a year simply through daily interactions.
Year-Round Living Reality
Forget the myth that coastal Spain hibernates in winter. The Costa Blanca maintains vibrancy year-round, with each season offering distinct pleasures:
Winter (December-February): 15-18°C temperatures are perfect for hiking, cycling, and golf. Restaurants remain open, cultural events continue, and you’ll finally get reservations at that popular beachfront restaurant.
Spring (March-May): The region explodes with wildflowers and festivals. Property hunting reaches peak season as buyers arrive to secure summer-ready homes.
Summer (June-September): Yes, it’s busy and hot (25-35°C), but the energy is infectious. Beach clubs open, outdoor concerts fill warm evenings, and your rental property generates peak income.
Autumn (October-November): Many consider this the perfect season—warm seas, fewer tourists, and harvest festivals in inland villages. Savvy buyers shop for property now.
Transportation: Your Connection to Europe
The Costa Blanca’s connectivity transforms it from a peripheral region into one of Europe’s most accessible destinations. This isn’t just about vacation convenience—it’s about maintaining connections to family, business, and culture while living your Mediterranean dream.
Alicante Airport: Europe’s Hidden Hub
With nearly 10 million annual passengers, Alicante-Elche Airport punches above its weight. While officially Spain’s fifth-busiest airport, it offers more international connections than many capital city airports. Budget carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Vueling provide affordable access to 100+ European cities, while traditional airlines maintain business traveller routes.
The airport sits just 15 minutes from the Alicante city centre and 30-45 minutes from most coastal towns. Unlike the traffic nightmares approaching other Spanish airports, Alicante’s modern highway connections make transfers painless. This accessibility directly impacts property values—every new route announcement strengthens the rental market.
High-Speed Rail: Madrid in Your Backyard
The AVE high-speed train has revolutionised the Costa Blanca’s connection to Spain’s interior. Madrid, with its museums, restaurants, and international connections, lies just 2.5 hours away. This isn’t just about occasional trips—it’s about accessing Spain’s capital for business meetings, cultural events, or onward international travel without the airport hassle.
The Euromed service connects to Valencia (1.5 hours) and Barcelona (4.5 hours), opening the entire Mediterranean corridor. For property investors, this connectivity creates year-round Spanish domestic tourism that many purely international destinations lack.
Local Transport: Living Without a Car
The Costa Blanca’s public transport network makes car-free living genuinely feasible. The Cercanías commuter trains connect major towns along the coast, while extensive bus networks reach inland villages. Tram lines in Alicante and Benidorm provide urban transport that many Spanish cities lack.
For property buyers, proximity to public transport significantly impacts rental potential. Properties within walking distance of train stations or tram stops command 10-15% premiums and rent faster than car-dependent locations.
Find everything on the Costa del Blanca: its Airports, its AVE stations, its Cities and villages, its shopping places: Traditional & Flea markets, Outlets and shopping malls. What should you visit? The Unesco sites, the parks for kids, the green parks, the golf courses, the universities and last but not least the top beaches. Check out our infographic.
Download our map on the Costa Blanca
Getting Started: Your Path to Costa Blanca Property Ownership
The market data, lifestyle benefits, and investment fundamentals all point to the same conclusion: the Costa Blanca represents exceptional value in today’s Mediterranean property market. Whether your goal is creating family memories in a Spanish holiday home, building wealth through strategic coastal investment, enjoying a comfortable retirement with excellent healthcare access, or establishing a productive base for location-independent work, the region offers proven opportunities.
YOUR NEXT STEPS CHECKLIST
Phase 1: Research (Week 1-2)
☐ Define your budget and lifestyle priorities
☐ Choose your target area(s) based on goals
☐ Research Spanish mortgage pre-approval options
☐ Contact HTBIS Costa Blanca property experts
Phase 2: Discovery Trip (Week 3-4)
☐ Schedule property viewings in multiple areas
☐ Meet with local lawyers and tax advisors
☐ Experience different neighbourhoods at various times
☐ Test internet speeds and infrastructure quality
Phase 3: Decision Making (Week 5-6)
☐ Submit offers through qualified property hunters
☐ Arrange detailed property surveys and inspections
☐ Finalise mortgage applications and banking
☐ Establish Spanish bank account and transfer arrangements
Phase 4: Completion (Week 7-12)
☐ Complete legal due diligence with Spanish lawyers
☐ Arrange comprehensive property insurance and utilities
☐ Set up property management for rentals if applicable
☐ Begin your Costa Blanca Mediterranean lifestyle!
Ready to start? Contact our Costa Blanca property specialists:
Our local experts understand both market dynamics and lifestyle dreams that bring international buyers to Spain’s most accessible Mediterranean coast.
Costa Blanca Map Information
- Airport: Alicante-Elche
- AVE stations: Alicante
- Cities: Alicante (330,000), Elche (225,000), Torrevieja (85,000), Benidorm (66,000), Orihuela (80,000), Alcoy (60,000), Elda (50,000), Denia (40,000), Villena (35,000), Santa Pola (30,000)
- UNESCO sites: Palmeral of Elche (2000), Find all the UNESCO Sites in Spain on our page: “10 reasons why you should buy in Spain”
- Top beaches: La Granadella (Jávea), Playa Carabassi (Elche), La Caleta (Villajoyosa), Tabarca Island, Levante Beach (Benidorm), Racó del Albir (Alfaz del Pi), Marineta Casiana (Denia), La Fossa (Calpe), Playa la Roda (Altea), El Postiguet (Alicante)
- Kids Parks: Aqualandia, Terra Mítica (Benidorm), Aquopolis Torrevieja (Torrevieja)
- Shopping Malls & Outlets: La Marina Centro Comercial (Benidorm), The Outlet Stores Alicante, El Corte Inglés (Alicante), Centro Comercial Plaza Mar 2, Centro Comercial Panoramis, Centro Comercial Gran Vía, Centro Comercial Puerta de Alicante
- Traditional & Flea markets: Mercado Central (Alicante), Moraira market (Moraira), The Indoor Market (Benidorm)
- Top golf courses: Oliva Nova, Las Ramblas (Torrevieja), Font del Llop Golf Resort (Alicante), Club De Golf Bonalba (Mutxamel), Javea Golf Club, Altea Club de Golf
- Natural Parks: Sierra Helada Natural Park, Parc Natural de la Marjal de Oliva-Pego, Parc Natural de la Serra de Mariola, Parc Natural del Montgó, Parque Natural del Penyal d’Ifac, Parque Natural el Hondo, Parque Natural del Carrascal de la Fuente Roja, Parque Natural de las Salinas de Santa Pola, Parque natural de las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja
- University: Universidad de Alicante (Alicante)
- Hospitals: Hospital Clínica Benidorm, Hospital Vithas Internacional Medimar, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Hospital Vithas Perpetuo Socorro (Alicante)
Read further on the Costa Blanca and Spain
- TOURIST OFFICES:
- AIRPORTS: All the Spanish Airports and flight information on the official site of AENA
- TRAINS: Renfe website
- BEACHES: Where will you find the top beaches in Spain?
- GOLF: What are the top golf courses in Spain?, Looking for a Golf Club in Spain?
- KIDS PARKS: Our selection of the Top parks for children in Spain
- MUST VISIT IN SPAIN: Our top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain, Find all the UNESCO sites in Spain
Find all our other articles and maps on the Spanish Costas:
Discover the best new build projects in Costa Blanca available right now.
Are you looking for a local partner to buy on the Costa Blanca? Don’t look further check our team and ask us for the correct contact.
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With our team of over 100 local real estate partners, HowtobuyinSpain helps foreigners buy real estate in Spain.
The experts from our network are active in all the fields you need:
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Stéphane
Senior analyst and strategist at HTBIS
Stéphane, with over 20 years of experience in real estate, finance and entrepreneurship, is the co-founder of www.howtobuyinspain.com. With an extensive network of local partners in Spain, his deep commitment to the real estate sector, combined with strong analytical skills and a problem-solving mentality, has fueled his success. Constantly eager to learn and passionate about teaching, Stéphane believes in the power of knowledge sharing to master any subject.
Costa Blanca Property Investment FAQ
What are Costa Blanca property prices in 2025?
Costa Blanca property prices average €2,500/m² in 2025, with coastal apartments from €180,000. Prices remain 40% below 2007 peaks despite tourism exceeding pre-2020 levels. Alicante averages €2,500/m², Benidorm €3,200/m², and Torrevieja €2,300/m².
Where are the best places to buy property in Costa Blanca?
Alicante offers urban sophistication at €2,500/m², Benidorm delivers 6-8% rental yields, Torrevieja provides international infrastructure at €2,300/m², while Javea and Denia attract premium buyers at €3,200/m². Each location offers distinct advantages for different investment strategies.
What rental yield can I expect from Costa Blanca investment property?
Costa Blanca properties generate 5-8% rental yields through diverse markets: winter rentals (€600-1,000/month), summer tourism (€1,500/week), corporate rentals, and health tourism. Benidorm leads with 8% yields due to year-round demand from multiple tourist profiles.
How does Costa Blanca compare to Costa del Sol property investment?
Costa Blanca offers better value than Costa del Sol with property at €2,500/m² versus €3,800/m², higher rental yields (5-8% vs 4-6%), and 320 days of sunshine. Alicante airport provides 100+ international connections with less tourist saturation.
What are the costs of buying property in Costa Blanca?
Budget 10-12% above purchase price for buying costs including transfer tax (8-10%), notary fees (€1,000-1,500), and legal fees (1%). Annual costs remain low: property tax €300-800/year, community fees €50-150/month, utilities €100/month.
Is Costa Blanca good for retirement property?
Costa Blanca excels for retirement with established expat communities, world-class healthcare at Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, and living costs 50% below Northern Europe. Quality apartments in Orihuela Costa start at €150,000 with €2,000/month covering all expenses.
Can foreigners get mortgages for Costa Blanca property?
Spanish banks offer non-residents up to 70% mortgages at 3-4% interest rates with 25-year terms. Key requirement: proving income 3x the mortgage payment. Opening Spanish bank accounts 6 months early improves approval chances and negotiating power.
What makes Alicante property market attractive for investment?
Alicante combines urban infrastructure with coastal beauty at €2,500/m². The AVE high-speed train connects Madrid in 2.5 hours, the airport handles 10 million passengers annually, and the university creates year-round rental demand with 5-7% yields.
Are Costa Blanca property prices expected to rise?
With prices still 40% below 2007 peaks while tourism exceeds historical levels, Costa Blanca offers significant appreciation potential. Annual growth runs 5% with British buyers now just 15% of the market, creating less competition for international investors.
Which Costa Blanca beaches have the best property opportunities?
La Granadella in Javea offers premium diving locations, Playa Carabassi attracts nature lovers, Levante Beach Benidorm provides high rental yields, while El Postiguet Alicante combines urban beach living. Each beach creates distinct property markets with varied investment profiles.
