Costa Blanca Sales and Rentals - The Costa Blanca - View Map

This page is to help you get to know the Costa Blanca & the Costa Calida regions , respectively the Alicante & Murcia provinces .

First of all, the Costa Blanca is in the area known as the "Communidad Valenciana" or the Valencian Community. The Valencian community is a group of a number of regions including the Alicante region.

The Costa Blanca is in this "Alicante" province named after its capital Alicante, located roughly in the middle of the coastal area of the province. There are two other large towns in the Alicante province, Benidorm in the area known as Costa Blanca North, and Torrevieja in the area known as Costa Blanca South. The former started off as a small fishing village and was primarily developed for German tourists in the 1960's and has become one of the largest coastal resorts in Europe & the world. As a result, although there are large numbers of residents in this part of Spain, as a percentage, they aren't so numerous. Torrevieja is the economic and tourism capital of the Costa Blanca South. Just as Benidorm, it started as a fishing village although it was substantially larger. As a result, it has a "real" center with a main street, a promenade, a marina etc...

BENIDORM

Benidorm, in the North Costa Blanca is a stunning beach resort basically built around two bays, and somewhat tarnished by its reputation as a package holiday resort. But this doesn't show unless you are living right in the centre where all the hotels are. The best part of Benidorm is in the hills behind it where one can live in an amazing location with panoramic views of the sea and looking over the resort. Also, for those who are not interested in a quiet life, these hills are close to the fun parks such as "Tierra Mitica". Most houses around here are newbuild, and are of superior quality, especially compared to most properties built 10 years prior. Within 40 minutes drive from Alicante Airport, the only undesirables are a couple of motorway tolls along the way.

CALPE

The A-7 Motorway will take you all the way north past the smaller towns of Calpe, Javea & Denia. All three can be described as classic Spanish towns with narrow streets sloping down to the sea against a rocky backdrop. These are interesting places to live, visually that is, but lack the practicalities of the more modern and cosmopolitan Benidorm & Torrevieja. Calpe has an impressive marina and plenty of amenities. The hills are very steep and don't always offer much in terms of building opportunities. As a result, most developments are coastal. These are very pleasant places to stay. There are many restaurants and the standard of living is high.

TORREVIEJA

South of Alicante lays Torrevieja, the largest town on the Costa Blanca South. It is largely seen as "un-finished" by most visitors & residents. However, every year there is a significant improvement to the already very good infrastructure. Unlike its sister cities to the North, Torrevieja has a large residential population. The effect on local amenities is amazing. Nearly every bar, cafe, pub, restaurant stays open all year round. The lifestyle is that of eating out whenever possible. Prices here are generally lower than on the Northern Costa Blanca, but there is still the usual premium associated with resorts compared to more quiet locations.

Although Torrevieja is great as a holiday town, this is the sort of place you should be considering as a place of residence, or at least a place where you can come all year round and not find a ghost town on arrival.

There are parades, exhibitions, even a submarine to visit. A cinema, a casino, a shopping mall, bowling alley etc... Torrevieja has it all. The best part is that even if you are looking for a quiet life, it is unlikely to be much of a challenge. Torrevieja has plenty of very quiet "Suburban" areas such as Aguas Nuevas & La Mata, which offer, amongst other things, walks along the sea.

With regards to healthcare, Torrevieja and its surroundings can rely on no less than two hospitals, and a number of clinics. Granted the public hospital is not due for completion for a few months yet, but it is an important part of the decision making process. In the meantime, Torrevieja boasts one of the country's best hospitals in San Jaime. Located in a dominant position on one of the hills behind Torrevieja, it looks over the town and the salt lakes, which are also an important part of the Torrevieja economy. The public transport system is excellent, a car isn't really necessary if one lives and works locally, and it is free for residents over the age of 60.

Land in Torrevieja is quite expensive, probably the most expensive on the coast. This is due to the proximity to the sea and amenities. However, unless you are looking for a Villa, most properties are on smaller plots and, therefore, affordable. If you are happy with an apartment, then it will suite most budgets.

ORIHUELA COSTA

Orihuela Costa is part of the municipality of Orihuela. The "Costa" distinction is to mark the difference between the town of Orihuela, which is 30 km inland, from the coastal area which is attached with a small umbilical cord to the inland town.

Needless to say, the Orihuela Costa area is much better known than its inland twin. Orihuela Costa is made up of a number of coastal urbanisations, most of which are right on the sea front such as Punta Prima, Playa Flamenca, La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Deshea de Campoamor. Others are located between 1km and 6km from the sea. Los Balcones, Los Altos, Las Chimosas, La Florida, are all costal urbanisations within walking distance to the sea. Los Dolses, Villamartin, Los Almendros, El Galan & Blue Hills are primarily golf urbanisations that are located on or in between Golf courses.

The Coastal urbanisations are all very different in appearance. Playa Flamenca is very modern and boasts wide streets and large commercial areas such as the Flamenco beach commercial centre. These offer excellent restaurants of all nationalities such as Hungarian, British, Irish, Spanish, Chinese, German etc... There are also games rooms, a large post office, a market on Saturday mornings etc. The City hall buildings are also located in Playa Flamenca to make things more convenient for residents.

With regards to the purchase of a property, Playa Flamenca can suit all budgets. There are apartments starting around €110,000 Euros (£77,000) and Front Line Villas closing on the million. Exceptional value for money.

La Zenia is often referred to as the heart of the Orihuela Costa area. The beach is the largest in Orihuela Costa, and has much to offer in terms of restaurants, bars, pubs, & supermarkets. Also, there is a Japanese restaurant called "Cocina Asiatica" where the food is absolutely amazing. The attraction about La Zenia is that it is right next to the motorway exit so access is very straight forward when coming from either Alicante or Murcia ariports. Also there is a road that leads to the Villamartin Golf Resorts. La Zenia is one of the most popular areas on the Costa Blanca, but it isn't reflected in the price as much as one would've thought. Most properties in La Zenia remain affordable to most wallets.

Villamartin is something completely different. The more rugged appearance of the coastal urbanisations is abandoned for open green spaces & luscious gardens. Since the Golfers season is in Spring & Autumn, there is a great rental potential all year round and restaurants are lively and offer a great ambiance. If you really feel lucky, you may want to put a wager on a horse as British racing screens are in Caddies bar & restaurant where the bookmakers rub elbows with regular clientele.

Caddies is located in the famous Villamartin Plaza or Square (see picture above right). The Villamartin Plaza is a rather elegantly decorated, Hispanic style commercial area with over a dozen restaurants to choose from. Properties close to these areas are, obviously expensive by Costa Blanca standards, but there are many bargains to be had.

Campoamor is right on the southern edge of Orihuela Costa. It is a more Hispanic area and as a result most restaurants are closed during the off-season period. It does have a very attractive beach and a marina though. The area can offer excellent sea views as there is a steep slope from the sea towards the hills beyond. The good side of it being empty during the off-peak season is for those seeking a quiet life, where this place would be the ideal location for a winter escape. Due to the fact that all properties are within walking distance to the sea, Campoamor Real Estate isn't particularly cheap, but as coastal properties go, cheaper than most...

COSTA CALIDA

The Costa Calida or Murcia region is an up-and-coming area based around Europes largest natural lagoon, the Mar Menor. Located just accross the border between the Costa Blanca & Costa Calida, this small inland sea is on average 2º Celcius warmer that the mediterranean from which it is separated by a small strip of land, the now famous La Manga Strip, after which the Golf resort is named. Since the 1970's, there has been a lot of building along the "Strip" which has all but ended now except at the very end. It has a Floridian look about it as it is only a couple hundred metres across at its widest point.

The main town on the Costa Calida is Los Alcazares. Not as large as Torrevieja, with a beach front the entire length of the town, but still more of a summer resort. Los Alcazares does have a large residential population, and the only indication that it is a holiday town is the unusually large numbers of shutters that are closed (indicating an empty house). Los Alcazares has two areas; one that is pedestrian friendly, with lots of pedestrian streets (and narrow roads) which is the old town, and the other that has wide boulevards that are very car friendly that is the new town.

If you like the beaches, then it is best to live in the old town where one is never at any more than five minutes walk from the warm and safe waters of the Mar Menor. If you like your car, then the new part of town is probably your sort of thing, although there is a happy medium in Los Narejos, a suburb to the North of Los Alcazares with wide streets and easy access to the beach. Los Alcazares is also quickly becoming a new coastal golf mecca. Indeed, there are currently two golf resorts under construction within 2km of the town, and many more within a twenty minute drive. With regards to the purchase of a property, Los Alcazares is considered quite a pricy area, but its well worth it.

Cabo de Palos is a large village at the base of La Manga strip. There is a promenade with some fine restaurants open all year round. The old town, typically, is very pedestrianised. Although quite modern, the atmosphere is that of a fishing village. With mountains to the south, and beaches to the north, Cabo de Palos has the perfect image of a tranquil, remote, Spanish village. In fact, Cartagena (200,000 people) is only 20 minutes drive away, San Javier airport is a mere 30 minutes, La Manga strip, with all its restaurants and marinas, is literally next door, and La Manga resort, the famous golf course, is within a 10 minute drive. Properties are scarce here as most building land has already been used, prices aren't too high compared to similar locations, so it is still a good time to buy.

Mazarron & Puerto de Mazarron are twin cities, one coastal, the other not, south of Cartagena on the Costa Calida. Unlike resorts to the north, this area isn't surrounded by hills but mountains. Space is limited as is winter activity. The scenery is picturesque however, and the beaches are excellent. As an investment, things are looking good as there are many motorways being built, as well as Murcia City's Cordova airport ready by 2008, which will cut the time to get to the nearest airport down to 35 minutes.

In addition, there are many more golf resorts being planned within a 30 minute drive from the sea.

Mazarron is famous for its rugged countryside and its nudist beach. It is also very lively in summer, although not too lively which for most people is a turn-off. Property prices aren't necessarily cheaper in this area although it does depend what one is looking for. There are some great opportunities to purchase a property with sea views due to the steep hills on which they are built.

Camposol, near Mazarron is an inland resort only 10 minutes from the coast. Essentially a new town, it is built around a couple of Golf resorts. Mazarron Country Club, and Camposol Golf Resort. The landscapes are stunning but there have been complaints with regards to building standards, delays in completions, remoteness, lack of amenities, and the absence of phone lines. Essentially, the same as most completely new developments they appear in the middle of nowhere. Proof that everything comes at a cost or maybe nothing comes at no cost. Whatever the morality, one fact remains... once finished, however, the development will greatly enhance the local landscape.

San Juan de los Torreros is a great, really remote place to purchase a Spanish Property. Located close to Aguilas on the extreme south of the Costa Calida, it is a place that is very much under development. Few amenities to show for other than a handful of restaurants. There is a golf resort being built right next to the sea, and a school is also part of the plans as well as a sports centre. The population of San Juan de los Torreros is likely to double or possibly triple over the next four years. Because of its remoteness, one would expect properties to be rather cheap here. Well they are, but not as much as one would expect. The builders & developers are basing their prices on the potential of the area rather than on its actual worth. However, this could be exactly what you are looking for, and if it is, then you will be more than happy to pay the asking price as it is still far cheaper than all other coastal areas.