These two southern Spanish coastlines are the engines of both the tourist and home-hunter markets.
If you’re after lively seaside resorts, activities for the perfect family holiday, and a wide choice of property within reach of one of Spain’s five busiest airports, you could easily opt for either.
But there are distinct factors that set them apart – and property price is usually the most mentioned by home hunters.
History and culture
The Costa del Sol is known for its glitzy, upscale resorts and cosmopolitan atmosphere, established as far back as the 1950s. The Marbella Club – still one of the Costa’s most elegant spots – opened in 1954, followed by Torremolinos and the advent of mass tourism.
The Costa Blanca evolved alongside: in 1957, British European Airways began flights to Valencia, and the name "Costa Blanca" was coined to promote tourism.
Today, the Costa del Sol still has the upscale edge: Marbella, Puerto Banús, and the polo and golf estate of Sotogrande attract a wealthy international clientele, offering luxury living, high-end shopping, and Michelin-starred restaurants. The gated estate of La Zagaleta is a magnet for the world’s wealthiest people.
But it also offers culture, from the Picasso Museum in Málaga to Marbella’s Teatro.
In contrast, the Costa Blanca provides a more laid-back, budget-friendly environment with a less developed feel (though parts are catching up) and wider beaches. Nature feels closer here – think flamingos at Santa Pola or Guardamar’s Reina Sofía Park.
Alicante city is in many ways a mini-Málaga: now a foodie destination with its own theatres, galleries and vibrant cultural scene – but dining out is generally more affordable.
Climate
Year-round sunshine thanks to the subtropical Mediterranean climate of the Costa del Sol is hard to beat – unless you find it too hot. For some retirees, the intense summer heat is a downside, making the Costa Blanca a better fit.
Even in winter, Costa del Sol temperatures rarely dip below 10°C, making it a hit with golfers. Yet just an hour or two away, you can be skiing in the Sierra Nevada.
While also enjoying a Mediterranean climate, the Costa Blanca has slightly cooler winters, especially in its northern half. Yet the southern Costa Blanca, like the Marbella area, benefits from a microclimate, offering mild winters and hot summers.
Hinterland and access
Head inland and the differences continue.
Behind the Costa del Sol, you’ll find the increasingly popular white villages of the Axarquía and Málaga province, from Cómpeta and Coín to Ojén and Gaucín. These are established expat areas in their own right, and Granada is nearby too.
This is very different inland from the Costa Blanca, where the villages are less expat-dominated. Yes, there’s the citrus-filled Algorfa Valley behind Alicante, or the Jalon and Orba Valleys offering a traditional Spanish atmosphere, but these are more agricultural and less developed than their Costa del Sol counterparts. You may well prefer that.
Both areas are well-connected internationally, but the Costa del Sol’s Málaga International Airport is busier and better connected than Alicante-Elche. The Costa del Sol also benefits from proximity to Gibraltar Airport, Seville, and Granada.
Costa Blanca’s Alicante-Elche Airport is modern and user-friendly, and its southern section is close to Murcia International Airport – a steadily improving option.
Property prices
Prices are often the key factor that leads buyers to pivot from the Costa del Sol to the Costa Blanca.
The Costa del Sol commands higher property prices, particularly in the central and high-end markets around Marbella, Nueva Andalucía and Sotogrande. However, fringe areas like Estepona, Manilva, and La Duquesa offer more value for money. But even there it’s hard to find anything for under €200,000.
The Costa Blanca does have its upscale spots – Moraira and Jávea, for instance – but generally offers better value. Northern Costa Blanca is pricier than the south, but around Alicante and Orihuela Costa, you’ll find a much larger choice of new-build apartments at or under €200,000. Torrevieja, in particular, has plenty of stock.
As for three-bedroom villas? On the Costa del Sol, you might find a semi-detached townhouse in La Duquesa for €300,000, or even a five-bed for the same price, though not new-build. Newer options will come at a premium.
On the Costa Blanca, you can find a two-bed townhouse in Orihuela Costa for around €150,000, or a small three-bedroom new-build villa in Los Montesinos from around €350,000. Add a private pool and the price rises closer to €400,000.
Looking to buy on Spain’s Mediterranean coast? Browse our full selection of properties for sale on the Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol to find your ideal home in the sun. Whether you’re after a modern apartment near the beach or a peaceful inland villa, we’ve got options to suit every lifestyle and budget.
