REAL ESTATE – MARBELLA WOHNEN – The Costa del Sol is the best place to live in Spain and here’s why!
The Costa del Sol is the best place to live in Spain and here’s why!
If you are wondering what is the best place to buy in Spain, we have a clear opinion. We may be biased, but we think the Costa del Sol must be the best place to live in the world. A fascinating region rich in culture and history from the Romans to the Moorish occupation, whose influence is still felt to this day, the area is blessed with a varied landscape and a bustling, cosmopolitan lifestyle – it’s no wonder so many people flock to the country every year. For those who are looking to make a permanent move to Spain, the Costa del Sol is undoubtedly the best place to call home.
The Costa del Sol, or the ‘Sunshine Coast’, is the coastal stretch of Andalucía which sweeps along the southern coast of Spain. It is known for its spectacular climate, picturesque beaches, and vibrant atmosphere. Home to upmarket luxury destinations including Marbella, Málaga, and the jet-set destination of Puerto Banús, it is a location that offers something for a diverse range of tastes and interests. This region has so much to recommend it, including:
- Towns but with sophisticated city amenities – easy-going luxury-lifestyle
- Great transport connections, including easy access to airport
- Fantastic healthcare facilities, with a wealth of private health resources
- Year-round destination – as much to offer in the winter as the peak summer season
- Healthy, outdoors lifestyle
Discover why the Costa del Sol is highly sought after by so many, as we delve into the numerous appealing features of this magnificent region.
Outdoor lifestyle
Perhaps one of the most important reasons for the enduring popularity of the region is the enviable climate. The area enjoys over 320 days of sunshine each year on average, making it the ideal location for sun worshippers and lovers of the great outdoors. However, far from being purely a summer resort, Spanish towns and villages along the Costa del Sol are living, working conurbations with a thriving community of permanent residents, with most shops, bars, restaurants and hotels staying open throughout the year.
This area is, of course, famous for its beautiful beaches, and yet many are not aware that just minutes from the coast are miles of trails through the Andalucian hills, where you can walk for hours and barely see a soul. Horse riders and cyclists may also take advantage of the glorious countryside, heading into the mountainous hinterland of the Sierra de las Nieves, Serranía de Ronda and Sierra Blanca with its spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife.
Best place to live for golfers
The Costa del Sol is perhaps best known, however, as a golf lover’s dream destination and if you are one of the legions who can’t go a few days without a visit to the fairways, this area of Spain is definitely the best place in the world for you. Boasting exclusive championship-level clubs such as Finca Cortesín, Villa Padierna and La Quinta Golf and Country Club, there are over 70 golf courses to choose from across the region.
The so-called ‘Golf Valley’ of Nueva Andalucía, as it is affectionately known to locals, is at the foothills of the Sierra Blanca Mountain range. Gently sloping towards the sea, several exclusive golf clubs are to be found within easy reach of each other, including Las Brisas, Aloha and Los Naranjos Golf Clubs. In common with most clubs on the ‘Costa del Golf’, they offer great facilities, stunning surroundings and fabulous sea and mountain views from their pristine fairways. Without any doubt, if you are a golf lover, this is the best place to buy in Spain.
While golf is an important attraction for many, the region is home to an astonishing range of sports and recreation opportunities, including tennis and water sports – and many are surprised to learn that even winter skiing is available at the Sierra Nevada resort just a couple of hours away in Granada province. For those who love to be active, there are plenty of opportunities to stay fit and enjoy leisure time in the warm, sunny environment.
Sophisticated nightlife
For visitors with more epicurean tastes, recent years have seen a flourishing food scene, making this area a Mecca for foodies. Málaga province, boasting eight Michelin-starred restaurants, is rapidly gaining international recognition among global connoisseurs as a place to visit. Marbella’s Golden Mile, is a magnet for lovers of gourmet cuisine, fine dining and scintillating nightlife. World-renowned Nobu group has a restaurant and boutique hotel located here, in the area that was the genesis of the Costa del Sol’s reputation for jet-set glamor.
This elegant stretch of palm-tree-lined boulevard hosts the Marbella Club Hotel and its sister hotel the Puente Romano, which was the centre from where the rich, famous and royalty of the 1950s first began to discover this area’s allure. Compared to other towns of a similar size, Marbella and its environs offer a luxury lifestyle typically only encountered in large conurbations. Fashionistas love to browse the couture boutiques with a range of designers to rival any large city, while department stores and gourmet delicatessens fulfill practically any shopping craving.
Nearby, the exclusive yachting marina of Puerto Banús is a popular upmarket destination, with some of the world’s most luxurious private yachts mooring here on their summer tours of the Mediterranean. Surrounded by designer boutiques, upscale restaurants and bars, this is the place to see and be seen. Sipping cocktails amongst the yachts, supercars and the great and the good of the fashion world, visitors begin to understand how this area has gleaned a reputation for exclusivity and glamor.
Luxury living in the Costa del Sol
The quality of life in this part of Spain is unbeatable. While relatively small in terms of population, it packs a big punch in the variety and quality of the property market. Recent years have seen a boom in the luxury sector, with an eclectic range of styles to suit all tastes, from classic Andalusian grandeur to striking modern chic; sprawling mansion to cool, contemporary apartment complex. Marbella and Benahavís are the epicenters for luxury living, both within easy distance of all that this stunning part of the Costa del Sol has to offer. Cosmopolitan lifestyle and amenities combined with the stunning beauty of the Mediterranean coast? This is why we think that this area is the best place to live in the world!
One trend that is definitely here to stay in this part of Spain is the indoor/outdoor style of living, becoming one of the most attractive features of contemporary homes in this region. Thanks to the wonderful climate, it is possible to enjoy al fresco dining practically the whole year through, as wide, expansive terraces have become the norm. Luxury urbanisations are beautifully manicured, with exotic gardens, swimming pools and even wellness centres in the newer, upmarket complexes.
Alternatively, for families wishing to relocate to the Costa del Sol, it is a wonderful place to bring up children. With a wide range of high-quality private schools, teaching both the English system and a variety of international curricula, as well as a multitude of after-school activities, living on the Costa del Sol offers an idyllic spot for children.
There can be little doubt that there are few places in the world that have the quality of life enjoyed in this privileged part of Spain. The rich cultural and historical heritage combined with an uber-contemporary exclusivity, all within reaching distance along wide, flower-bedecked and uncluttered boulevards work together to create a geographic gem. It’s hard to argue that the Costa del Sol isn’t the best place to live in the world!
If you are considering moving to a luxury apartment complex on the Costa del Sol, we would be delighted to show you our selection of exclusive property. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch
Over 30 years of real estate experience in the Marbella and Costa del Sol market