Split into five provinces, The region of Andalucia comprises three popular coastlines reaching right to the Portuguese border: the Costa de la Luz to the west, the Costa del Sol and, to the east, the Costa de Almeria. Between them, these three costas offer a range of vistas, from untouched stretches of golden sand blown by an Atlantic breeze to tracts of property over-development to bizarre rock formations on an almost-deserted, desert-like coast baked by summer temperatures exceeding 100°F. And just as the three focal areas of Andalucia's coastline are bathed in different temperatures, so too are their property markets at different stages of heating up or cooling off. Says Eric Carter of Elite Overseas Properties, which has an office in Ayamonte in the Western Costa de la Luz: "Prices for property such as fincas (farmhouses) start from as little as £80,000 to £600,000, coastal villas from £150,000 to £2 million or more, and apartments from £80,000 to £500,000. "Property prices in Andalucia have been rising by approximately 20 per cent per annum for the last three years and the same growth is expected for 2006", Carter adds. "The Andalucia region of Spain is probably one of the best for property investment as it is still relatively undeveloped compared to other established costas, and with seven of the ten best beaches in Spain and several excellent golf courses (and new courses to open within the next few years) this area will become more and more popular."

In contrast, Carter feels that the neighbouring Costa del Sol "has peaked in terms of prices, with heaps of property for sale - so it really is a buyers market. " However, property prices and price movements are never precisely uniform across an area the size of the Costa del Sol, hence you can expect to find pockets of property that is outperforming the area as a whole. This is certainly the view that Steve Burns of Palmera properties takes. "Prices on the Costa del Sol for new-build property are increasing in value by 20 per cent per annum in some places. In fact, Antequera's rises are reportedly higher than this, but Marbella's are much lower." Burns continues as follows, broadening the scope of his assessment, "Unlike some analysts, we are predicting that Spain's property market will continue to rise, especially with the UK property market now showing signs of improvement and with the cash injection the new SIPPs legislation is likely to bring in the spring."

If you were to buy on the Costa del Sol now, approximately 150,000 to 170,000 euros will buy you a one-bed apartments in Manilva or a two-bed in La Duquesa; while those with more upmarket budgets could fork out one million euros for a four-bedroom villa with pool in Sotogrande. Moving on, Burns sees immediate potential just to the east of the Costa del Sol, in Almeria. "Property price increases in the Almeria region of Andalucia do tend to be higher - I imagine the trend will continue until prices have caught up with the Costa del Sol", he predicts. Steve Koeck of Almerisol Properties is in broad agreement with Burns. "We expect property prices to continue rising on the Costa Almeria at 15 per cent for the next two years then start to level out over the following three years. This is due to the fact that many other of the costas are more expensive or do not have the facilities or climate of the region of Andalucia." As a snapshot of current market conditions, Koeck says that for 225,000 euros one could buy "a two-bedroom property with a large terrace and sea views just a five-minute walk to beach, or 25 minutes inland, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom property on a large plot of land for 180,000 euros."
 
Access to Andalucia
Of Andalucia's three costas, Luz has the patchiest access, but this doesn't present a major stumbling block for those wanting to visit a second property there on a regular basis. For access to the western end of the costa, a handful of airlines fly from UK airports to Faro, in the Algarve, then it's a 45-minute drive to Ayamonte. Alternatively, you can fly to Jerez de la Frontera from London or Manchester, then drive the short distance to Cadiz or 100 kilometres to Tarifa. Seville, although further inland, is another option. Furthermore, a new airport is planned for the region, but not for the next three-to-five years.

In contrast, the Costa del Sol has just one main access point, Malaga airport, but it is handily located for all of the Sol hot-spots and is served by a whole squadron of airlines from numerous airports in the UK. Indeed, within five years, Malaga airport is set to double its capacity to cater for the unrelenting popularity of the surrounding area.  The Costa de Almeria also has just one main point of air access: Almeria airport. Although not as well-served as Malaga, Almeria nevertheless is served by low-cost airlines from Gatwick, Stansted and northern England, so regular access is not a problem.

Resorts in Andalucia
Costa de la Luz
For its bright sunshine and dramatic sunsets the costa that borders Portugal has earned the name 'the coast of light'. "Compared to the Costa del Sol", says Carter, "the Costa de la Luz is far less developed with ecologically protected coastal reserves, long stretches of golden sandy beaches backed by pine woods, river estuaries, and lush green countryside. It is not as mountainous as the Costa del Sol so the country houses usually come with large plots of flat land, ideal for horses and crops/orchards."

The first resort of note moving west to east is Ayamonte, one of the most popular on the Costa de la Luz. Its proximity to Portugal has rubbed of on the town, which features tiled plazas and tree-lined streets. In the centre of Ayamonte, close to several golf courses, and close to the sandy beaches of Punta del Moral and Isla Canela, is Victorina, a newly built apartment available for 124.900 euros.

New property is also available on Isla Canela, which features a great beach, a golf course and a marina. Beyond the uninspiring city of Huelva lies the Coto de Donana, Europe's largest nature reserve, where flamingoes, lynx and many birds reside amongst the lagoons and sand dunes. For those who want to live close to nature, 252,000 euros will suffice to buy you the two-bedroom Brisita property, which is also just metres from a beach. The beaches continue east of the Coto de Donana, with those on Isla Cristina and between Matalascanas and Mazagon being particularly of note. Mazagon, moreover, is a quiet seaside town of considerable charm.

Beyond the resort of Rota (good beaches, average town), the dunes give way to cliffs. Just inland from Rota is Jerez de la Frontera, famous for its sherry and horses.

Another major settlement in Andalucia is Cadiz, an old Moorish town now surrounded by modern property developments. Still, it's a relaxed place and has a good location on a peninsula. South-east from here, the great beaches keep coming, often complete with some impressive Atlantic rollers. Coastal settlements in this area alternate between modern towns (such as Conil) and small fishing villages (Zahara, for example), while inland lies the gem of Vejer de la Frontera, a classic white-washed hill town in Andalucia.

Towards the eastern extreme of the Costa de la Luz are Sanlucar, famous as for its horse-racing venue, and Tarifa, where strong winds propel the windsurfers that congregate to enjoy some of Europe's best conditions for their sport. This stretch of the Costa de la Luz, from Vejer to Tarifa, is popular with British homebuyers. In the former, around 200,000 euros will buy you a three-bedroom house, while the same sum will secure an apartment in the older part of Tarifa.

Costa del Sol
A few kilometres east of Tarifa, just beyond Gibraltar, the Andalucian coastline begins to assume the more mountainous backdrop of the Costa del Sol, which forms the coastline of Malaga province. The Costa del Sol is perhaps visited by Brits on an annual basis more than anywhere else in the world due to its irresistible climate of year-round sunshine, and fantastic beaches, marinas and golf courses. And, of course, there's no shortage of property to buy or places to stay in this part of Andalucia. Moving west to east, the resort of Estepona is the first popular port of call. While featuring the type of apartment blocks that have blighted some stretches of the Costa del Sol, Estepona's are not too imposing, looking out over a fine beach. The town also has character, being home to a big fishing fleet, a fish market and bullfighting.

Just outside of Estepona, work continues on a PGA-standard golf course development, which by 2012 will consist of 4,300 properties. The first properties are due to be released soon and work has already started on the clubhouse. Forty kilometres inland from Estepona is the splendidly preserved, Moorish-influenced town of Ronda, famous for the seemingly bottomless gorge that splits the town in two.

Next up on the coast is Marbella, the gold-standard resort of the Costa del Sol, with property prices to match, while nearby Puerto Banus keeps the luxury theme going with its casino and marina, as does Sotogrande with its exclusive resort, residential complex and Valderrama golf course. In this area, between Marbella and the package holiday location of Fuengirola, are La Mirada apartments. Situated within walking distance of beautiful unspoilt beaches, La Mirada features low-rise collections of spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses. Prices start from 240,000 euros. As the coastline turns almost due east and heads towards Malaga, the places of note are Manilva, Puerto Duquesa, Mijas and Calahonda. Manilva and Mijas are typical white-washed Andalucian villages set back from coast, while in contrast Calahonda is a fairly spacious property development and Puerto Duquesa offers a sports marina and golf course, set in unspoilt scenery. Currently under construction in Manilva is the Terrazas development, which has been designed to replicate an Andalucian village. Here, one-bedroom apartments are available from 156,000 euros, and three bedrooms from 363,000 euros. East of Malaga with its Moorish reminders and proud history is Torrox, a popular coastal strip overlooked by villages painted white, and Nerja, the eastern tip of Costa del Sol, which offers great beaches against a mountainous backdrop.

Costa de Almeria
East of the little-known Costa Tropical, with its forgettable towns of Almunecar and Motril, and the pleasant Salobrena with its white walls and ruined castle, is the Costa de Almeria. Here, in average seasonal temperatures that range from 13ºC in winter and 25º C in summer, beautiful beaches alternate with rocky coves and the huge makeshift greenhouses of the area's agricultural industry. Inland, a desert landscapes is punctuated with sandstone formations. Tucked into the area's south-western corner, Almerimar is the Costa de Almeria's first resort of note. Almerimar is a small, modern resort with a golf course and a marina. Golf apartments are available from 133,000 euros.

Further east, Roquetas del Mar is the largest resort in the area, and boasts a golf course, a naturist beach and salt marshes populated by flamingoes.

Twenty kilometres east is the modern city of Almeria. Just a few miles from this pleasant city is Lomas de Cuevas, a first-phase development of two-bedroom apartments in its first phase close to three golf courses. Here, property prices start from 160,000 euros (Eden Villas). Fifty kilometres inland is Albox, a typical white-washed village, while 100 kilometres round the coast is Mojacar, an attractive village in a picturesque setting. Next of note along the coast is Vera, a town with local character and good amenities overlooking big, clean beaches. In nearby Pueblo Salinas, 134 apartments and 34 semi-detached houses are scheduled for completion in 2007, with prices starting from 170,000 euros (Almerisol). In the south-eastern corner of Almeria is Cabo de Gata-Nijar National Park, an area of wild landscapes and abundant flora and fauna; in close proximity is the golf resort of Almanzora.

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For further information about property in Andalucia:
Elite Overseas
Palmera Properties
Almerisol Properties SL

Read Other articles about Spain:
Why buy property in Murcia?
Discovering property in inland Spain
Where to buy property in Spain

Article first published in April 2006