Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is one of the most sought-after regions in Europe for people who dream of a life under the Spanish sun. Along the Mediterranean coast between Málaga and Manilva, lively towns, traditional Andalusian villages, exclusive residential areas, marinas, golf courses and mile after mile of beaches all take their turn.
But the Costa del Sol is far more than a holiday destination. For many international owners, it has long since become a second or permanent home. The mild climate, excellent infrastructure, Málaga International Airport and the wide selection of properties make the region appealing both as a permanent residence and as a second home or property investment. What makes it special: within a comparatively short distance, you'll find completely different lifestyles and residential settings.
At a Glance
- Over 320 days of sunshine a year
- Málaga Airport around 30–40 minutes away
- AP-7: excellent road connections
- More than 70 golf courses
- Miles of beaches and coves
- An established international community
Where is the Costa del Sol?
The Costa del Sol lies in southern Spain, in the province of Málaga, stretching along the Mediterranean. Our focus at Right Casa Estates is the coastal stretch from Málaga to Manilva — a region that includes some of the best-known and most attractive property locations in southern Spain. From Málaga, the coast runs through Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola to Mijas Costa, on to Marbella and Estepona, and all the way to Manilva on the western Costa del Sol. Just a few kilometres inland, the landscape changes completely. White mountain villages, golf resorts, natural areas and rural fincas offer interesting alternatives to living right by the sea.
Which part of the Costa del Sol suits you?
One of the most important questions when buying a property isn't just which property, but above all which area suits your lifestyle.
Málaga – city life by the Mediterranean
Málaga combines the life of a modern Spanish city with beaches, culture and a Mediterranean atmosphere. The historic old town, museums, restaurants, the harbour and excellent international transport links make Málaga particularly appealing to buyers who prefer urban living.
Benalmádena – pueblo, town and coast
Benalmádena offers several distinct lifestyles all in one. The traditional Benalmádena Pueblo sits on elevated ground above the coast, Arroyo de la Miel offers excellent infrastructure, and Benalmádena Costa combines beaches and leisure options with the well-known Puerto Marina.
Fuengirola – everything within easy reach
Fuengirola is compact, lively and excellently connected. Miles of beaches, restaurants, shops and the direct train connection to Málaga Airport make the town particularly appealing to people who want to get around mostly on foot without constantly relying on a car.
Mijas and Mijas Costa – remarkably versatile
The municipality of Mijas stretches from the mountains to the Mediterranean. Mijas Pueblo offers classic Andalusian village life with spectacular views, while along the coast lie popular residential areas such as La Cala de Mijas, Riviera del Sol, Miraflores and Calahonda. Here you'll find a particularly wide selection of apartments, penthouses, townhouses, villas and golf properties.
Cabopino and East Marbella – beach, nature and golf
Around Cabopino, Elviria and the eastern residential areas of Marbella, beautiful beaches meet golf courses, international schools and high-quality residential complexes. Cabopino itself is known for its charming small marina and the protected dunes of Artola.
Marbella – international and exclusive
Marbella is one of the best-known residential addresses in Europe. From the historic old town, through the Golden Mile and Puerto Banús, to Nueva Andalucía, Sierra Blanca and the exclusive villa areas, Marbella offers an exceptionally varied property market. Luxury plays an important role here — but Marbella offers far more than glamorous marinas and beach clubs. The town has excellent infrastructure and has long been a year-round home for many international families.
Estepona – the new face of the western Costa del Sol
Estepona has developed considerably in recent years while retaining its Spanish character. The beautiful old town, long beaches, the marina and numerous modern new-build developments make Estepona one of the most interesting property locations on the western Costa del Sol. Between Marbella and Estepona also lies the New Golden Mile, with high-quality beachfront, golf and new-build properties.
Manilva – a more relaxed life in the west
The further west you go, the more relaxed the Costa del Sol becomes. Manilva and the coastal areas around La Duquesa and Sabinillas offer a more relaxed lifestyle and often an interesting price-to-value ratio. The marina at La Duquesa, beaches and golf courses make the area particularly appealing to buyers seeking peace and quiet while still having all essential amenities nearby.
More than just beach – the Costa del Sol's hinterland
One of the most beautiful sides of this region is discovered by leaving the coast for a few kilometres. Behind the well-known beach resorts begins the Andalusian mountain and hill landscape, with white villages, fincas, olive groves and expansive plots. Places like Mijas Pueblo, Alhaurín el Grande and Coín offer a completely different way of living. Here you'll often find more space, larger plots and a more traditional Spanish setting — while the beaches of the Costa del Sol remain conveniently accessible. For buyers looking for a finca, a country house or a villa with more privacy, it's therefore worth looking beyond the first coastal line alone.
Life on the Costa del Sol
Life on the Costa del Sol largely happens outdoors. A morning walk by the sea, lunch on a terrace, golf or padel in the afternoon, and an evening with friends under the open sky — the mild climate makes possible a lifestyle that, for many people, is one of the main reasons for moving to southern Spain. Add to this an established international community. English is spoken in many places, and particularly between Mijas, Marbella and Estepona, people from numerous European countries live side by side. At the same time, Spanish culture remains present everywhere — at weekly markets, at ferias, in traditional restaurants and in everyday life.
Beaches and coastal living
From Málaga to Manilva, the Costa del Sol offers an exceptionally varied coastline. Wide town beaches, small coves, long promenades and exclusive beach clubs take turns along the way. Particularly appealing is the Mijas coastline with the Senda Litoral, which links numerous beach stretches via promenades and wooden walkways. In Marbella and Estepona, beach restaurants and chiringuitos are as much a part of the lifestyle as the well-known marinas of Puerto Banús, Cabopino, Estepona and La Duquesa.
Golf on the Costa del Sol
For golfers, the Costa del Sol is one of the most attractive regions in Europe, often referred to for good reason as the Costa del Golf. Between Málaga and Manilva there are numerous renowned golf courses — many of them with spectacular views over the Mediterranean and the mountains. The selection is exceptionally large, particularly around Mijas, Marbella, Benahavís and Estepona. For property buyers, this also means a wide selection of golf properties — from apartments right on the fairway to exclusive villas in private golf resorts.
International schools and infrastructure
One of the reasons so many international families settle permanently on the Costa del Sol is its excellent infrastructure. Along the coast there are numerous international and bilingual schools, as well as private and public medical facilities. Supermarkets, shopping centres, sports clubs, restaurants and services are easily accessible in the larger residential areas. Marbella, Mijas, Fuengirola and Benalmádena in particular offer very well-established international infrastructure.
International accessibility
Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport is one of the region's greatest advantages. From here, there are numerous direct connections to European cities. Many towns between Málaga and Marbella can be reached from the airport in under 40 minutes. Estepona and Manilva are also well connected via the coastal motorway. For owners of a second home, this accessibility is particularly important — a weekend or a few weeks on the Costa del Sol can be planned without complications.
Properties on the Costa del Sol
Hardly any other region offers a comparable variety of properties. The range spans from small apartments close to the beach, to modern new-build flats and penthouses with sea views, to traditional townhouses, golf properties, fincas and exclusive luxury villas. Prices vary considerably depending on location. A beachfront property in Marbella is a completely different market from a finca in the hinterland or an apartment in Manilva. For this reason, a property search shouldn't necessarily start with a specific place. It's often more useful to first consider: How do you want to live in Spain? Would you like to walk to the beach in the morning? Is a sea view more important to you than proximity to the beach? Would you like to reach restaurants and shops on foot? Do you play golf? Are you looking for peace and privacy? Do you need an international school nearby? Or would you prefer a larger plot and a house surrounded by greenery? The right region often follows naturally from these answers.
Your property on the Costa del Sol
Buying a property on the Costa del Sol means more than just choosing a house or an apartment. It means choosing a lifestyle and a setting. And this is exactly where local experience can make the crucial difference. Right Casa Estates has known the Costa del Sol and its different residential areas for many years. We help you find not just any property, but the area and the home that truly match what you're looking for. From Málaga through Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas and Marbella to Estepona and Manilva, we support you in your property search on the Costa del Sol. Discover our properties for sale on the Costa del Sol — and find your place under the Spanish sun.
The Costa del Sol at a Glance
