The best place to live in Costa del Sol for a foreigner is one that offers greater privacy, better air connections, good golf courses, a nearby beach, services open throughout the year, nearby international schools and an international community that is ideal for integrating without losing the authenticity of Andalusia. Places such as Estepona, Mijas, Casares, Manilva, Sabinillas, Puerto de la Duquesa, La Alcaidesa and Sotogrande fit this description.
British, Dutch and German buyers are the most active groups of foreign buyers in the Spanish property market, and Málaga and some areas of Cádiz are among the provinces with the largest foreign populations.
In this guide, we will first explain why living in the Costa del Sol has become the preferred choice for foreigners who want to experience the dream of the Spanish climate. Next, we will give you a specific list of Costa del Sol towns that are among the best options for living if you are a foreigner and want to enjoy Andalusian culture and the Mediterranean climate in southern Spain.
Why moving to Costa del Sol
Moving to the Costa del Sol means having air connectivity, a good cost of living, schools, public and private healthcare, an international community and an active lifestyle thanks to its climate.
Leisure is part of everyday life, both in the main towns and in the surrounding areas, with shops, shopping centres and restaurants offering both international cuisine and local gastronomy, where you can try Málaga’s famous espetos or other delicacies from the Andalusian coast.
One of Spain’s greatest attractions is its healthcare system, as the country allows residents who meet the relevant requirements to access public healthcare, including citizens from most EU and EEA countries, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
However, without a doubt, the main reason for moving to the Costa del Sol is its climate. The official Costa del Sol Tourism website explains that this area of Spain enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine per year and an average annual temperature of around 18º. The beach will also always be close by, so during spring and summer you can spend your days on the sand if you wish. The Costa del Sol is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in southern Spain.
Facts about the Costa del Sol you may not know (and need to know)
If you are looking at Costa del Sol towns to live in, do not continue searching without knowing all these important points about the Costa del Sol. Here is a short guide to this area of southern Spain.
Where exactly is the Costa del Sol?
The Costa del Sol is the name given to an area in southern Spain, specifically in the autonomous community of Andalusia, which includes the province of Málaga and part of Cádiz. The name Costa del Sol comes from the fact that it is a coastal area with more than 320 days of sunshine per year, meaning it is unusual not to see the sun. It is also located close to Gibraltar, in the province of Cádiz.
Is Costa del Sol expensive?
It depends on the town or city where you are going to live. Estepona may be the most expensive area, with homes costing around €4,386 per m2, while the towns of Mijas, Manilva and Casares are around €3,525, €3,546 and €3,420 per m2 respectively.
In general, the most expensive areas are Sotogrande, Alcaidesa and Estepona. The areas with more average prices are Casares, Manilva and Mijas.
What is the climate like in the Costa del Sol?
The Costa del Sol has a Mediterranean climate, with more than 320 days of sunshine per year, mild winters and dry, warm summers. The average annual temperature is 18ºC
What type of gastronomy is most common in the Costa del Sol?
Local gastronomy is closely linked to the sea, olive oil and fresh vegetables, including traditional dishes such as grilled sardine skewers, fried fish, anchovies, gazpacho, ajoblanco and mixed fried seafood.
In addition, because it is located on the coast, beach bars are part of the coastal lifestyle, so you will be able to try these dishes there
Is the entire Costa del Sol made up of beaches?
Yes, the coastline extends for approximately 150 kilometres, with urban beaches, coves, promenades and marinas.
Are there international connections?
Yes, Málaga Airport is located in the Costa del Sol and offers connections to 161 destinations, including flights to London, Manchester, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Brussels and other cities.
Best Costa del Sol towns to live in
Below is our complete list of recommended Costa del Sol places:
Estepona
It is one of the most beautiful towns on the Andalusian coastline, according to Costa del Sol Tourism. Estepona has maintained a beautifully cared-for old town, a more relaxed pace than nearby and well-known Marbella and a more family-friendly atmosphere. It has a charming seafront promenade, restaurant areas offering both international and local cuisine, good housing options, year-round services and an urban environment that, despite being tourist-friendly, retains the essence of a traditional town.
Estepona also stands out for its marina, which holds the 2026 Blue Flag, a sign of environmental quality, services and safety.
Casares
Casares is the best option among the Costa del Sol towns if you are looking for the world-famous traditional Andalusian village experience without giving up proximity to the sea or extensive golf courses.
Its white houses and narrow, steep streets provide the perfect setting if you want to experience the authentic history of Andalusia. The town has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site and also blends into the views of the coastline, making this small town, part of the famous white villages, one of the best options if you are looking for the pure essence of the region.
Silence, tranquillity and privacy combined with a nearby beach are what define this town. In addition, if you are a golf enthusiast, the area has courses such as Casares Costa Golf and Doña Julia, which are popular with local residents and foreigners living in the area.
Manilva
Manilva is the perfect destination for a blend of Andalusian culture and gastronomy, with traditions that have endured for centuries. Its location is one of its greatest advantages: it is very close to the sea but surrounded by vineyards, allowing it to maintain the appearance of an inland village without losing the luxury of the coast. It has up to 8 kilometres of beaches.
Sabinillas
Sabinillas is one of the perfect places for a permanent residence. Its urban beach is located between the famous Puerto de la Duquesa and the Manilva River. For many foreigners who want to walk down to have breakfast by the beach, run errands without depending on a car and genuinely have the sea in front of them, Sabinillas offers the perfect everyday lifestyle.
Puerto de la Duquesa
Puerto de la Duquesa is one of the most aspirational Costa del Sol towns, offering a lifestyle that combines apartments and penthouses next to the marina, where there are many restaurants and terraces by the beach, together with the atmosphere of a small Mediterranean harbour that is ideal for foreigners looking for the complete experience of living beside the sea.
Mijas Costa
Mijas is considered the heart of the Costa del Sol, according to the official Mijas tourism website. In addition to its location, Mijas offers everything people look for in this area: beaches, golf, nature and Málaga Airport only around 20 minutes away. Connectivity is undoubtedly one of this town’s strongest features. In addition, precisely because of its location, it is a meeting point for the international community, as it is one of the areas with the highest numbers of British and Dutch residents and competes at a much more affordable level with the most premium areas of Marbella.
La Alcaidesa
La Alcaidesa is another of the Costa del Sol towns that combines urban life with the beach, golf and, in addition, a feeling of low population density that will appeal to those looking for privacy. The most famous golf courses in the area, Alcaidesa Golf and La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, stand out for their location with views of the sea, Gibraltar and even Africa.
San Roque
San Roque is one of the smallest Costa del Sol towns, but at the same time it has nothing to envy from better-known areas such as Sotogrande or Alcaidesa, as it has an extensive premium residential area with up to 9 golf courses, 12 polo fields and is very close to the Sotogrande marina. If you are looking for a spacious, safe and dispersed environment where every residential development has its own identity, this is the place for you.
Sotogrande
Located around 20 minutes from Gibraltar and approximately one hour from Málaga, Sotogrande is one of the Costa del Sol towns that is in a league of its own. It is well known as a premium destination for both Spanish and foreign residents, with private communities, first-class sports, beach clubs and varied gastronomy. For foreigners, it is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in southern Spain.
