Costa Blanca or Costa Cálida: Which Coast Suits You Best?

Anyone searching for a home in the southeast of Spain will almost certainly come across two names: the Costa Blanca and the Costa Cálida. The two coasts border each other and share the same sunny climate, but there are clear differences in character, price level and amenities. In this article we put them side by side, so you can search with more focus.

Where exactly are they?

The Costa Blanca is the coastline of the province of Alicante, running from Dénia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada in the south, around 200 kilometres in total. The Costa Cálida connects directly to it and covers roughly 250 kilometres of coast in the region of Murcia, from San Pedro del Pinatar to Águilas. Its best-known feature is the Mar Menor, the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe.

Climate: warm and even warmer

Both coasts are among the sunniest regions of Europe, with more than 300 days of sunshine per year. The Costa Cálida, literally "the warm coast", is on average slightly warmer and drier. The shallow Mar Menor also heats up quickly, so you can swim comfortably from early spring until well into autumn. The difference is small though: the World Health Organization has named the Costa Blanca climate one of the healthiest in the world.

Price level: more value for money in Murcia

The biggest practical difference is the price per square metre. The Costa Blanca has been an established market for decades, and strong international demand has pushed prices up considerably in popular towns such as Jávea, Moraira and Altea. The Costa Cálida was discovered later and often offers more living space, a larger plot or a shorter walk to the beach for the same budget. For investors, this also means the growth potential in the Murcia region is relatively high.

Amenities and accessibility

The Costa Blanca leads when it comes to infrastructure: Alicante-Elche airport is one of the busiest in Spain, with direct flights to most of Europe all year round. You will also find international schools, hospitals with multilingual staff and a wide choice of restaurants and shops. The Costa Cálida is served by Murcia (Corvera) airport and is about an hour's drive from Alicante. Amenities are perfectly good, but the offer is smaller and the atmosphere is more Spanish and quieter.

Atmosphere and lifestyle

On the Costa Blanca you live among an international community: there are Dutch, Belgian, British and Scandinavian clubs, and English is spoken almost everywhere. The Costa Cálida has stayed more authentic. Towns like Águilas and Mazarrón are still genuinely Spanish coastal towns where life carries on outside the high season. If you enjoy liveliness and convenience, the Costa Blanca is a great fit. If you are looking for peace and the real Spain, the Costa Cálida is well worth considering.

In short

• Costa Blanca: established market, excellent accessibility, plenty of amenities and a large international community.
• Costa Cálida: sharper prices, more space, an authentic Spanish character and the unique Mar Menor.

Not sure which coast best matches your wishes and budget? Real Estate G. Jimmink works on both the Costa Blanca and the Costa Cálida and knows both regions inside out. Feel free to contact us for personal advice.