Natalie Sitting on the Costa Blanca in Spain, the most expensive areas in Alicante reflect Spanish towns at their best. Whether it is the cost of living, real estate prices, or the wide range of luxurious amenities, these coastal towns are on the map for anyone who wants an upscale lifestyle.
With quality housing and a central location, the province of Alicante is famous for foreigners who wish to buy property and live in Spain. Add to this the Spanish residents who earn more than average incomes and you have a thriving real estate market. So, to splash the cash, let’s look at which real estate market you should be buying in.
The Most Expensive Areas in Alicante
About Alicante
Before discussing sale prices and the property market, it is worth knowing about the geographical location to see the quality of life. As part of the Valencian community, Alicante sits on the Iberian Peninsula and is an important cruise ship port. Facing the Mediterranean Sea, Alicante stands out in its hot summers and mild winters.
Roughly 20% of the population year-round are foreigners, but Alicante is also a popular destination for Spaniards owning summer holiday homes. Excellent transport links exist to international airports, railway stations, and bus options, and there are regular ferry services to Algeria and the famed Balearic Islands.
The Two Most Expensive regions
The province is divided into nine official comarcas, containing 141 official municipalities. Two options are the most expensive places.
Marina Alta: With Denia at this region’s capital and featuring prominent towns like Calpe and Xabia, the area separates into 33 municipalities. From here, catch ferries to Ibiza and Majorca. If Spanish pueblos are what you seek, head to Lliber, Alcalalí, Parcent, Murla and Castell de Castells. Otherwise, it is home to the bustling Benidorm. One thing is for sure: Marina Alta won’t disappoint house hunters. There is an impressive property market with much potential.
Marina Baixa: Villajoyosa is the capital of this region, and olive, almond, orange, and lemon trees drive the agricultural industry. Baixa is smaller than its counterpart above and includes 18 different municipalities, with some, like Benifato, registering a small population of just 200 people. With an impressive public transport network and a wide variety of properties, Marina Baixa presents several opportunities.
Where Do Most Foreigners Live?
Alicante itself is known for having the highest ratio of foreigners living within its boundaries. Some municipalities even have a higher ratio of foreigners than Spaniards. These include San Fulgencio, Rojales, Benitatxell, Algorfa, Llíber, and Teulada, to name but a few. So, now we have an excellent introduction to which towns, villages, and cities rank as expensive places to buy.
1: Playa De San Juan
Earning fame for beautiful beaches and impeccable streets, this is the place to wake up to fantastic sea views. With proximity to Alicante and excellent nightlife scenes, Playa De San Juan is always in high demand in both the real estate and the tourist market.
Dividing into four districts, Alicante Golf, La Albufereta, Cabo de las Huertas, and Play De San Juan, many foreign ex-pats have settled in the area to enjoy the high-priced lifestyles. Expect to pay more than your average price per square meter, but you will tap into a favourable location. San Juan Beach is also famous, and residents enjoy morning promenade walks.
2: L’alfas Del Pus
For permanent residence, L’alfas Del Pus shines through with its cultural heritage and peaceful town centre. The multicultural vibes are easy to see, with a high concentration of Norwegian, English, and Dutch residents. Platja de l’Albir is a seaside community that sees lots of demand for housing, and the resort of Altea is within a short distance and ideal for walking.
It is not a wealthy town, but nor does it skimp on community vibes. Having won the Blue Flag award for 30 years, ever since the scheme started, homes in this area offer perfection if you are looking to retire.
3: El Ensanche
This waterfront area encompasses El Postiguet Beach and Esplanade De Espana. Walking around, you will notice fantastic architecture and quaint cafes and restaurants. It is in the central district, a major city near the tram stops at Plaza Ulcers and Renfe station. Naturally, apartment living is significant in this area, but it is a famous Spanish municipality with impressive duplex apartments and penthouses.
4: Polop de la Marina
Property is at a high in Polop de la Marina. This town is known for its mountain location rather than beachfront living. Sitting 200 meters above sea level, this town is a reconnection with nature rather than bustling urban life. Scandinavians and British people love Polop de la Marina, whose impressive history dates to the Moors in the 10th century. The landmark castle in the Old Quarter portrays the cultural heritage. At the same time, the town centre with the San Pedro church, central square and Campanario market is everything an authentic Spanish destination should be.
5: Finestrat
With a year-round flight schedule, Finestrat comes in at an average square meter price of 2104 Euros. Sitting 55 kilometres from Alicante International Airport, and also easily accessed via the N-332 coastal road, Finestrat is part inland and has the Cala de Finestrat coastal area.
La Marina is their primary shopping centre, and golfing fans will be delighted to know there are seven courses nearby. Nightlife is low-key, but should you want to step it up a notch, Benidorm city centre is a short drive away. Property prices are more than average bank accounts allow, but that is the charm, and potential house hunters will be delighted.
6: Altea
With approximately 22,000 residents, Altea’s house prices are more than national averages, but this city isn’t populous. It’s slow-paced, off-the-grid living. Known for the historical centre boasting traditional whitewashed Spanish houses and sitting on a hill, Altea sits about 10 kilometres from the Spanish city of Benidorm.
The old part is at the seaside, and the new part sits inland. Still, several lifestyle residences are on the city’s outskirts, with reasonably priced apartments and villas. Marina Greenwich is where the luxury yachts dock, and like many other Mediterranean towns and villages, the beachfront promenade is a delight in summer.
7: Benissa
As an old town, Benissa has limited authentic housing stock, which makes the area pricy. The price per sqm is the highest in the Marina Altea area, but you won’t find any unattractive apartment blocks; you’ll just find delightful Spanish living on narrow streets. For traditional Spanish finches (country estate), this is the place to head to. With a village church, traditional square, and delightful markets, this is Spanish living.
8: Cabo de las Huertas
Sitting in the eastern part, Cabo de Las Huertas is famed for the fantastic rocky coves scattered along the coastline and their excellent location. Places like Cala Cantalar, Cala Palmera, and Cala de los Judios are great for their snorkelling potential and unique views. Most houses are detached luxury villas, but there are some apartment buildings. Despite the vibes, some streets have attractive prices, and house buyers easily tap into the healthy microclimate.
9: Calpe
Known for the sandy Arenal-Bol beach, where property prices have ranked among the highest. Calpe in the North is another time-honoured favourite of expats, thanks to the medium-quality housing. The one aspect that stands out about Calpe is that there are more foreigners than Spaniards, hence the rich cultural scene. Thriving on the tourism and fishing industries, Calpe is a one-hour drive from Alicante airport. Dominated by the rock of Ifach, which stands at 332 metres, several golf courses are nearby.
Is Alicante the Most Expensive Place in Spain?
No, Alicante is far from being home to the most expensive property. These go to the Malaga province and Madrid. Still, the crown for the most expensive street in Spain goes to the Serra de Tramuntana area in Mallorca’s Balearic Islands. This coastal location often sees expensive homes snapped up by celebrities and wealthy businesspeople, hence the status.
Where is an affordable place to buy property in Alicante?
A cheap district is Torrevieja, which has a well-serviced bus station, educational institutions, and affordable prices. With inexpensive housing options and an expat favourite, this town is ideal for year-round living or permanent residence.
Regarding costs, look at the neighbourhoods of Parque de las Naciones and Playa del Cura, where you can find complexes with communal pools. Guardamar-del-Segura is another popular destination for affordable housing. Otherwise, look at the bustling city neighbourhoods of Colonia Requena, Virgen del Remedio, Juan XXII, and Nou Alacant for excellent housing prices.
Also, About Spain
Costas of Spain: From the Costa Calida to luxurious villas and affordable homes, our article about the costs of Spain will help anyone who wants that seaside lifestyle. We discuss city beaches, secondary markets, and how to find properties, giving an excellent introduction to all the costs so you can make informed choices.
Buy Property: We are Spot Blue International, and our services help save time and money. See our selection of properties for sale here and use the contact details to learn more. Alternatively, call and chat with an agent if you want to know more about the most expensive areas in Alicante.
