OceanHome Blog

Local tips, insider insights, and in-depth articles about buying, renting and living on the Costa Blanca & Costa del Sol — written by our team in Torrevieja.

Written by our local team46articles · Updated April 2026
Sunny Costa Blanca coastline with turquoise Mediterranean water and palm trees
Featured
8 min readUpdated April 2026By Maya Kallio

Best Time to Visit Costa Blanca

Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and events to help you pick the perfect time.

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All Articles

Property insights, travel tips, and local guides from our team on the ground.

Sunny Costa Blanca coastline with turquoise Mediterranean water and palm trees
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Best Time to Visit Costa Blanca

Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and events to help you pick the perfect time.

8 min readBy Maya Kallio
Bright blue sky over Mediterranean beach with palm trees
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Costa Blanca Weather Month by Month

Temperatures, rainfall, sunshine hours, and sea temps for every month of the year in detail.

10 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Wooden boardwalk through coastal dunes at golden sunset
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Torrevieja's Pink Salt Lakes: A Complete Guide

Why the lakes are pink, when to visit, flamingo season, and everything you need to know.

7 min readBy Nea Randelin
Aerial view of a Spanish Mediterranean coastline with turquoise sea and white buildings
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Costa Blanca vs Costa del Sol: Which Is Right for You?

An honest comparison of weather, prices, beaches, and lifestyle to help you decide which coast suits you.

9 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Retired couple relaxing on a sunny Spanish terrace overlooking the sea
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Spanish Residency for Retirees: What You Need to Know

Visas, NIE numbers, healthcare registration, and the practical steps to becoming a Spanish resident.

12 min readBy Maya Kallio
Charming narrow street in a historic Alicante village with colourful bougainvillea
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Hidden Gems in Alicante Province

Off-the-beaten-path towns, viewpoints, and experiences most tourists never discover.

8 min readBy Aino-Kaisa Lonka
Ornate Spanish apartment facades with wrought-iron balconies in historic quarter
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Buying Property in Spain: A Complete 2026 Guide

Everything you need to know about the Spanish property purchase process, from NIE to notary, with real cost breakdowns and listing examples.

12 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Whitewashed house facade with teal door and esparto blinds in Andalusian village
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Property Taxes in Spain: Annual Running Costs

IBI, basura, community fees, insurance and utilities — what Spanish property ownership actually costs each year.

9 min readBy Maya Kallio
Spanish coastal cliff with medieval fortress overlooking turquoise Mediterranean
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Best Areas to Buy Property on the Costa Blanca

Area-by-area comparison of the Costa Blanca’s best property markets — prices, lifestyle, and who each area suits best.

11 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Elevated sea view with palm-lined promenade on Costa del Sol coast
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Torrevieja Property Market in 2026: Prices and Trends

Neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood breakdown of Torrevieja property prices in 2026, with real listings at every budget level.

10 min readBy Nea Randelin
Modern white wave pergola on promenade in Malaga port district
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New Build vs Resale Property in Spain: Full Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of buying new-build vs resale property in Spain, covering taxes, quality, timelines and real costs.

9 min readBy Maya Kallio
Flower-lined alley with hanging geraniums in Estepona old town
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Cost of Living on the Costa Blanca in 2026

Monthly budget breakdown for living on the Costa Blanca — housing, food, utilities, healthcare and leisure costs in 2026.

10 min readBy Aino-Kaisa Lonka
Andalusian patio entrance with green-and-white checkerboard tiles and plants
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Getting a Mortgage in Spain as a Foreign Buyer

LTV limits, interest rates, required documents and a real worked example for non-resident mortgage buyers in Spain.

9 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Malaga cityscape at sunset with cathedral tower and Alcazaba fortress
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Buying Property on the Costa del Sol: 2026 Guide

Fuengirola, Mijas and the Costa del Sol property market — including Andalusia’s 7% ITP tax advantage over the Costa Blanca.

10 min readBy Nea Randelin
Mediterranean garden with palm trees and white villa at dusk
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Buying Property in Spain for Retirement: What to Know

What retirees should look for, budget sweet spots, healthcare access, and real retirement-suitable properties on the Costa Blanca.

10 min readBy Maya Kallio
Sandy Mediterranean beach with palm trees and lifeguard tower
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Beachfront vs Inland Property: Costa Blanca Compared

Side-by-side comparison of beachfront, near-beach and inland property on the Costa Blanca with real listings and price data.

9 min readBy Aino-Kaisa Lonka
Straw parasols casting shadows on golden Mediterranean beach
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Living in Torrevieja as an Expat: The Complete 2026 Guide

Everything expats need to know about daily life in Torrevieja — from registering at the town hall to finding your community.

14 min readBy Maya Kallio
Lush green golf course with palm trees in Costa del Sol sunshine

Orihuela Costa Property Guide: Golf, Beaches and Listings

Area-by-area breakdown of Orihuela Costa — urbanisations, golf courses, beaches and what different budgets buy.

12 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Wooden boardwalk through coastal dunes at golden sunset
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Guardamar del Segura: Why Buyers Love This Hidden Gem

Natural dunes, wide sandy beaches and authentic Spanish atmosphere — why savvy buyers choose Guardamar del Segura.

10 min readBy Nea Randelin
Aerial view of white rural finca villa on hillside among olive trees
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Ciudad Quesada: Villas, Golf and Community Living

Detached villas with private pools, championship golf and a tight-knit international community — what Ciudad Quesada offers property buyers.

10 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Nerja Balcon de Europa promenade lined with tall palm trees
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Living in Fuengirola: Complete Guide for International Residents

Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol — international schools, healthcare, vibrant expat community and a 7km beach promenade.

12 min readBy Nea Randelin
White Andalusian village street with mosaic-paved steps in Frigiliana
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Best Neighbourhoods in Torrevieja for Foreign Buyers

Neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide to Torrevieja — which area suits your lifestyle and budget.

12 min readBy Maya Kallio
Orange tree with ripe fruit over white village rooftops with palms
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Vega Baja Property Guide: Affordable Inland Towns Near the Coast

Affordable villas and townhouses in Spain’s Vega Baja region — 10–15 minutes from the coast at 30–40% less than beachfront prices.

10 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Whitewashed village street with stone fountain in Frigiliana
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Property in Spain Under €150,000: What You Can Actually Buy

Real listings under €150,000 — what you actually get for your money on the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol.

11 min readBy Nea Randelin
Red Moorish-style building with palm trees in Andalusia
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Spain Golden Visa 2026: The Property Investment Route

How to qualify for Spain’s Golden Visa through property investment — minimum €500,000, full requirements and process.

10 min readBy Maya Kallio
Colorful paper lanterns strung between Spanish buildings during fiesta
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Moving to Spain from the UK: A Post-Brexit Practical Guide

Everything British expats need to know about moving to Spain post-Brexit — visas, healthcare, pensions and property.

13 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Traditional whitewashed street with blue flowerpots in Mijas pueblo
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Moving to Spain from Scandinavia: A Nordic Guide

Everything Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian and Danish expats need to know about making the move to Spain.

12 min readBy Aino-Kaisa Lonka
Plaza del Socorro with baroque church towers in Ronda under blue sky
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Renting vs Buying Property in Spain: Which Makes More Sense?

Rent or buy? A practical financial comparison for anyone considering property in Spain, with real cost breakdowns.

10 min readBy Marco Elsinger
White houses perched on dramatic cliff edge in Ronda
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Selling Property in Spain as a Foreign Owner: Complete Guide

The complete process of selling Spanish property as a non-resident — taxes, documents, the 3% retention and how to navigate it.

10 min readBy Maya Kallio
Andalusian patio with green-and-white checkerboard tiles and hanging plants
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Renovating Property in Spain: Costs, Rules and Practical Tips

What it really costs to renovate in Spain — permits, builders, budgets and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

11 min readBy Aino-Kaisa Lonka
Lush green golf course with palm trees in Costa del Sol

Golf Properties on the Costa Blanca: Courses, Communities and Listings

Live on the fairway — golf courses, green fees, nearby properties and the golf lifestyle on the Costa Blanca.

11 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Ornate Spanish apartment facades with wrought-iron balconies and red shutters
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Buying Property in Spain for Rental Income: What to Expect

What you need to know about rental income from Spanish property — licences, taxes, seasonal demand and realistic returns.

11 min readBy Nea Randelin
Modern white wave pergola on waterfront promenade in Malaga
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Spain for Digital Nomads: Where to Base Yourself in 2026

Spain’s digital nomad visa, best towns for remote work, internet speeds, coworking spaces and whether buying property makes sense.

10 min readBy Aino-Kaisa Lonka
White village cafe terrace with blue flowerpots in Mijas

Accessible Ground-Floor Property in Spain: A Buyer’s Guide

Ground-floor bungalows, lift access and level terrain — how to find accessible property on the Costa Blanca.

9 min readBy Maya Kallio
Alcazaba fortress walls illuminated at twilight in Malaga
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Spanish Property Scams: How to Protect Yourself

The most common property scams in Spain and exactly how to protect yourself — from illegal builds to fake agents.

10 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Spanish coastal cliff with fortress overlooking turquoise Mediterranean
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Properties Near Alicante Airport: Best Towns Within 30 Minutes

Looking for a holiday home you can reach quickly? The best towns within 30 minutes of Alicante airport, with prices and listings.

10 min readBy Nea Randelin
Mijas pueblo street with blue cafe tables and flower-covered facades
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Healthcare in Spain for Retirees: Complete 2026 Guide

Everything retirees need to know about accessing healthcare in Spain — public registration, private insurance, prescriptions and real-world costs.

11 min readBy Maya Kallio
Sandy Mediterranean beach with palm trees and lifeguard tower
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Best Beaches on the Costa Blanca — And Properties Nearby

A beach-by-beach guide to the Costa Blanca coastline, with property prices and real listings within walking distance of the best sand.

10 min readBy Nea Randelin
White Andalusian village street with mosaic steps in Frigiliana
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How to Get an NIE Number in Spain: 2026 Step-by-Step

The NIE is your essential first step for buying property, opening a bank account or working in Spain. Here is exactly how to get one in 2026.

9 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Whitewashed house with teal door and esparto blinds in village
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Community Fees in Spain: What Buyers Need to Know

Community fees are one of the biggest ongoing costs of owning property in Spain. Here is what they cover, what they cost, and how to avoid nasty surprises.

9 min readBy Aino-Kaisa Lonka
Elevated sea view with palm-lined promenade on Costa del Sol
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Torrevieja vs Orihuela Costa: Where Should You Buy?

Two of the most popular property destinations on the southern Costa Blanca, compared head to head on price, lifestyle, infrastructure and investment potential.

11 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Red Moorish-style building with palm trees in Andalusia
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Buying Off-Plan Property in Spain: Risks and Rewards

Everything you need to know before putting a deposit on an off-plan property in Spain — from bank guarantees to completion timelines.

11 min readBy Marco Elsinger
Aerial view of white rural finca villa surrounded by olive trees
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Property Inspection Checklist: What to Check Before Buying in Spain

The complete room-by-room checklist for inspecting a property before buying in Spain — never miss a hidden defect.

10 min readBy Nea Randelin
Colorful paper lanterns strung between buildings during Spanish fiesta
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Best Time to Buy Property in Spain: Seasonal Guide

Seasonal breakdown of when to buy property in Spain for the best prices, widest choice and strongest negotiating position.

10 min readBy Maya Kallio
Wooden boardwalk through coastal dunes at golden sunset
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Costa Blanca South vs North: Property Comparison

Head-to-head comparison of Costa Blanca South and North — prices, lifestyle, climate and which area suits different buyer profiles.

12 min readBy Aino-Kaisa Lonka
Whitewashed village street with stone fountain in Frigiliana
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Furnished vs Unfurnished Property in Spain: Buyer's Guide

Furnished or unfurnished — which is better when buying in Spain? Cost comparison, rental potential and what the inventory list should include.

9 min readBy Nea Randelin

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