Is the Costa Blanca South or North cheaper?

The South is significantly cheaper. Average prices per square metre in Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa range from €1,500–€2,800, compared to €2,500–€5,500 in Calpe, Jávea and Moraira. A €200,000 budget buys a renovated 2-bedroom apartment with pool in the South, but typically only a studio or unrenovated 1-bedroom in the North.

Which has better weather, Costa Blanca South or North?

Both enjoy 300+ days of sunshine and mild winters. The South is slightly warmer and drier — average temperatures are 1–2°C higher, and annual rainfall (around 280mm in Torrevieja) is lower than the North (around 400–500mm in Jávea and Dénia). The North’s slightly higher rainfall contributes to greener, more lush vegetation.

Where do most expats live on the Costa Blanca?

The largest expat concentrations are in the South — Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Rojales and Ciudad Quesada. Torrevieja alone has 80,000+ residents from over 100 nationalities. The North has significant expat communities in Jávea, Calpe and Moraira, but they are smaller and more seasonal, with many residents spending only part of the year there.

Is the Costa Blanca North more scenic?

Generally yes. The North has dramatic mountainous coastline, the Peñón de Ifach rock in Calpe, the Serra Gelada cliffs near Benidorm, and charming hilltop villages like Altea and Guadalest. The South is flatter with salt lakes, long sandy beaches and pine-covered dunes. Both are beautiful, but in different ways.

Can I fly to the Costa Blanca North easily?

Yes, via Alicante–Elche airport (ALC), which is 45–75 minutes from most North Costa Blanca towns. Dénia and Jávea are the furthest at about 75 minutes. Valencia airport (VLC) is an alternative for Dénia (about 100 km). The South has the advantage of a second airport — Murcia–Corvera (RMU, 20–40 minutes).

Wooden boardwalk through coastal dunes at golden sunset

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Costa Blanca South vs North: Property Comparison

By Aino-Kaisa Lonka•Updated April 2026•12 min read• Fact-checked April 2026

Aino-Kaisa Lonka

Art Director & Office Manager· OceanHome, Torrevieja

Finnish with an international background across Asia. Directs all photography, design and visual output, and runs daily office operations in Torrevieja.

About Aino-Kaisa→| Fact-checked April 2026

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Key Takeaways

✓ The Costa Blanca South (Torrevieja to Pilar de la Horadada) is 30–50% cheaper per square metre than the North (Calpe to Dénia).
✓ The North offers more dramatic scenery, upscale towns and established tourism infrastructure.
✓ The South has larger expat communities, more affordable year-round living, and better access to two airports (Alicante + Murcia).
✓ Climate is similar, but the South is slightly warmer and drier — 1–2°C higher average temperatures.
✓ Both areas share the AP-7 motorway and 300+ days of sunshine per year.

Defining South and North

The Costa Blanca stretches 200 kilometres along the Alicante province coastline, from Dénia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada in the south. For property purposes, the dividing line is Alicante city itself. The Costa Blanca North runs from Alicante up to Dénia and includes Jávea, Moraira, Altea, Calpe, Benidorm and Villajoyosa. The Costa Blanca South covers everything below Alicante: Santa Pola, Guardamar, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, and the towns down to Pilar de la Horadada on the Murcia border.

These two halves feel like different worlds. The North is mountainous, green (by Spanish standards), and dotted with charming hilltop villages and upscale marina towns. The South is flatter, drier, more sprawling and built around urbanisaciones — purpose-built residential communities with communal pools and commercial centres. Both have spectacular beaches, but the character and pricing are distinctly different.

Property Prices: The Key Difference

Price is the single biggest differentiator between south and north. Here is a snapshot of typical 2026 prices for a standard 2-bedroom apartment with communal pool:

Location	2-Bed Apt	3-Bed Villa	€/m²
Costa Blanca South
Torrevieja	€110K–€200K	€220K–€450K	€1,500–€2,500
Orihuela Costa	€120K–€220K	€250K–€600K	€1,600–€2,800
Guardamar	€130K–€200K	€230K–€400K	€1,500–€2,400
Costa Blanca North
Calpe	€200K–€400K	€400K–€900K	€2,500–€4,500
Jávea	€250K–€500K	€450K–€1.2M	€2,800–€5,000
Moraira	€280K–€550K	€500K–€1.5M+	€3,000–€5,500

The price gap is substantial. A budget of €200,000 buys a renovated 2-bedroom apartment with communal pool in Torrevieja or Orihuela Costa. The same budget in Jávea or Moraira might get you a studio or a 1-bedroom apartment in need of renovation. For a detailed breakdown of each area, see our best areas to buy guide.

Lifestyle and Community

Costa Blanca South has the larger and more established international community. Torrevieja alone has 80,000+ residents from over 100 nationalities. The Vega Baja region (Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Rojales, Ciudad Quesada) is home to one of Europe’s largest concentrations of British, Scandinavian and Northern European expats. This means: English and Nordic languages widely spoken, international supermarkets stocking products from home, social clubs for every nationality, and a vibrant year-round community that does not shut down in winter.

Costa Blanca North has a more Spanish character, complemented by significant British, German and Dutch communities in towns like Jávea, Moraira and Calpe. The lifestyle is more upscale and quieter. Towns like Altea and Dénia have strong cultural scenes with galleries, festivals and gourmet restaurants. Jávea is consistently voted one of the best places to live in Spain by international surveys. The trade-off is that the North is more seasonal — many businesses, restaurants and services reduce hours or close entirely from November to March.

Infrastructure and Access

The South benefits from proximity to two airports: Alicante–Elche (ALC, 35–50 minutes) and Murcia–Corvera (RMU, 20–40 minutes). Between them, they offer year-round flights to virtually every major European city. The North is served by Alicante airport (45–75 minutes depending on location) and Valencia airport for the Dénia area (roughly 100 km).

Both areas are connected by the AP-7 motorway, which runs toll-free along the entire coast. Healthcare infrastructure is strong in both areas, with hospitals in Torrevieja, Orihuela, Alicante, Benidorm, Dénia and Alcoy. The South’s Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja is consistently rated among the best-managed in the Valencia Community.

For shopping, the South has La Zenia Boulevard (250+ shops), Habaneras in Torrevieja, and easy access to Alicante’s city-centre retail. The North has Benidorm’s shopping streets, the charming old towns of Altea and Dénia, and the Portal de la Marina mall in Ondara.