Area guides
Costa Blanca South area guides: where to buy and what each area is like
Moving from the UK? Here is what living in each area is really like, what homes look like on our site, and whether a new build or a resale makes more sense there.
Based on our own listings and Spanish notary data, October 2026.
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Pick an area to see what is for sale right now.
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Which area suits the way you want to live?
Pick the picture that sounds most like your new life, then read the guides below for the details.
Golf and sociable evenings
Villamartin, La Finca Golf, Campoamor
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Beach life on a smaller budget
Playa Flamenca, Punta Prima
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Everything on the doorstep
La Zenia, Torrevieja
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Space, pools and quiet
Ciudad Quesada, San Miguel de Salinas, Algorfa
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Calm water and flat walks
Los Alcazares, San Pedro del Pinatar
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Dunes, pines and the closest airport
Guardamar del Segura
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At a glance
The departure board: 12 areas side by side
A quick way to shortlist areas before you read the guides. Home counts are what we have for sale on our site today.
Area
Feel
Our homes
Mostly
Nearest airport
Torrevieja
City, year-round
137
New build
ALC about 45 min
La Zenia
Shops and social
12
Resale
ALC about 50 min
Playa Flamenca
Beach resort
26
Resale
ALC about 50 min
Punta Prima
Quiet seaside
39
Resale
ALC about 50 min
Villamartin
Golf and plaza
56
Resale
ALC about 50 min
Ciudad Quesada
Villas and pools
58
Mixed
ALC about 40 min
San Miguel de Salinas
Quiet inland
54
New build
ALC about 45 min
Algorfa and La Finca
Golf resort
43
New build
ALC about 45 min
Guardamar
Dunes and pines
58
New build
ALC about 30 min
Pilar de la Horadada
Calm and family
67
New build
RMU about 35 min
Los Alcazares
Mar Menor, flat
90
New build
RMU about 25 min
San Pedro del Pinatar
Lagoon and nature
53
New build
RMU about 25 min
ALC is Alicante-Elche airport and RMU is Murcia International. Drive times are typical, outside peak hours. Home counts from our listings, October 2026.
Biggest choice
Living in Torrevieja: the big town with the most choice
Torrevieja is the largest town on this stretch of coast and the one with the most choice. It has a working town centre, a seafront promenade and marina, beaches, the pink salt lakes and a life that carries on all year, so it does not close down in winter. English is widely spoken and the foreign community is large and mixed.
Who it suits: first-time buyers, people who want to live here all year, and anyone who wants a hospital, shops and services close by. About 45 minutes by car from Alicante-Elche airport.
New build or resale? Most of what we list in Torrevieja is new-build apartments, penthouses and ground-floor flats, with a smaller choice of resale. If you prefer an older home in an established community, look just along the coast in the Orihuela Costa.
Is Torrevieja safe? It is a busy coastal city, so like anywhere it has livelier and quieter streets. Visit at different times of day, ask about parking and security in the community you like, and talk to people who live there.
137
homes for sale on our site, more than anywhere else
78%
of home buyers were foreign, based on notary data for 2025 to 2026
from €116k
the lowest asking price on our site in Torrevieja today
Orihuela Costa
Living on the Orihuela Costa: five neighbourhoods, one coast
The Orihuela Costa is the coastal strip of the municipality of Orihuela, well away from the historic city of Orihuela inland. It is where many UK buyers start, with established urbanisations, beaches, golf and a big English-speaking community. Notary data put the foreign share of home purchases in the municipality at about 79%.
Orihuela Costa, mostly resale, 12 homes on our site
Living in La Zenia
La Zenia is built around the La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre, so shops, restaurants and a cinema are minutes away. It has a long beach, a lively social scene and a large British, Irish, Dutch and Scandinavian community, which is why many UK buyers start here.
- Best for: a first move from the UK, with everything close.
- Homes: resale apartments, townhouses and villas.
- Getting there: about 50 minutes from Alicante-Elche airport.
Orihuela Costa, all resale, 26 homes on our site
Living in Playa Flamenca
A small, lively beach resort between La Zenia and Cabo Roig. You can walk to the beach and to restaurants, and La Zenia Boulevard is close by. It has some of the most accessible prices on the Orihuela Costa.
- Best for: a first home, or a smaller budget close to the beach.
- Homes: resale apartments and townhouses, from around €140k on our site today.
- Getting there: about 50 minutes from Alicante-Elche airport.
Orihuela Costa, mostly resale, 24 homes across the area
Living in Cabo Roig and Campoamor
Cabo Roig is known for its lively strip of bars and restaurants and its coves, and suits families and sociable retirees. Campoamor and Dehesa de Campoamor, just along the coast, are quieter and more upmarket, with villas, golf and green space.
- Best for: nightlife and families (Cabo Roig), space and golf (Campoamor).
- Homes: apartments and villas, from the low €100,000s to well over €1m.
- Getting there: about 50 minutes from Alicante-Elche airport.
Orihuela Costa, mostly resale, 39 homes on our site
Living in Punta Prima
A seaside area with a beach and promenade and a relaxed, residential feel, made up mostly of resale apartments and townhouses. This is Punta Prima on the Orihuela Costa, not the village of the same name in Menorca.
- Best for: a calm seaside base with a promenade.
- Homes: resale apartments and townhouses.
- Getting there: about 50 minutes from Alicante-Elche airport.
Orihuela Costa, mostly resale, 56 homes on our site
Living in Villamartin
Villamartin is just inland rather than on the sea. It is the golf and plaza area, with the Villamartin golf course, the busy Plaza Villamartin restaurants and bars, and a large English-speaking community. The coast is a short drive away.
- Best for: golf and a sociable evening scene.
- Homes: villas, townhouses and apartments, mostly resale.
- Getting there: about 50 minutes from Alicante-Elche airport.
Not sure which one fits?
Tell us how you like to spend your days, and your budget, and we will suggest where to start.
Quiet and spacious
Inland living: more space, more pool, fewer crowds
A short drive from the coast, these areas trade the seafront for bigger plots and quieter streets. They also have some of the highest shares of foreign buyers in Spain, so you will not be the only new arrival.
Living in Ciudad Quesada and Rojales
88%
of Rojales home buyers were foreign (notary data, 2025 to 2026). 58 homes on our site.
Ciudad Quesada is a large urbanisation in the municipality of Rojales, laid out around villas and bungalows with gardens and pools, with its own shops, bars and services. The village of Rojales, the river Segura and the beaches of Guardamar and La Mata are a short drive away.
- Best for: space, privacy and a pool, with services on hand.
- Homes: mostly detached villas and bungalows, new build and resale, from around €170k for smaller homes to well over €1m for the largest villas.
- Getting there: about 40 minutes from Alicante-Elche airport.
Living in San Miguel de Salinas
90%
of home buyers were foreign (notary data, June 2025 to May 2026), the highest in the province. 54 homes on our site.
A quiet inland municipality of villages and urbanisations such as Las Filipinas, popular with buyers who want space, lower traffic and good value. The beaches of the Orihuela Costa are a short drive away.
- Best for: quiet, space and value, without being cut off.
- Homes: mostly new-build bungalows, villas and apartments, from around €195k on our site today.
- Getting there: about 45 minutes from Alicante-Elche airport.
Living in Algorfa and La Finca Golf
87%
of Algorfa home buyers were foreign (notary data, 2025 to 2026). 43 homes on our site.
Algorfa is a small inland town with the La Finca Golf Resort next door. Homes here are mainly detached villas in resort and golf settings, with a calm, spacious feel and the golf course on the doorstep.
- Best for: resort-style golf living and spacious villas.
- Homes: mostly new-build detached villas, roughly €300k to €1.5m on our site today.
- Getting there: about 45 minutes from Alicante-Elche airport.
Beach towns
Two beach towns with a more Spanish feel
At the north and south ends of the coast, Guardamar and Pilar de la Horadada have a higher share of Spanish buyers and residents than the inland resorts, with notary data putting foreign buyers at just over 60%. Good if you want to live among locals as well as expats.
58 homes on our site, mostly new build
Living in Guardamar del Segura
Guardamar has a long sandy beach backed by dunes and pine forest, a pleasant old town and the river Segura. It is the closest of these areas to Alicante-Elche airport. Most of our homes here are new-build apartments, penthouses and ground-floor flats.
- Best for: beach and nature lovers who want the airport close.
- Homes: new-build apartments, penthouses and ground-floor flats, from about €100k on our site today.
- Getting there: about 30 minutes from Alicante-Elche airport.
89 homes on our site, mostly new build
Living in Pilar de la Horadada and Torre de la Horadada
Pilar de la Horadada is the most southerly town in Alicante province, with Torre de la Horadada as its beach resort. It is calm and family-friendly, with a long beach and real town life. Much of the new-build stock is Spanish-style bungalows.
- Best for: families and a quieter coast with a Spanish feel.
- Homes: new-build bungalows (ground-floor and top-floor), apartments and detached homes.
- Getting there: about 35 minutes from Murcia International airport.
The Mar Menor
The Mar Menor: calm water, flat promenades and a different region
Good to know
Not the Costa Blanca
Los Alcazares and San Pedro del Pinatar are in the Region of Murcia, not the Valencian Community, so some taxes and rules differ from Torrevieja or the Orihuela Costa. Your lawyer will confirm what applies.
The lagoon has had environmental concerns in recent years, so check the latest water-quality news before you buy.
Region of Murcia, 90 homes on our site, mostly new build
Living in Los Alcazares
Long, flat promenades, calm shallow water and a lively town centre make Los Alcazares a good fit for families, cyclists and walkers. Los Narejos, next door, has many of the new developments.
- Best for: calm water, flat walks and families.
- Homes: new-build apartments, penthouses, ground-floor flats and detached homes, from around €110k on our site today.
- Getting there: about 25 minutes from Murcia International airport.
Region of Murcia, 69 homes across the area, mostly new build
Living in San Pedro del Pinatar
At the northern end of the lagoon, with the Salinas y Arenales regional park, where flamingos feed among the salt pans, the mud baths at Lo Pagan and the promenade at Santiago de la Ribera. A relaxed, nature-led area with a Spanish feel.
- Best for: nature, cycling and a quieter pace.
- Homes: new-build bungalows, detached homes and penthouses, from about €150k on our site today.
- Getting there: about 25 minutes from Murcia International airport.
Moving from the UK
Six things to check in any area before you buy
Whichever area you like, run it through this list on your first visit. It takes an afternoon and can save you a costly mistake.
Flights and airports
Alicante-Elche and Murcia International airports both have UK routes, with more in summer. Check which is closer to your area and how late the last flights home run.
Healthcare
Find the nearest public health centre and hospital, and the private clinics with English-speaking staff. Residents, pensioners and non-residents have different access, so ask early.
Community and language
La Zenia, Villamartin and Torrevieja have large English-speaking communities. Inland and Mar Menor towns feel more Spanish. Decide which you want before you fall for a house.
Year-round or holiday?
Some resorts are packed in August and quiet in January. Visit in winter as well as summer, and see which bars, shops and clinics stay open.
Spanish property terms
A Spanish "bungalow" is usually a ground-floor (low) or top-floor (high) home in a small block or row, not a detached single-storey house. A penthouse (atico) is a top-floor flat with a roof terrace.
Region and residency
Alicante province is in the Valencian Community. Los Alcazares and San Pedro del Pinatar are in the Region of Murcia, where some taxes differ. UK citizens can spend up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Living here longer means residency, so check the current rules before you plan.
Tap a question to open the answer
Choosing an area on the Costa Blanca South: your questions answered
Where is the best place to live on the Costa Blanca South?
There is no single best area. La Zenia and Villamartin suit people who want shops, golf and a big English-speaking community. Torrevieja suits those who want a city with year-round life. Guardamar and Pilar de la Horadada feel more Spanish, and inland areas such as Ciudad Quesada and San Miguel de Salinas offer more space. The departure board above is a quick way to shortlist.
Is Torrevieja a good place to live or retire?
Many people think so. It has hospitals, shops, a seafront and a large foreign community, and it stays lively all year. It is also a busy city, so visit at different times of day and compare neighbourhoods before you decide.
What is the difference between the Orihuela Costa and Torrevieja?
Torrevieja is a large town with a working centre and a port. The Orihuela Costa is a strip of resort neighbourhoods just south of it, including La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig, Punta Prima and Villamartin, with a more residential feel, golf and the La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre.
Is the Orihuela Costa the same as Orihuela?
No. The Orihuela Costa is the coastal part of the municipality of Orihuela. The historic city of Orihuela is inland, a good drive away.
Villamartin or La Zenia: which should I choose?
Choose La Zenia if you want to be near the beach and the Boulevard shopping centre. Choose Villamartin if golf and the plaza matter more and you are happy to drive a few minutes to the sea.
Should I buy a new build or a resale?
New builds suit buyers who want a modern finish, energy efficiency and a builder's guarantee. They are common in Torrevieja, Guardamar, Pilar de la Horadada and around the Mar Menor. Resales are more common around La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Punta Prima and Villamartin and suit buyers who want an established community. Our Buying page explains the costs of each.
Are Los Alcazares and San Pedro del Pinatar on the Costa Blanca?
No. They are on the Mar Menor in the Region of Murcia, often called the Costa Calida. Some taxes and rules differ from those in Alicante province.
How far are these areas from the airport?
Guardamar is closest to Alicante-Elche airport at about 30 minutes. Torrevieja is about 45 minutes and the Orihuela Costa about 50. The Mar Menor towns and Pilar de la Horadada are closer to Murcia International airport, at about 25 to 35 minutes.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us how you want to live, and we will point you to the right area
Share your budget, your timing and what a good week looks like. We will suggest areas, work out the real cost of homes you like, and plan a viewing trip around them.
Read how buying works, meet the team or browse all properties.
Prices and counts are from our own listings in October 2026 and change often. Foreign buyer shares come from Spanish notary data for 2025 to 2026. Drive times are typical. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
