The dream of owning a home under the southern European sun remains as strong as ever. Anyone looking for an affordable quality of life, fine sandy beaches, and a healthy, therapeutic climate will quickly ask themselves: Where exactly is it worth buying real estate in Spain? While regions like Mallorca or the Costa del Sol often require a significant financial investment, the Costa Blanca is a real budget-friendly gem.
In particular, the duo of Alicante and Torrevieja has become a top favorite among German real estate buyers. In this article, we’ll show you why these two cities are the perfect investment destinations and what you should look out for.
Alicante: Urban Lifestyle Meets Mediterranean Flair
Alicante is much more than just the gateway to the Costa Blanca with a busy airport. The city itself offers a charming blend of Spanish tradition, modern infrastructure, and vibrant city life right by the sea.
Advantages for real estate buyers in Alicante:
- Excellent accessibility: Alicante-Elche International Airport (ALC) is served year-round by a high frequency of flights from German-speaking countries.
- Lively all year round: Unlike purely tourist destinations, Alicante and its neighborhoods don’t die down in the winter. There is a first-class cultural scene, top-tier hospitals, and excellent shopping opportunities.
- The market: From modern penthouses with ocean views on San Juan Beach to cozy apartments in historic buildings near Santa Bárbara Castle—the market is diverse and retains its value.
Torrevieja: The unbeatable value-for-money winner
Torrevieja is located about 50 kilometers south of Alicante. Once a small fishing village and center of salt production, it is now one of the most popular destinations for expats and vacation home buyers across Europe.
Why Torrevieja is so popular with Germans:
- Attractive price levels: If you want to buy affordable real estate in Spain, there’s hardly a better option than Torrevieja. Prices for apartments and bungalows here are still surprisingly moderate compared to other Spanish coastal areas.
- The healthy microclimate: Torrevieja is surrounded by two huge salt lakes (the famous pink lagoons). The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the local climate as one of the healthiest in the world—ideal for respiratory or joint conditions.
- German-friendly infrastructure: The area boasts a well-established infrastructure for residents: German-speaking doctors, lawyers, tradespeople, and supermarkets make settling in much easier.
Market comparison: Alicante vs. Torrevieja
Depending on your plans for your property, one city or the other may be a better fit for you:
| Criterion | Alicante | Torrevieja |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate prices | Mid-range to high-end | Affordable to moderate |
| Atmosphere | Urban, cultural, Spanish | International, relaxed, maritime |
| Main target group | Investors, commuters, urban buyers | Retirees, families, vacation home seekers |
| Rental yield | Very good (long-term and student rentals) | Good (seasonal vacation rentals) |
Tips for buying property on the Costa Blanca
If you’ve made up your mind and want to buy a property on the Costa Blanca, you should follow the typical steps on the Spanish market:
- Apply for the NIE number: The Número de Identidad de Extranjero is your Spanish tax ID number for foreigners. Without it, you cannot sign a preliminary contract or open a bank account.
- Verify legality: Especially in the area around Torrevieja, there are older properties. Have an independent lawyer verify whether all additions (e.g., pool or sunroom) are legally registered in the property registry (Registro de la Propiedad).
- Plan for additional purchase costs: When buying real estate in Spain, don’t forget the additional costs. In the Valencia region (which includes Alicante and Torrevieja), the property transfer tax (ITP) for pre-owned properties is 10%. Plan for a total of around 12% to 13% of the purchase price to cover taxes, notary fees, and registration costs.
Good to know for buyers: Unlike in some German states, the standard real estate agent’s commission on the Costa Blanca is usually paid entirely by the seller. For you as a buyer, the local agent’s services are therefore typically free of charge.
Dream beaches on the Costa Blanca: Sun and sea right at your doorstep
One of the main reasons so many Germans buy property in Spain is, of course, the Mediterranean lifestyle—and nowhere is this more tangible than on the fine sandy beaches of the Costa Blanca. Both Alicante and Torrevieja offer an impressive variety of coastal stretches, almost all of which have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for excellent water quality and top-notch infrastructure.
The beach highlights in Alicante:
- Playa del Postiguet: The iconic city beach lies right at the foot of Santa Bárbara Castle and the famous promenade. Perfect for a quick dip in the sea right after a stroll through town.
- Playa de San Juan: An absolute dream beach! Over three kilometers of the finest, widest sandy beach in the north of the city. Life here is bustling with beach volleyball courts, first-class chiringuitos (beach bars), and a modern residential area in the background.
The beach highlights in Torrevieja:
- Playa de La Mata: Torrevieja’s longest and most popular beach. It borders directly on a nature reserve with sand dunes and offers miles of space for long walks and relaxing days at the beach.
- Playa del Cura & Playa de Los Locos: These fine sandy beaches are very close to the city center and are lined by a lively promenade with numerous restaurants and cafés. Ideal for owners looking for a vacation home within walking distance of the sea.
Whether secluded, rocky coves (calas) for snorkeling or expansive sandy beaches for the whole family: Anyone who owns a property here has that vacation feeling right on their doorstep 320 days a year.
A Culinary Paradise: Enjoy the Cuisine of the Costa Blanca
When you think of life in the south, you inevitably think of good food. If you want to buy a property in Spain, you’re also buying access to one of the healthiest and most delicious cuisines in the world. The region around Alicante and Torrevieja is world-famous for its Mediterranean cuisine, based on fresh fish, top-quality olive oil, and locally grown vegetables.
The Birthplace of Authentic Paella
Forget everything you thought you knew about paella: The province of Alicante is considered the absolute heartland of Spanish rice dishes (arroces). Here, the rice isn’t simply cooked, but masterfully prepared in countless variations with fresh seafood, tender meat, or regional vegetables. An absolute must for every foodie is Arroz a Banda (rice cooked in fish stock).
Culinary highlights in Alicante & Torrevieja:
- Fresh fish straight from the boat: Thanks to their tradition as fishing towns, restaurants in Torrevieja and Alicante serve fresh sea bream, sea bass, giant red shrimp (gambas rojas), and squid straight from the grill every day.
- Alicante’s Central Market (Mercado Central): An absolute favorite spot for homeowners. In this historic market hall, you can buy fresh ham, just-caught fish, tapas, and sun-ripened vegetables directly from local producers—perfect for celebrating the Spanish lifestyle in your own kitchen.
- Local Wines & Desserts: The Alicante region has its own excellent wine-growing region (DO Alicante). The full-bodied red wines made from the Monastrell grape are particularly well-known. For dessert, people traditionally enjoy turrón, a world-famous almond specialty from nearby Jijona.
Whether it’s the affordable, authentic daily special (Menú del Día) in a cozy side street in Torrevieja or upscale fine dining at the Alicante marina: the culinary offerings make every day in your new home a delight.
Your Path to a Home in Spain
The region around Alicante and Torrevieja offers one of the best combinations of sunshine, accessibility, and affordability in the entire Mediterranean. Whether as a crisis-proof investment, a winter getaway, or a new home base for retirement: anyone looking to make a smart real estate purchase in Spain will find exactly what they’re looking for on the Costa Blanca.