Costa Blanca South
Costa Blanca South has everything you dream of!
Costa Blanca South is the perfect location for a second home or a permanent residence in Spain. The coastal area in the province of Alicante has more than 160 kilometers of exceptionally beautiful beaches and areas of exceptional beauty. The Mediterranean climate ensures a pleasant temperature with little rain. Daily life is cheaper there compared to the Netherlands, and house prices are lower than average. This beautiful region, less than a 2.5-hour flight away, offers everything you need to live, work and relax.
Various tour operators and budget airlines fly every day from Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Weeze (just across the border in Germany), but also from Brussels, Antwerp, Liège and Ostend. The flight to Alicante or Murcia airports takes a maximum of 2.5 hours. The airports are a maximum of 45 minutes' drive from your (holiday) home and can be reached without traffic jams.
Why Costa Blanca South
Costa Blanca South has a very varied landscape; the azure blue sea, dunes and beaches with fine sand, bays with rocks and cliffs, orchards with citrus fruits, mountains and nature reserves. Nature conservation and sustainability play a major role in this region. The authentic appearance is taken into account as much as possible in the new construction projects and high-rise buildings are therefore kept to a minimum.
Daily life is cheaper here compared to the Netherlands. House prices are not in proportion to Dutch house prices and are even on average 30% lower than on the Costa Blanca North. Due to increasing internationalization, the region has expanded with many companies and services. For example, Costa Blanca South has an excellent road network and extensive health care.
This beautiful part of Spain not only has everything to live and work, in terms of recreational opportunities, the Costa Blanca South is unlimited. You can enjoy culinary delights in one of the many local restaurants that offer you typical Spanish hospitality. To practice an active lifestyle, the region offers many facilities such as marinas and golf courses. Hikers, cyclists, and water sports enthusiasts can also enjoy themselves here all year round.
Pleasantly soft in winter, not too warm in summer
Costa Blanca South has a Mediterranean microclimate that guarantees many sunny days (minimum 300) and mostly pleasant temperatures (average 20º). The chance of rainy days is very small because the region is sheltered by the mountains inland. Frost is almost never there and extreme heat with temperatures of 40 degrees or higher hardly ever occurs here.
According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), Costa Blanca South is the healthiest area to live and work. Due to the absence of heavy industry and the presence of the large salt lakes (salinas) in the area, the air in the region is known to be very clean. Because the humidity is very low, people with osteoarthritis and rheumatism suffer less.
Costa Calida
The Costa Cálida is the touristic name for the region of Murcia.
The region is growing rapidly in popularity. How could it be otherwise: the Costa Cálida offers more than 250 km of coastline divided between two seas, the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor, a mild climate (even in winter!) and lots of sun!
Beaches:
The Costa Cálida is blessed with miles of fine, soft sandy beaches, in some places shoulder to shoulder with dunes and pine forests.
The many villages along the coast boast their promenades and beaches. Village beaches are often equipped with all kinds of bars and restaurants, many of which have an excellent view of the Mar Menor and La Manga.
The seawater is very warm and therefore very pleasant for swimming. The Mar Menor (smaller sea) is shallow, which means the water warms up quickly. The beach slopes very gently, making it an excellent place to swim for families with small children and anyone who doesn't want to be submerged in the waves.
The Mar Menor is surrounded by the districts of San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier, Santiago de la Ribera, Los Alcazares and La Manga.
Cartagena:
The historic port city of Cartagena is home to many monuments, museums and a wealth of architecture of bygone glory. The city was a strategically fortified port city on the Mediterranean for over 2,000 years.
The Manga Club:
The world famous 5-star La Manga Club resort is located close to the south coast on the Mar Menor. It has its own 18-hole golf course and world-class accommodation facilities. A luxury playground set in 1,400 hectares of lush, rolling countryside, dotted with palm trees and lemon groves.
Relaxation & Recreation:
The Costa Calida offers a wide variety of sports and recreational activities. The larger towns all have modern sports centres, often equipped with paddle and tennis courts for hire. Several riding schools offer guided rides and lessons. There are quite a few golf courses on the coast and many more inland, approximately 1 hour away towards Alicante.
Many kilometres of jogging trails tempt both runners and walkers. Much of the area is fairly flat with quiet roads, making it a pleasure for cyclists too. There are several marinas where you can rent boats, with or without crew. Most water sports enthusiasts will find what they are looking for here, with diving schools, windsurfing opportunities, sailing schools, and canoeing, which you can do in several places.
Cuisine:
The countryside of the Costa Calida is very fertile and therefore there is a large amount of fresh fruit and vegetables available, which form the basis of the regional cuisine. Rice is common and finds its way into many local dishes. The abundant and varied seafood from the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean, together with game and meat from farmed cattle grazing in the nearby mountains, a tasty picture.
Climate:
Costa Cálida is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate and enjoys around 315 sunny days per year. Minimum temperatures fluctuate between 12 and 14C and maximum temperatures in winter between 20 and 22C. Summer temperatures range from 18-20C minimum to 30-35C maximum. The average annual temperature is 19C.
Here are the 7 main reasons that will help you understand why the Costa Cálida is the favourite holiday destination for many Europeans:
1. The Mar Menor:
With an area of 180 square kilometres, it is the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe. It is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by La Manga del Mar Menor, a narrow strip of land 22 kilometres long. It is ideal for swimming in its shallow waters and for practising water sports.
2. The weather:
With an annual average of 19 degrees and more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, the Costa Cálida enjoys a wonderful climate. One of the best in all of Europe!
3. The Gastronomy:
Murcia is known for the quality of its products and the many excellent restaurants spread throughout the region. The Murcian cuisine is known for its super fresh vegetables (from the surrounding agriculture), fresh fish, cheese and the delicious local wines. It is also characterised by its typical one-pot dishes, also known as “spoon dishes”.
4. Natural Parks:
Calblanque, Cabo de Palos, Sierra Espuña and La Azohía, are some of the places that every nature lover or hiker should visit. Murcia is a province with a great diversity of landscapes, numerous natural parks, unspoilt beaches and coves with virgin seabeds that are highly appreciated by diving enthusiasts.
5. Prices:
The later urban development of the Costa Cálida compared to other coasts still makes it possible to find seaside properties at affordable prices. Prices can be on average 10-15% cheaper than in the neighbouring Costa Blanca.
6. New Airport:
The opening of the new Corvera International Airport in January 2019 has given the whole region a new dynamic. More and more airlines are arriving with regular flights to most European destinations. Alicante Airport is also a short distance from the northern part of the Mar Menor.
7. Culture:
The Costa Cálida is a region with a long history. The city of Murcia in particular is very rich in buildings of great architectural value, such as the cathedral and the casino. And in Cartagena we can enjoy a pleasant old town, even with a Roman theatre. Lorca and Caravaca de la Cruz are also definitely worth a visit. In addition, Murcia organizes exhibitions, festivals and concerts every year.
