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To save you all the reading we are going to tell you immediately what is the best location to buy a property in Spain: that is up to you. But we can help you determine how. And that’s what this article is about. Find out how to choose the best location to buy a house in Spain and why this is so important.
How big is Spain? Let's see
This isn’t news: Spain is big. Really big. But sometimes people don’t realize how big. Spain covers about 505,990 square kilometers (195,360 square miles), making it the fourth largest country in Europe. To give a better sense of its size:
- Spain is roughly the size of Texas: Texas, the second-largest U.S. state, is slightly larger at around 695,660 square kilometers, but Spain comes close. Imagine Texas, but stretched out across southern Europe.
- Spain is roughly the size of the state of New South Wales, which is a very large state in Australia.
- Spain is twice the size of the United Kingdom: The UK is about 243,610 square kilometers. So, you could fit the UK inside Spain twice, with room to spare.
- Spain is bigger than California and New York combined: California covers around 423,970 square kilometers, while New York is about 141,300 square kilometers. Together, these two U.S. states are still smaller than Spain.
- Driving across Spain: To give you a sense of scale in terms of travel, driving from Madrid (in the center of Spain) to Barcelona (on the northeastern coast) takes around 6 hours, and crossing the country from north to south can take up to 9 hours.
Curious to see how big Spain is compared to where you live? Visit thetruesize.com, type in ‘Spain,’ and see for yourself!
How do you buy a home in your home country?
When you look for a house in your own country, you know it exactly: it has to be this place, this neighborhood, and sometimes you even know which street. In second place comes the house. After all, you can make this one exactly as you wish, it is the location that has to be perfect.
This is no different in Spain. In fact, in such a huge country, it is even more important that your location is perfect, because characteristics such as climate, culture, amenities, population density, employment, etc. (we could go on and on) vary enormously.
The purpose of your purchase largely determines which characteristics you should consider most. In addition, of course, location also affects price. The more desirable characteristics a location has, the higher house prices tend to be there.
I'm looking for a house in Spain. Period.
We often get told that the house can be anywhere in Spain, region or place doesn’t matter. Because “Spain is vacation, so anywhere is nice”. But just as in any country there are great differences between different places, the same is true in Spain. Because of the size of the country, there are considerable variations.
Some think that being close to the sea is enough, regardless of the exact location, or that any neighborhood in a big city will be attractive and that you can get to the center by public transport. But even in cities there are differences between neighborhoods; one is not the other.
The most important thing remains to keep in mind the purpose of your purchase. Why do you want to buy a property in Spain? What are you going to do there and what do you need? What would an average day look like when you stay in Spain? By asking yourself these questions (or discussing them with us), your list of requirements will become clearer and clearer.
From all over the place to Alicante
Searching for a property in Spain in as wide an area as possible is not going to help you find a house any faster. It can only get in the way of your search. Are you still going in all directions in terms of location? Then it is good to start funneling. You do this by first determining:
- Are you going to buy a house to rent out?
- Are you going to buy a house to use as a second home for yourself?
- Are you going to buy a house to use entirely for yourself (emigration)?
Will it be a combination, then choose the main purpose. Are you going to use the house for yourself, then of course personal preferences play a big role. Are you going to rent the house out, then for a good return you will have to take into account requirements that are often at the top of tenants’ wish lists.
The best location to buy a property in Spain checklist
Before you go to Spain to explore locations, you can do some homework to define your search area. Write down for yourself what are hard requirements for a location and what is a nice extra.
Once you have your buying goal and requirements and additional features clear, it’s easy to use the checklist below to help you choose your location.
- Airport nearby
Some locations in Spain are very isolated and have the nearest airport two hours away by car. Something you may find less important if you are going to live there permanently yourself, but more important if you want to rent it out or fly back and forth regularly yourself.
- Public transport
In some countries people are used to public transport, almost every corner can be reached. This is very different in Spain. Some parts are simply accessible only by car. Often, the closer to a major city, the more likely it is to have public transport access.
- Water and electricity
Another thing you might not immediately think about. Spain is so rural that some parts are not even connected to the water, sewage and electricity networks. Houses have to be self-sufficient and use, for example, solar panels or a septic tank. This does not have to be a problem, but it is good to be aware of it.
- Climate
You’ve probably heard this one before, which is why we put it a little lower. But the difference in climate from north to south, as well as from east to west, is huge.
- Nature and scenery
Not every part of Spain is equally beautiful, although of course beautiful is subjective. Some parts are green and mountainous, some parts are flatter and drier. Again, at times, every disadvantage has its advantage.
- Close to sea vs. sea view
Close to the coast does not necessarily mean close to a beach. And beach doesn’t necessarily mean sand. And sea view doesn’t necessarily mean walking distance beach either. In flat areas you have sea views almost only on the first line, but in hilly areas you are more likely to have them at height. So consider carefully what exactly you expect from being close to the coast.
- Population density
In some parts of Spain, hardly anyone lives. That might sound appealing at first, especially if you’re used to the hustle and bustle of your home country. However, it also means fewer nearby amenities and less to do.
- Seasonal areas
In addition to how many people live somewhere, it’s also good to consider that some areas are completely quiet during the winter months.
- Recreation
Hiking, cycling, water sports, golf. Everyone has a hobby or something they like to do in their free time. Then it’s quite a joy when you don’t have to spend three hours in the car to do so!
- Also consider these amenities
Schools, hospitals, pharmacies, supermarkets, hardware stores, other stores.
The best house in the best location in Spain
We always say: finding the right property is the easy part, but make sure you have the location clear in your mind. With the list above, you can start your research from home by looking up information on search engines, watching videos on YouTube, checking locations on Google Maps, etc. Community groups, like those on Facebook, can be helpful, but the variety of opinions shared there can sometimes be confusing. What matters is your opinion, and choosing the right location is a very personal decision. So, do your own research. Come to Spain! Rent a car (or try public transport) and discover which place will make your Spain story a success.
Do you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for, but you’re not sure where in Spain to find it or what fits your budget? No worries, feel free to contact us! Call us or send us your questions and preferences, and we’ll get back to you quickly to discuss the possibilities. We’re happy to advise you on the best regions and options that match your needs and budget. Whether you’re still in the exploratory phase or further along in your search, we’re here to help.
Already know exactly where in Spain you want to buy a house? Let us know through our Property Finder Service.
