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The 25 most sought-after Spanish villages by foreign property buyers

The Local Spain
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The 25 most sought-after Spanish villages by foreign property buyers
Polop in Alicante province is one of the most searched villages in Spain by foreign property hunters. Photo: Olga Fil/Pixabay

An increasing number of foreigners are looking for first or second homes in more peaceful locations in Spain that are still within reach of bigger cities and the coast, new data reveals. Here are the Spanish villages where property is most sought after by foreign buyers.

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Spain’s two most famous coastal areas, the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, along with the Balearic Islands, have long been full of foreigners.

They all attract millions of tourists a year, but also many potential property buyers who want to make their holiday experience permanent. 

In fact, foreign nationals have played a big part in the recent overall increase in home sales in Spain, making up 17 percent of the more than 655,500 properties sold in 2021, according to data from Spain's General Council of Notaries

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Though these property sales have not yet matched pre-pandemic levels, the figures do show that never before have foreigners bought so many houses in Spain.

The 111,743 purchases made in 2021 are a significant increase on the figure of 103,600 in 2018, which was an all-time record until then. 

Of those foreigners buying property in Spain, those with residency are the ones who have bought the most houses, over 66,600, while non-residents bought 45,100.

Romanians and Moroccans buy the most property across many autonomous communities, but the traditional resort destinations are dominated by the typical tourists, and the coastal areas are particularly concentrated.

The British buy the most in the Valencian Community, particularly in Alicante province and despite Brexit complications; the Germans lead in the Balearic Islands and the Italians in the Canary Islands. 

Among non-resident foreigners buying up property, the British and French top the list in almost all regions, followed by Germans, Belgians and Americans.

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While most may fancy a flat or villa in one of Spain’s big cities, or famous coastal resorts, many are now looking to small towns and villages where you can enjoy a quieter - and cheaper - life within driving distance of the coast.

The Local has dug into data proved by Idealista to see which small towns and villages (of 5,000 inhabitants or less) are most popular with potential foreign property buyers, including the province in which they're located, the average house price and which nationalities are searching online for homes in these villages the most.

 

Ciudad Quesada, Alicante, €2,207/m2, Most popular with Dutch, Germans, and British.

 

Polop, Alicante, €1,915/m2. Most popular with Dutch, Germans, and French.

 

Ojén, Málaga, €2,138/m2. Most popular with Germans, British, Dutch.

The village of Ojén in southern Spain has just over 3,000 inhabitants. Photo: Ramón Albiol/Unsplash

 

Formentera del Segura, Alicante, €970/m2. Most popular with British, Germans, Dutch

 

Busot, Alicante, €1.484/m2. Most popular with Dutch, Belgians, French.

 

Palma de Gandía, Valencia, €703/m2. Most popular with the Dutch, French, British.

 

Viñuela, Málaga, €1,586/m2. Most popular with British, Dutch, Germans

Viñuela in Malaga province. Photo: Victoria Whiteley/Unsplash

 

Olivella, Barcelona, €1,446/m2. Most popular with French, British, Dutch

 

Bunyola, Mallorca, €2,854/m2. Most popular with Germans, Britons, Swedes

 

Almogía, Málaga, €900/m2. Most popular with Dutch, Germans, British

Ruins of the Muslim fortress that once looked over Almogía. Photo: Zangarreon/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

 

Porreres, Mallorca, €1,639/m2. Most popular with Germans, Swiss, Americans

 

Los Montesinos, Alicante, €1,852/m2. Most popular with Belgians, Dutch, Germans

 

Algaida, Mallorca, €2,313/m2. Most popular with Germans, Brits, French

A picturesque street in Algaida on the island of Mallorca. Photo: Araceli Merino/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
 

 

Sencelles, Mallorca, €2.992/m2. Most popular with Germans, British, Americans

 

Villalonga, Valencia, €675/m2, Most popular with Dutch, British, Germans

 

Sineu, Mallorca, ​​€1,599/m2, Most popular with Germans, British, Americans

Sunset in Sineu, Mallorca. Photo: Anonymous/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

 

Alcaucín, Málaga, €1,740/m2, Most popular with Germans, Dutch, British

 

Montuiri, Mallorca, €1,740/m2, Most popular with Germans, Dutch, British

 

San Jorge, Castellón, €905/m2, Most popular with French, Germans, Dutch

San Jorge, or Sant Jordi, in Castellón province. Photo: Anonymous/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

 

Esporles, Mallorca, €3,331/m2. Most popular with Germans, British, Swedes

 

Alaró, Mallorca, €2,566/m2. Most popular with Germans, Brits, Swedes

The old steps up to the castle of Alaró. Photo: David Vives/Unsplash

 

Sant Joan, Mallorca, €1,511/m2. Most popular with Germans, Brits, Dutch

 

Hondón de las Nieves, Alicante, €1,029/m2. Most popular with Dutch, Belgians, Germans

The main square in Hondón de las Nieves. Photo: Galopax/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

 

Sierra Nevada, Granada, €2,010/m2. Most popular with British, Portuguese, Swedes

 

Turre, ​​Almería, €918/m2. Most popular with British, French, Belgians

 

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