Buying on the Costa del Sol in 2026: prices and what to consider
Malaga hit record levels in 2026, and Fuengirola and Estepona top €4,000/m² in Idealista data. What to weigh up before buying on the Costa del Sol.
1 min read
Data and events refer to: August 2026.
The province of Malaga has been one of the stories of the 2026 market. Idealista put Malaga city at €3,938/m² in August, a high in its series and above the national average of €2,924/m².
Differences by town
Using Idealista data from February, El Español placed Marbella at the top of the coast, followed by Fuengirola (€4,407/m²) and Estepona (€4,234/m²). More recent reports note that the largest rises are no longer concentrated in the best-known destinations.
What to look at in practice
- Real use: living here all year does not call for the same home as spending seasons here.
- Community: shared areas and pools can mean high fees.
- Tourist letting: check building and municipal rules before counting on that income.
- New builds: developments are plentiful, so review guarantees and delivery dates.
- Transport and services: distance to the airport, beach or a hospital varies a lot between urbanisations.
A word of caution
A rising market does not guarantee further rises. Decide on the total cost, with a reasonable plan in case prices level off.
