Andalucía offers history, culture, modern living, country farmhouses, horse riding, micro-lighting, hang gliding, wind surfing, sandy beaches, skiing, country walks, wild flowers, beautiful drives in the hinterland, bird-watching, National Parks and much much more.

Spain’s most southerly region is an area of contrasts. While the coastal tourist resorts are crowded, deserted beaches can still be found in the less well known coastal areas such as Costa de Almeria. Andalucia is the home of many medieval treasures, and ancient architecture, but by contrast, some of the regions towns and cities are among the most cosmopolitan of Spain. Geographically, the area boasts the snowcapped mountains of the Sierra Nevada, contrasting with the lushness of the inland hills, artistically dotted with small white villages.

Away from the coast, Andalucia offers plenty of ‘real’ Spain, either in small towns and villages, or cities such as Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada. Andalucía offers opportunities for renovation of tumbledown properties in the deepest countryside, yet with excellent communications. There are also lovely country properties for those interested in keeping horses in the rolling countryside around Jerez de la Frontera and Sevilla.

Andalucia really does offer something for everybody – rural areas away from the hustle and bustle of the cities and the coast; great sporting facilities from skiing to golf and a host of water based sports.

Or for those who want a bit of everything – one of the many coastal areas within easy striking distance of the emblematic city of Granada and the ski slopes of Sierra Nevada. Or Ronda, or the Pueblos Blancos, inland, but close to the coast.

If coastal Spain is your dream, there are plenty of options. The Costa del Sol is of course well established and offers all the comforts and facilities of shops, restaurants, sports facilities, and plenty of other expats and English speakers. But Costa de la Luz is an interesting alternative. This coast runs west from Tarifa at the very southern tip of Spain, to the Guadiana River that separates Spain from Portugal. The area has increased in popularity over the last 15 years, and there is a strong expat contingent, but nothing like to the same extent as the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca. The town of Ayamonte on the mouth of the Guadiana is a nice combination of expat/Spanish.

The Granada coast also offers an interesting coastline which is far more dramatic than the Costa del Sol or Costa de la Luz. Coastal and country properties are plentiful and prices here too are still lower than on the Costa del Sol.

Nearer to Cadiz the inland area of Vejer de la Frontera is becoming popular; property in the old town holds its value well as it’s difficult to come by. Another lovely area inland of Cadiz is Arcos de la Frontera and the surrounding countryside. The area around Tarifa and towards Barbate is still very unspoilt so property there will increase in value if you can find it.

Location

Andalucía is Spain’s largest county or Comunidad Autonoma, and incorporates a huge swathe of land from Portugal to the east coast, including Almeria, Granada, Nerja, Malaga, Torremolinos/Fuengirola, Marbella, Cordoba, Seville, Jerez, and Cadiz. It is much more than just the Costa del Sol and has more true Spanish culture in it than probably everywhere else put together.

Climate

It is difficult to generalise about the climate in Andalucía, as it has the wettest part of Spain in Grazalema and the driest in Almeria, the hottest in Seville and one of the coldest in Granada. Marbella however is recognised as having the best climate in Europe with mild winters, heaps of sun, more rain than London and not overly hot summers.

Language

The people in Andalucía speak only Castellano which is the Spanish we all recognise and learn (although the accent can be tricky to fathom at first). Schooling for your children is therefore made easier and everyone speaks the same language, with little parochial bias or interference.

Airports

Málaga is best known for international flights, but Granada, Sevilla and Jerez also have good airports and are increasingly opening to international flights.

Schooling

Andalucia has a good mix of State and Private schools.

Hospitals

All major towns have a fully equipped hospital and villages generally have well equipped medical centres.

Property prices

The Marbella area and the “Golden Mile” has some of the most expensive property in Spain, whereas Almeria is relatively cheap, as are some of the more remote villages inland. The Costa de la Luz along the Atlantic coast is up and coming and there are good investment opportunities to be had if you only know where to look.

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