The stunning Spain seaside town that’s 'cheapest’ for buying a home

A beautiful seaside town has been named the cheapest place to buy a home on the Costa del Sol.

Manilva, in the southwest of Malaga, has the lowest housing prices of all the beach-side towns in the southern Spanish province.

According to a price report, published in January by Idealista, the price per square metre in the town is £2,063. This means that a 70-square-metre property costs just over £144,000.

Manilva’s average sale price is less than half of Marbella’s, which is £4,221 per square metre and £295,000 for the same 70-square-metre property.

On Idealista’s website, there is even a flat selling for under £75,000. While this property is only 24 square metres with two bedrooms, it has a balcony with panoramic views of the Mediterranean and is a short walk from the beach.

Manilva also offers luxury housing, with the most expensive property priced at £3,151,000. The detached house is a six-bed on a hectare of land with sea views from every corner.

The town’s average house price per square metre is just under £400 lower than the national average - £2,429 per square metre.

In 2024, the average square metre price of new homes in Spain was the highest in Catalonia and Madrid. In the second quarter of the year, both regions boasted home prices of over £3,320 per square metre.

Unlike some overdeveloped areas of the Costa del Sol, Manilva has retained its traditional charm, combining the pull of being by the sea whilst surrounded by beautiful vineyards.

Bordering Casares and the province of Cádiz, the town boasts great sandy beaches stationed extensively along miles of coastline.

It has a rich heritage, demonstrated by its Roman archaeological sites, such as the ancient fortified settlement Los Castillejos de Alcorrin, and the well-preserved natural sulphur baths. Castillo de la Duquesa, built in 1767 to defend against pirates, is also highly impressive.

Manilva’s affordability is further complimented by its proximity to the urbanisations of Sabinillas, Puerto Duquesa and Estepona.

While it is 60 miles away from Malaga city, Manilva is just 21 miles from Gibraltar and its airport.