You know you want to buy a second home on the Costa Blanca. The more difficult question is: where?
A villa around Jávea or Moraira can offer a very different living experience from a property around Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja or Guardamar del Segura. The landscape is not the only difference. The available property types, distance to amenities, type of residential development, maintenance requirements and your plans for personal use or letting all play a part.
The question, therefore, is not whether the northern or southern Costa Blanca is objectively better. The right question is: which part best suits your budget, intended use and lifestyle?
Casa de Bas assists Dutch buyers in both parts of the Costa Blanca. In this comparison, we therefore use not only general descriptions but also Casa de Bas's current area pages and live property listings to illustrate the differences with specific examples.
Northern vs Southern Costa Blanca: At a Glance
| Consideration | Northern Costa Blanca | Southern Costa Blanca |
|---|---|---|
| Well-known towns | Jávea, Moraira, Dénia, Calpe and Altea | Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar del Segura and Pilar de la Horadada |
| Landscape | More hills, coves, cliffs and leafy residential areas | Flatter terrain with long beaches, residential developments and salt lakes |
| Property options | Many villas, apartments and properties in established coastal towns | A wide mix of apartments, townhouses, villas and numerous new-build developments |
| Often appeals to | Buyers who value scenery, space and established coastal communities | Buyers who value choice, modern residential developments and convenient amenities |
Use this comparison as a starting point rather than a definitive scorecard. Neighbourhoods and individual properties vary considerably within both regions.
Northern Costa Blanca: Jávea, Moraira, Dénia, Calpe and Altea
Casa de Bas includes Jávea, Moraira, Dénia, Calpe and Altea, among other locations, within its northern search area. You can explore these destinations through the Northern Costa Blanca area guide.
The landscape is an important part of the living experience here. You will find coastal towns with hillside residential neighbourhoods, sea views, coves and properties situated on slopes or slightly further inland.
This also has practical implications when choosing a property. A home with spectacular views, for example, may have a steep access road. A villa that appears close to the sea on a map may be less convenient for walking to everyday amenities because of the changes in elevation.
Do not rely solely on photographs and distances in kilometres. During viewings, check the actual route to shops, beaches, restaurants and other amenities you intend to use regularly.
Southern Costa Blanca: Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja and Surrounding Areas
On the southern Costa Blanca, Casa de Bas focuses on areas including Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura and Pilar de la Horadada.
You can explore these locations through the Southern Costa Blanca area guide.
In this part of the Costa Blanca, you will find numerous residential developments with apartments, townhouses and detached villas. The current selection of new-build properties is also extensive.
For example, Casa de Bas has a dedicated selection of new-build developments around Torrevieja, alongside its wider catalogue of new-build developments in Spain.
For buyers specifically looking for a modern home, communal swimming pool, low-maintenance outdoor space or a recently built residential complex, this larger selection of developments may be relevant.
What Do Current Property Listings Actually Show?
General market averages can quickly become outdated. Live property listings therefore provide a more useful first impression of what is currently available across different budgets.
Casa de Bas currently lists dozens of properties for sale in Jávea, ranging from apartments to large detached villas.
Its current selection of properties around Orihuela Costa also includes a wide mix of apartments, townhouses, fincas and villas.
Property numbers and asking prices change constantly. This is precisely why a general table showing a fixed "average price per square metre" may be less useful than comparing currently available homes that genuinely match your requirements.
Comparing a Villa in Jávea with One in Orihuela Costa
Two properties currently advertised by Casa de Bas illustrate why you should look beyond the number of bedrooms.
In Jávea, a three-bedroom detached villa is currently listed. It offers approximately 260 m² of interior space on a plot of around 1,000 m², with views towards Montgó and the coastline.
Meanwhile, in Orihuela Costa, a three-bedroom detached villa is also available, offering approximately 124 m² of interior space on a plot of around 260 m², together with a private swimming pool.
These are explicitly not equivalent properties or representative market averages. Instead, they demonstrate why "three bedrooms" tells you relatively little on its own.
When comparing properties, consider:
- Living area
- Plot size
- Exact location
- Views
- Year of construction and maintenance
- Private or communal facilities
- Distance to amenities
- Legal status and technical condition of the property
Always recheck the live listings when you begin your search, as prices and availability may change.
New Build or Resale Can Influence Your Choice of Region
Choosing the right part of the coast involves more than selecting a town. The type of property you want can also influence your decision.
If you are mainly looking for an established villa with a larger plot in a mature residential setting, the current selection in towns such as Jávea and Moraira may be appealing.
For example, Casa de Bas currently offers properties for sale in Moraira, including apartments and a variety of detached villas.
If you would prefer a new-build property, communal facilities or a modern home with lower maintenance requirements, it is also worth comparing the extensive selection of new-build developments.
Make this decision before your property viewing trip. It will help you avoid trying to compare completely different types of homes in a single day.
Accessibility: Consider the Specific Location, Not Just North or South
Accessibility can be an important consideration when buying a second home, especially if you expect to travel from the Netherlands several times a year.
In many cases, the southern Costa Blanca is closer to Alicante-Elche Airport than northern coastal towns such as Jávea or Dénia. However, actual journey times depend on the property, route, day and traffic conditions.
Before purchasing, check the practical route from the airport to the exact property. Also consider alternative airports and transport options if you expect to travel frequently.
For someone spending six months a year in Spain, an additional 30 minutes of travel time may make little difference. For someone visiting for ten short weekends a year, that same journey time could be much more significant.
Look Beyond the Purchase Price
A second home should not only fit your purchase budget. The annual costs of ownership should also remain comfortably affordable.
For a specific property, ask about:
- The most recent IBI property tax bill
- Current owners' community fees
- Planned additional community contributions
- Swimming pool and garden maintenance
- Energy performance
- Insurance
- Maintenance likely to be required in the near future
Casa de Bas also provides a dedicated guide to the actual annual costs of owning a property in Spain.
When seriously considering a property, always use its actual expenses rather than a general average for the northern or southern Costa Blanca.
Planning to Rent Out Your Property? Check the Rules Before Buying
A second home that you also intend to rent out requires different checks from a property intended exclusively for personal use.
Holiday rental regulations may change and can be affected by regional legislation, municipal requirements and the rules of the owners' community.
Do not purchase a property on the basis of an advertised rental yield without first checking:
- Whether your intended type of letting is permitted
- Which registrations or licences are required
- Whether the owners' community imposes restrictions
- The actual cost of rental management
- Which taxes apply
- The expected net return after all expenses
These matters must be investigated for the individual property, not simply for the region as a whole.
Which Part of the Costa Blanca Suits Your Lifestyle?
The northern Costa Blanca may appeal to you if you:
- Enjoy living in a hillier, greener coastal environment
- Are attracted to towns such as Jávea, Moraira, Dénia, Altea or Calpe
- Place particular value on villas, plots, views and established residential areas
- Are prepared to assess accessibility and changes in elevation carefully for each property
The southern Costa Blanca may appeal to you if you:
- Want plenty of choice between apartments, townhouses, villas and new-build properties
- Are interested in Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja, Guardamar or surrounding areas
- Are looking for a practical residential development with shared facilities
- Place significant importance on regular flight connections and convenient access
Do not treat these points as a ranking. Visit both regions if you are undecided, and compare individual properties before making your decision.
How Casa de Bas Helps Buyers Choose Between North and South
Casa de Bas specifically serves Dutch buyers interested in both the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol.
Fred and Carien de Bas completed their training in Alicante to become accredited estate agents in Spain. They combine Dutch-language guidance with local property selection and a Dutch-speaking professional network.
Through the Secure Purchase Plan and property buying support, they coordinate the process from the initial search and viewings through legal and financial arrangements to the final handover of the keys.
You can learn more about Fred, Carien and the background of Casa de Bas on the About Casa de Bas page.
Still deciding between the northern and southern Costa Blanca?
Compare your budget, preferred property type and intended use against the current listings in both regions before deciding. This will help you avoid choosing an area based on general assumptions.
Arrange a free, no-obligation initial consultation with Casa de Bas.
Or call Fred directly: +31 6 54 60 44 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the northern Costa Blanca more expensive than the south?
You cannot automatically assume that every property in the north costs more than every property in the south. Casa de Bas's current listings do, however, illustrate clear differences in property type, plot size, living space and asking prices. Compare genuinely similar properties rather than relying on a single regional average.
Where can I view current properties on the northern Costa Blanca?
Start with the current properties for sale in Jávea or properties for sale in Moraira.
Where can I find properties on the southern Costa Blanca?
Browse the current property listings in Orihuela Costa or available new-build developments around Torrevieja.
Which area has more new-build properties available?
The number of available developments changes constantly. Use the current new-build developments in Spain listings and then filter by your preferred region.
Which region is better for rental income?
There is no reliable general answer. Rental potential depends on the individual property, location, current regulations, seasonality, competition, costs and management. Have the property's net rental potential assessed before making rental income part of your purchasing decision.
Choose Your Lifestyle First, Then Your Location
Both the northern and southern Costa Blanca offer attractive opportunities for buying a second home, but the right choice depends on how you intend to use the property.
Start by defining your total budget, preferred property type, ideal surroundings, maintenance requirements and travel patterns. Then compare currently available properties across both parts of the Costa Blanca.
Want to start exploring independently? Browse the full selection of properties for sale in Spain.
Prefer to compare new-build homes? Explore the current new-build developments.
Want to compare north and south based on your own requirements? Arrange a free, no-obligation consultation.
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