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The most beautiful places to spend the winter in Spain
12 Jun 2018
Are you completely fed up with the cold and rainy winters in Belgium? Then you've probably thought about buying a second home to spend those winters in the sun! One of the most popular destinations for that is Spain! So in the last decade, the number of Belgians buying a country home in Spain has increased more than tenfold. And not just because it's good to be in Spain thanks to the beautiful weather and locations. Real estate in Spain is cheaper than with us and the cost of living there is also lower than here. So wintering in Spain is an ideal investment!
The top locations to spend your summer vacation, you already know them! But these are not always also ideal locations for wintering. The Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada, for example, are wonderfully warm in the summer and are flooded with tourists. In winter, however, it can get very cool - not so cozy if you want to spend the winter there. The Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, on the other hand, have warm temperatures even in winter, making them ideal for escaping the cold. Below we list the 10 best locations to spend the winter in Spain, from the southernmost locations to the north:
1) Marbella
Marbella, a city on the Andalusian Costa del Sol, is certainly not the cheapest city to spend the winter, but this region is very popular! The average annual temperature is 18°C and the peaks of the surrounding mountains are occasionally covered with snow. Even in the winter months, it remains a bustling area where you can enjoy Spanish luxury tourism. It attracts the more luxurious and exclusive winter visitors, including many Belgians. A lot of famous people have homes in Marbella or like to spend their vacations there. Who can you spot like this? You can read about it in our article: Famous neighbors in Marbella and surroundings.
2) Torremolinos
Have you heard of Torremolinos? This city was one of the first to experience explosive growth thanks to mass tourism on the Costa del Sol. In winter it averages around 10 to 15 degrees which in summer can rise to near 30°C with record outliers above 40°C. Just over 15 km southwest of Málaga you will find this coastal town that originated as a small fishing village. The name refers to the town's many windmills, one of which remains today. It is a coastal town with an authentic center that also does well in winter thanks to its many winter visitors. You shouldn't be here for skyscrapers, but you should if you are looking for a cozy coastal town with weekly markets, several shopping centers and many nearby attractions.
3) Málaga
Because of its airport Aeropuerto de Málaga-Costa del Sol, Málaga is considered the entry point to the Costa del Sol. The city is thus very easily accessible and has become a popular city trip destination in recent years. It is the sixth largest city in Spain, and the second largest city in Andalusia. Málaga is a very large, touristy city - a real cultural hub with more than enough sights to keep you busy all winter long. Two rivers run through the mountain-lined city, and winter temperatures average 20 degrees. Ideal for overwintering, then!
4) Nerja
50km east of Málaga is Nerja, a coastal town and the eastern spur of the Costa del Sol with more than 15km of beaches. Consequently, this city runs on tourism and water sports. In summer, temperatures are around 25°C and in winter the average temperature fluctuates around 10°C. A lot of Belgians live in and around this city known for the Balcony of Europe (see photo). This promenade in the city center sits atop a cliff and offers beautiful views. History lovers will also find their fill here! Just outside are the Cueva de Nerja caves where you can admire wall paintings more than 20,000 years old, and in the town itself you can discover remains of Roman settlements.
5) Murcia
Murcia is a region in southeastern Spain that includes the Costa Calida. Murcia's coastline is nearly 250 km long and consists of narrow beaches and several coves. The region is somewhat less touristy developed, so the emphasis there is on its beautiful nature. You can admire sand dunes, saltwater lagoons and mudflats! This region is also easily accessible with two of its own airports in the capital of the same name and several highways, train, bus and streetcar connections. The temperate Mediterranean climate has an average annual temperature of 18°C and winter averages 11°C. So those looking for a slightly quieter environment to spend the winter will find what they are looking for in Murcia. The most interesting cities in Murcia are San Javier, La Manga del Mar Menor, Cabo de Palos, Cartagena (see photo), Mazarron, and, of course, the city of Murcia itself.
6) Torrevieja
Torrevieja is another city on the Costa Blanca where many Belgians like to spend their summer and/or winter. This coastal town with 20 km of sandy beaches and creeks is located 40 km south of Alicante. In the summer the population doubles thanks to tourism, but you will also find many foreigners in winter. The city is popular with Britons, Irish, Germans and Scandinavians, but quite a few Spaniards also have second homes there. In the winter months the mercury does not fall below 10°C and in the summer it can get up to 30°C. With 44 rainy days per year and an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day, it's pleasant all year round!
7) Alicante
Alicante, of course, should not be missing from this list either. Flying to the Costa Blanca is done via Alicante airport so accessibility is not a problem. Temperatures average around 10°C in January and 25°C in August, with an average annual temperature of 18°C. A lot of tourists spend their vacations here and Alicante is also popular as a day trip. You won't really find foreigners wintering there, it is still a very Spanish region. Of course, that does not take away from the fact that you can spend your winter there quietly and nice and warm. Make sure you already speak and understand Spanish reasonably well to navigate daily life there.
8) Benidorm
Benidorm is a very popular place for foreigners, both in summer and winter. Because of the TV show Benidorm Bastards, you may think that there are mostly old people walking around, but that is a distorted view. Both young and old enjoy spending time there, and you'll find lots of Dutch people and some Belgians as well. In the summer you will run into numerous vacationers and day tourists, but there is also plenty to do in the winter for the many winter visitors. Walking promenades, cafes, restaurants and sun-sea beach. If that's what you're looking for, Benidorm is an ideal place to spend the winter in Spain! Temperatures hover around 10°C in winter and average 25°C in summer with highs of 30°C.
9) Altea
About 50 km northeast of Alicante is Altea, a small coastal town on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a very popular place for Belgians (and Dutch) so you certainly won't be out of place there. There is also a very extensive expat community with clubs and associations that organize all kinds of activities. You will also find many different restaurants, bars and stores to get you through the winter. The 6 km long coastline consists of cliffs, coves, sand and pebble beaches. Winters there are very mild, with temperatures around 10-15°C, so very many people come to spend the winter.
10) Dénia, Jávea, Moraira and Calpe
Dénia (see photo), Jávea, Moraira and Calpe are four small towns in the north of the Costa Blanca and this region is very popular with Belgians and Dutch. Vacationers and day-trippers are mostly seen in the summer, but in the winter very many Belgians also winter here. And in addition, many of our compatriots live in this region. The mild winters and numerous amenities make this an ideal place to spend the winter in Spain. With so many compatriots present, there are also quite a few Belgian and Dutch restaurants to be found!
So, are you starting to get the itch? Contact us for more information!
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