EXPATS and permanent foreign residents in Spain, as well as holiday home owners from abroad, often appear to be clustered around very specific areas – typically on the coast.
The secluded Sa Riera bay in Begur on the Costa Brava (photo: Catalunya regional tourism board)
But latest figures show they are beginning to spread out farther afield, heading to smaller, more traditional municipalities.
Still close to a beach or, at most, within a half-hour drive of the nearest shore, the top 15 favourite locations for overseas movers and buyers in 2023 have now been revealed – and the majority are along the Mediterranean seaboard.
Daily newspaper Levante EMV, which covers the Comunidad Valenciana provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón, reveals that two of the most sought-after locations are in this same region, whilst three others are close to the French border.
The article takes its data from residential property sales so far this year among people born outside of Spain, and who do not already live there at the time of purchase.
Here's a bit of detail on the top 10, with a summary of the final five at the end.
Number one: El Poble Nou de Benitatxell
Usually referred to simply as Benitatxell (the 'tx' makes a 'ch' sound in the regional language, valenciano), this quaint, coastal village is tucked into the mountains in the north of the province of Alicante. A close-knit community, the main expat area is the large cluster of urbanisations, or residential villa complexes, on a mountainside above the picturesque Cala Moraig bay.
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