Everything you need to know about Orihuela Costa on Costa Blanca: areas, property prices, climate, beach life and tips for buying property in southern Spain.
Orihuela Costa is the 16-kilometre coastal strip belonging to the Orihuela municipality in the province of Alicante, and it is one of the most popular areas for Swedish property buyers on Costa Blanca. Here you find everything from affordable apartments with pools to exclusive villas near the sea — and a climate with over 300 sunny days per year that makes outdoor living possible year-round. The average winter temperature is around 18 degrees, which is why thousands of Scandinavians have already made Orihuela Costa their second home. Prices are still lower than in many other Spanish coastal areas, but the area is growing quickly — the population increased by 7.7 per cent in 2025 alone, to over 30,000 registered residents.
This guide is written for those considering buying property in Orihuela Costa. I cover all the sub-areas, current prices, practical information and give you an honest picture of both the advantages and disadvantages.
Orihuela Costa stretches along the Mediterranean coast from Punta Prima in the north to Dehesa de Campoamor in the south. Despite belonging to the Orihuela municipality (whose town centre lies 25 kilometres inland), the coastal strip is a world of its own — international, modern and distinctly tourist-oriented.
Useful distances to know:
From Sweden there are direct flights to Alicante from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö during high season, and year-round connections via SAS, Norwegian and Ryanair. This makes Orihuela Costa one of the most accessible Spanish sun destinations for Swedish buyers.
Information
Orihuela Costa is part of Southern Costa Blanca (Costa Blanca Sur). The name "Orihuela Costa" is used as a collective term for all coastal areas — but each sub-area has its own character and price level.
Orihuela Costa consists of around ten urbanisations, each with its own personality. Here are the most important ones, from north to south:
The northernmost area, neighbouring Torrevieja. Punta Prima is calm and close to the beach, with mainly apartments in different price ranges. Popular among couples and retirees who want to be close to both the beach and amenities without too much noise. New building projects have pushed prices up somewhat in recent years.
Playa Flamenca is the commercial hub of Orihuela Costa. Here you find Saturday markets, supermarkets, restaurants and an active street life. Property prices are among the most affordable in the area, and there are plenty of apartments and townhouses. If you like having everything within walking distance this is a good choice — but it can feel touristy during high season.
La Zenia is the liveliest area, with La Zenia Boulevard — one of Costa Blanca's largest shopping centres with over 150 shops. The beach is wide and beautiful with Blue Flag status. Prices are somewhat higher than in Playa Flamenca, but you get access to the widest range of amenities, restaurants and nightlife. Perfect if you want to be at the centre of things.
The more exclusive area with a charming marina, fine beach restaurants and an international feel. Cabo Roig attracts buyers with a slightly higher budget. Property types range from apartments to detached villas, and there are pleasant coastal promenades. Prices are higher here, but the quality of both properties and surroundings is excellent.
Villamartín is set slightly more inland and is known for its golf course and the lively Villamartín Plaza. Social life is the focus here — pubs, restaurants and a strong British community. Property prices are competitive and you find many townhouses and villas. Suits you well if you enjoy golf and a community feel, but you have a slightly longer distance to the beach (10–15 minutes by car).
A family-friendly area with good amenities and close to both the golf in Villamartín and the beaches in La Zenia. Los Altos offers a good middle ground — calmer than the most touristy areas but with good connections. Prices are attractive, particularly for townhouses.
Known for its golf course, Las Ramblas Golf. More modern urbanisations, mostly villas and townhouses. Quiet and residential in character — suits those seeking peace and quiet with golf within walking distance.
The southernmost and most exclusive area in Orihuela Costa. Fine beaches, more upmarket villas and one of Costa Blanca's better golf courses. Prices are highest here, but you get a calmer and more exclusive environment. Popular among buyers who prioritise quality over a central location.
Tips
If you are looking for affordable and central: look at Playa Flamenca or Los Altos. If you want higher standards and peace: Cabo Roig or Dehesa de Campoamor. Villamartín is best for golf enthusiasts with a social lifestyle.
The property market in Orihuela Costa is active and prices have risen steadily. During 2025 the average price was around 3,150 euros per square metre, an increase of 12–13 per cent compared to the previous year. For 2026 forecasts indicate a calmer but still positive development of 3–5 per cent.
Here is an overview of typical prices (2025/2026):
Obs!
Always budget for 10–14 per cent in additional costs on top of the purchase price. This includes transfer tax (ITP, 10 per cent in the Valencia region), notary fees, land registry registration and legal fees.
It is worth noting that properties in Orihuela Costa were on the market for an average of 119 days before receiving an accepted offer during 2025, and the average negotiation margin was only 5.1 per cent of the asking price. This indicates a seller's market where the most attractive properties sell quickly.
Fastigheter
Utforska tillgängliga fastigheter i orihuela-costa
Se aktuella bostäder i området och jämför lägen, prisnivåer och boendetyper i lugn och ro.
The climate is one of the main reasons Scandinavians choose Orihuela Costa. The area has a semi-arid Mediterranean climate with extremely little rainfall — only around 250 mm per year, concentrated in short periods in spring and autumn.
Temperatures throughout the year:
Over 300 sunny days per year places Orihuela Costa among Europe's sunniest destinations. The WHO has actually recommended the climate of southern Costa Blanca as one of the world's best for people with rheumatic conditions.
One thing to be aware of: the DANA phenomenon. These are intense downpours that can occur in autumn (mainly September–October) and can cause flooding in lower-lying areas. It does not happen every year, but when it does it is intense. Always check the elevation of the property you are interested in, and avoid ground floor units in low-lying spots.
Orihuela Costa is distinctly international. Of the just over 30,000 registered residents, the majority are foreign nationals. Britons are the largest group, but there are also large communities of Germans, Dutch, Belgians and — naturally — Scandinavians.
During 2025 buyers came from 21 different nationalities. The official population figure likely considerably understates reality — water consumption during the low season suggests that there are actually closer to 45,000 people living in the area year-round, as many do not register.
For Swedish residents there is:
You will not feel isolated. At the same time, it is honestly an area where English is the dominant language among foreign residents — if you want to live in a purely "Swedish" environment, Torrevieja town or areas further north may be a better choice.
Orihuela Costa has 7 kilometres of beach, divided across several beautiful bathing beaches — most with Blue Flag status. Playa Flamenca, Cala Bosque (La Zenia), Cala Capitán (Cabo Roig) and Aguamarina (Dehesa de Campoamor) are among the most popular. The beaches are sandy with clear water and there are beach restaurants (chiringuitos) at most of them.
Four golf courses within the area:
You can play golf year-round, and green fees are considerably lower than in Sweden — typically 40–80 euros for 18 holes depending on season.
La Zenia Boulevard is the large shopping centre with over 150 shops, cinema, restaurants and Mercadona (supermarket). Beyond that there are plenty of local shops, markets (Saturdays in Playa Flamenca, Sundays in La Zenia) and the Habaneras centre in nearby Torrevieja.
From authentic Spanish tapas to Scandinavian breakfast cafés — the range is wide. The restaurants at Cabo Roig marina are particularly pleasant, and on Saturdays there is a large food market in Playa Flamenca where local producers sell fruit, vegetables, cheese and charcuterie.
Short answer: yes, and this is the most common buyer category. The climate is mild year-round, the cost of living is low compared to Sweden, and healthcare is of high quality.
Healthcare: Hospital Quirón in Torrevieja is a private hospital with English-speaking staff and a good reputation. There are also public health centres (Centro de Salud) in La Zenia and Villamartín. As an EU citizen you are entitled to Spanish healthcare via your EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) or S1 certificate if you are a permanent resident.
Cost of living: A couple can live comfortably on 1,800–2,500 euros per month (excluding housing). This includes food, electricity, water, insurance and social life. Dining out is considerably cheaper than in Sweden — a lunch with a drink typically costs 10–15 euros.
Disadvantages to be aware of:
Tips
Get a good Spanish lawyer (abogado) early in the process. It will save you many headaches with paperwork, taxes and authorities. Budget for approximately 1,500–2,000 euros in legal fees for a property purchase.
The market in Orihuela Costa has been strong in recent years. During 2025 prices increased by 12–13 per cent compared to the previous year, and foreign buyers accounted for over 60 per cent of all sales. For 2026 a more moderate growth of 3–5 per cent is forecast, which is more sustainable in the long run.
Some key figures from 2025:
Supply is limited, particularly in the most sought-after areas such as La Zenia, Los Altos and Punta Prima. New construction is happening, but on a relatively small scale. This means that resale properties (the second-hand market) dominate, and good properties sell quickly.
The rental market is also interesting for investors. Rents rose by 4–6 per cent during 2025, and the price-to-rent ratio stands at 15–18 times annual rent, implying a gross yield of 5.5–6.7 per cent. Holiday letting (Airbnb/Booking) can generate even higher returns during high season, but a tourist licence (VT number) is required.
Here is an honest checklist — both the positives and what can cause problems:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
The whole process normally takes 2–3 months from the first offer to key handover.
Fastigheter
Utforska tillgängliga fastigheter i orihuela-costa
Se aktuella bostäder i området och jämför lägen, prisnivåer och boendetyper i lugn och ro.
If you are hesitating between Orihuela Costa and other popular coastal areas, this comparison may help:
Orihuela Costa vs Torrevieja: Torrevieja is a city with more Spanish character, a wider range of amenities and lower prices. Orihuela Costa is more international, has nicer beaches and more urbanisations with pools. Choose Torrevieja if you want a city feel, Orihuela Costa if you want a resort lifestyle.
Orihuela Costa vs Costa del Sol: Costa del Sol (Marbella, Fuengirola) is generally more expensive, more glamorous and has higher living costs. Orihuela Costa offers better value for money and a calmer pace, but lacks the "cosmopolitan" feel.
Orihuela Costa vs northern Costa Blanca: Jávea, Dénia and Calpe are more beautiful from a natural perspective but more expensive, with greater distances to the airport. Orihuela Costa wins on accessibility and price.
Kontakt
Kontakta oss så hjälper vi dig vidare – oavsett om du är i startgroparna eller redo att köpa.
Kontakta ossDecision support
En tvårumslägenhet med gemensam pool kostar från 120 000 till 200 000 euro i Orihuela Costa. Priserna varierar beroende på område — La Zenia och Cabo Roig är dyrare medan Playa Flamenca och Los Altos erbjuder mer prisvärda alternativ.
Det tar cirka 40–50 minuter att köra från Alicante-Elche flygplats till Orihuela Costa via AP-7 motorvägen. Avståndet är ungefär 55 kilometer.
Orihuela Costa omfattar bland annat Playa Flamenca, La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Villamartín, Punta Prima, Dehesa de Campoamor, Los Altos och Las Ramblas. Varje område har sin egen karaktär och prisnivå.
Ja, Orihuela Costa är mycket populärt bland skandinaviska pensionärer tack vare det milda klimatet med över 300 soldagar per år, låga levnadskostnader, bra sjukvård och en stor svensk/skandinavisk gemenskap.
Orihuela Costa har ett halvtorrt medelhavsklimat med medeltemperaturer på 11°C på vintern och 28°C på sommaren. Området har över 300 soldagar per år och mycket lite nederbörd, särskilt rekommenderat av WHO för reumatiker.
Sources
Everything you need to know about Playa Flamenca on Costa Blanca — beaches, property prices, amenities and lifestyle. An honest guide from Swedish estate agents who know the area.
Property in Mil Palmeras: prices, beaches, services and what you should know before buying in this coastal resort on the southern Costa Blanca — for Swedish buyers.
Buying a house in Torrevieja: prices by area, purchase process, taxes, NIE and mortgages — practical guide for Swedes who want to live on Costa Blanca 2026.
