Life on the Costa del Sol

But it isn’t only about golf. It’s about the whole way of life that goes with it. After a morning round, you can head to the beach or have lunch at a chiringuito, then browse the shops, take a stroll through town or get out on the water. There’s plenty to do, from discovering the local culture to simply enjoying the sunshine.

Hikers can explore scenic mountain trails, families can enjoy picnics in beautiful parks, and sports lovers are spoilt for choice, from tennis courts to water sports such as kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing and more. All along the coast you’ll see people cycling, jogging or simply soaking up the Spanish sun. With so many options, it’s easy to lead a healthy, active life here.

Located in the south of Spain, the Costa del Sol is also a great base for exploring the rest of Andalucía and its rich cultural heritage.

Roads along the coast. There are two main routes. The toll-free A-7, a dual carriageway, keeps closer to the sea and to the towns along the way, while the AP-7 toll motorway is the better choice when you’re in a hurry. From the airport, it’s about 45 minutes by car to Marbella and roughly an hour to Estepona.

By train from the airport. The Cercanías C-1 commuter line runs from central Málaga via the airport to Fuengirola. Trains also stop at Torremolinos and Benalmádena and run roughly every 20 minutes, and the journey from the airport to Fuengirola takes about 35 minutes. Fuengirola is the end of the line, so to reach Marbella or Estepona you’ll need a car or a bus. A new coastal railway is still only at the planning stage.

By high-speed train to Madrid. From Málaga María Zambrano station, the AVE reaches Madrid in about two and a half hours, with onward connections from there to the rest of Spain.

Beyond healthcare and education, the Costa del Sol offers efficient public transport, plenty of shops and well-kept public spaces, so it’s easy to enjoy everything the region has to offer.

Public healthcare. Every town has its own health centre. In March 2026 the public Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella completed an expansion costing more than €100 million, adding 16 operating theatres and a new radiotherapy unit. Estepona also has a new public hospital with an emergency department, outpatient clinics and rehabilitation, and it is gradually expanding its services. The emergency number is 112, as it is everywhere in the EU.

Private hospitals. You’ll find Hospiten Estepona in Estepona, Quirónsalud Marbella and HC Marbella in Marbella, and Vithas Xanit in Benalmádena. Hospiten Estepona and Quirónsalud Marbella provide care around the clock, every day of the week. Private health insurance costs roughly €50 to €150 a month per person, depending on your age and level of cover. We’ve used both private hospitals and the public health service ourselves.

International schools. Between Marbella and Estepona there are more than ten international schools, among them several British schools, a German and a Swedish school, and an American school in Estepona. Examples in Marbella include Swans International School and English International College, while Aloha College in Nueva Andalucía follows the British curriculum and offers the International Baccalaureate (IB). Further west are Laude San Pedro International College and Sotogrande International School. Fees vary from school to school and with the age of the child, so it’s best to check current prices directly with each school.

Residency for EU citizens. As an EU citizen, you can live here without a visa. If you plan to stay longer than three months, you need to register with the police at the foreigners’ office within three months of arriving (certificado de registro, form EX-18) and add your name to the town hall’s register of residents (padrón). As a rule, you become a Spanish tax resident once you spend more than 183 days here in a calendar year. Spain abolished its so-called golden visas for property buyers on 3 April 2025 (Ley Orgánica 1/2025), but this does not affect EU citizens. To buy a property, all you need is an NIE number.

In recent years, world-famous luxury brands from fashion and automotive design have launched new developments here, the first of their kind anywhere in the world.

Property values on the Costa del Sol are likely to keep rising as global demand grows. Owners who let out their homes also benefit from the tourism boom, which supports the local economy. All this makes buying here attractive, whether you’re looking for a beautiful second home or a new place to live, or you’re an investor hoping to make the most of the area’s growing popularity.