Located in southern Spain along the Costa del Sol, the province of Málaga in Andalucía has long been a favourite with overseas property investors and British ex patriates keen to enjoy its Mediterranean climate, relatively low cost of living, bountiful seafood and laidback lifestyle, both seasonally and more permanently.

Boasting some 160kms of sandy, sun-drenched beaches framed by a backdrop of majestic mountains, 20+ nature reserves, numerous health spas and over 50 excellent golf courses, Málaga offers retirees and holiday-makers a seductive mix of urban and rural outdoor living, which is why over 1 million people, many of them foreign retirees, have chosen to call it home.

Its capital, Málaga city, is populated by around 600,000 residents, with its own airport - the third biggest in the country, located less than 10kms from the city centre, together with Spain’s second largest port from where cruise ships can be seen docking almost daily. It also has an excellent road network, a regular national rail service to Seville and Madrid, as well as a metro rail system, running between Málaga’s centre and the nearby beach resort of Fuengirola.

Aside from sun, sea and watersports, there is plenty to do and see in Málaga city, especially in its old quarter, including historic buildings and museums, markets and cobbled shopping districts as well as a plethora of cafes and tapas bars serving seafood and local dishes such as gazpacho and ajoblanco. At night, there is flamenco dancing and live musical entertainment. Málaga is also the birthplace of Picasso, and as such, boasts a very vibrant cultural and arts scene. Families on holiday can also enjoy the many safe beaches, waterparks and zoos on offer.

Although tourism makes up the bulk of the province’s economy, Málaga is also home to a thriving film industry with its own annual film festival, making it an excellent place for buying property for rental income and investment purposes. Mild winters also make it perfect for wine-growing, and a thriving trade has grown up around the production of raisins and sweet wines made from muscatel grapes.

Properties for sale in Málaga’s well-known resort towns of Mijas, Marbella, Puerto Banus, Estepona and Benahavis can attract a premium and enjoy year-on-year capital growth although bargains are still to be had further inland. Property-wise, there is something for everybody here, from seaside apartments to rural homesteads, townhouses to villas.

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