Costa de Almería

Desert coast at Cabo de Gata and Mojácar's white hillside village.

21 homesFrom €179,000

The Costa de Almería is the least developed of the southern coasts, with long empty stretches and the protected desert shoreline of Cabo de Gata. It has a smaller foreign market than its neighbours, moderate prices and the same Andalusian tax rates as the Costa del Sol, including 7% ITP on resale homes as a guide. Towns are further apart here, so you tend to choose one area and settle into it.

Living here

Life here is quieter and more Spanish than on the Costa Blanca or the Costa del Sol. Mojácar, Vera and Roquetas de Mar get busy in summer and slow down a lot in winter, while Almería city runs all year as a working provincial capital. The villages around Cabo de Gata stay small, and some businesses close for the off season.

The foreign community is smaller and mainly European, with many owners around Mojácar and Vera. Some Spanish is a real help in everyday life. Almería city has the fullest range of hospitals and shops, and smaller towns have health centres and supermarkets. Sort out private insurance or your resident health card before you move.

Towns to know

Almería
A provincial capital with a Moorish fortress above the harbour, for people who want city life and Spanish daily routines.
Roquetas de Mar
A large resort and residential town west of the city with wide beaches, busy with Spanish and northern European holidaymakers.
San José
The main village inside the Cabo de Gata natural park, small and low-rise, for people who come for the walks and the quiet coves.
Mojácar
A white village on a hillside just back from the sea with a long beach strip below, the best-known base for foreign owners in the area.
Garrucha
A small working fishing port between Mojácar and Vera, which suits buyers who want an ordinary town by the sea.
Vera
A Spanish market town set back from the coast, with flats at Vera Playa, including a naturist zone that draws its own regulars.

Climate

This is the driest part of Spain, with some areas close to desert conditions and very hot summers. Winters are mild and sunny, and rain is scarce for most of the year, though storms can be sudden and heavy in late summer and autumn. Expect bare, dry hills, and plan for air conditioning and a garden that needs little water.

Getting here

Almería airport is about 15 minutes from the city, around 30 minutes from Roquetas de Mar and about an hour from Mojácar and Vera, but it has fewer routes than the bigger airports and some run only in summer. Many buyers on the eastern side use Murcia airport, roughly an hour and a half away, or Alicante, about two hours. Málaga is a little over two hours from Almería city. The A-7 motorway links the coast, the city has rail links, and a car is essential for daily life.

What you can buy

You will find resale flats and townhouses around Roquetas and Almería city, newer low-rise developments near Vera and Mojácar, and village and country houses inland. The market is smaller, so the choice in any one town can be narrow and selling later may take longer.

Inland Almería province is one of the areas where many rural houses were built or extended without proper permission. Never buy on rustic land until your lawyer has confirmed the legal status in writing, and ask about AFO status if it comes up, which allows use of a house but not its extension. On country property, check the water supply too, since some homes rely on wells or tanks.

Work out the buying costs here

Who it suits

Buyers on a moderate budget who want Andalusian tax rates and a quieter coast.
Walkers and divers who want to be close to the protected shoreline of Cabo de Gata.
Independent-minded people who are happy to learn some Spanish and live among Spanish neighbours.

Questions buyers ask

Is it really desert here?

Parts of it come close, with very low rainfall and bare hills, especially around Cabo de Gata. Gardens need planning for low water use, and the sun is strong for most of the year.

Can I fly here directly?

Almería has its own airport, but with fewer routes than Málaga or Alicante, and some are seasonal. Check the winter schedule from your home airport before you choose an area.

What taxes apply to a purchase here?

As part of Andalusia, ITP on a resale is 7% as a guide, and a new build carries 10% IVA plus 1.2% stamp duty. Your lawyer will confirm the current rates.