Spain’s Costa del Sol Luxury Homes Gain Momentum
The high‑end real estate scene in Spain’s Costa del Sol keeps accelerating. Data from Idealista show Marbella, Estepona, and Benahavís—collectively dubbed the Golden Triangle—averaged an 11.9 % annual price rise in May 2025.
Estepona Leads the Charge
- Overall growth: +15.1 %
- Drivers: New construction, expanding pool of developable land
Benahavís Keeps Steady
- Overall growth: +10.8 %
- Key neighborhoods: Los Flamingos (+21.0 %), La Zagaleta‑El Madroñal (+18.6 %), El Paraíso (+17.7 %)
Marbella Remains a Tier‑One Destination
- Overall growth: +9.8 %
- Question: Does Marbella’s prestige as the most luxurious hotspot begin to erode?
Estepona’s Top Hotspots
- Playa Bahía Dorada: +28.3 %
- Selwo: +23.0 %
- Estepona town: +21.8 %
Benahavís’s Finest Estates
- Los Flamingos: +21.0 %
- La Zagaleta‑El Madroñal: +18.6 %
- El Paraíso: +17.7 %
The Costa del Sol’s luxury property market continues climbing, with Marbella, Estepona, and Benahavís driving the upward trend. Each area showcases distinct growth drivers, ensuring the region remains a prime playground for affluent buyers.
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DOM3 Celebrates Strong Housing Market
The Association of Entrepreneurs for High‑Quality Housing (DOM3) highlighted the current market’s resilience and its growing international allure. DOM3 President Charly Simon welcomed the sustained vitality but expressed concern over recent price escalations.
- High domestic demand continues to drive volume.
- International buyers have intensified their participation.
- Second‑hand listings have observed notable price increases.
Balancing Price Growth in the Second‑Hand Segment
Simon warned that the second‑hand market must remain aligned with genuine demand expectations to prevent a slowdown in transaction activity. He emphasized that continual price rises could adversely affect sales volume.
Key Takeaway
Maintaining equilibrium between price appreciation and real‑world demand is essential for sustaining the healthy pace of second‑hand property transactions.
Foreign investors dominate rise of the golden triangle
Marbella’s Luxury Market Soars, Welcomes 167,000 International Residents
Year‑On‑Year Growth and Foreign Buyer Statistics
- 8,708 Golden Triangle homes sold in 2024, a 5.64% rise from 2023
- Marbella: 4,745 homes, Estepona: 3,162, Benahavís: 801
- Q1 2025: Spain attracted 21,525 foreign buyers; 34.75% centered in Málaga province
- Marbella’s luxury segment: 90% international buyers, matching Dubai, Miami, London
International Community Thrives
- Marbella municipality recorded 167,000 residents in 2024
- Over 55,000 foreigners from 152 nationalities
Client Experience Takes Center Stage at DOM3
Belén González, CEO of beex, emphasized that when product quality—design, materials, location—is near flawless, the client experience becomes the key differentiator. She introduced the concept of a “liquid experience” (hassle‑free), noting that high‑net‑worth buyers now compare Marbella to expectations from Miami or Monaco with exceptional standards.
Infrastructure and Sustainable Planning Understood as Imperatives
Simon concluded DOM3’s event season by stressing the need for improved infrastructure: better affordable housing for local workers and sustainable urban planning. “If we are the best destination, we must have the best infrastructure. It’s time to act with a long‑term vision,” he said.
Looking Ahead: Will Estepona Become the New Marbella?
The market continues to thrive, yet the shift toward property investment interest moving westward raises the question: could Estepona rise to the status of luxury residencies that defines Marbella?
