An analysis by Fotocasa reveals that 13 of the 15 most expensive coastal municipalities in Andalusia are in Málaga. Marbella, Estepona and Fuengirola occupy the podium, with prices exceeding 5,000 euros per square metre.
Buying a home on the Málaga coast has become a luxury accessible to few. A report from the real estate portal Fotocasa, based on data from June 2026, places 13 of the 15 most expensive coastal municipalities in Andalusia in the province of Málaga. Marbella, Estepona and Fuengirola lead the regional ranking, with average prices already exceeding 5,000 euros per square metre.
The Málaga podium: Marbella, Estepona and Fuengirola
Marbella tops the Andalusian ranking with an average price of 5,767 euros per square metre, followed by Estepona (5,199 €/m²) and Fuengirola (5,098 €/m²). These three towns also make it into the 'top 15' of the most expensive beach municipalities in all of Spain.
In these cities, an average 80-square-metre home now costs over 400,000 euros. In the rest of the Costa del Sol, prices are also skyrocketing: Benalmádena (4,254 €/m²), Mijas (3,902 €/m²), Casares (3,756 €/m²) and Torremolinos (3,400 €/m²) range from 300,000 to 400,000 euros for a standard flat.
Manilva, the biggest surge in five years
The report highlights the case of Manilva, which has experienced a spectacular increase of 161.2% in housing prices over the last five years. Although its average price (2,800 €/m²) is still lower than its neighbours, the upward trend consolidates it as one of the most dynamic markets in the province.
On the opposite side, Torrox and Vélez-Málaga are the only coastal municipalities in Málaga where an 80-square-metre home is priced below 300,000 euros, with average values around 280,000 euros. Even so, this is still far from the prices of a decade ago.
A coast of two speeds
The Director of Studies and Spokesperson for Fotocasa, María Matos, explains that “housing on the Andalusian coast shows a very evident polarization. The Costa del Sol has become one of the markets with the highest price pressure in the country, attracting strong international investment and residential interest.”
“On the other hand, provinces like Huelva and Almería continue to offer municipalities like Lepe or Vícar, which remain as the last bastions of accessibility on the beachfront,” adds Matos.
In fact, Lepe (Huelva) is the most affordable coastal town in Spain, with an average price of 1,133 €/m², 16.7% less than five years ago. It is followed by the Almerian towns of Vícar (1,263 €/m²), Adra (1,446 €/m²) and El Ejido (1,456 €/m²), as well as Sanlúcar de Barrameda (1,815 €/m²) in Cádiz.
For the average Málaga buyer, the situation is becoming increasingly complicated. Those looking for a first residence on the coast will have to dig deep into their pockets or resign themselves to looking inland. The gap between the Costa del Sol and the rest of the Andalusian coastline continues to grow, and Fotocasa's data confirms that the province of Málaga is, by far, the most expensive in the community.
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