Cottages and holiday homes in Spain

Susan Roscoe
( Travel Expert)

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Costa Blanca cottages and holiday homes

With over 300 days of sunshine per year, the Costa Blanca continues to be one of the most popular holiday areas in Spain.  With its beautiful sandy beaches and olive groves, the area has enough to offer all types of holiday makers.  It's a great place for golfers, families and party lovers with the contrasting accommodation of the skyscraper hotels and all-night clubs compared with the pretty mountain village cottages and holiday homes.

The city of Alicante is the capital of the region with excellent shopping facilities and lovely beaches - and very popular with the Brits looking to set up permanent home there! Then there's the seaside resort of Benidorm, which has lots of hotels, bars and clubs.  Further along the coast is the pretty fishing port of Moraira, the beach resort of Calpe and the town of Denia, dominated by its impressive castle.

Costa Brava cottages and holiday homes

Set in the region of Catalonia in North Eastern Spain, with endless sandy beaches and a variety of towns from high-rise tourist resorts to unspoilt fishing villages, it's not surprising how popular the Costa Brava is with holidaymakers. Choose between cottages and holiday homes on the coast or inland, and hire a car for full access to the whole north east corner of Spain.

Barcelona is the capital of this region and not to be missed by visitors here.  Another great day out is Europe's largest water park, Water World, just outside Lloret de Mar.

Roses is the regions biggest resort, just twenty miles from the French border.  This wide sweeping bay and ancient fishing port has managed to retain much of its typical Spanish charm.  South of here is the relaxed resort of Estartit followed by the most attractive resort on this Costa - Tossa del Mar. It's extremely busy here with nine miles of tourist beaches and small coves.  Head into its historic old quarter for some true Spanish culture!  Further south is the resort of Blanes with more great beaches and water sports.  Plenty of bars and restaurants line the promenade, which attracts thousands of tourists year after year.

Costa Calida cottages and holiday homes

Located in the province of Murcia in south east Spain, the famous La Manga club is here - one of Europe's top tourist complexes. The area was recently declared the cleanest in Spain with the least industrial pollution whilst the Mar Menor sea inlet,  Europe's biggest salt water lagoon, is believed to have curative properties for ailments such as rheumatism and arthritis.

Staying at La Manga is extremely expensive, so if you're travelling on a budget head for holiday homes and cottages a little further south. 

Also on this Costa is the popular resort of Mojacar - a beautiful hilltop town in the province of Almeria with pretty whitewashed buildings and winding narrow streets. The summer months are hectic here with plenty of water sports, lively nightlife and flamenco shows. The nearby fishing port of Garrucha is famous for its excellent seafood restaurants and not to be missed!

Costa del Sol cottages and holiday homes

As one of Europe's most popular year-round holiday destinations, the Costa del Sol on the south coast of Spain attracts not only sun worshippers and water sport enthusiasts but also the rich and famous! Head to swanky Puerto Banus harbour, notable for its multi-million pound yachts, for a spot of people watching. Just remember to take your camera!.

Golfers love this area - there are over 60 golf courses with over 30 of them set along the coast, plus many other attractions suitable for all the family. Renting a cottage or holiday home here is a great way of experiencing the local culture and relaxed way of life - choose between an apartment close to the beach or a luxury property with a pool.

Malaga is the capital of this region and the birthplace of the artist Picasso! Not far from here are the package holiday favourites of Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola, filled with hundreds of bars and clubs. There's not a lot of Spanish charm here but it's great if you're in search of some sunshine.

Head up into the mountains to the pretty town of Nerja or for great views head to Mijas. 

Marbella and Puerto Banus are glamorous and expensive and great places to spend the day if you fancy splashing some cash in the shops.  Alternatively, take a trip to Estepona - a quiet beach resort favoured by couples and families.

Costa Dorada cottages and holiday homes

Popular with Spanish tourists looking to escape the heat of the city, the Costa Dorada is the number one family destination in Spain. The three main resorts are Salou, La Pineda and Cambrils and from your cottage or holiday home here you can visit the largest amusement park in Spain -  Port Aventura. Within a short drive you'll find many other attractions suitable for all members of the family, including a zoo and numerous waterparks.

Salou is the tourist capital of the region filled with high-rise apartments, bars, clubs and discos.  The nightlife here is one of the liveliest of all the Spanish coastal resorts so if you're looking for something a little quieter head to La Pineda with its sandy beaches - a favourite for families with young children.

For something a little more cultural, head to Cambrils - a pretty fishing village with cobbled streets, traditional tapas bars and great seafood restaurants.

Costa Almeria/Costa Tropical cottages and holiday homes

Set on the southern coast of Spain next to the better known Costa del Sol, the area is famous for its sub-tropical climate which allows exotic fruits to grow there. With over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, the Costa Almeria  (also known as the Costa Tropical) is an ideal place to rent a cottage or holiday home. There are three main areas of interest here - Almeria (the capital of the region), Almunecar and Motril. 

Almunecar is the biggest and most popular resort in the area and with over twenty sandy beaches it is favoured by the Spanish. With the region being within easy reach of the historic city of Granada, the ski resort of Sierra Nevada and the mountainous region of Alpujarras, it is becoming increasingly popular with holidaymakers.

Balearic Islands cottages and holiday homes

The three main Balearic Islands are Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca but there are also two other lesser known and unspoilt islands - Formentera, just off the coast of Ibiza and Cabrera, off the southern coast of Majorca.  Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca all have different characteristics and are popular with tourists from all over the world.

Ibiza is the party capital of Europe with some of the biggest and best nightclubs in the world.  However, the island is also filled with traditional Spanish villages nestling amongst a landscape of olive groves.  Venture from your cottage or holiday home to discover stunning mountains, rugged cliffs, great beaches, hidden coves and crystal clear waters. Whether you're looking for a romantic break for two, a never-ending party or a memorable family holiday, renting a holiday home here is an ideal way to really explore all the island has to offer.

Majorca is the largest of the Balearics and one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations.  The capital city of Palma de Mallorca is a vibrant place bustling with tourists.  There's plenty to do here from shopping, walking along the harbour, viewing the magnificent cathedral or simply sitting at one of the many café bars that line the streets. 

With such a variety of resorts, from the lively Magalluf where you can dance until dawn in one of the many bars or nightclubs, to the chilled out family resorts of Puerto Pollensa or Alcudia with bustling restaurants, pretty harbours and shops. There's enough to keep all types of holidaymakers amused. Couples looking for a romantic hideaway should head to the historical town of Deia - a world away from the rest of the island.

Menorca is the most unspoilt of the three islands with miles of uncrowded beaches, pretty fishing villages and historic towns. It's not a place for those seeking out a vibrant nightlife, but it's great for family holidays and those wanting to get away from it all. Renting a self-catering cottage or holiday home here will allow you to experience the relaxed way of life that is so typical of this island.

Canary Islands cottages and holiday homes

The Canary Islands are seven islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the most popular ones being Lanzarote, Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria.  With a great climate all year round, they're ever popular winter and summer sun destinations and great places to rent a cottage or holiday home.

Tenerife is the largest of the islands and the most popular.  At the heart of the island lies the volcanic crater of Mount Teide - a trip to the top in a cable car is a must.  The tourist resorts offer something for everyone from the lively Playa de las Americas (described by some as Blackpool in the sun!) to the traditional picturesque town of Puerto de la Cruz.  A strange sight on this island are the beaches made of black volcanic sand - however, there are also manmade beaches of golden sand imported from the Sahara.

Boasting a variety of resorts and facilities, Gran Canaria has something to offer all ages and types of holidaymaker. Families will love the island's soft sandy beaches, warm blue waters and family-orientated activities, while couples seeking a romantic hideaway will enjoy the pretty marinas and flower-filled walkways. If bustling beach resorts are more your thing, you'll be more than satisfied with the wealth and variety of evening entertainment found in Gran Canaria's liveliest resorts, which are renowned for their party days and party nights.

Lanzarote, has a wide variety of resorts, beaches, bars and nightclubs. Families and couples will be attracted to the quieter resorts with their safe beaches and peaceful surroundings, as well as the warm blue waters that are gently cooled by the Atlantic breeze. For those who prefer something more active there are many beaches that cater for water sports and there is a lively nightlife with bars and nightclubs in all major resorts.

Fuerteventura is a quiet island that places the emphasis on relaxation rather than partying with its nightlife limited to traditional bars and restaurants as well as time-honoured entertainment such as authentic folk dancing. Consequently this is a year round sun destination for families and couples, particularly those with young children thanks to the friendly village atmosphere throughout the island. Temperatures peak at 30°C in the summer and rarely drop below 20°C in the winter. It is also popular with water sport enthusiasts as the home of the world speedsurfing championships.

Who do we recommend?

With so many companies to choose from, we have researched the market to find those with a wide range of choice as well as some that are more specialist. Browse our list below to find the right company for you, then click through to their web site for more information and how to book. It couldn't be easier!

Further guides on cottages, gîtes and holiday homes