Summer often sparks a search for a coastal second home
Summer tends to prompt many people to consider buying a place by the sea. After a few days in a hotel or an apartment, the idea of owning a second residence in a coastal area becomes appealing, not just for the sunny months but for the year ahead. As this seasonal interest grows, demand heats up and coastal markets across the Mediterranean often see prices rise. Affordable options become scarcer, especially in popular stretches of the coast.
When examining the most affordable coastal provinces, iAhorro users historically paid the least for homes in Castellón. In the Valencian Community, the average price dipped to about €157,000, with Castellón showing a Fewer price points during a specific quarterly period. In this same region, prices in Alicante and Valencia showed modest upticks after a recent trough, averaging around €170,000 and €229,000 respectively. The pattern illustrates how regional dynamics within a country can create noticeable differences even among nearby coastal locations.
Beyond Castellón, Murcia stands out with a comparatively low average purchase price of about €160,000. In the second quarter, buyers there paid roughly 6% less than those who purchased in the first quarter, when the average hovered around €171,000. Seasonal demand in Murcia reflects strong competition from neighboring markets within the Valencian Community to the north and Andalusia to the south. Curiously, some buyers, particularly foreign investors, have shown a preference for other regions after publicized concerns about local environmental issues and publicity surrounding coastal areas. Mortgage industry professionals note that market sentiment, publicity, and perceived value can all influence investor choices in coastal towns (attribution provided to iAhorro market commentary).
Basque Country, Balearic Islands and Catalonia remain the priciest coastal zones
The most expensive coastal markets in Spain showed higher prices in the Basque Country, Balearic Islands and Catalonia during the second quarter. In Biscay, the average purchase price reached about €330,000, marking an 11.9% rise from the previous quarter and remaining the highest among coastal provinces. Industry observers point to a persistent supply of new housing and a high standard of living as drivers of elevated values in this region. Álava, inland from the coast, also recorded one of the highest averages, around €349,000, underscoring how local economic prosperity can lift home values across nearby areas (attribution to iAhorro mortgage insights).
The Balearic Islands show an average price around €304,000, a roughly 10% increase from the prior quarter. Foreign demand is evident on the islands, but the limited land for new construction amplifies scarcity. When demand rises while supply remains constrained, sellers gain pricing leverage and buyers adjust accordingly (cited from iAhorro commentary).
The Barcelona metro area mirrors this high-price trend, with an average purchase price near €304,000 after a noticeable dip from €325,000 earlier in the year. Market experts explain that central areas heavily influence the overall figure, as many buyers seek work opportunities in the city rather than just vacation property. This nuance highlights how geography within a region can create divergent outcomes for coastal versus inland markets (iAhorro mortgage manager commentary).
Even with elevated averages in Barcelona, the Catalan coast overall remains among the pricier regions in the country. Meanwhile, more affordable options appear in other coastal towns such as Girona and Tarragona, where average prices sit around €231,000 and €219,000 respectively, illustrating a spectrum of value along the Catalan coast for buyers with different budgets.