In Alicante, Second Homes Shape Household Trends Across Cities
As travel becomes a bigger part of life and vacation time grows irregular, many families still dream of a place by the sea or a quiet country retreat. Ownership of a vacation property remains a minority achievement, a privilege held by only a portion of households.
Recent data from the INE Population Core Characteristics and Housing Survey shows that just 12.2% of households in the Alicante province have a second residence. That figure translates to roughly 94,000 homes and sits about three points below the national average of 15.5%. The spread is not uniform, with notable regional differences across the province.
Among larger municipalities, Alcoy stands out as an exception. Its residents are more inclined to own an additional property beyond their main home, likely because the sea is a farther reach. In Alcoy, about 22.3% of families report a second home, a rate that aligns with major cities like Madrid and Zaragoza rather than the rest of the province.
Nearby, the seaside municipality of Alicante reveals a different pattern. A substantial share of households there own a second property close to the coast. In the city center and neighboring areas, roughly 16.5% of households report a second home, followed by Elche at 13.8% and Benidorm at 12.7%. In comparison, smaller communities show lower shares, with San Vicente del Raspeig at 8.6% and Torrevieja at 9.9%.
In the same urban region, the location of a second home matters. About 46.3% of second properties are still within the same city but in a different municipality. A smaller portion, around 18%, belongs to a different province or autonomous community, and even fewer than that are located abroad, at roughly 5.5% of cases.
There are cities where owning a second home inside the same municipality is far more common. In Alicante and Elche, for example, the second home is often situated within the urban core or the immediate waterfront districts, with San Juan and the coastal neighborhoods serving as convenient holiday spots. Alcoy, by contrast, shows a lower tendency to keep the second home within the same municipality, while Torrevieja and Benidorm also present modest shares for this pattern because the beach itself is readily accessible and daily life integrates seaside living.
Images and everyday life illustrate where these properties cluster. A beachfront skyline and the cluster of apartment blocks in Benidorm highlight the popularity of coastal second homes. The data also show that people living in the broader Alicante region frequently own a second residence to enjoy longer holiday periods, especially those who can allocate more time to get away from the daily routine.
Beyond geography, sociodemographic factors shape ownership. Families without children and couples living alone show a higher propensity to own a second home. In some households with no children, the rate climbs to the upper teens. Conversely, single-parent households tend to own second homes less often, with ownership percentages closer to the lower end of the spectrum.
Income levels are another key driver. The likelihood of owning a second property increases as monthly income rises. While about 7% of households earning under 1,000 euros monthly own a second home, roughly 27.6% of families with incomes above 3,000 euros report a second residence. This income gradient mirrors broader housing market dynamics and reflects how affordability influences holiday property ownership.
Turning to prices, Alicante’s housing market continues to perform despite economic shifts. Among owners of second homes, close to half use their property for more than 60 days a year, indicating substantial occupancy and a strong attachment to the holiday asset. The pattern of use reveals how second homes function as extended living spaces rather than occasional retreats for many residents.
When comparing regional patterns, other areas in the Valencian Community show their own rhythms. Castellón and Valencia residents report shares near 20%, indicating a healthy presence of second homes in the region. National comparisons place Alicante among the mid-to-high ranges in second-home ownership, with major urban centers like Madrid and Zaragoza also displaying high engagement with second properties for vacations and long breaks.
In summary, second homes in Alicante reflect a blend of coastal appeal, urban accessibility, and socioeconomic factors. While not everyone can own a second residence, the province shows a robust pattern of coastal living integrated with city life, offering a practical and desirable option for families seeking relaxed getaways and extended holidays.