Where is Orihuela Costa?
Orihuela Costa is the seaside part of the municipality of Orihuela, on the Costa Blanca South. The town of Orihuela itself is inland, and the coast sits more than 20 km away from it, so the two places feel quite separate in daily life.
The strip runs from Punta Prima in the north, next to Torrevieja, south towards Mil Palmeras and the border with Murcia. Between them are Playa Flamenca, La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Campoamor and the golf urbanisations set slightly inland.
It is a residential coast rather than a single town centre. Around 25,000 people live here permanently, with a large share of foreign residents.
What is it like to live in Orihuela Costa?
Life here is built around the sea, the pool and the terrace. The beaches are the main draw, and Orihuela holds one of the highest counts of Blue Flags in Spain: six of its beaches flew the flag in 2026, including La Zenia-Cala Bosque, Cala Capitán, Cabo Roig-La Caleta, Mil Palmeras, Punta Prima and Campoamor-La Glea. The marina at Club Náutico Dehesa de Campoamor also keeps a Blue Flag.
Day to day shopping is easy. La Zenia Boulevard is one of the largest open-air shopping centres on the Costa Blanca, with over 150 shops, restaurants, a large supermarket and free parking. For fresh produce, the Saturday morning market at Playa Flamenca on Calle Nicolás de Bussi is the big one, running roughly from 8am to 2pm, and there is a Thursday market near Campoamor.
Healthcare is close by. There is a public health centre serving the coast, with the public Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja a short drive north and the private Quirónsalud Torrevieja, which runs an international patients' unit with interpreters in around fifteen languages.
Two honest points. Summer is busy, and July and August bring traffic and full car parks. And residents do grumble: local satisfaction with beach cleaning and services recently hit its lowest level in seventeen years, and the coast has long felt under-funded compared with the inland town.
How much does property cost in Orihuela Costa?
All figures below come from our own current listings at the time of writing (September 2026) and are rounded. They show what is on the market, not a valuation of your own home.
- Apartments: typically around €280,000, with smaller and older flats well below that and modern sea-view homes above.
- Penthouses: typically around €340,000.
- Bungalows: typically around €200,000, the most affordable way in.
- Townhouses and duplexes: typically around €285,000.
- Detached villas: typically around €635,000, rising past €1 million and reaching close to €4 million for the best front-line and luxury homes.
A typical property on our books has three bedrooms, around 94 m² built, and sits roughly a kilometre from the sea. About half have a pool, private or shared, and around one in eight is a new build.
On top of the price, budget for buying costs. Resale transfer tax (ITP) in the Valencian Community is 9%, rising to 11% on the part above €1 million from 1 June 2026. New builds are charged 10% IVA plus 1.4% stamp duty (AJD).
Which part of Orihuela Costa should I look at?
The resorts differ more than the map suggests, and it is worth walking a few before you choose.
- Beach and buzz: La Zenia for beach, shops and walkable bars, and Playa Flamenca for the market and good value apartments.
- Golf and quiet streets: Villamartín and the surrounding urbanisations, popular with year-round residents.
- Greener and more upmarket: Campoamor, with its pine trees, marina and villa plots.
- Hillside villas with views: Lomas de Cabo Roig.
Is Orihuela Costa good for golf?
Yes, it is one of the strongest golf pockets on the Spanish coast. Five courses sit within about 7 km of the middle of the strip: Villamartín, Real Club de Golf Campoamor, Las Ramblas, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club and Lo Romero.
Villamartín is the grandfather of them all. It is an 18-hole, par 72 layout of about 6,132 metres, designed by Paul Putman and opened in 1972, with a famous par 3 17th played over a ravine.
Widen the circle to about 15 km and you can add Vistabella, La Marquesa at Ciudad Quesada and La Finca at Algorfa. That is enough variety for a whole winter of golf without repeating yourself.
How far is Orihuela Costa from the beach and the airport?
Most homes here are within a kilometre or two of the sand, and many are a genuine walk from it. The typical property we list is about a kilometre from the sea, which is a 15 to 20 minute stroll or a five minute drive.
For flights you have two options, which is a real advantage in winter when routes change.
- Región de Murcia (RMU, Corvera): roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car.
- Alicante-Elche (ALC): roughly 40 to 55 minutes by car, and the busier of the two for international routes.
Who buys in Orihuela Costa and does it rent out well?
Buyers here are mostly international: British, Scandinavian, Belgian, Dutch, German, Polish and Irish, alongside Spanish families from Madrid and Murcia. Some are retiring, some are buying a winter base while still working, and a growing number bring school-age children, drawn by bilingual and international schooling options in the wider area.
For holiday letting, the ingredients are good: Blue Flag beaches, golf, shopping and two airports. Apartments and bungalows near the beach or the courses let most easily, and the golf season keeps bookings alive from autumn to spring. You will need a tourist licence for short-term lets, so check the position for the specific property before you commit.
If you would like a straight answer about a particular street or urbanisation, our office is in Cabo Roig and we are happy to talk, or you can browse the homes listed above.
Frequently asked questions
Is Orihuela Costa dead in winter?
No. It is much quieter than in August, but a large permanent community keeps supermarkets, bars, restaurants and golf clubs open all year. Areas like Villamartín and Playa Flamenca feel more lived-in during winter than the beachfront blocks.
Do I need a car to live here?
It helps a great deal. Individual resorts are walkable for a supermarket, a bar and the beach, but the strip is spread out and bus services are limited, so most residents drive.
Are there English-speaking doctors and dentists?
Yes. Because so many patients are international, private clinics and family doctors along this coast are used to working in English and other languages, and the private hospital in Torrevieja has an interpreting service.
What should I expect to pay in community fees?
It depends entirely on the community. A small block with a shared pool costs far less than a gated complex with gardens, lifts and security, so always ask for the current annual figure in writing before you buy.
Can a non-resident get a Spanish mortgage?
Usually yes, though Spanish banks lend a lower percentage of the value to non-residents than to residents, so you should plan for a larger deposit plus buying costs.
Is it better to buy new build or resale here?
Resale gives you more choice, established gardens and often a bigger plot for the money. New build gives modern insulation and layouts, but costs 10% IVA plus 1.4% stamp duty rather than 9% transfer tax.