As A Place In The Sun celebrates its 25th anniversary this month, our fascination with people pursuing the sun-kissed Mediterranean dream shows no signs of slowing down. To mark the aspirational Channel 4 series’ milestone birthday, the presenters shared with us where they think the next in-the-know hotspots for British buyers will be.
Away from old favourites the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca are some unexpected corners of the Med where flats and fixer-uppers are still within the budget of most British homebuyers and offer the life-changing chance for a taste of la dolce vita. Some are off the beaten track and offer a more authentic cultural experience, low-cost property and on occasion tax breaks. Others are closer to popular resorts but still have budget-friendly homes and a vibrant ex-pat community.
And it isn’t that old favourites like Marbella and Mallorca have lost their lustre, says Laura Hamilton, 43, who’s been a presenter on the show since 2012. ‘It’s that people have been priced out of the market more than anything. For example, over the years Estepona on the Costa del Sol has had a lot of development and has seen prices soar and so people move down the coast to places like Duquesa and Sabinillas which are also expensive now. And where I’ve invested, in Mallorca in the Balearics, prices have shot up.’ In August last year Laura bought a renovation project in the town of Pollença.
But there is good news for those seeking a bolthole in a sun-soaked clime. ‘I think a lot of people want to leave the UK and there are still low-cost areas where they can find something affordable,’ says Laura. It’s time to get in now before these under-the-radar hotspots are discovered!
1. Costa Almería, Spain
Why there? ‘The Costa Almería can be really affordable,’ says Craig Rowe, 53, who joined A Place In The Sun four years ago. ‘Places like Mojacar offer really good value for money. It’s got a beautiful old Spanish pueblo on top of a hill with cobbled streets and lots of shops, and then a long beach of golden sand. Also, this costa is not as built-up or commercialised yet as the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca.
‘Further along that coastline heading northeast, it’s just lovely. Vera Playa and Garrucha offer good value for apartments and houses and have great beaches and a lot of character. There’s also a good-sized British community, so you won’t find it hard to make friends.’
Hot tip: Mojacar’s cachet is about to improve with the building of its first five-star hotel, a 200 million euro project in partnership with Hyatt hotels expected to open next year, making Mojácar a luxury tourism hub.
Hot property: Two-bedroom property for sale in Mojacar with air conditioning – £213,899
2. Paphos, Cyprus
Why there? ‘If you’re looking for winter sun it’s a great destination,’ says Craig Rowe. ‘Summers are hot and winters are very mild. Because of our historical links with Cyprus there’s a close affinity with the UK, so something like nearly three-quarters of the population speak English and our legal systems are similar. Cypriot people are very friendly and I also find the roads in Cyprus are really good as well, which really does make a difference!’
Hot tip: An exciting new project, the Paphos Marina, will hold 1,000 boats and provide a major draw to tourists and residents. It’s part of an injection of 273 million euros into the region to upgrade tourist spots, schools and hospitals.
Hot property: Two-bedroom unfurnished penthouse for sale in Mandria – £199,930
3. Costa Tropical, Spain
Why there? ‘It’s one of the lesser-known costas between Malaga and the city of Almeria, close to the town of Nerja,’ says Craig. ‘Nerja is really popular and full of expats but it’s quite pricey, so if you need more value for money travel east to the Costa Tropical. It’s a relatively small stretch of coastline, but it’s got picturesque beaches, good-sized towns and mountains that run right down to the sea.’
Pretty seaside towns devoid of high-rises include Salobreña, with its charming whitewashed old town and castle, and La Herradura, with a horseshoe-shaped bay. Almuñécar is busier (with tower blocks) but has a buzzing social scene and an amazing castle.
Hot tip: For families, the well-respected Almuñécar International School is a good bet for educating the children.
Hot property: Two-bedroom property for sale in Almuñécar, with access from the street – £213,899
4. Extremadura, Spain
Why there? Although only 150 miles southwest of Madrid, Extremadura is far off the beaten tourist track, so will appeal to those who favour a rural location and an authentically Spanish way of life. A lush landscape of mountains and pastures makes it perfect for hikers and bikers and those seeking undiscovered Spain.
Extremadura has a notable history as the home of many of the conquistadors who conquered the Americas in the 16th century. Its prettiest towns include Trujillo, which has Renaissance palaces and a 16th-century church and castle, and the World Heritage cities of Cáceres and Mérida, plus the pilgrimage town of Guadalupe.
Hot tip: ‘Another big draw of Extremadura is that it offers grants to people who work fully remotely to live there,’ explains Craig Rowe. Extremadura’s Digital Nomad Grant offers up to 15,000 euros to remote workers who settle in the region, with preference given to women and people under 30.
Hot property: Four-bedroom villa for sale in La Cumbre with porch – £323,031
5. Morocco
Why there? ‘A lot of my friends have been holidaying in Marrakech,’ says Jean Johansson, 43, who joined A Place In The Sun in 2018. ‘There are direct flights from regional airports like Glasgow, seasonally.
‘Places like Agadir, Tangier and Marrakech are going to grow in popularity. They’ve got great people who are so happy to have you there, you get winter sun and you can drink alcohol there, and there’s a big international crowd but you also hear the call from the mosque in the background. It’s really magical to sit out at night and have that lovely African air, which I think is different from anywhere else in the world.
‘There are old city walls and riads and beautiful gardens and also great nightlife. I feel like it’s a place that’s constantly developing, so watch this space on North Africa.’
Hot tip: Ahead of hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2030, the country is pouring more than £20 billion into boosting its railways, highways, airports and ports, making Morocco more attractive than ever.
Hot property: Two-bedroom apartment for sale in Casablanca with satellite TV – £344,858
6. Murcia, Spain
Why there? ‘All around the Costa Cálida near Murcia in places like Torrevieja, Santa Pola, Elche and Cartagena, you’re still getting bargain property,’ says Jean Johansson. ‘It’s a region where you could have that lower budget of like £80-100,000 and still get something good. That area has something like 300 days of sunshine per year, one of the sunniest regions in Spain. Imagine getting sun, sea and sand pretty much all year round at that price.
‘The Murcia area is probably our most popular place for house-hunters since the new international airport opened there in 2019. Buyers are even looking in Murcia town itself and Cartagena on the coast, which is a bit more Spanish.’
Hot tip: New railways linking the Mediterranean cities and towns of the Costa Cálida and Costa de Almería are on their way, iincluding the completion of a high-speed connection between Murcia and Almería expected around 2027.
Hot property: One-bedroom apartment for sale in Terrazas de la Torre with 24-hour gated security – £83,814
7. The Sierra Nevada mountains, Spain
Why there? ‘I’ve skied in Spain for years, but what people don’t realise is that you can be on the slopes in the morning and then on the beach in the afternoon,’ says Laura Hamilton. ‘You fly to Malaga and then drive two hours into the mountains to Pradollano and it’s just beautiful. For a late lunch or dinner, head back to somewhere like La Herradura.’
The Sierra Nevada’s largest resort, Pradollano, has 113km of slopes at elevations of up to 3,300m. ‘So if you love the outdoor lifestyle and want to be close to the beach but also close to the ski slopes, I’d say look for a little mountain apartment,’ says Laura. ‘In summer there are lakes and hiking and biking in the mountains, and the beach is just beautiful. I’ll be going this ski season with my kids [Rocco, 11, and Tahlia, ten].’
Hot tip: An investment programme of 19 million euros for the 2025-26 ski season will improve lifts and snowmaking systems, making Europe’s southernmost ski resort a more snow-sure destination.
Hot property: New property for sale in Sierra Nevada – £135,324
8. Abruzzo, Italy
Why there? ‘Obviously a lot of Italy is very expensive, but there are pockets where you can get incredible properties at amazing prices in beautiful countryside,’ says Laura Hamilton. ‘In Abruzzo I’ve found there are lots of houses for sale cheaply, many of them a bit of a renovation project, which is right up my alley.’
You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck in Abruzzo, along with the historical Italian towns and amazing food you’d expect. Hill towns like Penne and Citta Sant’Angelo offer stupendous views, while valley towns like Sulmona and Manoppello offer easy access to the beaches of Pescara, Abruzzo’s popular holiday resort. And you can even ski – Roccaraso in the Apennines is the region’s best-known ski resort.
Hot tip: Italy has a special 7 per cent flat tax regime for foreign retirees to lure them to southern Italy, which includes Abruzzo. Applicable for ten years, it invites those receiving pensions from abroad to make Italy their chief residence and to choose a town of 20,000 or fewer inhabitants.
Hot property: Four-bedroom villa for sale in the medieval hamlet of Caramanico Terme – £165,881
A Place In The Sun returns with a new series on Monday, October 13 at 6pm on Channel 4
