When Franco needed to drive foreign currency into Spain during the 1960s he created a stretch of coastal holiday resorts we now know as the Costa del Sol. Its heart runs between Málaga and Marbella and encompasses the infamous Torremolinos and a swathe of tourist towns, which to this day remain heavily populated by north European holidaymakers and ex-pats.
Derided in more recent times for their gauche over-development, many of these resorts have been given a fresh face to rejuvenate their appeal. At the eastern tip remains the anomaly Gibraltar, a little piece of Britain clinging incongruously to the southern Spanish coast.
However, the Andalucían region offers extraordinary diversity. Picasso’s birthplace Málaga is remarkably untouched by tourism. To the north Seville and Córdoba contain stunning architectural landmarks, as does Granada in the east along with winter skiing in the imperious Sierra Nevada.
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To the west is a windsurfing Mecca around Cádiz, there is sherry capital Jerez and eco-destination Huelva - all emerging as alternative attractions, while the dramatic Pueblos Blancos pander to those with a taste for white-walled towns hugging precipitous mountains.
For sun lovers the region has always held strong appeal, although in the interior during high summer it can be hellishly hot and most city residents decamp to their nearest coastal resort every weekend and for most of August.
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An efficient motorway network links the major towns and cities although the deficiencies of public transport make a car essential for those planning something more ambitious than a one-stop beach holiday or city break.
However, major capital expenditure on the railways is promising dramatically shortened journey times between Málaga, Seville and Madrid in 2007 and with it real estate agents predict that Madridians will flock southwards.
Andalucía’s climate has made it famous for olives and 20% per cent of global olive oil production comes from this region alone, with Jaén at its centre.
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Not surprisingly seafood plays a big part in the cuisine and no beach is complete without sardines being grilled over open coals. Fresh fruit and vegetables are grown throughout and the Moorish influence of neighbouring Africa stands out in the citrus fruits, nuts and spices available.
Andalucía arguably serves up the broadest range of Spanish bar snack tapas and the region is also famous for the delicious cold soup gazpacho.
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The warm climate means that Andalucíans love a cold beer as much as a glass of wine but the quintessential drink is sherry, produced in Jerez where the majority of the world’s biggest labels are based.
The huge injection of northern Europeans attracted to the region comes at a price to those wishing to invest. While there are still bargains to be had in the mountains a short drive inland from the coast, costs have skyrocketed over the past decade and along the coast villa and apartment prices compare expensively with other European resorts.
Spaniards are by tradition apartment dwellers in the cities, so for those seeking an urban experience these types of homes are most likely to be available.
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The coast offers both apartments and villas although location dictates price. Villa homes in the interior are more reasonable and partial to complete remoteness is easily achievable. Meanwhile, to the east next year’s opening of the extended coastal motorway will dramatically improve the links to Almería and Murcia, boosting property prices in the region.
However, the building boom has also spawned badly planned urbanizations and seemingly no villa with unspoilt views is entirely safe from the prospect of 30 new homes being built on its doorstep.
It is also worth remembering that increased competition in the holiday let market makes choosing a good location essential – so if you spot a bargain buy make sure that it really is good value.
Need to know
Transport: Good motorway links between cities and the eastern coastal extension opens in 2007.
Accessibility: Málaga airport, under development at the moment, is the most accessible gateway. However, low cost operators fly to Seville (Ryanair), Jerez (Monarch, Ryanair), Granada (Monarch) and Almería (EasyJet, Monarch, Ryanair). Ferries from Algecirus, Malaga and Almería connect to Morocco.
Accommodation: A huge range of apartments, villas, cortijos (rural cottages) and fincas (farm houses) are on offer.
Property prices – Rock bottom coastal apartments start at €180,000, for a villa €350,000 but expect to pay €500,000 upwards for a three-bed villa with good amenities. Prices inland drop markedly.
Regulations: Appoint a local agent to advise on taxes for buying and selling property and legal advice on issues such as inheritance tax, which differ sharply to the UK. Expect fees to add about 10% to the buying price.
Healthcare: British citizens with a free EHIC card get reciprocal healthcare.
Golf: Courses have proliferated although membership and play prices are rising.