Málaga – guide for property buyers on the Costa del Sol
Málaga is the capital of the Costa del Sol and the sixth largest city in Spain (about 592,000 inhabitants). Málaga-Costa del Sol airport lies about 8 km from the centre, and the AVE high-speed train has connected the city with Madrid since 2007.
Climate and location
The climate is Mediterranean: the average annual temperature is about 19°C and there are about 2,975 hours of sun a year (on average about 300 sunny days). Winters are mild, and the city beaches, including La Malagueta, lie in the centre of the city.
What to see
The Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castle from the Moorish period, a Roman theatre from the 1st century BC, the Renaissance-Baroque cathedral, the Picasso Museum (opened in 2003) and the Centre Pompidou Málaga (since 2015). The city is also the second largest cruise port of the Iberian Peninsula, and is visited by about 6 million tourists a year.
What living here is like
Málaga has more than 300 sunny days a year, and daily life here revolves around walks through the centre, galleries, markets and seaside promenades. The centre is urban and convenient for exploring on foot, Pedregalejo and El Palo have kept a traditional seaside atmosphere close to the beach, Teatinos is a modern residential district near the universities and hospitals, and eastern Málaga (Limonar, Cerrado de Calderón) is known for its space, sea views and international schools. Connections are excellent thanks to the international airport, and locally there are international schools, social clubs and public and private healthcare.
Property in Málaga
Málaga offers both apartments in the centre and by the port, and houses in calmer districts on the outskirts. See current apartments in Málaga and houses in Málaga — no commission is charged to the buyer with us.
World Residence offers in Málaga
Our current offer in Málaga includes apartments at prices from about €299k, and in the area also in Rincón de la Victoria (from about €270k) and Vélez-Málaga (from about €234k). Looking for something specific, for example within a given budget or closer to the centre? Write to us and we will check what we can propose. When buying with our help you pay no commission.
See also our guides to nearby towns: Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola. You will find all locations on the World Residence favourite locations page.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Málaga from the airport?
Málaga-Costa del Sol airport is about 8 km from the city centre, i.e. usually about a dozen minutes by car.
What costs should you add when buying property in Málaga?
Málaga is in Andalusia: ITP tax on a resale purchase is 7%. For new properties you pay 10% VAT and 1–1.5% AJD tax. Including the notary and the registry, costs are usually about 10–12% (resale) or 12–14% (new).
Is it worth buying property to rent out in Málaga?
Málaga has tourist traffic all year round, so rental demand is high. Short-term rental requires registration, and the homeowners’ association or the municipality may introduce restrictions – we check this before the purchase.
Last updated: 15 October 2026.