MALAGA capital has been overtaken as the most in-demand property market on the Costa del Sol, according to fresh data from property portal Idealista.
Figures for the second quarter of 2026 show that Rincon de la Victoria is now ranked 34th nationally for relative demand pressure, outstripping Malaga city in 40th place.
The surge in buyer leads has pushed average asking prices in Rincon de la Victoria to €3,390 per square metre, representing an annual increase of 9.1%.
Malaga capital recorded a 9.4% annual price rise to reach €3,784 per square metre, but generated fewer buyer enquiries per active listing than its eastern neighbour.
The shift reflects a growing national trend where house hunters facing high urban prices are moving to surrounding coastal satellites.
Idealista calculates its demand index by measuring total buyer enquiries against active housing stock for municipalities with at least 1,000 listings.
The findings confirm that while extreme luxury markets maintain lower lead volumes per listing, middle-market coastal towns are bearing the brunt of Spain’s relentless housing squeeze.
Meanwhile, traditional expat hotspots along the western Costa del Sol continue to face intense buyer competition despite soaring property values.
Torremolinos ranked 66th overall with average prices jumping 11.1% to €4,038 per square metre, while nearby Benalmadena sat in 72nd place with prices rising 9.1% to €4,140 per square metre.
Further west, Mijas recorded a 12.1% annual price increase to €3,773 per square metre, placing 87th in the national demand index.
Fuengirola held 97th position with an average price of €4,483 per square metre following a 6.5% annual rise, while Estepona placed 108th at €4,329 per square metre after an annual increase of 10.8%.
Manilva saw one of the steepest price spikes on the coast, surging 15.0% annually to €3,106 per square metre to rank 83rd for demand.
In the ultra-luxury segment, Marbella ranked 109th for relative demand pressure, though prices climbed 7.6% over the past year to €5,608 per square metre.
Neighbouring Benahavis sat near the bottom of the demand ranking in 122nd place due to high price barriers, with property averaging €5,413 per square metre following a 6.7% annual rise.
Across Andalucia, Vera in Almeria has seen one of the steepest price surges in the region, jumping 20.9% annually to €2,460 per square metre.
Nearby Roquetas de Mar recorded a 19.4% price rise to €1,722 per square metre, while on the Granada coast, Almuñecar saw prices increase by 13.0% to €3,113 per square metre.
In Cadiz province, El Puerto de Santa Maria saw prices rise 17.8% to €2,652 per square metre, while the luxury enclave of Sotogrande recorded a 14.5% annual increase to reach €3,842 per square metre.
Along the neighbouring Costa Calida in Murcia, buyer competition has driven major price increases in key coastal towns.
San Javier recorded a 26.3% annual price leap to €2,394 per square metre, matched by Mazarron with a 20.7% surge to €1,903 per square metre and Cartagena rising 18.9% to €1,745 per square metre.
On the Costa Blanca, El Campello has emerged as the most in-demand property market in Alicante province, ranking 31st nationally with average prices rising 7.2% to €3,294 per square metre.
The coastal town generates more relative buyer competition per available listing than Alicante city in 37th place, as well as traditional expat strongholds like Santa Pola in 63rd and Benidorm in 96th.
Towns along the wider Valencian coast have also seen dramatic price surges over the past year.
La Villajoyosa recorded a 26.6% annual price jump to reach €3,500 per square metre, while Cullera surged 26.3% to €2,408 per square metre and Torrent spiked 23.4% to €1,899 per square metre.
In the high-end coastal market, Moraira ranked 120th for relative demand pressure but saw prices increase by 12.6% to €4,673 per square metre, while Javea placed 114th at €4,118 per square metre following a 7.6% annual rise.
Click here to read more Property News from The Olive Press.
