Home / Guides
Expert Guides
80+ independent guides on buying, selling, renting, taxes and living on the Costa del Sol, written by people who live and work here.
Featured
All Guides
Living In A Community – Guide
Filip Peretz · May 14, 2026 · 24 min read
All Guides
Branded Residences Costa Del Sol (2026)
Filip Peretz · May 7, 2026 · 16 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
The Golden Mile | History Meets Glamour in Marbella
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 11 min read
All Guides
Scandinavian Supermarkets in Costa del Sol from Estepona to Nerja
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 5 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Estepona Guide: Lifestyle, Property & Coastal Living
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 6 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Marbella | The Complete Insider’s Guide
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 7 min read
All Guides
82 guides
All Guides
Interior Design When Buying In Spain | What It Costs And Why It’s Worth It
Why Use An Interior Designer In Spain? My job description is wide. I do a lot. But I know my limitations, and interior design is one of them. I’m just not that creative. A natural part of buying a new build in Spain looks like this. You go through the discovery process with me. Selections. Video meetings. Viewings. Reservation. Then KYC and AML. Eventually…
Filip Peretz · May 24, 2026 · 18 min read
All Guides
Living In A Community – Guide
Over the past few years I’ve attended at least 40 community meetings on behalf of my clients. Sometimes because they aren’t here to attend in person. Mostly because I want to be there, and I think it’s part of the job. I’m genuinely surprised at how few agents I see doing the same. I can count them on one hand. Going to these meetings lets…
Filip Peretz · May 14, 2026 · 24 min read
All Guides
Branded Residences Costa Del Sol (2026)
Once, I was driving a Saudi client along the Golden Mile, a successful investor with more than twenty million to spend on a holiday home & investment. He had done countless deals and knew far more about investing than I did. I asked him why branded residences were so attractive to him. I never saw him wear anything branded or with any logos, and he…
Filip Peretz · May 7, 2026 · 16 min read
All Guides
Building Surveys Costa del Sol: What to Check Before You Buy
I started my real estate career like most, in the existing home market. Apartments lived in for 20 years, villas nobody knew the full history of, beachfront buildings from the 70s that looked great from the outside and hid a lot inside. The majority of my clients eventually moved towards new builds, flexible payment plans, warranties, modern kitchens. White facades. That became most of what…
Filip Peretz · Apr 28, 2026 · 9 min read
All Guides
Living Costs in Costa del Sol: The Real Breakdown (2026 Edition)
When you’ve sorted your dream home, taxes, and basics of moving to Costa del Sol, the next big question is how much daily life actually costs. I’m talking about realistic monthly expenses you’ll encounter living comfortably, without obsessing over every euro spent, and also enjoying the lifestyle that drew you here in the first place. – Housing and Utilities (Quick Reference) You’ve probably already seen…
Filip Peretz · Jan 17, 2026 · 5 min read
All Guides
How Healthcare Works in Costa del Sol – And Why Expats Love It
Moving to Costa del Sol comes with a lot of perks, 300 plus days of sunshine, amazing food, and an international community and bla bla bla.. But if there’s one thing that truly surprises expats, it’s how good and affordable healthcare is in Spain. If you’re coming from Sweden, the UK, or especially the US, you might be expecting long waits, confusing insurance policies, and…
Filip Peretz · Jan 17, 2026 · 5 min read
All Guides
Getting Around Costa del Sol – Your Simple Guide to Transport
One of the best things about the Costa del Sol is how straightforward it is to get around. The coastline stretches about one hundred seventy kilometres from Nerja to Sotogrande, but most towns along the coast are only around ten minutes apart by car, sometimes even less. With towns close together, walking, cycling, and short drives are all realistic options for daily life. Make sure…
Filip Peretz · Jan 17, 2026 · 4 min read
All Guides
Costa del Sol Emergency Numbers & Safety Guide for Expats (2026)
Life in Costa del Sol is usually about sunshine, beach walks, and long lunches. But sometimes you will need to deal with something urgent, whether it is a medical issue, a break in, a car accident, or simply reporting something. Knowing exactly who to call and how things work here will make those moments much easier to handle. This guide covers the key numbers, services,…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 4 min read
All Guides
The Real Costs of Buying and Owning Property in Costa del Sol
Buying property in Costa del Sol is not just about signing on the dotted line and collecting the keys. It is a serious investment, and knowing what it actually costs, from day one and beyond, can make all the difference in how you plan and how you feel afterward. Here is the full breakdown. Just what you really need to know. One Time Purchase Costs…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 3 min read
All Guides
How to Buy Resale Property in Costa del Sol Spain (2026 Guide)
You have found the perfect home, negotiated the price, and now it is time to lock it in before someone else does. In Spain, buying a resale property follows a clear structure, but it is rarely smooth. Some deals fly through, others stall over tiny details no one saw coming. The key is knowing what to expect, acting quickly without rushing, and having people in…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 5 min read
All Guides
Tipping In Spain: The Local Costa Del Sol Guide
Spain does not run on tips. There is no little screen asking for twelve, fifteen, or twenty percent. No blank line for you to fill with guilt. You are not expected to tip. That said, people do tip when it feels deserved, and it is appreciated when it happens. This is your easy, direct guide to tipping in Spain on the Costa del Sol. How…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 3 min read
All Guides
Costa del Sol Safety. The Honest Guide to Crime, Natural Risks, and Everyday Security
Costa del Sol is one of the safest and most sought after places to live in Spain, but like anywhere, it has its realities. I am not here to sell you sunshine without shadows. I will tell you exactly what you need to know about crime, drugs, prostitution, natural disasters, and general safety, using my own experience as a local for nearly two decades. Why…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 7 min read
All Guides
How to Save Thousands on Currency Exchange When Buying or Selling on the Costa del Sol
Buying or selling a property in Costa del Sol should be about sunshine, sea view terraces, and planning your next beach lunch. Not watching hidden bank fees quietly chip away at your savings. Yet every year, buyers and sellers lose thousands simply by using their bank without comparing other options. I used to work in the currency exchange industry before real estate. I’ve seen how…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 5 min read
All Guides
Deliveries in Costa del Sol. What to Expect and How to Avoid Surprises
Ordering online in Spain is easy. Receiving your package? That is another story. If you are used to seamless deliveries in Northern Europe or the US, where tracking updates are precise and couriers follow predictable schedules, Spain might feel like a different universe. That does not mean deliveries do not work here. They do, if you know how to manage them. But for newcomers, it…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 3 min read
All Guides
The Ultimate Guide to Buyers’ Agents, Listing Agents, Commissions, and Finding the Right Partner in Costa del Sol
Some people land in Costa del Sol expecting a smooth run of property viewings. Find a few listings online, call a couple of agents, sign on the dotted line, and head to the beach bar for sangria. Others think selling a villa is as simple as calling a big name agency and waiting for offers to pour in. But the agent you choose here can…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 8 min read
All Guides
Choosing the Right School on Costa del Sol
When my mum dragged me from Sweden, where I attended prestigious schools like the Royal Swedish Academy, to sunny Spain to chase her flamenco dreams, I quickly discovered that the Spanish public education system was a world away from the private schools I’d grown up with. It was a culture shock, to say the least. My English teacher pronounced knife as Kuh-ni-fe, and when I…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 4 min read
All Guides
How to Protect Your Property in Costa del Sol From Squatters and Burglaries
Most agents focus on the good. The sunshine, beaches, and Mediterranean lifestyle. Few will tell you the full truth. Owning a home here comes with risks, and understanding those risks is key to protecting your investment. So let’s talk squatters, burglaries, and how to keep your home safe. No fluff. Who Are Squatters Really They are not who you think. You will not always spot…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 4 min read
All Guides
Triple A Marbella. A Guide to Helping Rescued Animals
Nestled in the hills near Marbella and Istán, Triple A Marbella is a non profit animal shelter dedicated to rescuing and caring for abandoned dogs and cats. It’s run by volunteers and funded entirely through donations, making every bit of help valuable, whether it’s through adoption, donations, or simply lending a hand. I try to go as often as possible, usually on weekends, to help…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 2 min read
All Guides
A Cheat Sheet To Spanish Life
If you are arriving in Spain from Northern Europe or the United States, prepare for a few cultural curveballs. The pace, the people, and even the way days are structured can feel different. Some changes will win you over instantly. Others might take a little adjusting. This guide will walk you through the small but important details that define daily life here. Daily Rhythm Lunch…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 4 min read
All Guides
Understanding the Payment Process for New Developments and Resales in Costa del Sol
Whether you’re buying a new development or a resale property in Costa del Sol, understanding the payment structure is crucial. The process can seem overwhelming, but it’s fairly straightforward once you break it down. Let’s walk through the key steps so you know exactly what to expect, how much to pay, and when. A great place to start looking is by snagging list for new…
Filip Peretz · Nov 27, 2025 · 4 min read
All Guides
The Costa del Sol Parking Survival Guide – From Fines to Long Term Parking
Parking in Costa del Sol isn’t just about finding a space, it’s about understanding the unwritten rules, avoiding fines, and not having your car disappear when you least expect it. Some people assume parking here is just like anywhere else in Europe. Pay the meter, park legally, and you’re fine, right? Not always. Sometimes you’ll return to a fine despite paying. Sometimes your car will…
Filip Peretz · Nov 26, 2025 · 4 min read
All Guides
Heated Pools Costa del Sol: Where to Swim Year-Round
If you live here full time you already know. Summers are easy, you barely need a towel before diving in. Come November, the pool looks just as inviting, but that first step is brutal. This is why so many of my buyers and friends ask me about heated outdoor pools. The funny part is there are far fewer outdoor public heated pools on the Costa…
Filip Peretz · Nov 26, 2025 · 6 min read
All Guides
BREEAM, WELL, LEED And Passivhaus: What They Mean For Property Buyers In Spain
If you have spent any time looking at new developments in Spain, you have probably seen a badge or logo somewhere on the brochure. BREEAM, WELL, LEED, Passivhaus. They sound impressive, they are meant to make you feel like you are buying something better, and in many cases they actually mean something. But like all marketing, it helps to know what you are looking at….
Filip Peretz · Nov 26, 2025 · 2 min read
All Guides
Beach Safety Flags And Jellyfish On The Costa Del Sol
If you love the Costa del Sol but do not speak beach flag, you are not alone. The colours carry more information than most signs, and knowing them turns a random beach day into a smart one. Here is the simple code, what the Blue Flag really means, and how to dodge jellyfish with a little local know how. Understanding what the different beach safety…
Filip Peretz · Nov 26, 2025 · 4 min read
All Guides
Golf on Costa del Sol. A Local’s Guide to Courses, Costs, and Community
I recently started playing golf and quickly paused due to needing cataract surgery and not seeing the ball. Full disclosure, I’m no Tiger Woods yet. But even as a beginner, it quickly became clear why golf is such an essential part of life on the Costa del Sol. Golf here isn’t just a sport, it’s a social scene, a networking tool, and a lifestyle. Whether…
Filip Peretz · Nov 18, 2025 · 4 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Sotogrande Area Guide: Europe’s Most Private Resort
Sotogrande is the kind of place that doesn’t need to introduce itself. If you know it, you already understand the appeal. If you don’t, no amount of marketing language will capture it. The best description is this: it was designed by people with serious money, for people with serious money, and it has never deviated from that brief. It sits inside the municipality of San…
Filip Peretz · Nov 11, 2025 · 12 min read
All Guides
Power of Attorney and the Notary’s Office in Spain
A Power of Attorney (POA) is one of the most important steps in buying property in Spain. In Costa del Sol, it’s something I always recommend my clients sign early in the process, ideally right after finding a property they like, even if it’s not the final choice. It speeds things up, helps with negotiations, and often saves money. But for many, the idea of…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 5 min read
All Guides
Tarifa | A Windy Getaway Less Than 1.5 Hours from Marbella
The first time you arrive in Tarifa, and by this i mean the beaches in Tarifa. you feel it immediately. There is something raw about the place. It is less than an hour and a half from Marbella, yet it feels like another world, wilder, freer, a little untamed. The beaches seem endless, the dunes roll forever, and the wind never really stops. That is…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 3 min read
All Guides
Snagging Lists | Why They Matter and How to Get Them Right
What Is a Snagging List Buying a new home is like buying a pair of shoes. It should be spotless and perfect. But let’s be honest, your new property will have issues. Even the most luxurious developments aren’t immune to flaws. It’s a reality of large scale construction, where the focus is often on speed over precision. This is where snagging lists (punch lists) come…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 5 min read
All Guides
Ceuta and Melilla | Spain’s Other Coastlines
Most people know Spain for the Mediterranean beaches, the tapas, and the sun drenched plazas. Fewer realise that part of Spain sits on the African continent in the form of two fascinating enclaves: Ceuta and Melilla. Perched on the North African coast, these small but historic cities are Spanish through and through, yet offer a unique mix of cultures, scenery, and stories you will not…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 4 min read
All Guides
The Smart Guide to Taxes in Costa del Sol (2026 Edition)
Taxes aren’t the reason most people move to Costa del Sol, but understanding them is crucial whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or planning to live here long term. Spain’s system has its layers, but many parts are simpler and more affordable than expected, especially compared to other countries. This guide focuses on the taxes that actually affect you as a property owner or buyer, keeping…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 4 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Higuerón Area Guide | The Resort That Became Its Own City
Higuerón sits on the border between Benalmádena and Fuengirola. Technically I could have tucked it into either city guide, but this place deserves one of its own. If you are driving west from Málaga Airport it is easy to miss. From the A-7 you only see the sea, because the resort sits just below the highway on a steep hillside. You would not know it…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 9 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
The Golden Mile | History Meets Glamour in Marbella
The Golden Mile is the six kilometre stretch of coastline between Marbella town and Puerto Banús. It starts at the Pirulí, the copper clad cone that marks the edge of Marbella, and runs to the entrance of Puerto Banús. The name La Milla de Oro took hold in the late nineteen sixties when the area became a magnet for royalty, Hollywood names, and high profile…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 11 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
The New Golden Mile Area Guide | Beachfront Dreams & Real World Details
Not to be confused with the Golden Mile in Marbella, the New Golden Mile is something else entirely. Stretching west of San Pedro and running toward the start of Estepona, this area is part of the Estepona municipality. And it’s growing. Fast. You’ve probably heard of it if you’ve spent any time researching Costa del Sol. Maybe it came up while browsing new developments, beachfront…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 7 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Alcaidesa Area Guide | Golf, Green Hills and Gibraltar Views
At a Glance Technically, Alcaidesa belongs to Cádiz, but the Costa del Sol often stretches its borders when it makes sense. I do the same, because most of my clients searching in Estepona or Sotogrande will also consider Alcaidesa. It sits just west of Sotogrande and before Gibraltar, and while it feels slightly separate, it is part of the same lifestyle mix. This is a…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 4 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Benahavís Area Guide | Village Charm and Europe’s Most Exclusive Gated Community
Benahavís Is one of the most fascinating corners of Costa del Sol. At its heart sits a small Andalusian village with whitewashed walls, tiled roofs, and neighbours who still gather on benches to talk football and politics. Surrounding it is a vast municipality of over 140 square kilometres, one of the largest on the coast, where the landscape is green and protected by strict planning…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 10 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
San Roque Area Guide: History & Golf
Most people on the Costa del Sol have heard of Sotogrande. Fewer realise that Sotogrande is just one part of the municipality of San Roque, a place in Cádiz province that predates every luxury development around it by about 300 years. When people hear me say San Roque, they often picture the golf club. But San Roque is the whole municipality, and it covers…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 9 min read
All Guides
Why a Costa del Sol Lawyer Is Your Secret Weapon (and How to Choose One)
Costa del Sol’s Property Market Reality Costa del Sol’s property market is famously alluring, filled with sunshine, beachfront villas, and promise. But there’s a crucial question many buyers don’t think to ask until they’re deep into the purchase process: who’s handling the legal stuff? In a place where charming terraces might be illegally built extensions and dreamy views could disappear overnight, your lawyer isn’t just…
Filip Peretz · Nov 7, 2025 · 5 min read
All Guides
Top Places to Visit Near Costa del Sol: Cities, Day Trips and Short Escapes
Living in Costa del Sol spoils you. You wake up with the sea outside your window, and yet in less than 3 hours you could be eating tapas in Granada, skiing in Sierra Nevada, standing under the arches of Córdoba’s Mezquita, visiting the Prado Museum in Madrid or even the Royal Alcazar gardens in Seville, I often forget how close it all is. When I…
Filip Peretz · Oct 8, 2025 · 9 min read
All Guides
Working in Costa del Sol: How to Find a Job, What You’ll Earn, and What You Need to Get Started
Whether you’re thinking of moving to Costa del Sol or already here wondering how everyone else seems to make it work, this guide’s for you. Jobs here don’t always look like they do elsewhere. There’s the legal route with contracts and payslips. Then there’s the quieter, cash in hand economy that’s kept plenty of people afloat. There are jobs that pay the bills, jobs that…
Filip Peretz · Oct 8, 2025 · 7 min read
All Guides
Costa del Sol with Kids (2026)
If you are searching for family activities in Costa del Sol, or wondering about things to do in Marbella with kids, this guide has you covered. I have tested most of these with family and friends, and now with my son recently born I know I will be exploring them even more. Summer or winter, toddlers or older children, there is always something to do….
Filip Peretz · Oct 8, 2025 · 7 min read
All Guides
Living with Pets in Costa del Sol: A Complete Guide for Dog and Cat Owners
I have lived with pets in Costa del Sol my entire life. Growing up, my mum was that person who couldn’t walk past a stray without taking it home. Cats, dogs, anything with a wagging tail or hungry eyes. I’ve carried that tradition with me. Today I share my life with a toy poodle named Svante, but I’ve also got a rescue cat from Triple…
Filip Peretz · Oct 8, 2025 · 6 min read
All Guides
Community Rules in Costa del Sol & Spain: The HOA Life Nobody Tells You About
Buying into a Costa del Sol urbanization does not just mean getting a pool, communal gardens and a gated community. It also means you are stepping into what my North American readers will recognize as an Home Owners Association. A community, for better or worse, is about respecting neighbors, keeping up shared spaces, and yes… a little politics. It’s not just politics you need to…
Filip Peretz · Oct 8, 2025 · 10 min read
All Guides
Gyms and Fitness in Costa del Sol Guide (2026)
Me working out at Blackout Gym in Portugal Costa del Sol is not only about sunshine, golf, and the beach. Fitness has become just as much a part of the lifestyle. From private members clubs and mega gyms to outdoor beach workouts and yoga sessions at sunrise, the coast has every option. Most new build developments include gyms now, whether forty square meters or full…
Filip Peretz · Oct 8, 2025 · 6 min read
All Guides
Best Breakfast And Brunch In Costa Del Sol (2026)
If you’re waking up in Costa del Sol and wondering whether to go for breakfast or brunch, here’s the truth: you don’t really have to choose. Spain runs on its own timetable. A quick coffee and toast is breakfast, lunch doesn’t appear until two in the afternoon, and everything in between is fair game. That’s where brunch comes in. Brunch here usually starts around 10:00…
Filip Peretz · Oct 8, 2025 · 6 min read
All Guides
Scandinavian Supermarkets in Costa del Sol from Estepona to Nerja
When you move down here you promise yourself you’ll live like a Spaniard. Tapas, jamón, vino tinto, siestas. But it takes about a week before the cravings kick in. Suddenly you’re standing in Mercadona wondering why nobody sells snus, and why the chips all taste like jamón instead of dill. Relax. Costa del Sol has more Scandinavian supermarkets than most of us had back…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 5 min read
All Guides
Climate and Microclimates in Costa del Sol from Alcaidesa to Nerja
Many people think the weather along Costa del Sol is exactly the same everywhere. That is not the case. Some areas sit lower, others higher. Certain valleys trap heat and create hot pockets, while a breeze can sweep across the next. On the surface it all looks like sunshine, but once you start living here you notice the differences, sometimes so subtle you might not…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 10 min read
All Guides
Utilities Setup in Costa del Sol: Electricity, Water, Internet and More
Utilities are never the part anyone looks forward to, but they are what make a house work. Without electricity, water or wifi even the best villa feels more like an expensive tent. On the Costa del Sol you need electricity, water, internet, alarms, garbage collection, community fees and IBI property tax in place before life feels normal. Setting them up can be straightforward, but it…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 6 min read
All Guides
Spanish Holidays and Traditions on the Costa del Sol (2026 Guide)
Spain does not just run on workdays and weekends. Life here is measured by holidays, ferias and traditions that roll through the year like clockwork. On the Costa del Sol, these dates decide when banks close, when supermarkets open, and when your neighbours suddenly appear in flamenco dresses drinking rebujitos. This guide takes you month by month, from January through December, with all the…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 12 min read
All Guides
Where to Learn Spanish on the Costa del Sol (and How to Actually Do It)
Why Learning Spanish Here Is Tricky The Costa del Sol is not the easiest place to learn Spanish. Most neighbors, waiters, taxi drivers and people behind the counter speak English. Restaurants and cafés cater to expats and tourists. For many jobs on the coast, English is the minimum requirement. That means you could live here for years without ever speaking Spanish. But should you? No….
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 5 min read
All Guides
Property Portals Guide Costa del Sol (2026)
The Truth About Property Portals If you are starting to look for a home in Spain, chances are the first thing you land on is a property portal. Idealista, Fotocasa, Rightmove, JamesEdition, Pisos, Milanuncios. They look like the answer. Thousands of homes, beautiful photos, maps, filters, the dream. And they are useful. They help you get ideas, compare styles, explore areas. But here on the…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 13 min read
All Guides
Best Beach Clubs with Pools in Costa del Sol (2026 Guide)
This is my personal list of Costa del Sol beach clubs and pool clubs. I have been to all of them, so you will not find a recycled TripAdvisor mash-up here. If it is on this page, it has a proper pool, good food, and an atmosphere worth spending the day in. One thing to clear up right away. When we say “club” on the…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 7 min read
All Guides
Mobile Providers And Why You Need A Spanish Phone Number
Why A Spanish Number Matters It sounds simple, but having a Spanish phone number will save you endless headaches. Delivery companies and drivers rarely call foreign numbers because their plans often do not cover it. Offices, banks, and even doctors’ clinics hesitate too. If you are supposed to get an SMS code from a government office or your bank and you are on…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 4 min read
All Guides
The History Of Marbella
The First Footprints Most visitors know Marbella for its surface. They see Puerto Banús glittering with yachts, the Ferraris growling along the Golden Mile, and the restaurants filled until late into the night. It is all true, but it is also the last page of a very long story. The real heart of Marbella lies beneath, written into stone and soil, carried on the salt…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 9 min read
All Guides
Marketing Agencies On The Costa del Sol
When you are buying property here you are not just looking at homes, you are looking at marketing. Every glossy brochure and every well cut video has someone behind it. Sometimes it is a large external agency with producers, editors and planners. Sometimes it is an office with an in house team or a photographer and a videographer. Sometimes it is an agent doing the…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 3 min read
All Guides
The Smart Guide To Accountants In Costa del Sol (2026 Edition)
Why You Need An Accountant In Spain Most foreigners arrive with the idea that accountants charge by the hour, like in the US or UK. That exists here too, but Spain works differently. Accountants here, known as asesores, usually operate on a monthly or quarterly fee. They are not just people you meet once a year to tidy up paperwork. They are ongoing guides…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 6 min read
All Guides
Supermarkets And Grocery Stores In Costa Del Sol Guide (2026)
How I Actually Shop For Groceries In Costa Del Sol I’ve tried them all, but like most people on the coast, Mercadona is my anchor. Once a week, sometimes twice, I load up on everything we need and it gets the job done. Sometimes we want a bit of new variety and wander into a Lidl or Aldi on a Sunday when Mercadona is closed,…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 7 min read
All Guides
Costa del Sol Rental Guide: Yields, Risks, and Reality (2026)
If you are considering renting out your property in Spain, whether you already own on the Costa del Sol or are planning to buy, this is the guide you need. Everyone asks the same thing at some point: how much can I earn if I rent my home. The truth is that rentals in Spain can deliver excellent returns, but they come with rules, licenses,…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 17 min read
All Guides
Puerto Banús Access Card Guide 2026
My First Glimpse Of Banús When I first moved to the Costa del Sol, I was coming from a quiet life in Seville where my days were filled with school and ballet classes. Bustling international Marbella, and especially Puerto Banús, was another world entirely. At sixteen it left me wide eyed. Later, when I got my first job at La Sala Banús, I spent…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 5 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Manilva
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Casares
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Estepona Guide: Lifestyle, Property & Coastal Living
Estepona has quietly become one of the most talked about towns on the Costa del Sol. It used to be the laid back neighbor to Marbella, but that description no longer fits. Estepona is growing with intention, clear direction and style. There’s no aimless high rise boom, no selling out to the highest bidder. Development here has structure and pride. And that’s largely thanks to…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 6 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Cancelada Area Guide | Small Town Charm & Smart Money
At a Glance Cancelada is one of those places you either know or you don’t. It doesn’t advertise itself. There are no glossy billboards on the A7. No influencers showing up for content. It sits quietly above the highway on the New Golden Mile, part of the Estepona municipality, with Marbella 15 minutes to the east and Estepona town 10 minutes to the west. From…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 8 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
San Pedro de Alcántara Area Guide | Lifestyle Meets Local
San Pedro de Alcántara isn’t the midpoint between Marbella and Estepona. It’s its own thing. A real town, with history, rhythm, and everyday life. Some buyers stumble into it almost by accident, expecting to find Marbella spillover, and then stay for the lifestyle. Others have known about it for years. Locals. Families. Investors who saw the growth early. For us, it became home after years…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 6 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Puerto Banús and Nueva Andalucía Guide | Glamour, Grit, and Everything In Between
Puerto Banús is the harbour most people think about when they hear Marbella. Yachts, designer stores, Ferraris, Lamborghinis on the roundabouts. That’s the glossy picture. The reality? It’s also loud, chaotic, sometimes trashy, and full of stories you won’t read in any brochure. I know because I grew up here, spent too many teenage nights sneaking into its clubs, and saw Banús at its best…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 9 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Marbella | The Complete Insider’s Guide
Marbella is a name that echoes far beyond Spain’s borders. For some, it is the image of yachts and Ferraris gliding through Puerto Banús. For others, it is the charm of a whitewashed Old Town scented with orange blossoms. And for those of us who actually live here, it is all that plus the quirks, contradictions, and little details you only get to know over…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 7 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Elviria
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Cabopino
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
Costa del Sol Area Guides
La Cala de Mijas and Mijas | The Complete Insider’s Guide
At a Glance Mijas is the largest municipality in the Costa del Sol. It is so vast that it almost feels like it has been split into smaller pieces just so people can digest it. You have La Cala de Mijas which is the main coastal hub, Mijas Costa which runs along the coastline, and Mijas, with vast area and the historic village up in…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 7 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Fuengirola: Lifestyle, Pros, Cons & Cost of Living
Fuengirola is one of those places that divides opinion, and that’s exactly why it deserves a closer look. Some people walk the paseo and see life, energy, and the comfort of knowing you can get on a train to the airport or Malaga city in half an hour. Others see the crowds, the tall concrete buildings, and the density and decide it is not for…
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 · 13 min read
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Benalmádena
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Torremuelle
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Torremolinos
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Málaga
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Rincón de la Victoria
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Torre del Mar
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Torrox
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
Costa del Sol Area Guides
Nerja
Filip Peretz · Oct 7, 2025 Not indexed
All Guides
Ultimate Sierra Nevada Granada Guide 2026
Picture this. It’s morning in Marbella, the sun is already warm, and people are strolling the paseo in shorts. You grab a coffee on the beach, maybe even joke about a swim. Less than two and a half hours later you’re stepping out of the car in Pradollano with snow crunching under your boots, chairlifts buzzing overhead, and the air thin and sharp….
Filip Peretz · Oct 4, 2025 · 10 min read
All Guides
Selling Your Costa del Sol Property: What You Need to Know
Selling a home sounds simple, right? Find a buyer, sign some papers, and celebrate with a bottle of Rioja. But if you’ve spent any time in the Costa del Sol property market, you know it’s rarely that straightforward. Sellers often assume that listing their property is enough to get it sold. However, factors such as choosing the right agent, presenting your home effectively, understanding the…
Filip Peretz · Jul 23, 2025 · 5 min read
All Guides
How to Choose the Right Area in Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol stretches from Nerja to Sotogrande, offering countless areas, each with unique charm. Deciding where to live or invest can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options. Some areas are prized for their proximity to the beach, others for larger properties further inland, and some for their vibrant communities or high rental yields. The key is to find what works for your…
Filip Peretz · Jan 6, 2025 · 5 min read
Loading more guides…
