The traditional logic of high prices being tied to administrative hubs has fallen apart along the southern coast of Andalusia. International demand and lifestyle appeal have become the primary drivers of property value, according to new data from Spanish notaries.

Malaga presents the most striking example. While the city sits at approximately €2,860/m², it ranks only ninth within its own province for property value. Marbella leads the trend with average prices around €4,300/m², followed by Fuengirola at €3,656/m² and Nerja at €3,556/m². Even inland luxury enclaves like Benahavis (€4,156/m²) and Ojen (€3,083/m²) have overtaken the capital.

This pattern is repeated in Cadiz, where the capital's average of €2,371/m² is eclipsed by coastal hotspots such as Tarifa at €3,160/m² and Conil de la Frontera at €2,828/m². In Huelva, the gap is even more pronounced, with the city averaging €1,316/m², while Costa de la Luz favourites like Punta Umbria reach €1,694/m² and Isla Cristina hits €1,526/m².

Granada remains a partial exception due to its inland geography, yet its capital at €1,828/m² is still surpassed by the coastal market of Almuñecar at €2,492/m². Almeria follows the broader trend, with the capital at €1,512/m², falling behind Pulpi at €1,958/m² and Mojacar at €1,875/m².

Experts state that these figures prove that location value in Spain is now defined by scarcity and the international second-home market.