The Costa Almeria – taking its name from the provincial capital, on its southern coast – in eastern Andalucia, and surrounded by the provinces of Granada, Murcia and Malaga, has an average temperature, annually, of 18 degrees Celsius, rising to nearly 25 degrees Celsius in the summer months. Roughly 200 miles of coastline – a mixture of superb, sandy beaches and rocky coves – and clear, warm Mediterranean water make the Costa Almeria a haven – an increasingly popular one, at that – for beach lovers and water sports’ enthusiasts.

There’s more, too, to the Costa Almeria than just sun and sea (and sangria, for that matter) – the contrasting landscapes of the region present all sorts of opportunities for other outdoor pastimes, from golf, with many exceptional courses and facilities, to horse riding, to hiking, and even skiing (obviously, during the winter months).

Many of the traditional Spanish towns and villages of the province are largely untouched, and, therefore, unspoilt, by the encroaching tourist trade, featuring Moorish architectural attractions, cultural heritage, in the form of museums, traditional Spanish markets and fiestas – which occur frequently throughout the spring and summer months – and the relaxed, carefree atmosphere most often associated with the “real” Spain.

About Arboleas

Arboleas is one such traditional, whitewashed Spanish town, nestling at the foot of the Sierra de los Filabres Mountains, in the lush and fertile valley of the Rio Almanzora. Indeed, the town is surrounded by citrus and olive plantations, and fields of wheat and barley – an indication of the importance of agriculture to the municipality.

One of the attractions of the old town is “La Primitiva Iglesia” (“The Primitive Church”), constructed in 1492, but, despite narrow, cobbled streets and a generally “olde worlde” feel, Arboleas villas are also located close to all the modern conveniences and amenities that the traditional holidaymaker, or more permanent resident, could wish for. A post office, supermarkets, banks, medical facilities, schools and many bars and restaurants are all located within the boundaries of the town, or in very close proximity to it. There is also a communal swimming pool, children’s play areas, and a traditional Spanish market, held weekly, on Saturday mornings, in the centre of the town.

The Costa Almeria is well-served by direct, low-cost flights, from the UK, and the whole of northern Europe, to the international airports at Almeria (just over an hour away from Arboleas), and San Javier (Murcia) – good news for those investors considering Almeria villas for sale – and Arboleas, itself, is ideally situated, via excellent motorway and other road links, for the popular, coastal, tourist resort towns of Mojacar, Garrucha and Vera Playa (some 30 minutes away), and, in fact, for the whole of the region of Costa Almeria. Other local attractions include golf, with four 18-hole courses nearby, the film sets and theme parks of the Tabernas Desert – popular, in the past, with Hollywood film directors – and the extensive Cabo de Gato National Park.

Arboleas Villas

One of the most important deciding factors in your choice of Spanish property for sale will be the type of property – Spanish villas for sale offer particularly good letting potential, as do Spanish apartments for sale, if you’re considering purchasing on a “buy-to-let” basis. Arboleas villas are generally to be found in rural locations, so you should consider the pros and cons of urban versus rural living – urbanisations may be noisy during the summer months, but are generally child-friendly, and amenities are close to hand, while rural areas, although quieter, may be significantly more remote, so you need to consider public transport, or driving, arrangements.

Arboleas villas are available with two, three, or four bedrooms, from simple, straightforward properties starting at roughly 200,000 Euros, through to luxury, detached properties fetching 800,000, or more. All are constructed to the very highest standards, however, and Arboleas villas are likely to suit most tastes and budgets.

The Spanish property market has experienced something of a “boom” in recent years, and although the rate of increase has slowed somewhat, the market is still buoyant and thriving, with significant growth potential. Indeed, the Costa Almeria – and Arboleas villas are no exception – has experienced price increases some 25% above the (already impressive) national Spanish average – yet, prices still remain highly competitive when compared to those in other regions of Spain, or in the UK. The increased popularity of Arboleas villas, located slightly inland, away from, but providing easy access to, the busier coastal areas, is likely to mean that prices continue to rise at, or above, the rate of inflation for the foreseeable future, and that occupancy rates, and therefore rental incomes, will continue to rise.

Despite some rather negative predictions regarding the future of the Spanish property market, in general, the simple fact remains that demand for Arboleas villas still significantly outweighs the number that are actually available, and such market forces can only drive up the cost of Arboleas villas in the future.