Most Overlooked Areas Locals Love (That Tourists Totally Miss)
By George Nayda
18 February 2025
8 min read
WHERE TO BUY & LIVE
Most Overlooked Areas Locals Love (That Tourists Totally Miss)
Tourists skip them. Locals swear by them. These underrated spots on the Costa del Sol could be your perfect escape if you know where to look.
Why Locals Avoid the Glamorous Hotspots (and What They Know That Tourists Don’t)
Let’s be honest: when most people think of moving to the Costa del Sol, their mental map is small.
Marbella. Málaga. Puerto Banús. Maybe Mijas Pueblo if they’ve scrolled past the right Instagram reel.
But ask a local where they’d actually live full-time, all year and the answers change.
They talk about:
Clean air
Calm streets
Good bread
Safe schools
Morning sun
Real community
None of these show up on hotel booking sites. But they shape your daily happiness far more than a beach club ever could.
So if you’re dreaming of relocating not vacationing this list is for you. These are the areas locals whisper about… and tourists usually miss entirely.
La Duquesa (Manilva) - The Marina Town Without the Noise
🗺️ Location: Between Estepona and Sotogrande
🎯 Vibe: Peaceful marina village with walkable beaches and expat-friendly living
La Duquesa surprises people.
It’s got a charming little marina (restaurants, wine bars, tapas) but without the madness of Marbella or Puerto Banús. Prices are reasonable. Locals know your name. Kids play safely.
Between €400K and €650K, you can find:
A 3-bed townhouse near the water
A frontline apartment with full sea views
New builds within walking distance to the marina and the paseo
☕ Local tip: The morning walk from Castillo to the marina past the lighthouse it’s pure calm.
Why locals love it: La Duquesa gives you a lifestyle without showbiz. It’s also five minutes to the AP-7, so you can get anywhere fast.
Benahavís Village - The Mountain Town with Millionaire Neighbors
🗺️ Location: 10 to 15 minutes inland from Marbella City
🎯 Vibe: Culinary charm, mountain air, hidden luxury
Benahavís isn’t just a village. It’s a brand.
Set in the mountains but minutes from the coast, it’s known for:
The best restaurants per square meter on the coast
A friendly, Spanish-meets-international village feel
Access to ultra-high-end neighbourhoods (La Zagaleta, El Madroñal)
Hiking trails and sunset terraces
Here, €600K to €1M can get you:
A high-spec apartment with mountain or partial sea views
A private gated community home with security and space
A modern duplex in a newer complex with golf access
Why locals love it: Clean air. Quiet nights. Great food. And a council that invests heavily in keeping the town spotless.
It’s ideal for lifestyle relocators who want nature, quality, and easy access to Marbella without living in it.
San Luis de Sabinillas - The Everyday Town That Feels Like Spain
🗺️ Location: Next to La Duquesa, part of Manilva
🎯 Vibe: Authentic Spanish seaside living with just enough international comfort
Sabinillas doesn’t try to impress, and that’s exactly why people fall in love with it.
It’s a real town where real people live.
Fishmongers greet you by name
Bread is baked fresh each morning
Schools are walkable
You’ll find a beer, a haircut, a lawyer, and a notary all within 3 blocks
Between €350K to €550K, you’ll find:
A spacious apartment with sea views on the paseo
A newer build 3-bed a few streets back from the beach
Older villas with charm and potential for upgrades
Why locals love it: No fluff. No performance. Just a livable, lovable beach town.
If you want to blend into the rhythm of Spanish life without “living in a resort,” this is your spot.
Casares Costa (Not the Pueblo) - Hidden Hillside by the Sea
🗺️ Location: Between Estepona and Sabinillas, slightly elevated
🎯 Vibe: Peaceful, green, panoramic, perfect for working from home or unwinding
This part of Casares is often confused with Casares Pueblo (which is 20 minutes inland and very steep). Casares Costa is different:
Close to the sea but surrounded by hills
Newer developments with great sea views
Quieter than Estepona, but still 10 to 15 mins away
Here, between €500K to €700K gets you:
A modern 3-bed apartment with panoramic terraces
A townhouse in a gated community with shared pool and gardens
Peace, light, and silence even in high season
Why locals love it: No tourist buses. No nightclubs. Just birds, breeze, and a beach you can walk to when you want and escape from when you don’t.
Final Thought - Don’t Just Buy a Place. Pick a Rhythm.
Relocating isn’t about having “access to amenities.”
It’s about waking up and liking your rhythm.
Do you want calm or connection?
Do you want to host visitors or find a local café where they know your coffee order?
Do you want to live in a glossy brochure or somewhere that makes you exhale?
These overlooked areas won’t show up on most portals. But they’ve got something most buyers don’t realise they’re craving:
Sanity. Simplicity. And soul.
If you want help figuring out which hidden town fits your values and pace, I’m here.
Not to sell. Just to help you see clearly.
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