Britain’s favourite holiday destination is still Spain and Britain’s favourite retirement destination is still Spain.  Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the Spanish property market, investors are still looking at Spain as a potential area to buy property for a holiday home, retirement and investment.

Investing in Spain isn’t as crazy as many people might think at the moment.  There are a large number of bargains that can be picked up in the country.  The number of reposessions coming on to the market in Spain is at a high level.  Property prices can be lower than they were 5 years ago which means there is great potential for buyers.

As far as getting a good yield out of an investment property in Spain, you just need to do your research.  Buy where there is demand for rental property from holiday makers.

One good example of this would be Mallorca.  The largest of the Balearic Islands escaped much of the property turmoil that mainland Spain suffered, but there are still a number of bargains and reposessions on the island.  Mallorca is one of the top holiday destinations for British holiday makers as well as those from other countries.  This of course means strong demand for holiday rentals and a good chance you will be able to rent your property out, especially in the summer months.

Mallorca didn’t see the large scale building projects that created over supply in other parts of Spain and there is more chance of your investment keeping it’s value.

One of the first areas British people will look at when they first think about moving abroad is very often Spain.  It’s close enough to pop home to visit relatives but it’s far enough away from the UK to get the sun.  Demand in Spain will always be strong there is no doubt that it will.

That’s the claim by the Presdient of the Spanish Mortgage Association, Gonzalez Sanchez.
Spanish property developers had a combined debt total of 324 Billion Euros in the third quarter of 2009. The banks have no interest in funding property development any more because land values are falling.

A large problem is that the debt that the developers have was taken out to buy land.  But because there is no more demand for property on that land and the banks aren’t willing to lend to the developers to build property on the land a difficult situation has emerged which has impacts on the whole Spanish economy.

The situation is forcing the cost of credit to rise steeply in Spain which contributes to further economic problems.

The Spanish property market still has a long way to go before it is least stable again.  If no-one is going to take responsibility for the current problems and take decisive action to come up with a solution, the problems won’t go away any time soon.

As if you need me to give you three reasons! I thought I’d write about three of the most common reasons why people move to Spain any way.

Sunshine

Yes at number one you guessed it.  The reason most people move to Spain is the amount of sunshine they get.  Look out of your window in the UK, the chances are it’s cloudy and grey.  You might be lucky and it could be sunny but the probability is that it’s grey.

Now I’m not knocking the British weather at all.  I have to say that sometimes the unpredictability of the British weather can be interesting, you never know what it’s going to be like when you get up in the morning.

Compare that with Spain.  In the summer especially you know you are going to get mainly hot sunny days and it’s a rare event to have a wet day.  This is great for so many reasons.

You feel better in the sun, sun is good for you.  You can plan, you can arrange to have a Barbecue with friends on a particular day and you know the weather will be good for it.  In the UK you just can’t plan easily for outdoor events in the summer because it could be an awful day and your plans are ruined.

Waking up to sunshine in the morning is one of the nicest feelings, you want to get up and embrace the day.  Sometimes when the skies are grey it’s a lot harder to feel positive.

Culture

The Spanish culture and the way of life can be refreshing after living in the the UK.  Of course this is partly due to the weather they have, in Spain you can make the most of the warmth and have festivals in the streets, wonderful outdoor markets and spend a lot of time socialising outdoors.  In Britain we have found ourselves spending more time in front of the TV than we do socialising.

Going out in Spain in the evening can also be a culture shock because of the time of day that Spanish people tend to eat, especially in the summer.  If you want to live there and eat in a restaurant you’d better get used to having your dinner at midnight.  Now this is a bit of an exaggeration.  Not all restaurants open that late, but in the big cities of Barcelona and Madrid this can be the case.  You’ll get used to it any way.

Food

Forget Shepherds Pie! When you move to Spain you’ll want to embrace the food.  Food is part of the culture so the two can be combined, but food is such an important part of culture that I think it should be thought about separately.

Traditional Tapas Bars are wonderful, you can just turn up, order a drink, order little bits of food and either just snack, or have a larger meal.  It also doesn’t matter if you’re on your own or in a group, you can easily be accommodated.  Sometimes in the UK if you are eating alone you can feel a bit awkward, in a traditional Spanish Tapas Bar you’ll find lots of people eating alone.

Now there are three good reasons to move to Spain, if you have any more of your own leave them in the comments below, I’d love to hear them.

Alicante has beaches, an old town, plenty of history and is rich with culture.  It’s not a large city but has a lot to offer both the short-term visitor or a longer term inhabitant.

The city is located in the beautiful Valencia Region of Spain.  The city is full of the rich history of the country, with lots of tourist attractions and ways to relax.  There are many beautiful attractions that are a must see such as The Castle of Santa Barbara, The Castle of San Fernando, The Archaeological Museum of Alicante, or The Gravina Museum of Fine Arts.  If you enjoy beautiful landscapes, Alicante has everything from a gorgeous coast to rolling mountains.

Alicante is a city with a rich history that is waiting for you to explore, everything from the Stone Ages through to Medieval times.  The city is a land rich with history and culture that takes your mind off your daily issues.  The experience is even better when you stay in the old city, it allows you to take in the whole breath taking experience that is a holiday in Spain. You will be able to walk on the old streets, and everything is within walking distance, so you can take it all in.

The city of Alicante has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.  You can enjoy everything from fishing to water surfing. Alicante is littered with little shops where you can buy things to remember the perfect vacation. There is also a main market in the centre of the city, here you can find everything that is Alicante, Spain.

Alicante is dream holiday for anyone who enjoys having a great time in a place with a rich history, beauty, and lots of exciting things to do. There is something for everyone, adventure, beauty, a rich cultural past, and fun and excitement for the risk takers.

In the winter months Alicante is far south enough to enjoy plenty of sunny days.  It’s not unusual to find people sunbathing in January.  Of course at this time of year the weather is less predictable than in the summer and you could experience a day or a couple of days of torrential rain, followed by a day or two of sun.  When it rains it really does rain, how else does the landscape cope with the summer months when rainfall is so low? so it can often make up for in in the winter or spring.

The beaches in Alicante are located right next to the city and they are wonderfully sandy.  In the summer months the beaches can be packed with locals and tourists, but in the off season you can find a spot quite easily.  It all makes for a more relaxed lifestyle.

Seville is a beautiful city located in southern Spain.  It is the capital of the Andalucia region and is a metropolis of 1.6 million inhabitants.  That makes it the 4th largest city in Spain.  Seville is located on the Guadalquivir River.  The city is divided in half by the river.  One side is known as Sevilla and the other is called Triana.  People in Seville are known as Sevillanos.

How to Get There

Seville is serviced by two airports,  Sevilla International Airport being the major one. It has a bus service that will take passengers into the city for €2.40.  Taxis are also available for €18 during weekdays and €21 during evenings and weekends.  There are taxi drivers that will try and overcharge tourists, so use caution.  The other smaller airport is La Parra International Airport and it mainly has flights with arrivals to and departures from inside Europe.  Seville’s train station is Sevilla Santa Justa Station and it’s serviced by both high speed and slower trains.  There are two bus stations, Plaza de Armas and Prado de San Sebastian.

Getting Around Once You Are There

The buses are great and cost 60c or 70c a trip.  Sevici bikes are available for rent. They have docking stations throughout the city that allow you to pick-up and deposit the bikes.  A week long pass is 5 euros, and the first ½ hour’s use of a bike is free with every additional hour costing one  Euro.  There is a metro service that has an 18km loop through the city.  Prices start at €1.30 and run to €4.50.  Taxis are available throughout the city, but again, beware of crooked drivers that will try and overcharge.

Things to Do and See

Boat trips on the Guadalquivir River are a popular outing.  The bullfights at the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza are also a must see.  There are open air markets with great shopping throughout the city.  The Museo de Bellas Artes is one of the greatest museums for fine arts in all of Spain.

The Cathedral of Seville is one of the largest churches in the entire world.  It is the resting pace of Christopher Columbus.  The Real Alcazar is a gorgeous palace built in the 14th century. Christopher Columbus’s voyage to America was planned here.

La Giralda is a big, beautiful minaret tower that offers breathtaking views of the city.  Also noteworthy is the fabulous nightlife of Seville.  You can spend a whole night partying away in one of Seville’s clubs or bars.

Valencia is Spain’s third largest city, and provides an array of cultural and historical significance dating back hundreds of years.  Upon arrival in Valencia you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time.

The city is home to charming architecture that has a distinct medieval feel to it.  What makes Valencia so interesting however is its integration with the modern world.  Its not an uncommon sight to see a 400 year old church located next to a 21st century style bridge.

Valencia has a vibrant history dating back to Roman rule.  In the early 8th century the city was occupied by the Moors.  Shortly thereafter, the city was converted to Christian rule.  This time frame is represented in the city’s buildings and layout.

To truly see the transition from an ancient city to a modern metropolis, a stroll through one of Valencia’s oldest neighborhoods, The Barri del Carme, is a good idea.   Barri del Carme is now home to Valencia’s metro population.  Diversity is apparent, from the people to the food.  The neighbourhood is littered with bars and restaurants and sees a very large crowd of young revelers in the evenings.

The city is easily accessible through an extensive public transportation network.  You can buy tickets on the Bonobus for around €6 which gives you 10 rides.  Many people rent bikes which can be obtained for around €7 for the day.

If you’re anything like me however, the first thing you go for is the food.  Valencia is home to an amazing culinary experience.  A common staple is ‘paella,’ a rice dish completed with some sort of meat, ranging from fish to chicken or even rabbit.  There are many variations on this dish, such as rice with squid ink, known as ‘arròs a banda.’  One of my personal favorites, which may not be for the faint of heart, is ‘all i pebre.’   This dish is made from eel and can bought from street vendors.

After you spend the day eating you’re going to want to hit the bars.  Valencia has an incredible nightlife scene.  There are many loud Spanish style nightclubs if you’re looking for a party, or you can relax over a pint of Guinness in one of the city’s many style British pubs.  For a late night snack find a Tapas bar for an assortment of delicious appetizers.  Valencia is a city that has something for everyone.

Culture, history, great food and night-life – what else could you want?  Madrid is a city that encompasses all those things and more.  As the capital of Spain, Madrid is a bustling city of over 3 million.  It’s the financial centre of the country and a major destination for tourists from around the world.

Located in the centre of the Iberian peninsula the city enjoys a Continental Mediterranean climate with cool winters and hot and dry summers.  Due to the higher altitude you can expect a trip full of sunshine with little to no precipitation.

History

Madrid has been occupied for thousands of years, and it shows.  It was a major city during the Roman era and has had significant influence over the years from many different cultures, which is also present in the ultra modern city. From Arabs to Christians, the impact of different occupations presents itself in the architecture and culture of today’s city and its inhabitants.

Getting around

The best way to get around Madrid is through its extensive public transport system.  The city is the central hub for Spain’s rail system and can be accessed from nearly any major city in Europe.  Bajaras International Airport is served by the world’s major airlines and is connected to central Madrid through Metro Line Eight.

Taxis also present an option for larger groups getting to the city however cost considerably more (around €25, as opposed to the metro at €2).  When you are inside the city there is a bus system that provides transport to nearly every area, as well as the metro stations.

Culture

There are many museums of art and history throughout the city.  Madrid is also famous for its culinary expertise and there is no shortage of amazing authentic food to be found in restaurants, cafes and sold by street vendors. Surprisingly for a landlocked city, an incredible supply of fresh and tasty seafood is present at many of the Madrid’s restaurants.

If you’re up for a real adventure consider watching a game of football at one of the local clubs, Real Madrid.  For you shoppers out there you won’t be disappointed.  Madrid is home to many fashion companies and clothing boutiques.

The people of Madrid are friendly and the younger generations are usually fluent in English.  If you’re looking for adventure and inspiration, look no further.

Barcelona is among Spain’s liveliest and trendiest cities. Every year thousands of visitors flock the area to enjoy it’s beautiful beaches, outdoor activities and high quality night-life. The city is famous for its brilliant architecture, monuments and historical sites. One trip to Barcelona is just never enough to enjoy all that it has to offer.

Places of interest

1. Museau Picasso (Picasso Museum)

If you have any interest at all in art, be sure to add this to your list of places to see. The museum exhibits numerous pieces, tracing back to Picasso’s earlier works. The buildings housing the Museu Picasso are rich in history and are among the most beautiful architecture in Barcelona.

2. Barcelona Aquarium

The aquarium located in Port Vell is also another popular attraction.  Here a number of creatures from the Mediterranean and Tropical seas are featured.  These include Sharks, Sea Stars, Mediterranean Morays, and Eagle Rays.

3. Barcelona Zoo

If you are travelling with children Barcelona zoo is an educational and fun place to take them. The zoo offers several guided tours and workshops specifically for children. There is also the opportunity of viewing over 7,000 animals from across the world.

Shopping

If you are a shopaholic you’ve come to the place where everything is just a shop away.  The 3-mile stretch from the water’s edge at Port Vell, all the way up to La Rambla Diagonal offers the ideal shopping experience.  This community features numerous designer shops, international chain stores, as well as various souvenir shops.

Night life

Besides shopping and beautiful beaches, Barcelona offers an intensive nightlife scene. It is considered one of Europe’s great party cities and with good reason. The city is full of bars, clubs, cafes and discotheques. Regardless of your party preference there is something just for you. At night the city buzzes with music of all genres, ranging from Techno to Rock, Jazz, Flamenco, Soul and House. Bars generally stay open until 0200 or 0300, while many clubs keep pumping a little later.

Dining

Barcelona boasts a large number of cafes and restaurants which cater to a diverse crowd. A number of ethnic restaurants in particular can be found in Placa del Sol.  Tapas Bars offer an alternative type of dining.  They generally serve small portions of food and remain open much later than other types of eating places.

Accommodation

Barcelona offers several accommodation options, many of which are located in the city centre.  A number of luxury hotels, holiday flats, low budget accommodation hotels and hostels are available to suit the preference of every kind of traveller.

Mallorca has long been a popular destination to buy property. The island’s capital city of Palma de Mallorca and the small town and countryside around it are an idyllic location for owning a property, whether it’s a large Finca or just a small apartment.

Because of the popularity of the Balearic islands, particularly Mallorca it’s largest island,  prices are relatively high here and so if you are looking for a cheap investment or holiday home this probably isn’t the place to buy.

Mallorca has a mixture of beaches that are either small coves or longer sandy bays that are perfect for families. Prices for beach-side villas and apartments can be extremely high and Mallorca has some rich and famous residents to go with the price tag.

The landscape of Mallorca has a bit of everything from the Serra Tramunta mountain range on the west coast and further east the Sierra de Levante mountains, to the flat plains of central Mallorca. The central part of the island is where most of the agriculture takes place. Here you can find Olive trees, almond trees and fertile land for farming.

The central area is where old Finca’s can be found, some that have been renovated and turned into much larger villas which are rented out to holiday makers and others where locals live all year round.

Palma de Mallorca

Mallorca’s capital Palma de Mallorca is in the southwest of the Island.  It has an impressive Cathedral which is difficult to miss called Palma Cathedral, La Seu.  Palma has old town houses and narrow streets which gives it a character and feel that is refreshing from the holiday style of property in other parts of the island.  In Palma you won’t escape the tourists but you will get a feel for life that goes on in Mallorca away from just serving tourism.

Boat owners and lovers will be able to view boats large and small in the Club der Mar Marina in Mallorca.  This can often be full of visiting boats in the peak season and can be quite a sight.

Palma also has some good nightlife and bars that are seemingly undiscovered by tourists.

Property in Mallorca is characterised by it’s landscape.  There is something for all tastes, from beach side villas and apartments to town houses, to finca’s in the countryside.  Mallorca is definitely a place to visit, once you go there you might just fall in love with the place and want to live there, many have done just that.