Sea View Villas or Inland Retreats? Where Foreign Buyers Are Investing in 2025
When international buyers look at the Costa Blanca North, most face a familiar question: sea view villa or inland retreat? In 2025, both are in demand – but for very different reasons. Some buyers are drawn to the coast for its energy, convenience, and status. Others are choosing the quiet charm of inland villages like Parcent or Alcalalí, where lifestyle and value go hand in hand. Here’s how to decide what fits you best – with real examples from the local market.
You don’t need to choose between mountain views and Mediterranean breezes when buying property in the Costa Blanca North — but most buyers eventually do.
Some fall for the coast. They want to wake up to sea light through sheer curtains, walk barefoot to the café near Arenal, or hear the gulls over the marina. Others? They find a different kind of calm inland — in the rhythm of village bells, in a garden that smells like rosemary and dust, in a home that feels like retreat rather than arrival.
So what are foreign buyers choosing in 2025? And why?
We’ve seen both paths play out — and we’ve seen what works. So here’s what’s shifting, what’s selling, and what you should consider before deciding where to invest.
The Pull of the Sea
There’s no denying it: sea view villas remain one of the most sought-after property types in our region. Especially for British, Dutch, and Belgian buyers, the idea of the Mediterranean at the end of the driveway still holds huge emotional (and resale) value.
Properties in areas like Balcon al Mar, Tosalet, or Portitxol in Jávea, or El Portet in Moraira, continue to command strong prices — and sell fast when well-presented.
“A clean three-bedroom villa with pool, privacy, and a framed sea view? Those don’t sit around,” says one of our senior agents. “We had four viewings in 48 hours last month — all from international buyers.”
There’s status to the coast, yes. But it’s also about ease: closer to international schools, the marina, restaurants that stay open off-season. For those planning a semi-permanent move or remote work setup, that access matters.
The Rise of Inland Retreats
But here’s what’s changing: inland properties are no longer just the budget option. They’re becoming a conscious choice — especially for buyers seeking privacy, space, and connection to nature.
Take this 4-bedroom villa in Alcalalí. Set on a generous plot with stunning mountain views, it offers everything many sea-view homes do — pool, outdoor kitchen, guest accommodation — but with more tranquillity, more land, and less fuss.
You’re 25 minutes from the coast, but it feels like a world away. And that’s the point.
“Inland buyers often mention a desire for community — not just cafés and beach clubs, but neighbours they actually talk to,” says our team member who handles Jalón Valley properties. “They want to hear roosters, not lawn mowers.”
We’re seeing growing interest in towns like Parcent, Llíber, Murla, and Alcalalí — especially among Belgian and Dutch clients. Whether it’s the cycling culture, the microclimate, or the sense of timelessness, something resonates.
And with projects like this new-build townhouse development in Parcent, modern living doesn’t have to mean compromise. You get design, energy efficiency, and views — just not of the sea. And often at half the price.
Value, Maintenance, and Long-Term Thinking
Let’s talk numbers — because the difference isn’t just aesthetic.
- Sea view villas in Jávea or Moraira can easily exceed €800,000 to €1.2M+, especially with new finishes or luxury extras.
- Inland villas of a similar size with larger plots and upgraded interiors can fall in the €450,000–€650,000 range — and that’s with room to expand.
That price gap isn’t just in the purchase. Maintenance is lower inland (no salt air erosion, fewer community restrictions), and you often get more autonomy: no neighbours above, below, or behind. No community fees. Just land, sky, and quiet.
Still, resale in coastal areas tends to be more fluid. People always want to buy near the beach. So it depends — are you thinking about enjoyment or liquidity?
Here’s where you make the call.
So Which Should You Choose?
Ask yourself:
- Do you want to walk to the sea, or look out over a vineyard?
- Do you value proximity to town, or is tranquillity and space the priority?
- Will you spend all year here, or just a few months at a time?
- Are you looking for a lifestyle property, or a strategic investment?
Many of our clients begin by dreaming of the coast and end up falling in love inland — often at a market stall or watching the shadows move across the mountains at 6pm.
Both choices are valid. But they lead to very different types of life.
Want to Explore Both?
At Grupo Garcia, we work across the region — from coastal homes with Mediterranean views to village villas tucked between almond groves.
If you’re ready to explore what’s really out there — not just what shows up on the portals — we’d be happy to show you homes that fit your pace, your priorities, and your plans.