La Axarquía in numbers: why tourism and property investment keep growing (2026)

Some destinations grow because of trends. Others grow because what they offer is genuinely hard to find anywhere else. La Axarquía — and Nerja in particular — clearly belongs to the second group. The tourism and property investment data from recent years leaves no room for doubt: this region of the Eastern Costa del Sol has moved from well-kept secret to one of the most solid and consistent markets in Andalusia.

Here are the numbers that explain why.

Spain: The World's Top Tourist Destination in 2025 and 2026

The broader context matters for understanding what is happening in La Axarquía. In 2025, Spain welcomed more than 100 million international visitors and recorded 115 billion euros in foreign tourist spending — a historic figure that places the sector close to 13% of Spanish GDP. The trend continues into 2026: in March 2026 alone, international spending reached 9.6 billion euros, with double-digit year-on-year growth.

Spain is the world's second most visited country by international arrivals, behind only France, and ranks first in the world for average daily spending per tourist. Andalusia is one of the engines of that growth, and La Axarquía benefits directly from that current.

Andalusia: A Record Summer in 2026

The summer of 2026 is shaping up to be historic for Andalusia. Projections point to 9.7 million domestic tourists and 4.5 million international visitors — a 4.5% increase on the previous year — with an estimated 21.2 million hotel overnight stays, up 3%. Andalusia's airports are expected to handle 38,500 flights during the summer months, a 7.7% increase on summer 2025.

For La Axarquía, whose main point of entry is Málaga airport, more flights translate directly into more potential visitors to the region.

Property Prices in Nerja: Sustained Growth and a Solid Market

The property data for Nerja in 2026 confirms a trend that has been consolidating for years. The average price of apartments in Nerja currently stands at 4,053 €/m², while houses average 3,299 €/m². Nerja ranks among the highest-priced municipalities on the Costa del Sol by square metre, in a list that includes Benahavís, Marbella, Estepona and Fuengirola.

Analyst projections are equally encouraging. Singular Bank forecasts cumulative price growth of approximately 9% between 2025 and 2026, equivalent to around 4–5% per year. The Real Estate Pulsimeter, produced by Real Estate Business School in collaboration with the University of Málaga, points to average price growth of around 6.6% and an increase in transaction volumes, with Málaga identified as one of Spain's best-performing provinces.

Why Nerja and La Axarquía Keep Attracting International Investors

Behind the data there are structural reasons that explain why La Axarquía is not a bubble but a market with solid foundations:

Limited Supply and Growing Demand

Nerja is a municipality with very limited buildable land. The terrain, the proximity to the Natural Park of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama and the town's own character mean that new construction is scarce. With demand continuing to grow — from both domestic and international buyers — upward pressure on prices is structural, not cyclical.

A Consolidated International Market

La Axarquía has a particularly active community of foreign residents, with a strong British, Nordic and Irish presence. This buyer profile — with greater purchasing power and longer investment horizons — sustains demand even in complex economic cycles. International buyers benefit from accessible mortgage products with attractive loan-to-value ratios and competitive mortgage conditions expected to continue through 2026.

Holiday Rental Returns

The area's tourist demand guarantees high occupancy in season, making private pool villas in Nerja assets with dual returns: capital appreciation and rental income. For owners who manage their holiday villa professionally, the peak season of July and August can represent between 40% and 60% of annual revenue.

Less Than an Hour From Granada, the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada

What many people do not realise is that Nerja and La Axarquía are less than an hour by car from Granada — one of the most visited cities in Spain, home to the Alhambra, the country's most in-demand monument — and just over an hour and a half from Sierra Nevada, the only ski resort in Europe with views of the sea. This makes the region an extraordinary base for those who want to combine Mediterranean beach, historic culture and mountain scenery within a very compact radius. For investors and second-home buyers, that versatility is a value argument that very few areas of Spain can match.

Improving Infrastructure and Connectivity

The progressive improvement of connections with Málaga city and the airport, combined with a growing range of services across the region, is making La Axarquía increasingly accessible to permanent residents and investors who would not have considered it a few years ago.

La Axarquía Beyond Nerja: The Potential of the Whole Region

While Nerja concentrates most of the attention and transaction volume, La Axarquía offers interesting opportunities across the broader region:

• Torrox — second homes and beach tourism, with prices still below Nerja and solid holiday rental demand.
• Frigiliana — the most photogenic village in the region attracts buyers looking for authenticity and tranquillity, with growing rural rental demand.
• Vélez-Málaga and Torre del Mar — the regional capital with more accessible new build supply and an expanding residential market.
• Inland villages — municipalities such as Cómpeta and Algarrobo offer cortijos and rural properties with rehabilitation potential at prices well below the coast.

What the Data Says: Why Now

The main drivers of the market include more flexible monetary policy, demographic growth, rising household incomes and a persistent shortage of new housing — particularly relevant for Málaga province and other high-demand coastal regions.

In that context, Nerja and La Axarquía stand out as one of the few areas on the Costa del Sol where it is still possible to find quality properties at reasonable prices compared to Marbella, Estepona or Benahavís — with an appreciation trajectory that analysts place among the most solid in the province. Our property price comparison between Nerja and other Costa del Sol areas gives a more detailed picture of the local market.

Thinking About Investing in La Axarquía?

At Narixa Villas we have spent years accompanying domestic and international buyers and investors in the Nerja and La Axarquía property market. If you want to understand the current opportunities, look at specific options or simply have an initial conversation with no commitment, get in touch and we will be happy to help.

You may also find our guide on how to invest in a villa in Nerja useful, along with our articles on how the arras deposit contract works in Spain and mortgages in Spain for international buyers.

Note: Property price data is indicative and sourced from public records and specialist portals. For an accurate valuation of a specific property, always consult a local property professional.