Why do so many Belgians spend the winter on the Costa Blanca?
September has only just begun, and you can already feel it. The evenings are getting darker sooner, and the mornings are cooler. Somewhere in the back of the closet, that coat is already waiting. While Belgium is gradually getting ready for fall and winter, many Belgians are looking the other way—toward Spain. After all, why wait months for that first warm spring day when you can simply trade winter for sunshine? Every year, more Belgians head to the Costa Blanca to spend the winter. Not for a typical one-week vacation, but for weeks or even months under the Spanish sun. What makes this region so appealing?
Why wait for summer?
The Belgian summer is over before you know it. September still brings some nice days, but at the same time, you notice that the rhythm is changing. The sun sets earlier. Temperatures drop. And before you know it, we’re back indoors in a thick sweater while the rain taps against the windows.
On the Costa Blanca, the picture looks quite different. The region is known for its mild winters, pleasant temperatures, and many sunny days. As a result, you can fully enjoy the outdoors even outside the summer months. A coffee on a patio? A walk along the coast? Lunch in the sun? Instead of being exceptions, these become a regular part of your day.
Spending the winter on the Costa Blanca is not a vacation
And that’s exactly the difference. If you’re heading to Spain for a few months, you usually don’t want to be a tourist every day. It’s about living, not just taking a vacation. Doing some shopping at the local market. Going for a morning walk. Sitting out on a terrace. Planning a bike ride. Reading a book in the sun. No rigid schedule. No alarm clock at 6 a.m. because you have to be on an excursion by 8 a.m. Just a different rhythm.
For many Belgians, spending the winter in Spain is therefore a way to take a break from the Belgian winter—without having to leave their lives here behind entirely. A few months in Spain, then back to Belgium. The best of both worlds.
Why do so many Belgians choose the Costa Blanca?
Of course, the Costa Blanca has more to offer than just sunshine. The region is easily accessible from Belgium and has a well-developed infrastructure. You’ll find shops, restaurants, healthcare, sports facilities, and everything you need to live there comfortably, even for extended periods.
And there’s one more thing. The Costa Blanca has a large international community. Quite a few Belgians have also made a home here. That makes the leap to a longer stay, a second home, or even a new life in Spain a lot easier. You’re far from home, but you don’t necessarily feel far away.
From a sunny vacation to a second home
Maybe it all starts with a vacation. You discover a place you’d love to return to. Then you book it again the following year. And after that, you think: Why shouldn’t we just have a place of our own?
A second home on the Costa Blanca could be an interesting option. You’ll have your own base when you travel to Spain. No hotel rooms, no hunt for a rental property, and best of all: a place that’s all yours. And when you’re not there yourself? Then renting it out could be an added benefit.
A second home, for example, combines pleasure with adventure. You’re not just buying a home—you’re also buying the freedom to enjoy Spain more often and for longer periods of time.
Of course, there’s more to buying real estate in Spain than just a beautiful home and a sunny terrace. Location, budget, maintenance costs, rental potential, legal considerations, and tax implications all play a role. So, thorough preparation is essential.
Not all parts of the Costa Blanca are the same
When you think of the Costa Blanca, you might immediately think of sunshine, palm trees, and beaches. But the region is much more diverse than that.
From bustling Alicante to popular Torrevieja. From charming Altea to lush and stylish Jávea. And from the liveliness of Benidorm to the tranquility of smaller coastal towns and inland villages. Each place has its own character.
Do you enjoy restaurants, shops, and the hustle and bustle of city life? Then a lively coastal town might be the perfect fit for you. Are you looking more for peace and quiet, nature, and an authentic Spanish atmosphere? Then a smaller town or a home a little further from the coast might be a better fit.
So there's no such thing as the perfect location. There's only the location that fits your lifestyle perfectly.
And then comes that one question…
Maybe this is your first time spending the winter abroad. You're enjoying the weather—the fact that you can have lunch outside in January while your friends are stuck indoors in the rain.
And then it happens. You look at the calendar and think, “Should we just stay longer next year?” For some people, it stays at just a few months a year. For others, it turns into a second home, an investment, or even a permanent move to Spain. And that’s not so surprising.
The Costa Blanca combines that vacation feeling with the conveniences of everyday life. You can enjoy yourself, live, work, invest, and—above all—spend more time outdoors.
Why wait until summer?
Maybe that’s the real appeal. Not waiting for that one sunny week in July. Not counting down the days until vacation. Not hoping the Belgian weather will be a little more cooperative. But choosing for yourself where to spend the winter.
While September in Belgium gradually gives way to October, November, and December, the sun lingers just a little longer on the Costa Blanca. And perhaps that is exactly why so many Belgians head to Spain year after year.
Spending the winter on the Costa Blanca is about more than just the weather. It’s about the outdoors, freedom, a different pace of life, and the chance to combine the best of different worlds. And who knows—maybe your Spanish story will begin with your first winter in the sun. Curious about real estate on the Costa Blanca? Explore the possibilities with Living Stone and find a place that fits your plans.