Although buying a first home has become increasingly challenging for many, second homes continue to attract buyers in Catalonia, thanks to the appeal of both its coastline and inland destinations. For Leonardo Cromstedt, president of AEFI (the Spanish Association of Real Estate Franchises), the region offers a variety of second-home markets, meaning the best choice depends largely on the buyer's intended use and budget.
For those seeking a property with established demand, international appeal and strong potential for capital appreciation, the Costa Brava remains one of the most attractive destinations, according to the expert.
This view is shared by Pablo Balea, Residential Sales Director at Savills Barcelona. “The Costa Brava remains one of the most established destinations thanks to its natural beauty, leisure offering and excellent international connections. Towns such as Begur, Platja d'Aro, Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Cadaqués continue to generate strong demand.”
For more modest budgets, Cromstedt recommends the Costa Dorada, which generally offers a more affordable entry point, good transport links with Barcelona and an increasingly longer season of use.
Provincial data clearly illustrates this difference. In June 2026, the average price was €2,805/m² in the province of Girona, compared with €1,880/m² in the province of Tarragona, according to AEFI data.
Therefore, “the difference is around 49%”, the expert explains, “which helps understand why Tarragona, Baix Penedès and several municipalities on the Costa Dorada are attracting buyers seeking a second home without paying the higher prices seen in some parts of Girona.”
Savills has also identified growing demand in the Maresme area and along the Costa Dorada, particularly among buyers looking for a property they can enjoy throughout the year rather than only during the summer months.
Inland regions
The president of AEFI also highlights the Catalan Pyrenees and inland areas as attractive options, especially for buyers who do not intend to use their property exclusively during the summer.
According to Cromstedt, second homes are no longer used for just a few weeks each year. The rise of remote working, the desire to be closer to nature and growing interest in longer stays have increased demand for properties that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Both the buyer profile and the second-home market have evolved. Cromstedt notes that demand was once concentrated mainly in traditional coastal destinations and focused on holiday use. Today, however, second-home buyers increasingly prioritise properties with reliable internet access, space to work remotely and access to year-round services.
Foreigners remain key to the second-home market
The latest figures from the College of Property Registrars, analysed by Sonneil, show that the Netherlands once again leads the second-home market this quarter.
Dutch buyers completed 1,830 transactions, representing a 20.2% increase compared with the second quarter of 2025 and a 14.1% rise compared with the first quarter of this year.
British buyers completed 1,843 transactions, just 13 more than the Dutch, although year-on-year growth was virtually flat at 0.7%. According to the study, Germany ranked next among the main second-home markets, with 1,612 transactions and annual growth of 3.8%. France (7.9%) and Poland (7.8%) also recorded increases.
For Andrés Pedrera, CEO of Sonneil, it is encouraging that nationalities traditionally associated with the second-home market continue to increase their activity in Spain despite the slowdown affecting the domestic market.
