A Place In The Sun presenters reveal the best bargain unknown towns and villages across Europe and beyond that are set to become hotspots among British expats – before prices soar

As A Place in the Sun celebrates its 25th anniversary this month, our admiration for people chasing the sun-kissed Mediterranean dream shows no signs of slowing down. To celebrate the landmark birthday of the exciting Channel 4 series, the presenters shared with us where they think the next known hotspots for British buyers will be.

Away from old favorites like the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, there are some unexpected corners of the Mediterranean; flats and fixer-uppers here are still within the budget of most British homebuyers and offer a life-changing chance to get a taste of la dolce vita. Some are off the beaten track and provide a more authentic cultural experience, lower-cost properties, and sometimes tax breaks. Others are closer to popular vacation destinations but still have affordable homes and a vibrant expat community.

Laura Hamilton, 43, who has hosted the show since 2012, says old favorites such as Marbella and Mallorca have not lost their luster. ‘People have been priced out of the market more than anything else. For example, Estepona on the Costa del Sol has seen a lot of development over the years and has seen prices rise rapidly, so people are moving away from the coast to currently expensive areas like Duquesa and Sabinillas. And in Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, where I invested, prices rose rapidly.’ In August last year, Laura bought a renovation project in the town of Pollença.

But there is good news for those seeking shelter in a sunny climate. ‘I think a lot of people want to leave the UK and there are still low-cost areas where they can find something affordable,’ says Laura. Now is the time to get in there before these under-the-radar hotspots are discovered!

1. Costa de Almeria, Spain

Why is it there? ‘Costa de Almería can be really affordable,’ says Craig Rowe, 53, who joined A Place In The Sun four years ago. ‘Places like Mojácar offer really good value for money. It’s a beautiful old Spanish Pueblo on top of a hill, with cobbled streets and lots of shops, followed by a long, golden sandy beach. Additionally, this Costa is not as established or commercialized as the Costa del Sol or the Costa Blanca.

‘Further along the coastline, heading north-east, it’s beautiful. Vera Playa and Garrucha offer good value for apartments and houses and have great beaches and lots of character. There’s also a very large British community, so you won’t have any trouble making friends.’

Warm tip: Mojácar’s reputation is about to improve thanks to the construction of its first five-star hotel, a €200 million project in partnership with Hyatt hotels. It is expected to open next year and turn Mojácar into a luxury tourist destination.

Hot feature: Air-conditioned two-bedroom property for sale in Mojácar – £213,899

2. Paphos, Cyprus

Located in the quiet village of Mandria, this two-bedroom penthouse benefits from a shared pool and is just a 10-minute walk from the beach.

Why is it there? ‘It’s a great place if you’re looking for winter sun,’ says Craig. ‘Summers are hot and winters are very mild. We have a close affinity with the United Kingdom because of our historical ties with Cyprus; so almost three-quarters of the population speaks English and our legal systems are similar. Cypriots are very friendly and I also think the roads in Cyprus are really good, which makes a difference!’

Warm tip: An exciting new project, Paphos Marina will accommodate 1,000 boats and provide a major draw for tourists and residents. This is part of a €273 million injection into the region to improve tourist spots, schools and hospitals.

Hot feature: Two-bedroom unfurnished penthouse for sale in Mandria – £199,930

3. Costa Tropical, Spain

This single-storey house in Almuñécar features a roof terrace offering both sea and mountain views.

Why is it there? ‘This is one of the lesser-known costas between Malaga and the city of Almería, close to the town of Nerja,’ says Craig. ‘Nerja is really popular and full of expats but it’s quite expensive, so if you want more bang for your buck head east to the Costa Tropical. Although it has a relatively small coastline, it has picturesque beaches, large towns and mountains reaching all the way to the sea.’

Beautiful seaside towns devoid of high-rise buildings include Salobreña, with its charming whitewashed old town and castle, and La Herradura, with its horseshoe-shaped bay. Almuñécar is busier (with tower blocks) but has a lively social scene and a magnificent castle.

Warm tip: For families, the reputable Almuñécar International School is a good choice for children’s education.

Hot feature: Two-bedroom property for sale with street access in Almuñécar – £213,899

4. Extremadura, Spain

This villa in La Cumbre features a terrace, its own swimming pool and barbecue.

Why is it there? Although only 250 miles southwest of Madrid, Extremadura is well off the usual tourist route, so it will appeal to those who prefer a rural location and an authentic Spanish lifestyle. The lush mountain and pasture landscape makes it perfect for hikers, cyclists and those looking for undiscovered Spain.

Extremadura has a remarkable history as the home of many conquistadors who conquered the Americas in the 16th century. Its most beautiful towns include Trujillo, with its Renaissance palaces and a 16th-century church and castle, the World Heritage cities of Cáceres and Mérida, and the pilgrimage town of Guadalupe.

Warm tip: “Another great thing about Extremadura is that it offers grants for people who work entirely remotely to live there,” Craig explains. Extremadura’s Digital Nomad Grant offers up to €15,000 to remote workers relocating to the region, with priority given to women and people under 30.

Hot feature: Four-bedroom villa for sale in La Cumbre – £323,031

5. Morocco

Why is it there? ‘A lot of my friends were holidaying in Marrakech,’ says Jean Johansson, 43, who appeared in A Place In The Sun in 2018. ‘There are seasonal direct flights from regional airports such as Glasgow.

‘Places such as Agadir, Tangier and Marrakesh will increase in popularity. There are wonderful people who are very happy to see you there, you get winter sun there and you can drink alcohol there, there is a big international crowd but you also hear the call of the mosque in the background. It’s truly magical to sit outside at night and feel the beautiful African weather, which I think is different from other parts of the world.

‘There are old city walls, riads, beautiful gardens and also great nightlife. I feel like this is a constantly evolving place, so watch this space in North Africa.’

Warm tip: The country, which will host the FIFA World Cup in 2030, is spending more than £20 billion to strengthen its railways, motorways, airports and ports, making Morocco more attractive than ever.

Hot feature: Two-bedroom flat for sale with satellite TV in Casablanca – £344,858

6. Murcia, Spain

Why is it there? ‘You still get discounted property all over the Costa Cálida near Murcia, in places like Torrevieja, Santa Pola, Elche and Cartagena,’ says Jean Johansson. ‘This is an area where you can have a lower budget, say £80-100,000, and still get something good. This region has around 300 days of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest regions in Spain. Imagine having sun, sea and sand almost all year round for this price.

‘The Murcia region is probably our most popular destination for house hunters since the opening of the new international airport in 2019. ‘Buyers are even looking at the town of Murcia and the slightly more Spanish-style Cartagena on the coast.’

Warm tip: New railways connecting Mediterranean cities and towns of Costa Cálida and Costa de Almería are on the way, including a high-speed link between Murcia and Almería, expected to be completed around 2027.

Hot feature: One-bedroom flat for sale with 24-hour security in Terrazas de la Torre – £83,814

7. Sierra Nevada Mountains, Spain

Why is it there? ‘I’ve been skiing in Spain for years, but people don’t realize that you can be on the ski slopes in the morning and on the beach in the afternoon,’ says Laura Hamilton. ‘You fly into Malaga and then drive two hours into the mountains to Pradollano and it’s beautiful. For a late lunch or dinner, go somewhere like La Herradura.’

Pradollano, the Sierra Nevada’s largest resort, has 113 km of slopes at altitudes up to 3,300 m. ‘So if you love the outdoor lifestyle and want to be close to both the beach and the ski slopes, I’d say look for a small mountain apartment,’ says Laura. ‘In the summer there are lakes, walking and cycling in the mountains and the beach is beautiful. I will go with my children this ski season [Rocco, 11, and Tahlia, ten].’

Warm tip: The 19 million euro investment program for the 2025-26 ski season will improve lifts and snowmaking systems and make Europe’s southernmost ski resort a more guaranteed destination in terms of snow.

Hot feature: New studio for sale in Sierra Nevada – £135,324

8. Abruzzo, Italy

Why is it there? ‘Obviously most of Italy is very expensive, but there are places in beautiful countryside where you can buy incredible properties for incredible prices,’ says Laura Hamilton. ‘I saw that there were a lot of houses for sale cheaply in Abruzzo, most of them with some renovation projects and this one suits me perfectly.’

You’ll get great value for money in Abruzzo, along with historic Italian towns and the amazing food you’d expect. Hill towns like Penne and Citta Sant’Angelo offer stunning views, while valley towns like Sulmona and Manoppello offer easy access to the beaches of Abruzzo’s popular resort town of Pescara. You can even ski; Roccaraso in the Apennines is the most famous ski resort in the region.

Warm tip: Italy has a special flat tax regime of 7 percent to attract foreign retirees to southern Italy, which includes Abruzzo. This law, valid for ten years, invites people who receive pensions from abroad to make Italy their main residence and choose a town with a population of 20,000 or fewer.

Hot feature: Four-bedroom villa for sale in the medieval village of Caramanico Terme – £165,881

A Place in the Sun returns with its new series on Monday, October 13 at 18:00 on Channel 4.