Antalya vs Malaga: Spain or Turkey for Sunny Living & Investment?

The Mediterranean offers some of the best sunny cities to live in, offering stunning beaches, vibrant cultures, and year-round sunshine. But choosing the right one isn’t always easy, especially when you’re weighing Spain’s glamorous coastlines against Turkey’s breathtaking shores.

Whether it’s for a permanent move, a holiday home, or a smart investment, Malaga and Antalya often top the list. But when it comes down to it, how do you know which one is right for you?

Best Places to Live Under the Sun: Why Antalya and Malaga Stand Out

It’s no surprise that Antalya and Malaga are among the best Mediterranean cities to live in globally. Both cities have been attracting expats, retirees, and remote workers looking for a high-quality lifestyle destination in increasing numbers.

Both enjoy a classic Mediterranean climate, with around 300 sunny days a year and mild temperatures throughout. This makes it easy to enjoy daily life outdoors, stay active year-round, and take advantage of everything from beach days to local festivals.

Alongside great weather and an easygoing pace of life, both cities are far more affordable than popular Western hotspots like the French or Italian Riviera. These great advantages make Antalya and Malaga standout destinations for those seeking sun, value, and lifestyle.

As both cities have become increasingly popular among foreigners, they now host thriving expat communities and offer many expat-friendly services.

While Antalya and Malaga share many similarities, their differences become clear in areas like lifestyle, cost, and daily rhythm, depending on what you value most.

Life in Malaga, Spain vs Antalya, Turkey: What’s It Like for Expats?

Beyond investment value, choosing the right city to live in depends heavily on how life unfolds day-to-day. Cultural differences, local rhythm, and community dynamics all play a vital role in how comfortable and connected you’ll feel living as an expat.

Both Antalya and Malaga offer distinct characters, shaped by deep-rooted traditions and evolving international influences.

Antalya is where traditional bazaars, historic neighborhoods, and modern resorts meet. It carries a Mediterranean resort-town atmosphere, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Lara or the Old Town. Daily life in Antalya, Turkey, moves at a dynamic pace: quieter in the mild winters and bustling in the sun-soaked summer months when tourism surges and the city becomes more vibrant.

Malaga, on the other hand, offers a laid-back Andalusian charm with a strong cultural identity. It’s a year-round city with a mild climate, and the daily rhythm tends to be more balanced and relaxed. Siesta hours and café culture define a slower, more social lifestyle.

Malaga has long had a well-established expat community and consistently ranks among Spain’s most popular cities for international residents. It offers a wide range of services that cater to foreigners, making living in Malaga as an expat relatively seamless.

Antalya, in contrast, has a younger but fast-growing international community. The expat experience here is often more localized and organically integrated with Turkish life. Many expats in Antalya, Turkey, appreciate the authenticity of this blend. While services for foreigners are expanding, day-to-day conveniences like English-speaking staff may still be more common in tourist and expat zones. That said, Turkey’s strong culture of hospitality often bridges the language and cultural gaps, helping new residents feel welcomed and supported.

Everyday Living: Transport, Shopping & Healthcare

Another key part of choosing where to live is the practical side of daily life; things like transportation, healthcare, and shopping. In this sense, both Antalya and Malaga deliver well-rounded experiences that combine convenience with quality.

Both cities offer efficient public transport. Malaga features a metro line and weekend night buses, while Antalya’s modern tram runs through key neighborhoods. Buses and local routes make getting around affordable, and both cities are highly walkable, especially in the central districts where most services and attractions are clustered

Antalya blends traditional Turkish culture with modern convenience, offering everything from local bazaars and lively food markets to upscale malls and international retailers. Its café and dining scene includes both traditional tea gardens and contemporary restaurants. Malaga, meanwhile, boasts large shopping centers, fresh produce markets, and a strong café culture built around tapas, outdoor plazas, and long, sunny afternoons on the terrace

Access to quality healthcare is a key benefit for expats in both cities. While public healthcare is available to residents, many expats prefer private clinics for faster service and English-speaking staff. Healthcare in Malaga is known for its well-established private network and high standards of care, offering peace of mind for international residents. Meanwhile, healthcare in Antalya stands out for its affordability and growing popularity among medical tourists. Whether for routine check-ups or specialized treatments, both cities provide accessible, reliable, and high-quality healthcare options.

What Is the Cost of Living in Malaga, Spain, Compared to Antalya?

When comparing Mediterranean cities, affordability often becomes a key deciding factor, not just in housing, but in everyday life as well. The cost of living in Antalya, Turkey, and Malaga, Spain, plays a major role in long-term comfort, especially for retirees, digital nomads, and remote workers. While both cities offer a sunny lifestyle and high quality of life, Antalya tends to be the more budget-friendly option across most daily expenses.

When it comes to housing, rent prices in Antalya are significantly lower than in its Spanish counterpart. A one-bedroom apartment in Antalya’s city center typically costs around 528 dollars per month, while rent prices in Malaga for a similar apartment average approximately 969 dollars.

Other essentials such as groceries, transport, and casual dining are also more affordable in Antalya. However, Malaga offers the perks of EU-standard infrastructure, a strong café culture, and relatively lower prices on coffee and local wine.

Overall, Antalya offers excellent value for money for those with fixed incomes or location-independent work. Meanwhile, Malaga delivers a high standard of living backed by strong salaries and robust services, an appealing trade-off for many despite the higher costs.

A Look at Antalya and Malaga Property Markets

Beyond daily expenses, understanding the real estate landscape is essential for anyone thinking about settling down or making an investment. Whether you're searching for a permanent home, a summer house, or a buy-to-let opportunity, both Antalya and Malaga present compelling choices, but they differ notably in pricing, demand, and lifestyle fit.

Apartments are the most in-demand property type in both cities, particularly 1–2 bedroom units located near the coast or city centers. In Antalya, modern flats within residential complexes, often equipped with amenities like pools and gyms, are especially popular among both local and foreign buyers. In Malaga, centrally located apartments appeal to holidaymakers and young professionals looking for walkable urban living.

For those in the luxury segment, resort-style villas are also sought after. Marbella is a renowned hotspot for those seeking high-end property to buy in the Malaga province. Meanwhile, Belek on the Turkish Riviera offers a more affordable yet equally upscale alternative for golf lovers and second-home buyers.

When it comes to neighborhoods expats love, Konyaaltı and Lara are among the most popular areas to buy property in Antalya, thanks to their beach access, modern infrastructure, and expat-friendly amenities. Meanwhile, many expats often prefer to buy property in Malaga in areas like El Limonar and Teatinos for their residential charm, proximity to the coast, and access to city life.

In terms of property prices, the Antalya property market stands out for its overall affordability. A one-bedroom apartment in central Antalya typically ranges between 70,000 and 110,000 dollars, depending on the location and building features. In contrast, a similar property in Malaga may cost around 290,000 dollars, reflecting a more mature Western European market.

Real Estate Investment and Residency: Antalya vs Malaga

Both cities attract international buyers for their lifestyle appeal and rental income potential. In Malaga, steady year-round demand is driven by tourism and expats, making long-term rentals a strong option for investors. Meanwhile, Antalya sees strong seasonal interest, making short-term rentals especially attractive during peak months, particularly in coastal zones like Konyaaltı and Lara.

For buyers with long-term plans, real estate can also support residency. In Turkey, buying investment property in Antalya worth at least 200,000 USD qualifies for a residence permit. Additionally, purchases over 400,000 USD may qualify buyers for Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment program, provided certain conditions are met. In Spain, although the Golden Visa has been discontinued, buying property for sale in Malaga can still support visa applications such as the Non-Lucrative or Digital Nomad Visa, both of which require proof of income and a residential address.

Whatever you're drawn to, be it Antalya’s dynamic coastal lifestyle or Malaga’s timeless charm, both cities promise sun, comfort, and opportunity. In the end, it’s all about what fits your pace, priorities, and vision for the future.

If you’re ready to take the next step, our local experts are here to guide you in finding your perfect place under the sun.

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