Has the UK’s recent heatwave whetted your appetite for owning a home somewhere with guaranteed sunshine? Spain never disappoints so we’ve highlighted three hotspots where properties are proving especially hot in 2018…

It was a record year for property sales to foreigners in Spain last year and things are taking a similar course in 2018. Despite the looming prospect of Brexit, British people still accounted for 15 per cent of Spain’s foreign market in 2017, according to official data from Spain’s Land Registry.

Spain isn’t attractive just as somewhere to own a second home. New figures from the Office for National Statistics have confirmed it as the UK’s favourite place to move to within Europe. The country accounted for an impressive 37 per cent of all British citizens living in the EU (excluding those in the UK and Ireland) as of 1st January 2017, according to the ONS report.

So where are we buying? Land Registry data highlights three Spanish regions where Brits comprise the largest group of foreign buyers. These are Andalusia – home to the Costa del Sol; Murcia – home to the Costa Cálida; and the Valencian Community – home to the Costa Blanca.

From the exclusive communities of Sotogrande and Sierra Blanca to the cheerful, family-friendly resorts of Nerja or Cabopino, the Costa del Sol has communities to suit all tastes and budgets.

But a rising star amongst foreigners right now is Estepona, where sales have been growing faster than in any other resort. Estepona ticks all the boxes, with its long broad beach and palm-fringed promenade, bustling fishing port, pretty old town, good choice of shops and restaurants, golf courses and great selection of property.

Part of Murcia’s big draw is the Mar Menor lagoon and famous La Manga strip. Recent years have seen the arrival of affordable golf resorts, including the Polaris World developments, as well as the large Camposol golf urbanisation.

But the coastline of the Costa Cálida is equally appealing and the resort of Puerto de Mazarrón, with its marina and vibrant beachfront, along with neighbouring Isla Plana are together a strong favourite with UK homeowners.

The Costa Blanca also offers something for everyone. The northern half is typically more expensive, with properties along its pine-clad coastline treated to fantastic sea and mountain views and access to pretty whitewashed old towns, such as Moraira and Altea.

The south, in particular along Orihuela Costa, has a huge choice of affordable beach homes, with access to bars and restaurants catering especially well for expats. One community there that remains especially popular with UK buyers is Villamartín, which has a lively square, golf course and is a five-minute drive from sandy beaches.