Inland property in Andalucia has seen a major growth in interest from overseas buyers in the last few years. Initially, no-one was more surprised than the Andalucians themselves. “Foreigners aren’t interested in the countryside”, people told us when we first moved to Andalucia. “They only want the beach”. How wrong they were! Thousands of foreigners, lured by the lower prices of inland property in Andalucia, have bought country homes, ranging from rustic village homes to luxurious country villas with pools.

So what are the advantages of buying inland? Apart from the much more accessible prices, the Andalucian countryside offers a very different and, many would say, far more appealing lifestyle. In the villages of Andalucia, still mostly dependent upon agriculture, life moves at a much slower pace, in tune with the rhythm of the seasons. The highlight of each year is still the local village summer feria, when the normally frugal Andalucians enjoy several days of unlimited feasting and revelry. The cost of living is much lower in the countryside, and of course, crime is much less of a problem compared with coastal resorts. Family ties are still vitally important to the inhabitants of rural villages. This is not to say that incomers are excluded. If they learn some Spanish and show interest in local traditions, foreigners are usually surprised by the warmth of the reception they receive!

The sheer beauty of rural Andalucia is another lure for the buyer of inland property. All kinds of landscapes await lovers of the outdoor lifestyle in Andalucia. The unusual moonscapes of El Torcal nature reserve, the blue waters of the Chorro Gorge - a mecca for climbers, the breathtaking beauty of the Cazorla National Park, the rolling hills of the Sierra Morena: all these are wonderful places to explore!

Finally, for aficionados of ancient buildings, where else could you find so many cultural highlights from so many different civilisations within such easy reach? The Moorish treasures of the Alhambra in Granada, the Renaissance Churches of Antequera and the glories of Seville, not to mention sites from Roman, Visigothic and even Bronze Age civilisations, are all easily visited by the fortunate owners of property in inland Andalucia.

The first choice for second-home buyers always used to be the Costa de Sol itself. Buyers in inland Andalucia still like to be within relatively easy reach of the coast, particularly if they are hoping to rent out their properties. Hence the interest in the area around Antequera which is within easy reach of both the coast (less than one hours’ drive) and all the cultural highlights of Andalucia. The village of Mollina, near Antequera, is now home to more than eight hundred foreign residents! Areas that have experienced similar growth include the Axarquia region, especially around Lake Vinuela, and the Lake Iznajar area in Cordoba.

There are, of course, many buyers whose Andalucian dream involves never hearing the voice of one of their fellow countrymen again! But the existence of an expatriate community can be an advantage. Whereas previous emigrants to Andalucia tended to be retired, young families have begun to move out, and catering to the needs of the expatriate population can be a useful source of income, especially for those who speak very little Spanish. For instance, in the Antequera area you can find British businesses specialising in areas such as pet care, hairdressing and property maintenance.

Another consideration for the property owner in inland Andalucia is that rural tourism has been rising in recent years, making it easier to rent out a second home for holidays to help pay the bills (if you choose your property with care!) Much of Andalucia’s beautiful countryside is within an hour of Malaga airport, an important factor for holidaymakers seeking rural tranquillity combined with easy access to Andalucia’s historic sights. The imminent completion of the AVE high speed train link from Madrid to Malaga, plus the new station at Antequera, renders inland Andalucia even more attractive to both Spanish as well as British buyers. Finally, there are now plans for an airport just outside Antequera, completing the transformation of this once unknown area!

Read more about travel, lifestyle, food and property in Andalucia at Andalucia Coast and Country