What does a Costa del Sol rental actually earn?
Four factors decide the number, and a realistic estimate for your property depends on all of them.
Published: 2026 · REX
The four factors that decide your return
1. Location. On the Costa del Sol the difference between streets is huge. Walking distance to the beach, Puerto Banús or a Marbella old-town square commands a very different rate than the same apartment ten minutes inland. A realistic estimate is always property-specific, never a coastal average.
2. Property type & finish. Guests here pay for light, space and a proper terrace. A well-styled apartment or villa with a pool, air-conditioning and a fast Wi-Fi connection earns better reviews, and better reviews drive both higher prices and higher occupancy.
3. Occupancy & season. The coast runs far beyond summer: golf in spring and autumn, and long winter stays from northern Europe. Pricing only for July and August leaves months of income on the table. Dynamic pricing and a mix of short holidays and longer off-season stays keep the calendar full year-round.
4. Management. Fast replies, flawless check-ins and consistent quality decide your ranking on Airbnb and Booking.com. Professional management isn't a cost next to your return. It's one of the biggest levers behind it.
Gross is not net
Alongside rental income, budget for cleaning (usually passed to the guest), platform commissions, utilities, community fees, insurance and maintenance. With commission-based management like REX's, you only pay when the property actually earns, with no fixed costs running through the quiet months.
What does this mean for your property?
An honest answer needs a calculation tailored to your location, type and finish. Tell us about your property and we'll give you a realistic, no-obligation view of what it can do.