Hornillo
A sheltered cove at the eastern edge of town, protected by Isla del Fraile and marked by its historic mineral-loading pier. It suits buyers who value a distinctive coastal setting away from the central promenade.
CoastalCove
37.811
Population
13.3%
Foreign residents
€1,649
Avg €/m²
Updated 19 Sept 2026How we source our data →
Living in Águilas
Águilas is a working port town at the southern edge of Murcia, where the urban shoreline, historic centre and outlying coves create very different buying settings. Centro concentrates shops and everyday routines around the older town, while the coast opens eastwards through urban beaches, residential developments and separate seaside settlements. The choice is not simply between town and beach, but between several distinct ways of living beside the sea.
Daily life can stay close to the sea without being confined to a resort. Las Delicias has an urban beach and promenade beside the marina, Hornillo combines a sheltered cove with its historic mineral pier, and Calabardina is a separate seaside settlement towards Cabo Cope. The town has primary healthcare, schools and road connections, but hospital care is in Lorca and passenger trains are currently replaced by buses.
You get a lower-priced coastal base with distinct urban and quieter seaside options, and accept more dependence on the road network for regional travel and hospital care.
The verdict
Honestly considered, both sides.
The upside is real. So is the downside. Both matter more than any brochure will admit.
The case for
A broad choice of coastal settings
Buyers can choose between central streets, an urban beachfront at Las Delicias, the sheltered cove at Hornillo and the more separate seaside setting of Calabardina. That range matters more than the municipal average.
Centro keeps everyday life close
The older town concentrates shops, services and daily routines in a denser urban setting. It suits buyers who value convenience over the space and separation of the outer coast.
Beaches form part of the town rather than a separate resort strip
Las Delicias runs along the Bay of Levante beside the marina, with a promenade and established beach services. It offers coastal access without giving up a town address.
Primary care is available locally
Águilas has local health centres for routine care. Buyers who need frequent hospital treatment should separately plan for travel to Lorca.
The case against
Hospital care means leaving the municipality
The reference hospital is in Lorca. This is a material drawback for older buyers, anyone managing a long-term condition, or households without a car.
Passenger trains are not currently running
The C2 route is operating by replacement bus during the rail works. Buyers should judge present-day travel on the bus service and road network, not on the station building or the line shown on a map.
The outlying coastal areas increase car dependence
Calabardina and the residential areas east of town provide more separation, but routine journeys into central Águilas are less convenient without a car.
The coastal settings are not interchangeable
Hornillo, Las Delicias and Calabardina differ in access to the town centre, beach character and car dependence. Buyers should visit the exact street at the times they expect to use it.
Editor's note
Where you might be better off elsewhere
Águilas suits buyers who want a working Murcian coast town and are comfortable using the road network. Mazarrón offers a larger international community farther north on the same regional coast. Cartagena is the stronger alternative for a working railway and hospital care within the municipality. Mojácar suits buyers who prefer a smaller Almería coast setting with a more established international market.
Águilas on the map
Lifestyle data
Property market
€1,649
/m²
+8.8% year on year
Updated 30 Aug 2026
Access
REGIÓN AIRPORT
Región de Murcia International, Corvera · RMU
0+ direct routes
Top direct
BarcelonaGran CanariaTenerife NorteBirminghamBournemouthBristol
Community
13.3%
Foreign residents
INE Annual Population Census, nationality basis, 1 January 2025
Amenities
0
Int. schools
0
Hospitals
Águilas neighborhoods
Where to live and what to expect at each price point.
Las Delicias
An urban beachfront on the Bay of Levante beside the marina, with a promenade and established beach services. It keeps the sea close while remaining connected to central Águilas.
ResidentialSettled
Los Collados-Los Geráneos
A residential zone east of town on the road towards Calabardina, with a mix of lower-rise homes and apartment developments. It offers more separation than Centro or Las Delicias, with greater reliance on the car in return.
Residential
Calabardina-Cope
A separate seaside settlement sheltered by Cabo Cope, with a beach, an old jetty, dive clubs and restaurants by the shore. It suits buyers seeking a coastal base away from the main town rather than central convenience.
CoastalQuiet
Centro
A town-centre choice for buyers wanting everyday routines close at hand. The trade-off is a denser urban setting rather than the space and separation of the outer coastal areas.
WalkableCentral
Águilas FAQ
Honest answers to the questions buyers actually ask.
What is Centro like for everyday living?+
Centro puts shops, services and town routines close together in a denser urban setting. It suits buyers who want daily convenience and are willing to trade the space and separation found farther east.
Where should a buyer look for a beach close to town life?+
Las Delicias is the clearest fit. It is an urban beach on the Bay of Levante, beside the marina and close to the centre, with a promenade and established visitor services.
What is different about Hornillo?+
Hornillo sits at the eastern edge of town around a sheltered cove. Its historic mineral-loading pier and view towards Isla del Fraile give it a distinct setting away from the central promenade.
Is Calabardina part of central Águilas?+
No. It is a separate seaside settlement towards Cabo Cope, built around a beach and the site of an older fishing hamlet. It suits buyers who prefer separation from the main town and are comfortable relying more on the road.
Can I reach Murcia by train?+
Not at present. Passenger services on the C2 route are being provided by replacement bus while the railway is rebuilt. Plan a purchase around the service available now rather than an uncertain reopening date.
Is there a hospital in Águilas?+
There is local primary care, but the reference hospital is in Lorca. Anyone for whom rapid or frequent hospital access is important should test that road journey before choosing a home.
Which airport is most practical?+
Región de Murcia International is the closest major airport by road. There is no direct train connection from Águilas, so airport use normally requires a car, taxi or arranged transfer.
What are the costs of buying property in Águilas?+
When buying property in Águilas, budget for property transfer tax (ITP) of 8%, plus roughly 3-4% in notary, land registry and legal fees. Agency commission is usually paid by the seller. On the mainland and the Balearics, new builds pay VAT (IVA) of 10% plus AJD stamp duty instead of ITP. Transfer tax is set by Murcia rather than nationally, and reduced rates can apply for main homes and younger buyers.
What are the ongoing costs of owning property in Águilas?+
Annual property ownership costs in Águilas include IBI (property tax) of 0.4-1.1% of cadastral value, community fees (for apartments), rubbish collection tax (basura), utility bills, and property insurance. Budget approximately 2-4% of property value per year for all running costs. IBI is set by the town hall of Águilas within a national band, so it is municipal rather than regional.
What taxes do I pay when selling property in Águilas?+
When selling property in Águilas, you pay capital gains tax (plusvalía) on the profit at rates of 19-26% depending on the gain amount. Non-residents have 3% of the sale price withheld at completion. You may also pay municipal capital gains tax. Main residence exemptions may apply for residents over 65. Capital gains tax is national, so it is the same in Murcia as anywhere in Spain. Plusvalia municipal is set by the town hall of Águilas and has had two calculation methods since the 2021 reform, so ask your lawyer which one is cheaper for you.
Can I still get a Golden Visa by buying property in Spain?+
No. Spain withdrew the Golden Visa property investment route in April 2025, so buying in Águilas no longer leads to residency. Non-EU buyers who want to live in Spain apply for a separate permit instead, most often the non-lucrative visa (proof of income and private health insurance) or the digital nomad visa (remote work for non-Spanish clients). Ask an immigration lawyer which route fits your situation before you buy.
Transfer tax rates as of August 2026. Rates are set per autonomous community and do change. Confirm the current figures with a Spanish lawyer or tax adviser before you budget.
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