These are the scenic spots in Spain where your money goes furthest, according to The Telegraph

BRITS have long been among Spain’s biggest overseas property buyers, despite fierce competition from Dutch and German homeseekers. More than 250,000 UK nationals were registered as residents in Spain last year, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), with many clustered along the sun-soaked Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca.

But with a housing shortage and soaring property prices putting the dream home out of reach for many, finding a bargain is becoming increasingly difficult. So where should would-be buyers look? According to The Telegraph, not all hope is lost. There are lesser-known corners of Spain where buyers can still find the sun-soaked promenades and soul-soothing landscapes of the Costas – without the eye-watering price tags.

Axarquia, Andalucia

The Axarquia is one of those parts of Malaga province where you can still drive from the Mediterranean into the mountains in a matter of minutes. The coastal towns of Rincon de la Victoria, Velez-Malaga and Torre del Mar provide the beaches and amenities, while inland villages such as Competa, Comares and Canillas de Albaida offer a very different pace of life among vineyards, olive groves and steep mountain valleys.

It is also an area where a modest budget can still open doors. The Telegraph’s property research highlights Salares as one of the villages where buyers can find homes at the lower end of the market. A two-bedroom townhouse with a roof terrace is priced at €87,000, while a three-bedroom home in Canillas de Albaida is on the market for €98,000. There are cheaper options for buyers willing to take on work, including a €70,000 finca near Competa.

Alicante province

Alicante has become one of the biggest British enclaves in Spain, but there is much more to the province than the familiar Costa Blanca resorts. The southern coast is packed with holiday apartments and established expat communities, making places such as Torrevieja easy options for anyone who wants shops, restaurants and beaches close by.

The Telegraph’s property guide points to Rojales as an alternative for buyers wanting to move slightly inland without losing easy access to the coast. The town is close to the long beaches of Guardamar del Segura and retains more of its traditional Spanish character. A one-bedroom apartment with a communal pool is available for €105,000, while a two-bedroom apartment in San Miguel de Salinas is listed at €109,000.

Galicia feels a world away from the sun-baked costas, with Atlantic weather, green hills and villages built from the region’s distinctive granite. The best-known coastal areas around Vigo and Pontevedra have become increasingly expensive, but The Telegraph’s property research highlights Ourense and Lugo as places where buyers can still find considerably cheaper homes.

Traditional stone houses are surrounded by countryside, often with substantial plots. The catch, however, is that many of the cheaper properties need serious renovation. Ourense has a lively year-round population, while Lugo is home to one of Spain’s most impressive Roman monuments. In Vilalba, a three-bedroom townhouse with a wraparound balcony costs €110,000, while a two-bedroom stone house with a large plot is available for €80,000.

Murcia sits in an interesting spot for buyers who want Spanish sunshine without paying Costa Blanca prices. The Costa Calida stretches along the region’s southern coastline, while inland there are agricultural towns, golf developments and quieter communities where British residents have established themselves over the years.

The Telegraph’s property guide identifies Murcia’s golf resorts as one area where buyers can still find homes close to the €100,000 mark. Condado de Alhama, for example, has two-bedroom properties listed at around €110,000. For something less resort-like, Sucina offers a traditional town setting with an established expat community nearby, while Avileses has small houses available for around €99,000. And on the coast, a studio with a balcony in Pilar de la Horadada is listed at around €105,000.

Asturias

For a completely different take on Spanish life, head north to Asturias. Its Atlantic coast is lined with small fishing towns and beaches, while the Picos de Europa mountain range rises starkly inland. It is greener, wetter and cooler than the Mediterranean coast – qualities that are becoming increasingly appealing as southern summers get hotter.

The Telegraph’s research highlights Asturias as another region where buyers can still find comparatively cheap property, despite recent price rises. Oviedo and Gijon provide the main urban centres, but much of the appeal lies in the smaller towns and countryside between them. A three-bedroom apartment outside Oviedo is listed at €89,900. For renovators, there are properties available for considerably less. One €60,000 three-bedroom house south of Cudillero even comes with its own traditional horreo – a traditional raised stone granary that adds much to the property’s appeal.