What's it like to live in Águilas?

Águilas is renowned for its festivals, including the technicolour Carnaval, when streets buzz with colourful parades and elaborate costumes. A hilltop castle looks out over the coastline, standing on a mountain which juts into the sea. In the old town beneath, elegant townhouses nudge up against charming tabernas, where people living in Águilas sip café con leche in the dappled shade. 

To the north, the gentle mountains and Wild West-style scenery offer extraordinary walking routes to ruinous castles, interspersed with rural B&Bs. The coastline of the south, however, is the most popular. In the town of Águilas, houses look out over a dramatic rocky coastline, crowned by the black-and-white striped lighthouse and an ancient castle. Sandy beaches bring a bohemian feel to the town, while locals stock up on locally-grown fruit from the traditional market Plaza de Abastos.

So what's it like to live in Águilas? Well, that depends on the area that you decide to move to. Casas de pueblo (townhouses) offer a chance to assimilate into the tight-knit local community. Meanwhile, detached chalets and sleek villas on the outskirts of the town offer complete tranquillity and the option of dipping in and out of the facilities as needed. A new group of residential flats with luxurious shared pools is also being built on the hills, offering a sense of community and unspoilt views of the sparkling ocean.
 

Águilas property market

Águilas’ property market in 2025 continues to grow steadily, driven by its picturesque coastal setting, affordability, and increasing international interest. Located in the Murcia region, this charming seaside town offers a mix of modern beachfront apartments, traditional Spanish townhouses, and detached villas, appealing to a variety of buyers. Águilas is particularly attractive to those seeking a more relaxed and authentic Spanish coastal experience, without the crowds and premium prices of Costa del Sol.

Foreign buyers, particularly from the UK, Belgium, and France, account for around 25% of property transactions, drawn by the town’s stunning beaches, warm climate, and excellent value for money. Property prices in Águilas remain competitive, averaging around €1,350 per square meter, making it an appealing alternative to more expensive coastal areas in Murcia and Andalusia. New developments along the coastline and in sought-after areas like Calabardina and Isla del Fraile are increasing the town’s profile as an emerging property hotspot.

With its combination of natural beauty, affordability, and a growing expat community, Águilas presents a compelling opportunity for both investors and those looking for a tranquil Mediterranean retreat in 2025.
 

Living in Águilas: essential info 

Population in Águilas

In 2023, the population in Águilas was 36,684. According to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística, 12% of those were foreigners, and 15.7% were born outside of Spain. According to Centro Regional de Estadística de Murcia, the majority of foreigners come from Europe and Africa.

The Centro Regional de Estadística de Murcia also confirms that agriculture and fishing are two of the main areas of employment, around equal with public services. Despite this, the number of fishing boats active in the area is falling. 74 fishing boats were registered to Águilas in 2024, a steep fall since 2003, when there were 224 working boats registered.  

Healthcare in Águilas

Spain has an excellent reputation for public healthcare, and Águilas is no exception. People living in Águilas have access to two centros de salud (health centres): Centro Salud Águilas Sur and Centro de Salud Águilas Norte. These are the first port of call for healthcare, and are equipped with GP offices, pediatric nurses and midwife services.

Águilas is also home to Murcia's first Centro de Alta Resolución, a €15.5 million medical centre with specialised services, two operating theatres and an emergency unit. It's kitted out with the latest radiology, ultrasound, CT and mammography equipment. Moreover, the hospital boasts a new mental health unit, with therapy and psychiatric services for both adults and children. If further treatment is needed, patients will be referred to the larger hospital in Lorca, Hospital Rafael Méndez (around a 30-minute drive away).

For more information about healthcare in Spain, including costs, private healthcare and insurance, read our full guide here. 

Working in Águilas

If moving to Águilas involves job hunting, consider looking into the tourism industry. While the number of hotels is shrinking (from 15 in 2006 to 13 in 2023), tourist apartments have boomed from 5 in 2006 to 97 in 2023, according to the Centro Regional de Estadística de Murcia.

Start your job search with Jooble and Indeed; they list vacancies including cleaners, chefs and delivery drivers. In Spain, personal connections are important when job hunting, so it might be useful to attend networking events to meet like-minded professionals. They don't have to be stuffy, either  – try a golf networking event or brunch morning in nearby Almería.  

A fresh start in Spain might be a brilliant opportunity to set up your own business. Entrepreneurs can access free support and advice from the local Chamber of Commerce, the Cámara de Comercio de Murcia. Here, you'll find information on every aspect of setting up a business in Spain. Read our guide to finding a job in Spain for more help, including top tips and desirable skills.

Schools and education in Águilas

Another benefit of living in Águilas is the range of schools on offer.  In Spain, there are three types of schools to choose from: público (public), concertado (semi-private, usually faith-orientated schools) and privado (private).

There's a generous helping of público and concertado schools in the town, which should make the task of deciding where to live in Águilas much easier. Among the well-regarded public schools on offer, there is one sea-facing college with what must be the most staggering views in town. Instituto de Educación Secundaria Ies Alfonso Escámez is perched on the edge of Playa de las Delicas, with panoramic views over the glittering blue water – it's a setting that five-star hotels would be envious of. Locals are rightly proud of this institution and its above-average exam marks.

Colegio María Inmaculada is one of the oldest concertados in the town, with roots that stretch back to 1941. It was born when a group of nuns decided to rent two classrooms from the local government to teach young girls from the neighbourhood who were unable to get an education. From this small social justice project, the school has grown into one of the most trusted establishments in the town, with sports facilities, gardens and class allotments. Take a virtual tour of the campus here.

For more help finding the right school in Spain, this guide has everything you need to know, including how to enrol your children and the goals of the Spanish curriculum. To keep up with news on schools in Spain, keep an eye on the Ministerio de Educación (ministry of education). 

Transport in Águilas

The picturesque train station in Águilas isn't exactly a thronging terminus, but the C2 train dutifully scoots into Andalucía before looping back up to Murcia. It takes around 3 hours in total.

There are a wider variety of routes available at the bus station, Estación de autobuses de Águilas. Daytrippers can travel to the pretty seaside city of Cartagena in 1 hour 30 minutes with Busbam.  

People living in Águilas are granted even more freedom with a car. A set of wheels will allow you to explore the hidden coves, forests and quaint pueblos in the surrounding area. If you do decide to use a car in Águilas, our guide to driving in Spain after Brexit is a must-read.

Things to do in Águilas

Walk through history at Museo del Hornillo 

In the late 19th century, Águilas was at the forefront of the great railway boom, and studious local Gustavo Gillman was leading the way. The London-born engineer lived in Águilas while heading up The Great Southern of Spain Railway Company Limited, a network that transported materials such as iron and lead. At its peak, the line was staffed by thousands, but now it's sadly out of use. But the Embarcadero del Hornillo - the old wharf used for iron ore shipment - still stands and visitors can visit with a previous booking from the tourism office (+34 968493285). The old train tunnels have also been turned into a museum, depicting the railway's fascinating history.  

Admire the Gaudí-esque mosaics

Among the thousands employed to work on the railway was one particularly artsy individual: Juan Martínez Casuco. When he retired, he let his creativity run free in the form of lovely mosaic installations, which turn mundane stairways and plazas into magical corners filled with colour and patterns. Rincón del Hornillo faces the sea, looking out over Playa del Hornillo. Look for the bar on the beautifully tiled steps and sip a tinto de verano with stunning ocean views. 

Take the plunge and learn to dive

Up to 80% of life on the planet is found in the ocean. Want to explore it? Dive in with a course at Buceo Estela. Newbies can dip their toes in with a short bautismo de buceo class, where an experienced diver will take you beneath the waves and take care of the breathing apparatus for you. More experienced divers can take their Open Water Diver course here, promising deeper dives and a breathtaking array of wildlife. 

Go boating in the big blue sea

Want to explore the ocean without going 10 metres beneath the waves? The local sailing school Club Náutico de Águilas offers a range of courses for sea-loving students. Keep kids entertained over the summer with sailing or take windsurfing classes at the weekend. As well as a chance to swot up on their anchor hitch, members can enjoy socialising at the hub in town, which features a restaurant, sauna and gym.

For a more hands-off approach to sailing, hire a boat and crew members from Aguinautic – no prior knowledge of knots required. 

Discover the hilltop castle

For a better view of your new home, a stomp to the castle is required. Castillo de San Juan de las Águilas is a stunning viewpoint, not to mention a piece of living history. The monument standing today was constructed in the 16th century to battle Barbary pirates, but the foundations date back to the Carthaginian period, around 600-200 BCE.  Climb the steps and duck under teeny doorways to reach the top terrace, where seagulls squawk and 8th-century cannons point to the sea. 

 

Feast on the freshest seafood

One of the perks of being so close to the sea is ocean-fresh fish. One of the best restaurants to sample it is Pecado, a luxurious, down-to-earth space with floor-to-ceiling windows and soothing views over the water. Take a seat among the lush tropical plants and feast on plump oysters, home-smoked sardines and wild cod. 
 

Expat clubs and activities in Águilas

Being a compact seaside town, Águilas doesn't have much in the way of organised expat clubs, but that won't stop you from meeting fellow locals. Hobbies are a brilliant way to meet like-minded people living in Águilas, and this town has plenty to choose from. Shake your hips at a salsa class at Aguanile Dance, get creative with a ceramics painting group at Eolo Cerámica, or take beginners pádel classes at Pádel Águilas. To stay in the loop and widen your social circle further, join the Friends of Aguilas Facebook group.

For more formal meetups, drive to nearby Lorca (around 30 minutes). Here, the Lorca Institute hosts Spanish classes for beginners, and Tándem Idiomas Lorca hosts regular language exchanges at eclectic venues throughout the city. The Murcia Expat Forum is another good place to keep up to speed with expat news and meet new amigos.