Climate
Marbella: 320 sun days, mild winters (15–18°C), hot summers (30°C+). Cascais: 290 sun days, cooler winters (14°C), milder summers (26°C average).
Tax
Portugal ended the NHR regime in 2024. New residents now face standard Portuguese rates. Spain (Andalucía) has effective zero wealth tax + 99% inheritance bonificación + Beckham Law for incoming work residents. In 2026 Spain has the more attractive tax profile for most relocations.
Property prices
Cascais prime: €7,000–€11,000/m². Marbella prime: €7,000–€14,000/m². Comparable at the top; Marbella scales further up.
Personal help
Get matched with the right agent — free
Three steps, no obligations. We connect you with 1–3 specialist agents who actually work in your segment.
Start matchingSchools
Both have strong international options. Marbella has more total schools and the IB at SIS/Aloha is harder to beat anywhere.
Lifestyle
Cascais is quieter, more European, more "old money discreet". Marbella is busier, more international, more visible.
Connectivity
Marbella: 90+ airline routes from Málaga + Gibraltar. Cascais: Lisbon airport 30 min, fewer Northern European routes.
Verdict
If you want quiet, refined, Atlantic and don't need the 47-week summer: Cascais. If you want energy, choice, Mediterranean sun and the broadest international community: Marbella.
Want personal help? Get matched with a specialist agent → · Book a buyer concierge →
Areas in this article
- Marbella guide6,800 €/sqm · +9.2% YoY
- Málaga guide3,200 €/sqm · +12.4% YoY
Lifestyle deep-dives
Book a concierge
Bespoke help through the entire process — from agent selection to signed deeds.
See packages
