Dramatic white hilltop village and birthplace of Blas Infante, paired with a peaceful coastal golf enclave 15 km away
An Andalusian tourist licence is required for short-term lets. Properties near Finca Cortesín or within established golf urbanisations at the coast command the highest nightly rates. The Pueblo is more suited to long-term or medium-term lets given its distance from the beach.
Why Casares?
Let out property in Casares — the letting market
Looking to let out property in Casares? Casares on the Costa del Sol has solid demand for holiday accommodation year round. Letting out property in Casares provides an ongoing return and covers maintenance and property tax during the periods you are not using it yourself.
An Andalusian tourist licence is required for short-term lets. Properties near Finca Cortesín or within established golf urbanisations at the coast command the highest nightly rates. The Pueblo is more suited to long-term or medium-term lets given its distance from the beach.
Tourist licence and rules in Casares
To let your property in Casares on a short-term basis (under roughly 2-3 months per tenant) you need a valid tourist licence. In Andalusia this is issued by the Junta de Andalucía, and you must register the property with a specific licence number that must appear in all listings.
The rules are actively enforced, and fines for illegal letting can run into several thousand euros. It is therefore essential to have the licence sorted before you start advertising the property on Airbnb, Booking.com or similar platforms.
Expected rental income in Casares
In high season, a property in Casares can typically be let for 700-1,800 EUR per week in high season for an apartment or smaller villa. Over a full year, with a realistic occupancy rate of 50-70% in the most popular areas, this can provide a solid ongoing return — particularly if the property is also used privately outside the season.
Remember that rental income must be taxed in Spain (typically 19% for EU citizens on net income) and may also need to be declared in your home country — but double taxation treaties typically prevent you from paying full tax twice on the same income.
How to get started letting in Casares
Start by applying for a tourist licence from the Junta de Andalucía, and make sure the property meets the requirements for safety, fire equipment and signage. Next, you should invest in professional photos — in a market like Casares, where one of andalusia's most dramatically situated white villages is a big part of the appeal, good photos make a real difference to your booking rate.
Consider whether you want to manage the letting yourself, or use a local property management company that handles key handover, cleaning and guest communication — particularly relevant if you do not live in Spain full time.
Long-term letting as an alternative in Casares
If you prefer a more stable, less administration-heavy solution, long-term letting (over a year) to locals or expats can be a good alternative to seasonal short-term letting. It does not require the same tourist licence, but is instead governed by the general tenancy law (LAU), which gives the tenant stronger rights.
Life and culture in Casares
Casares Pueblo is one of Andalusia's most visually dramatic white villages (pueblos blancos), its whitewashed houses cascading down a near-vertical rocky face below the ruins of a Moorish castle and an 18th-century church. The village is the birthplace of Blas Infante (1885–1936), the writer and politician declared the father of Andalusian nationalism, whose memory is a source of considerable local pride. The Pueblo celebrates its feria and Semana Santa with authentic local character and virtually no mass tourism.
There is essentially no nightlife in either part of Casares — the Pueblo has a handful of local bars and restaurants in beautiful surroundings, while the coastal zone is entirely residential. Residents who want restaurants, bars and cultural life gravitate to Estepona (around 20 km) or Marbella (around 30 km). The municipality's quietness is a defining attraction for buyers seeking genuine peace and privacy.
Location and infrastructure
Casares has no rail connection. Málaga airport is approximately 60 minutes by car from the coastal zone and slightly longer from the Pueblo. Gibraltar Airport is around 35–40 minutes from the coast. Bus services are infrequent and a car is absolutely essential for any practical daily life in either part of the municipality.
The winding mountain road up to Casares Pueblo is spectacular but not for the faint-hearted in wet conditions. Casares Costa has better road access to the AP-7 motorway, making Estepona and Sotogrande quickly reachable. The drive from the coastal zone to the Pueblo — though only 15 km — takes around 20–25 minutes due to the mountain terrain.
Tourism & leisure
Casares Costa has beach access, though the beaches in this stretch are less developed than those further east. The principal leisure asset is golf: Doña Julia Golf Club and the Finca Cortesín resort (home to one of Europe's highest-rated courses, and host venue for the Solheim Cup) place Casares among the more serious golf destinations on the western Costa del Sol, despite the town's low profile.
The Pueblo itself is excellent for hiking in the Serranía foothills and exploring authentic Andalusian village life. The municipal territory includes significant areas of Andalusian countryside and cork-oak woodland. For a buyer seeking a genuine rural retreat within an hour of an international airport and 30 minutes of Marbella, Casares is a strong candidate.
Everyday costs & what to know before you let out in Casares
Property prices in both parts of Casares are generally below those of comparable locations in Marbella and Estepona, reflecting the lower profile and the inland/semi-rural character. Running costs for larger rural properties (fincas and cortijos) can be significant and should be investigated before purchase. Day-to-day living costs are low in the Pueblo and moderate in the coastal zone.
Before you buy: ensure that rural properties have all necessary building permits and connection to services (water, electricity, sewage) — in rural Andalusia this cannot be assumed without verification. The Andalusian tourist licence is required for short-term lets at the coast.
Areas in Casares
Explore the individual areas in Casares for more specific information on prices and character:
Frequently asked questions about letting in Casares
Do I need a tourist licence to let my property in Casares?
Yes, if you let it short-term to tourists. The licence is issued by the Junta de Andalucía in Andalusia, and the licence number must appear in all your listings on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com.
How much can I earn letting out my property in Casares?
In high season, a property can typically be let for 700-1,800 EUR per week in high season for an apartment or smaller villa. The annual return depends on the occupancy rate, but 50-70% during the most popular periods is realistic for a well-located property in Casares.
Which platforms should I use to let my property in Casares?
Airbnb and Booking.com are the most widely used platforms and offer the broadest exposure. For luxury properties, specialised platforms aimed at premium holiday rentals can attract a more qualified pool of guests.
What is the difference between short-term and long-term letting in Casares?
Short-term letting requires a tourist licence and generates higher income per night, but requires more administration and is subject to seasonal swings. Long-term letting does not require a tourist licence, provides a more stable income, but is governed by the general tenancy law, which gives tenants stronger rights.
Do I need to declare rental income from Casares in my home country?
In most cases, yes — rental income typically needs to be declared in your home country, but you usually pay Spanish tax on the income first (around 19% for EU citizens), and this can then be offset against tax owed at home under the relevant double taxation treaty, so you are not taxed twice on the same income. Check the specific rules that apply in your country of residence.
Need help letting out your property in Casares?
Contact us for a no-obligation chat about your options in Casares. We give impartial advice and help you move forward — whether you're just starting your research or ready to take the next step.
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