Spanish real estate terminology explained for property buyers in the Costa Blanca

In Spain, a bungalow is a ground-level single-storey home with an independent private entrance and a small terrace or garden. Bungalows are typically arranged in a terrace attached to adjoining dwellings on both sides, and offer compact, low-rise living spaces.

Semi-detached bungalows mark each end of a terrace, and bungalows may feature a second outdoor space at the rear of the property or a roof terrace.

Simply put, a bungalow is a single-storey terraced house or townhouse, with accommodation laid across a single floor.

This quirk of Spanish real estate terminology is at odds with common European understandings of the term, and in the UK, Germany, and most of mainland Europe, a bungalow is defined as a detached single-storey home contained within the boundary of a private garden.

But if you're house hunting in Spain and you express an interest in a bungalow, don't be surprised if your estate agent offers you something you weren't expecting.

The advantages of a bungalow in Spain

Bungalows in Spain are common in coastal areas of the Costa Blanca and Orihuela Costa, particularly in Cabo Roig, Villamartin, La Zenia, and semi-urban areas of Torrevieja.

New build bungalows are less common, with many developers preferring apartments, townhouses, and other vertical housing designs that maximise profitable use of the available land.

But they remain a popular choice, and bungalows offer a range of advantages over apartments and townhouses.

The low-rise ground-level design offers ease of accessibility, with few or no stairs, which is particularly useful for elderly residents or persons with limited mobility.

Bungalows tend to be small in size, typically with 2 bedrooms, so they're perfectly suited to use by couples or small families, offering comprehensive accommodation within a small footprint of 50 m² to 70 m².

Bungalows in Orihuela Costa and Costa Blanca

Furthermore, bungalows have just two neighbours to contend with (or possibly one), whereas a typical apartment might have neighbours adjoining each side in addition to neighbours above and below.

Outside space is consistently the most sought-after feature buyers are looking for, and bungalows offer more garden and terrace space than most apartments and townhouses.

They're good value too, and buyers will find bungalows in premium locations throughout the Orihuela Costa, alongside essential facilities such as a pool and gardens, with costs shared among a community of owners.

Often confused with "bungalow apartments", bungalows offer a genuine alternative for property buyers who don't want an apartment or townhouse, but perhaps can't quite stretch their budget to a detached property.

Ready to start your property search? Follow this link to view our bungalows currently for sale. Alternatively, check out the charming San Jose bungalow in La Zenia featured in this article. It's on the market now, take a look at the property listing.