Spain, like Italy, made the headlines when the coronavirus struck Europe, as these were the two countries initially hardest-hit, but as both slowly ease away from lockdown restrictions having turned a corner in terms of diminishing new cases and fatalities, it becomes clear that Andalucía – and the Costa del Sol in particular – was one of the least-affected parts of the country.
In line with other southern parts of Spain, such as the Canary Islands, Murcia and Extremadura, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases is relatively low, with 11,774 from a population of over eight million. One reason given for this is the fact that Andalucía is a region with wide-open spaces, many smaller towns and villages, and although there are also large cities these do not generally sprawl into unending agglomerations such as Barcelona.
Moreover, it is one of the warmest parts of Spain, and as such offers less chance for the virus to get a foothold as well as enabling outdoor activities and less of a tendency for clustering of people. Moreover, the Junta de Andalucía acted quickly and decisively, counting also on an excellent healthcare system, particularly on the Costa del Sol, and a population that has overwhelmingly reacted positively and respected the lockdown rules.
Another factor is the quality of the properties in areas such as Marbella, where many of the local and foreign residents enjoy a low-density living environment with lots of greenery. The luxurious villas in the area feature their own lush gardens and sunny terraces, and many of these spacious homes even have their own personal gym, wine cellar, home cinema, entertainment/games spaces, and spa with heated indoor swimming pool and treatment rooms – the ideal spot for a lockdown!
Marbella apartments and penthouses also usually find themselves surrounded by landscaped communal gardens and have large sunny terraces with panoramic views and lots of fresh air. Moreover, their space and amenities are geared towards refined home comforts and some of these properties also boast their own lifestyle areas with lounging, dining and entertainment areas on their terraces – complete with bar, barbecue and swimming pool or hot tub.
It is clear that in such circumstances it is not only less likely to catch the virus as it is in the large urban centres of northern Spain and northern Europe, but in luxury Marbella homes such as these it is also a pleasure to spend time in absolute comfort, surrounded by a wonderful setting.