Choosing between a ground-floor apartment, a middle-floor apartment or a penthouse is one of the first decisions many Costa del Sol buyers face. Each offers different advantages, from larger terraces and garden access to improved views and greater privacy. This guide explains the benefits and drawbacks of each option to help you decide which best suits your lifestyle and the way you plan to enjoy your home.
Buying an apartment? What's the best floor?
When you start looking for an apartment on the Costa del Sol, one of the first decisions you will need to make is whether you would prefer:
- a ground-floor apartment
- a middle-floor apartment
- a penthouse, perhaps with a solarium
As with so many property questions, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Each option has its own advantages, and the best one for you will depend on how you intend to use your home. Buyers in different situations naturally have different priorities. For example, a retired couple, a family with young children, somebody working remotely, or a holiday home owner may all choose something different, even if they are looking to buy within the same community.
Much will depend on your lifestyle and how you expect to use your home. With that in mind, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Ground-floor apartments
Ground-floor apartments are often overlooked because buyers assume they won't have much of a view. Whilst this is sometimes true, they also offer benefits that can be difficult to match elsewhere in the building. In reality, some ground-floor apartments enjoy surprisingly attractive views.
They often have larger terraces with both covered and open areas, creating useful outdoor living space throughout the year. In many communities, you can walk directly from your terrace into the communal gardens and swimming pool area. This makes them especially popular with families and with people who enjoy spending time outdoors.
Some ground-floor apartments also have private gardens or exclusive use of part of the communal gardens, which can significantly increase the amount of outdoor space available.
Ground-floor apartments can also be attractive for buyers who prefer to avoid stairs or simply like the idea of stepping straight outside.
Privacy is worth considering, though. Depending on the design of the community, people may be able to walk past the terrace, and some ground-floor properties receive less natural light than apartments on higher floors.
Middle-floor apartments
Middle-floor apartments are often an excellent compromise. Being higher up usually provides a more open outlook and increased privacy, whilst still being easily accessible, particularly in communities with lifts.
Many buyers also feel more secure being above ground level, and this is perfectly understandable.
Terraces on middle floors vary considerably. Some are generous enough for dining and relaxing, whilst others are relatively modest. As with any apartment, it's worth considering how you expect to live in the property and looking carefully at the actual outdoor space rather than assuming it will be similar to others elsewhere.
Top-floor apartments and penthouses
Top-floor apartments and penthouses are often the most sought-after properties within a community.
With no neighbours above, they can feel quieter and more private. Their elevated position can also provide better views across the surrounding area, whether that is golf courses, mountains or the Mediterranean Sea.
Many penthouses offer larger terraces and/or rooftop solariums. These provide additional outdoor space for entertaining, sunbathing or simply making the most of the Costa del Sol climate.
Some penthouses are arranged over two floors. Many owners enjoy this because they feel more like a house, although the internal staircase is something worth considering if accessibility is important.
Of course, not every top-floor apartment is the same. Some have terraces that are little different from those on the floors below, whilst others have exceptional outdoor areas that become an extra living space for much of the year.
If you're considering a top-floor property, it's worth checking whether the building has a lift. Carrying shopping, suitcases or bulky deliveries up and down several flights of stairs can soon lose its appeal.
Other factors to consider
The floor level is only one part of the decision.
The orientation of the apartment may have a greater impact on how much sunshine you enjoy throughout the year. The size and usability of the terrace can be more important than whether it's on the ground floor or the top floor.
You should also take into account the layout of the community, the quality of the gardens, parking facilities, storage and general accessibility. These factors can have a greater influence on your day-to-day enjoyment of the property than simply which floor it is on.
Which will be the best choice for you?
Rather than asking which floor is best, it's often more helpful to ask which one best suits the way you want to live.
If you enjoy easy access to the gardens and outdoor space, then a ground-floor apartment could well be ideal.
If you lean towards a balance of views, privacy and convenience, then a middle-floor apartment may be the perfect compromise.
If your priority is elevated views and making the most of outdoor living, then a top-floor apartment or penthouse could be exactly what you are looking for.
Interestingly, many buyers begin their search convinced they want a penthouse. After viewing a range of properties, quite a few end up choosing a ground-floor apartment because they realise they will make far more use of a generous terrace with direct garden access than they would simply by being on the top floor. Others remain convinced that the views and privacy offered by a penthouse make it the right choice for them. Neither approach is right or wrong. It simply comes down to personal priorities.
As with so many property decisions, there isn't a right or wrong choice. The best apartment will be the one that matches your lifestyle, your priorities and the way you expect to enjoy your home on the Costa del Sol.
The most important part of any property search is finding the home that best suits your lifestyle rather than simply ticking boxes on a wish list. If you would like to talk through the different options, we would be delighted to help. Call us on (0034) 952 90 52 00, WhatsApp us, or email info@michael-moon.com for an informal, no-obligation chat.
They often have larger terraces with both covered and open areas, creating useful outdoor living space throughout the year. In many communities, you can walk directly from your terrace into the communal gardens and swimming pool area. This makes them especially popular with families and with people who enjoy spending time outdoors.
Some ground-floor apartments also have private gardens or exclusive use of part of the communal gardens, which can significantly increase the amount of outdoor space available.
Ground-floor apartments can also be attractive for buyers who prefer to avoid stairs or simply like the idea of stepping straight outside.
Privacy is worth considering, though. Depending on the design of the community, people may be able to walk past the terrace, and some ground-floor properties receive less natural light than apartments on higher floors.
Middle-floor apartments
Middle-floor apartments are often an excellent compromise. Being higher up usually provides a more open outlook and increased privacy, whilst still being easily accessible, particularly in communities with lifts.
Many buyers also feel more secure being above ground level, and this is perfectly understandable.
Terraces on middle floors vary considerably. Some are generous enough for dining and relaxing, whilst others are relatively modest. As with any apartment, it's worth considering how you expect to live in the property and looking carefully at the actual outdoor space rather than assuming it will be similar to others elsewhere.
Top-floor apartments and penthouses
Top-floor apartments and penthouses are often the most sought-after properties within a community.
With no neighbours above, they can feel quieter and more private. Their elevated position can also provide better views across the surrounding area, whether that is golf courses, mountains or the Mediterranean Sea.
Many penthouses offer larger terraces and/or rooftop solariums. These provide additional outdoor space for entertaining, sunbathing or simply making the most of the Costa del Sol climate.
Some penthouses are arranged over two floors. Many owners enjoy this because they feel more like a house, although the internal staircase is something worth considering if accessibility is important.
Of course, not every top-floor apartment is the same. Some have terraces that are little different from those on the floors below, whilst others have exceptional outdoor areas that become an extra living space for much of the year.
If you're considering a top-floor property, it's worth checking whether the building has a lift. Carrying shopping, suitcases or bulky deliveries up and down several flights of stairs can soon lose its appeal.
Other factors to consider
The floor level is only one part of the decision.
The orientation of the apartment may have a greater impact on how much sunshine you enjoy throughout the year. The size and usability of the terrace can be more important than whether it's on the ground floor or the top floor.
You should also take into account the layout of the community, the quality of the gardens, parking facilities, storage and general accessibility. These factors can have a greater influence on your day-to-day enjoyment of the property than simply which floor it is on.
Which will be the best choice for you?
Rather than asking which floor is best, it's often more helpful to ask which one best suits the way you want to live.
If you enjoy easy access to the gardens and outdoor space, then a ground-floor apartment could well be ideal.
If you lean towards a balance of views, privacy and convenience, then a middle-floor apartment may be the perfect compromise.
If your priority is elevated views and making the most of outdoor living, then a top-floor apartment or penthouse could be exactly what you are looking for.
Interestingly, many buyers begin their search convinced they want a penthouse. After viewing a range of properties, quite a few end up choosing a ground-floor apartment because they realise they will make far more use of a generous terrace with direct garden access than they would simply by being on the top floor. Others remain convinced that the views and privacy offered by a penthouse make it the right choice for them. Neither approach is right or wrong. It simply comes down to personal priorities.
As with so many property decisions, there isn't a right or wrong choice. The best apartment will be the one that matches your lifestyle, your priorities and the way you expect to enjoy your home on the Costa del Sol.
The most important part of any property search is finding the home that best suits your lifestyle rather than simply ticking boxes on a wish list. If you would like to talk through the different options, we would be delighted to help. Call us on (0034) 952 90 52 00, WhatsApp us, or email info@michael-moon.com for an informal, no-obligation chat.
