The Spanish have an infectious love for life, whether they are lingering over paella and a glass of Rioja, or gathering the family for the evening stroll, el paseo. Overseas property buyers share that love. Spain consistently tops the list of favourite countries for second or retirement homes thanks to the heart-warming combination of a good quality, affordable lifestyle with the excellent weather to enjoy it.

It might have been sunshine and sea that brought early homeowners and holiday makers to Spain, but it is the increasingly sophisticated facilities on offer that have kept them coming back. Lush golf courses, marinas, red clay tennis courts, polo fields and challenging cycle routes make the country a spectacular sporting arena.