La Manga and Cabo de Palos rentals under pressure as summer rush sees homes book out months in advance
Estate agents report that July and August are already almost fully booked, with two-week stays now dominating the market as traditional longer summer holidays fade
The holiday rental market in La Manga and Cabo de Palos is heading into summer 2026 under growing pressure, with demand once again far exceeding supply and pushing both prices and booking times higher.
Local agencies say the peak months of July and August are already almost fully booked, with many properties secured months in advance and little left available at this stage.
That increase in demand has continued to drive prices higher across the area. They estimate that holiday rental prices have gone up by around 20% to 25% over the last two summers. Despite that, bookings continue to come in.
In the most sought-after part of La Manga, a typical two-bedroom apartment now costs between €2,900 and €3,300 in July. In August, prices start at around €3,200, meaning a full summer now costs roughly €6,500.
Shorter stays are now the norm
Because of this, traditional long summer holidays of one or even two months are becoming less common, replaced instead by shorter bookings. Usually, Spanish families would spend the entire summer on the coast, but now one-month stays and two-week holidays dominate the market.
In Cabo de Palos, the situation is slightly different. Prices have remained largely stable over the past three years, although they expect increases next summer due to rising costs.
New properties are more expensive, but existing properties have mostly stayed at similar prices. But even so, they are seeing a similar pattern with holidaymakers forgoing their long summer break for shorter stays.
Parking remains a growing issue each summer
One issue that continues to stand out in both La Manga and Cabo de Palos is parking, which agencies say is getting worse year after year.
The problem has become more noticeable in recent years and now needs urgent attention, with parking increasingly difficult during peak months. A rise in fines last summer points to a deeper issue: the lack of infrastructure to cope with the rise in visitors.
Read also: San Javier puts the brakes on new building in La Manga with a one-year moratorium
Images: Archive
