Fincas, Cortijos & Rusticos: A Guide to Different Spanish Property Types

Looking at country properties for sale in Spain it’s easy to feel quite bewildered by the array of terms used: fincas, villas, farms, cortijos, rusticos, country houses, even ruins. A lot of these terms can be interchangeable and actually describe very similar types of property. Many fall under the category of homes to renovate in Spain – an undertaking that can be quite terrifying but provide rich rewards.

For example, you can find a wide variety of farms for sale in Spain – some will be described as just that: a farm house. But finca also roughly translates as farm – and usually describes a building, often with outbuildings and usually with a reasonable plot of land. Cortijo also means farmhouse!

Villas for sale in Spain can also be described as country houses or casa de campo – all terms mean basically the same thing.

Rusticos is another term you may find: a rustico is a building which started out as non-residential and has been converted into housing; a barn conversion is a good example, though you may find even more exotic examples of rusticos – like windmills.

And is you read the term ‘rustic ruin’ – well, that’s exactly what it sounds like: you may be talking about little more than a derelict pile of stones but for someone with vision and imagination it could be a dream in the making.

A common element in most of the property types mentioned here is that they tend to have some land as part of the deal – and this means they are invariably inland properties as intensive development on the coast has left little scope for generous allowances of land. A general rule is that the nearer the property to the coast, the more expensive it will be. While prices have risen dramatically in the last twenty years there are still bargains to be found. You will need to be prepared for the realities of living in a more rural part of Spain: getting to schools and shops will invariably involve some travel, and the roads inland are less well maintained than on the coast; if you don’t speak Spanish you may feel very isolated; and, depending on the type of property you buy, you may be in for a long wait before it is transformed into the home of your dreams. The rewards can be great though – just imagine your beautiful farmhouse (or finca or cortijo!), maybe with its own olive grove or small vineyard, or a stunning barn conversion, or country villa.

Villas, farm houses, cortijos, fincas, rusticos, ruins…even cave houses. All these country properties in Spain have their own unique appeal, and will seem a world away from the overcrowded, soulless coastal resorts.