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Swimming Pool Construction in Málaga and the Axarquía
A concrete swimming pool measuring 8 × 4 m costs roughly €18,000–28,000 in Málaga and the Axarquía, including excavation, a gunite shell, lining and filtration system. A 6 × 3 m pool starts at around €12,000. The pool surround, heating and extras are quoted separately.
We are groundworks people: we dig, build the retaining walls if your plot is on a slope, construct the shell and finish the surround. Here’s how it’s done – and what a proper quote should include.
How Much Does a Concrete Swimming Pool Cost?
The price depends on size, ground conditions and finish. As a guide in our area:
| Pool | Guide price |
|---|---|
| 6 × 3 m | €12,000–18,000 |
| 8 × 4 m | €18,000–28,000 |
| 10 × 5 m | from €26,000 |
| Stamped concrete pool surround | €30–45/m² |
| Mosaic tile lining (if not included) | €30–40/m² |
Guide prices as of September 2026, VAT not included. Every pool is quoted after a site visit.
What really pushes up the cost of a pool in the Axarquía isn’t the shell – it’s the ground: hitting rock when digging, or needing a retaining wall because the plot is on a slope. That’s why we always visit before giving a price.
What a Complete Quote Should Include
The build
- Setting out and excavating the pool
- Removing or reusing the soil
- Steel reinforcement and gunite or poured concrete
- Pipework: returns, skimmers and main drain
- Coping stones
Equipment and finish
- Pump, filter and control panel
- Lining: mosaic tiles, porcelain or reinforced liner
- Lighting
- Pool surround
Always ask exactly what is included. Two quotes €5,000 apart sometimes differ only because one includes the filtration system and the other doesn’t.
How a Pool Is Built, Step by Step
- Project and licence. Plans and council permit in order.
- Excavation. One or two days in normal ground; longer if we hit rock.
- Reinforcement. The shell is formed with ribbed steel bar.
- Gunite. Concrete is sprayed under pressure onto the steel, forming a one-piece shell with no joints.
- Services. Pipework, plant room and electrics.
- Lining and coping. Mosaic or porcelain inside, stone around the edge.
- Surround and landscaping. Usually non-slip stamped concrete.
From the day the digger arrives to filling the pool usually takes 4 to 8 weeks, depending on size, ground and weather.
Gunite, Poured Concrete or Prefabricated?
Gunite
The most common choice. The shell is monolithic, can be any shape and is extremely durable. It’s what we recommend in most cases.
Poured reinforced concrete
The walls are shuttered and poured. It makes sense for large rectangular pools or when the pool also acts as a retaining wall.
Prefabricated
Quicker and cheaper up front, but limited in shapes and sizes and less durable. If budget is the priority it’s an honest option – and we’ll tell you if it suits you.
Pools on Sloping Plots
In the Axarquía hardly anyone has a flat plot. Building a pool on a hillside usually needs earthworks, a retaining wall or an escollera rock wall to create the terrace, and sometimes digging into rock. That’s exactly what we do every day, so we can price your pool with the ground already sorted – not just the shell.
The Surround: Cool Underfoot and Non-Slip
Around the pool we recommend light-coloured stamped concrete with a non-slip finish: it doesn’t burn bare feet, grips when wet and has no joints for weeds to grow through. Find out more about our stamped concrete.
Thinking About Building a Pool?
Tell us the size you have in mind and send us a photo of your plot. We’ll come and see it, tell you whether you need a wall or will hit rock, and give you an itemised quote.
Swimming Pool Construction FAQs
The questions we’re asked most before starting a pool.
How much does a concrete swimming pool cost?
An 8 × 4 m concrete pool costs roughly €18,000–28,000 in Málaga and the Axarquía, plus VAT, including excavation, gunite shell, lining and filtration. A 6 × 3 m pool starts at around €12,000. The surround, heating and any retaining walls on sloping plots are quoted separately.
How much does a small pool cost?
A small concrete pool of around 6 × 3 m costs roughly €12,000–18,000 plus VAT, including excavation, shell, lining and filtration. Below that size the saving is smaller than you’d think, because the filtration, services and licence cost almost the same.
How long does it take to build a concrete pool?
Building a concrete pool normally takes 4 to 8 weeks from the day the digger arrives to filling it, depending on size, ground and weather. Add to that the licence application, which can take weeks – so if you want to swim in June, start the paperwork in winter.
Do I need a licence to build a pool in Spain?
Yes. A concrete pool needs a council licence and, in most Málaga municipalities, a technical project. You also pay the construction tax (ICIO), a percentage of the build cost. Each municipality has its own rules on distances to boundaries and plot coverage.
Which is better: gunite or poured concrete?
Gunite is the most common option: concrete is sprayed onto the steel reinforcement to form a one-piece shell with no joints, in any shape. Poured, shuttered concrete makes sense for large rectangular pools or when the pool doubles as a retaining wall. Both are durable if built properly.
Can you build a pool on a sloping plot?
Yes, but it usually needs earthworks and a retaining or escollera wall to create a level terrace for the pool. In the Axarquía this is very common, and the groundwork can be a significant part of the budget.
