Some look forward to retirement as the perfect time to fulfil their life's dreams. Buying a house on the beach or in a beautiful, quiet village where you can enjoy your retirement is becoming increasingly common. Some places in Spain have large national and international retiree communities, which is an incentive, as there is a wealth of activities designed for them. This article presents the best Spanish towns for retired people.
One of the best places to live in Spain: Benalmadena
Close to Malaga and its airport, this town of around 70,000 inhabitants boasts quiet beaches, a seafront promenade and a wide range of leisure and cultural activities. The Puerto Marina is home to the Sea Life Benalmadena aquarium, where you can see sharks, manta rays and a host of other aquatic animals.
For nature lovers, there is also the butterfly garden, cast within a Thai temple where you can stroll among more than 1,500 exotic butterflies flying freely. Next to the butterfly garden is a Tibetan Buddhist temple, the Enlightenment Stupa.
Benalmadena also has a traditional Andalusian-style old town with Colomares Castle, dedicated to Christopher Columbus and the discovery of the Americas. And last but not least: it is on the Costa del Sol, famous for its pleasant climate all year round.
Find flats and houses for sale in Benalmadena and rental properties. However, if you're looking for getaway options, don't miss out on these holiday rental alternatives.
If you liked Benalmadena, you should know that the average property price for sale in September 2023 was €2,941/m2, and the average rental price was €13.9/m2.
Reasons to live in Mijas
Also in Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, is the second-best town for retirement: Mijas. With around 90,000 inhabitants – many foreigners – it is one of the main tourist destinations for Spaniards and foreigners.
Just 34 kilometres from Malaga and 34 kilometres from Marbella, which always attracts interest. With its Andalusian charm and panoramic views of the Mediterranean, Mijas is a perfect town to retire to. Its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses offer a serene and traditional atmosphere. The combination of a pleasant climate, modern amenities and being close to the sea make this town ideal for those seeking tranquillity and beauty in their retirement.
Find flats and houses for sale in Mijas and rental properties. However, if you're looking for getaway options, don't miss out on our holiday rental alternatives.
The average property price for sale in September 2023 in Mijas was €2,697/m2. Renting a house there, on average, costs €11.9/m2.
Living in Almuñécar, Granada
The third spot for the best retirement village is still in Andalusia. Almuñecar, located on Granada's splendid coast, is a haven for those wishing to retire with views of the Mediterranean and sheltered by the mountains. Close to Malaga's famous Nerja, this place has experienced a notable growth in second homes since the end of the 20th century, evidence of its tourist appeal.
Its Phoenician, Roman and Arab legacy is combined with golden beaches and a subtropical microclimate, producing exotic fruits and a cuisine enriched by the flavours of the sea. At the foot of the Sierra de Almijara and bathed by the Mediterranean, this town offers a perfect symbiosis between turf and surf, past and present, making it an unforgettable destination.
Find flats and houses for sale in Almuñecar and rental properties. However, if you're looking for getaway options, don't miss out on our holiday rental alternatives.
The average property price for sale in Almuñecar in September 2023 was €2,183/m2 compared to the average rental price of €9.4/m2.
Reasons to live in Sitges
Located just 38 kilometres from the Barcelona city centre, Sitges is an oasis of tranquillity and culture, making it an ideal destination for those who want a comfortable and peaceful retirement. In addition to its famous film festival and nightlife, Sitges offers a harmonious blend of vibrant events and the beauty of its beaches and coastal scenery.
Its excellent transport infrastructure, high-quality health services, welcoming community, and its pleasant Mediterranean climate make this the perfect place to retire. Moreover, its proximity to Barcelona guarantees easy access to large-city amenities and services while enjoying the peace and charm of a coastal town.
Find flats and houses for sale in Sitges and rental properties. However, if you're looking for getaway options, don't miss out on our holiday rental alternatives.
The average property price for sale in September 2023 in Sitges was €4,452/m2, while the average rental price was €16.4/m2.
Living in Miraflores de la Sierra, a Madrid village
Far from the beach, Miraflores de la Sierra, Madrid, ranks as the fifth-best town for retirement. It is an idyllic retreat for those who feel a special connection with the mountains and nature. This charming village, nestled among the majestic peaks of the Sierra, features green and beautiful landscapes.
Those who want to retire in a cooler place with ample time for mountain activities, such as hiking, will find Miraflores de la Sierra a peaceful retreat, yet close to the capital.
Find flats and houses for sale in Miraflores de la Sierra and rental properties. However, if you're looking for getaway options, don't miss out on our holiday rental alternatives.
Furthermore, the property price in the town is quite affordable, standing at €1,589/m2 in September 2023 for property for sale and €12.94/m2 for rented property.
Peñíscola, a charming town to live in
Peñíscola, located in the province of Castellon on the Costa del Azahar, is a real treasure and an unbeatable option for those looking to retire on the shores of beautiful and pleasant beaches.
The iconic Papa Luna Castle is testimony to the rich history that has shaped this town. Strolling through the old town's cobbled streets is like taking a trip back in time, where every corner tells stories of bygone days. What's more, Peñíscola's has a jam-packed cultural calendar with events, festivals and activities, which adds an extra layer of attraction to the already charming setting.
Peñíscola offers a friendly atmosphere, with multiple recreational areas and opportunities for both young and old to connect and enjoy themselves. For all these reasons, Peñíscola is not only one of the most beautiful towns in Castellon, it is the perfect setting for a fulfilling retirement.
Find flats and houses for sale in Peñíscola and rental properties. However, if you're looking for getaway options, don't miss out on our holiday rental alternatives.
The average house price for sale in Peñíscola in September 2023 was €1,808/m2, while the average rent in the area was €9.17/m2.
Ibiza, from mega-luxury to shanty towns: the housing crisis gripping the island
Ibiza has two faces. On one side, the Ibiza of mega-luxury: vast, exclusive nightclubs and dream-like villas. On the other, an Ibiza of shanty towns and housing exclusion. It's no longer news that soaring property prices are forcing people to leave the island because they can no longer find homes at affordable rents.
The 10 most expensive cities to live in Spain in 2025
If there’s one clear trend in Spain’s housing market, it’s rising prices, both for buying and renting. While the rankings of the most expensive cities remain relatively stable, the cost of living in them is becoming increasingly out of reach.
Tini Menorca, the award-winning prefab home on the Balearic Islands
Discover this prefab home perched on a hillside, surrounded by pines and Menorcan ullastre trees, offering an unrivalled panoramic view of the Mediterranean.
Urgent property sales in Spain
Buying property in Spain is a dream for many, but the process can often be time-consuming and expensive. With summer now in full swing, there’s no better moment to secure your perfect home and start enjoying the sunshine right away. Luckily, urgent property sales offer a quick and cost-effective way to find fantastic deals within days or weeks.
What to keep in mind before buying a prefabricated home in Spain
More and more people are considering a prefabricated house as their next home in Spain. These properties are typically built faster than traditional homes and often come with fixed prices and no hidden costs.
Five Torremolinos plots released for over 200 subsidised homes
Torremolinos City Council has launched the sale of five municipal plots, covering nearly 11,500 m², for the construction of over 200 publicly subsidised homes (VPO). According to Málaga’s Councillor for Urban Regeneration, Marina Vázquez, only 100 VPO units have been built in the past 30 years, making this initiative an “important step” towards improving access to affordable housing for many families in this Málaga town. The total value of the plots is close to €9 million.
Spain solidifies its lead as Europe’s top real estate market in 2025
The European real estate market is set to enter a phase of moderate recovery in 2025 after two years of correction, with Spain emerging as one of the best-positioned countries to benefit from this new cycle, according to the Global Trends and Tactics Q1 2025 report by Nuveen Real Estate.