Where to live in Spain

For anyone searching for the best place to live in Spain for LGBTQ+ newcomers, International Living points to four places, picked for their balance of safety, services and a sense of belonging.

Valencia lands 7th globally for quality of life on Numbeo in November 2025, which fits how it feels on the ground. The city is big enough for culture and jobs, but small enough to stay sane.

According to a new report by Spain’s National Statistics Institute, quality of life nudged higher in 2024, driven by gains in health, education and work.

Living in Los Cristianos means a sunny, walkable base in Tenerife South, with a working harbour, year‑round buzz and long promenades linking the island's best beaches.

The latest INE urban indicators updated to 1 January 2024 put Calp/Calpe at 26,637 residents, with 53.1% recorded as of foreign origin.

Living in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria means a proper Atlantic city wrapped around the golden curve of Las Canteras Beach, the historic lanes of Vegueta–Triana, and the working port at Puerto de la Luz. Island winds keep summers breezy and winters mild, and there’s surf at La Cícer.

Time Out’s 2025 snapshot of 18,500 residents puts happiness under the spotlight — and Spain has plenty to smile about. A Spanish city takes the crown, three others join it near the top, and Iberia’s neighbours and the UK make a solid showing.

Mojácar really gets under the skin in the best way. Think sugar-cube houses tumbling down a hillside into a long strip of sand, proper tapas culture and a pace that lets you breathe.

Ojén is a whitewashed village tucked into the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves, a short drive from Marbella. Life runs a little cooler and quieter than the coast, but beaches, big supermarkets and the shopping centre are minutes away.

A report by OBS Business School on the Real Estate Market in Spain 2025, led by Professor and Eurocofín Director Carlos Balado, highlights some of the trends shaping the property market. Among these, it notes that global warming is influencing the way we live and behave.

Living on Gran Canaria blends proper city life with an easy island rhythm. The microclimates are real: cooler and more local up north, warmer and drier around Maspalomas, and greener villages tucked into the interior.

When weighing up the best places to live on the Canary Islands, picking a base comes down to vibe and microclimate as much as budget. City living is sociable and practical, the north coasts are greener and cooler, and the southern belts are sunny and resort‑heavy.

The Canary Islands are Spain’s warm, Atlantic backyard. Seven main islands with distinct moods, black- and golden-sand beaches, and a slower daily rhythm than the mainland.

Sun‑soaked Seville is Andalusia’s easygoing capital, all palm‑lined plazas, tiled courtyards and late‑night bar chat. And the city is now in the spotlight, taking a spot in Time Out's top 10 happiest countries in the world.

Málaga ranks as the third most popular destination in the world for digital nomads, following this article from the newspaper Diario Sur.

Spain’s air is generally kind to lungs, which is handy if you’re weighing up cities with the cleanest air in Spain. According to IQAir, the 2024 country average sits at 48 on the US AQI scale, which is in the 'good' band for day‑to‑day life.

The Málaga municipality of Ojén, just north of Marbella, has double cause for celebration. The prestigious British publication The Times has recently ranked it among the 50 best places in the world to live in 2025, placing it at number 35. At the same time, Marbella’s courts have ruled in favour of the developer behind the luxury Palo Alto scheme, which had faced accusations of encroaching on public water domain land.

Sometimes, all it takes is a short detour to discover a completely different way of life. Leave Marbella behind and follow the road into the mountains. Within minutes, the asphalt narrows and a village with a slower pace emerges.

The Zeta District is set to become Málaga’s flagship urban development. This innovative 66-hectare neighbourhood, located in the Sánchez Blanca district, will feature 3,443 homes, expansive green spaces and areas designed for a modern lifestyle centred on sustainability, technology, mobility and community.

Sea air without the stag‑do soundtrack is absolutely doable along the Spanish coast. Year‑round coastal living in Spain is quieter and more practical than the brochures suggest.

Living in Rincón de la Victoria means a year‑round coastal routine just east of Málaga, in a municipality of roughly 50,000 spread across various areas. It runs on a year‑round rhythm with calm winters, a long paseo for evening strolls, and simple food pleasures like espetos and pescaíto frito.

Palma’s the sort of place that sneaks up on you—in the best way. One minute you’re weaving through stone alleyways past postcard-perfect patios, the next you’re having a coffee in a sunny square, eavesdropping on half a dozen languages.

Located on the northern Costa Blanca, between the popular towns of Jávea and Moraira, lies Benitachell, or El Poble Nou de Benitatxell as it’s known in Valencian.

Sitting on the Costa del Sol, just a short train ride from Málaga, Benalmádena offers something of a split personality. It isn't just one place, but three distinct areas rolled into one.

Fuengirola has a reputation on the Costa del Sol, particularly among British expats. While it's true that you'll find a large international community here, that's only part of the picture of what living in Fuengirola is actually like.