Where to live in Spain

Many still assume Spain is broadly affordable, yet there are several surprisingly expensive cities in Spain where prices rival those in the capital.

The gap between Spain’s biggest cities and their surrounding towns has become impossible to ignore.

Looking beyond Madrid and Barcelona opens up a very different side of the country.

Spain consistently ranks as one of Europe’s most popular retirement destinations. Warm weather, strong healthcare, walkable towns and comparatively affordable property all make it an attractive choice for international buyers.Yet searches for “the worst places to retire in Spain” continue to rise.

If you’ve looked at property prices in Madrid or Barcelona lately, you’ll know why so many people are widening their search.

The Dutch presence in Spain’s housing market has shifted from a niche to a firmly established trend. People from the Netherlands are now a significant force among foreign buyers and tenants in Spain.

Essential expenses in Spain are taking an ever larger slice of household income, and the latest consumer spending data for 2026 show how sharply the picture changes from one province to another.

Across much of inland Spain, villages have been losing residents for decades. La Rioja is among the regions where shrinking populations are putting pressure on schools, health services and local businesses.

Spain continues to rank highly when people compare the best places to retire, and that remains true in 2026.

Galera is a small village in northern Granada province, with just over 1,130 people on the books. What sets it apart locally is that it’s growing, while nearby villages are quietly emptying out.

Spain is home to some of the best natural wonders in Spain, offering both visitors and residents a surprisingly varied mix of landscapes.

This small Balearic island is all turquoise coves, dusty tracks and lazy sunsets, but living in Formentera full-time is a very different story from a week’s holiday.

This volcanic Canary Island is all black lava, whitewashed villages and Atlantic light, with a climate that stays pleasantly mild most of the year.

Melilla is a compact Spanish city on the Moroccan coast with sandy urban beaches and handsome modernist façades. With Melilla's population around 87,000, the city boasts a layered mix of Spanish, Amazigh and Moroccan culture.

Living in Ceuta means settling in a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast at the mouth of the Strait of Gibraltar.

Santiago de Compostela is a compact university city in Galicia, famous as the endpoint of the Camino de Santiago and anchored by its UNESCO‑listed Old Town.

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.