Best Places to Retire in Spain

Spain promises expats sunny weather, European sophistication, and first-world infrastructure at an affordable price. Although Mediterranean resorts are a popular choice, Spain is a big, diverse country with many different types of terrain, climate, and lifestyles. It has something for everyone.

Marsha Scarbrough, IL Spain Correspondent, looks at the best place to retire in Spain.

Learn more about these cities on our website:

LET'S CONNECT

[lorimiller]

I love Spain! I’ve been to Madrid, Barcelona, Sitges, Malaga, Marbella all great choices! Also, Granada and Sevilla! Can’t wait to return. Hi from 🇨🇦

[sfdanceron]

I know it's hot as hell during the summer, lol, and I love Madrid and Barcelona, but I'd pick Seviila. Cheap too. Love Marbella, too. All of Spain is Wonderful.

[salgueroart]

Can’t wait to return back to this great country. Hopefully for good, too.

[LoveJoyChannel]

Wow I like Valencia according to your explanation so informative for those planning to retire in Spain

[oanhrosenthal]

Thank you! I love to listen to you talk. I wasn't considering Spain before, but you made it sound so nice. If it has expat like you living in it, I will consider :)

[paulhampson]

Thank you so much for spending the time putting this together. Very tempting to up sticks and move to Spain!

[wendydee]

I live near Girona in Catalunya and I wouldn't be anywhere else! The mountains and forests are quite simply a piece of heaven, and we have the medieval stone built towns of Girona, Besalu and many others, with beautiful Lake Banyoles, and also the coast an hour's drive. Not many expats here :o) we have to learn to speak Catalan, and it is a great place to live :o)

[jamesnickel]

Marsha, That was a great little video with some excellent ideas. I was hooked on Marbella but I now have a LOT more food for thought ...Thanks! 😎

[jdhjimbo]

Kind of surprised Seville was not on this list. I know it it is torrid hot in summer, but Andalusia has much charm. I think Valencia sounds best to me, though the smaller places like Alicante and Altea are attractive also. Too many tourists in Barcelona, and I would miss the coast in Madrid, and both Barcelona and Madrid are only a relatively short train ride away from Valencia. I like the architectural variety, climate, and manageable size. Only drawback seems to be that direct flights from North America are not available. Usually have to go to Madrid first.

[stephenuk]

very good blog on Spain where I have lived for over twenty years. My only comment is that Mijas which you describe as having fewer tourists. I wouldn't agree with that, it is tourist hotspot.

[AcousticMoon]

Thanks for the great video, but you missed out one of the most beautiful places in the whole of the Costa Blanca. Moraira!

[deanc]

I retire from active duty military late next year, and I am very tempted to go full retirement and see how I do moving out to Spain. I spent my teens and 20s in Central Florida so I would like the option of surfing beaches. What do you think about the northern Atlantic coast cities in Spain? Of the cities you listed, they all sound inviting, especially Madrid and Valencia, but does the Mediterranean coast offer surfing beaches? Great video. Thanks.

[konsmberg]

Thank you so much for your lovely and informative videos! Spain is on the top of our list of potential retirement destinations. By the way, Fire Island is not as lively anymore as it used to be, unfortunately.

[terrencerooney]

Thank you. What do you think of Cadiz as a place to retire?

[gsmarkham]

You are wonderful! Thank you for your insights about glbtq places to live. It means a lot to many of us that you mentioned them.

[MariaMendez-lptd]

I wonder why YouTube won’t allow to get notification from your channel. I love your content, thanks for sharing 🙏💕

[kennielsen]

I’ve been to most of these cities the big three are wonderful. But haven’t seen the north, as I’m from the Los Angeles/OC area and don’t like rain and cold, but could be a great option for many.

[timmurphy]

These are the primary places where ex-pats seem to go, but I'm looking for a place with few expats. I want to move to Spain to live in Spain, not a community of ex-pats and integrate into Spanish society as possible. I do like that you pointed out some of the smaller towns near the tourist centers like Mijas near Malaga and Denia near Alicante. Yet, I would like some thoughts expressed on places such as Salamanca, Cadiz, Santander, Girona, and smaller places within the province of Valencia, Malaga, Barcelona, Alicante, and Madrid. Thanks.

[danielj.rodriguez]

Great video. You pretty much narrowed it down for me...thank you.

[grace-oenn]

Major problem of mine is not knowing where to choose to live. I love cities but also ocean views, loved Seville and Malaga and Roquetas de mar in Almeria, was thinking of Cadiz if anyone can advise on that location, I would be grateful.