The 19 Best Places to Live in Spain

10. Costa Del Sol – Great place to raise a family

The majority of the Costa Del Sol region falls within the province of Málaga, where Málaga Airport serves as the primary gateway. This airport offers convenient access to the towns of Costa Del Sol, either by train or bus.

Among the most sought-after places to live in Costa Del Sol is the famed Marbella, celebrated for its vibrant bars, exquisite restaurants, and delightful climate. Close by is Mijas, a town known for its array of shops, schools, and various activities.

Living in this region is fantastic for families, offering numerous sports and promoting an outdoor lifestyle.

11. Bilbao – Wide range of things to do

Whilst there are plenty of sunny spots in Spain there are also those that might not get quite as much year-round sunshine as others. Bilbao is an example of this. Whilst it may not be as drenched in sunshine as more southern spots, one of the benefits that come with this is the fact that it is not so tourist-packed either.

Tourists are great, especially if they are from the same place as you, and therefore give you a sense of home, however, if you are trying to escape home, then maybe you will want to stay away from the tourist spots as much as possible.

Bilbao offers a range of cultural options if you want to find things to do during your downtime. It is also not quite as busy as other cities which is ideal if you want to feel that you are away from it all.

Bilbao is also a great spot for those who enjoy surfing, with many of those who move to the city looking for a space to act as a base for their wave-seeking adventures.

12. Seville – Slower pace of life

Set away from some of the other, fast-paced cities in Spain is Seville. Seville is another part of Spain that is well-known for its culture and heritage; with plenty of wonderful architecture that you will no doubt never get bored of seeing.

That said, another reason that many people choose Seville as a place to live is because it has a rather slower pace when it comes to everyday life. Especially when you compare it to the other cities that have made it to the list.

Pedestrians are well taken care of in the city and whilst you can get around in your car, or on public transport, on foot is often the best way to move from place to place. Which, when you consider this to be the case, means that it is incredibly good news that the city itself is seen to be hugely secure, with crime at a lower risk than in other places.

13. Malaga – Great sunshine and beaches

When you think of Malaga, there is a good chance that you are going to think about lively holidays and plenty of sun-seeking tourists. Whilst this is true, Malaga is also on the rise as a place for those who want to relocate to somewhere that is a little on the sunnier side of life.

It is the combination of the climate and the relaxed approach to everyday life, that makes Malaga a popular place for people to retire to. That said, it is an ideal choice for any age, those who are younger will appreciate the much-valued public transport network, as well as the plentiful job opportunities that Malaga can offer.

Of course, it isn’t all about work and when the downtime does arrive, those who choose Malaga are going to be able to soak up the southern Spain sunshine on one of the many pristine and picture-perfect beaches.

If you would like more information about shipping costs to Spain, make sure to read our previous post for more details.

14. San Sebastian – Known as ‘mini’ Paris

Often known as the “Mini Paris” San Sebastian is seen to be amongst one of the best places to live in Spain. A title that it has gained even though it doesn’t have quite the same sunshine all round feel that you will get on the southern coast of the country.

The reason that it has this name is thanks to the rich heritage that it has as a city, as well as the fact that it has one of the highest concentrations of bars in the world, ideal if you are always on the lookout for somewhere to spend the evening with friends or loved ones.

San Sebastian doesn’t have quite as many people living there who have relocated from elsewhere in the world, however, this shouldn’t be a reason not to consider it, as it is still a place that offers a friendly welcome to anyone who has decided to call it their home. No matter where they are from originally.

15. Tarragona – Budget friendly

Whilst there are many reasons to move to Spain, one of the main ones that those who relocate there say is that it is budget-friendly. In Tarragona, the money that you earn (and in turn spend) is going to go so much further than it would in other places. This is true for both property rental as well as food and entertainment.

Aside from being a busy city in its own right, you are going to find beautiful streets lined with palm trees and sandy beaches that are straight out of a magazine shoot and you will be able to indulge in the sunshine hours for longer, as the weather is mild all year round.

16. Valencia – Great food and culture

Another city that boasts a lower cost of living than others is Valencia. This city is not only a great place to live in its own right but, thanks to some high-speed rail connections, it is also incredibly easy to get to some of the other big cities in Spain.

Many people fall in love with the food and culture of Valencia when they visit, which is something that is still enjoyed by those who call it their home. It also has some rather stunning beaches, which means that you are going to be able to enjoy some of the more natural wonders of the Mediterranean, while still enjoying the man-made ones too.

 17. Granada – Vibrant and busy night-life

If you want a place that has a dual personality, then you may want to have a look at Granada. As well as providing you with some gorgeous beaches a few KMs away from the city centre, you will also find mountains and plenty of greenery to the north.

Many of the people who seem to move to Granada are doing so because they have heard that it is the ideal place for students. There are a number of reasons for this. The first is the education level, which is known to be incredibly high quality. Then there is the fact that compared to other cities, it is quite inexpensive to live in, ideal if you are trying to keep to a student’s budget.

Finally (and for some perhaps most importantly of all) considering it is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Grenada is actually able to provide quite a vibrant and busy night-life, which is ideal if you want to make some new friends whilst you are living there.

18. Cordoba – Affordable cost of living

Cordoba, located in Spain’s Andalusia region, is conveniently positioned other popular cities such as Seville, Malaga, and Granada. This city is known for its cost-effective lifestyle, with affordably priced rental options and dining experience.

Despite its relatively small size, with a population of 350,000, Cordoba is rich in entertainment. It is home to the famous Mezuita, an architectural marvel blending Islamic and Christian design, and the Palacio de Viana, a stunning palace with lush gardens.

Overall, if you are looking to enjoy high quality living at a favourable cost, it is worth looking at Cordoba as an option.

19. Sotogrande – Higher air quality

If you want to make sure that you are not alone in your big move, then you may want to think about Sotogrande. The city is known to have lots of people who have relocated to Spain calling it their home. Whether they move for work, for schooling or simply because they fancy a change.

As well as this, Sotogrande is also known to have somewhat of a higher quality air about it as a city. Many people have private equity investments in the area and their marina has over 800 berths in it too. There is also a well-recognised equestrian community that calls it their home, which is ideal if this is something that interests you too.

Are you looking to move to Spain?

The main reason to choose Spain as your new place to live is because it is a beautiful part of the world that has something to offer every single person who wishes to relocate. Whether it is busy cities, crazy nightlife, or perhaps something a little on the quieter side of life, with the variety of places to call your home in Spain, you are going to be able to move to somewhere that meets all your expectations and more.

The only issue with having so many great places to choose from is that it becomes all the harder to know what is going to be right for you. The aim should always be to think about not only what is going to be right for you now but about your life the way that it is. But also in the future too. That way, you know that you can call Spain your forever home.

If after reading this you are convinced about moving to Spain, PSS International Removals can help you. We have helped people move to Spain for over 40 years, and can provide you a great service. Whether you are looking to ship your boxes, or move your furniture to Spain, our team is on hand to help you move.