These Are The Best Places To Retire In Spain

Spain is officially one of the top countries in Europe to retire, and if you’ve ever visited Spain then that won’t come as any surprise. Beautiful scenic countryside, incredible coastlines, and year-round good weather means Spain has everything a retiree could ask for.

A survey of British retirees found that Spain is the most desirable retirement destination for Brits, with the south of Spain and the country’s coastal regions being the most sought after.

But where do Spanish people want to retire to? Do they hanker after coastal views and sunshine too?  Spain’s Organisation of Users and Consumers (OCU), who conducted a recent study and found that these are the top retirement destinations for Spaniards:

Vigo

Officially chosen as the best city for Spanish retirees, by Spanish retirees, is Vigo. This is a coastal city in northern Spain and you’ll find it on the western edge of the Galicia region.

So why did Vigo rank so highly? Some of the main reasons were because of its efficient transportation network, robust public health system, and high-quality education. It’s also worth noting that the cost of living is very affordable in Vigo.

Technically Vigo is an industrial city, but you don’t have to go far outside of the city to find a nature lovers paradise. Vigo is the gateway to the Atlantic Islands National Park, formed of several island chains that are rich in marine life.

Zaragoza

As the capital of Aragon and a beautiful city, you’ve probably already heard of Zaragoza. It’s known for its beauty, architecture, and culture. 

What you may not know is that it that Zaragoza is considered an incredible place to retire too. This is because of its great mix of laidback lifestyle and urban services. There’s a great selection of  leisure, sports and culture activities for residents of all ages here.

Bilbao

Beautiful Bilbao is one of the biggest and most important cities in the Basque county and sits on the coast, offering the best of city and coastal Spain. Some of the highlights that attract both residents and tourists to Bilbao are its excellent cultural offerings and fine food.

If you're thinking of retiring to Bilbao then it’s worth knowing that the cost of living here is higher than the Spanish average (in fact it’s one of the most expensive cities in Spain) but the pay off is that you’ll also get a higher than average quality of life here.

If you’re Spanish then you’ll be interested to know that Bilbao offers one of the highest pension pay-outs in the country. Other benefits include low crime rate, mild summers and growing international community.

Alicante

Some places are universally popular, and Alicante is one of them. Both Spanish, British, and other foreign expats love this spot as a retirement destination.

Some of the reasons why Alicante are so popular are its  excellent climate, extensive beaches, large retirement communities and international vibe.

Las Palmas De Gran Canaria

The Canary Islands are wildly popular thanks to their year-round sunshine and great climate. This means that both Spanish and foreign expats choose this as one of their favourite retirement spots.

There are lots of places to choose from across the Canary Islands but Las Palmas de Gran Canaria stood out from the crowd as a result of it high quality of life as well as reduced public transport costs for residents. You’ll have plenty of cultural opportunities as well as access to beautiful beaches and nature too.

Malaga

Malaga is Spain’s hottest city right now and everyone’s talking about it. It was listed by  Live and Invest Overseas as one of the top three destinations in the entire world for pensioners, and has also been chosen as the best city in the world for expats.

Some of the reasons why Malaga is such a great option for retirees include it’s rich culture, accessible beaches, and mild climate. From a practical point of view, Malaga also has an excellent infrastructure and great public transport system.

Madrid

Right in the middle of the country and miles away from the coast, Madrid is still a popular retirement destination. If you love busy, bustling cities then this is the place for you.

The Spanish capital is highly rated thanks to its  high-quality healthcare services, a wide range of cultural and leisure activities adapted to the elderly, and excellent national and international transport links.

From a financial point of view, it's true that Madrid is an expensive place to live. But the city also offers tax breaks for retirees, so retiring here could work out in your favour financially.

Seville

When you think of picture-perfect Spain, with its romantic architecture and rich culture, you’re probably thinking of Seville. The Andalusian capital was rated the 8^th most popular place to retire in Spain and it has an active retirement community. The cost of living is relatively low, and you’ll always find things to see and do.

If you’re considering retiring to Seville then it’s worth noting that you’ll need to be able to handle the heat. The city regularly reaches temperatures of up to 40 degrees during the summer months.

Have you always dreamt of retiring to Spain? Whether you’re looking for golden mile properties in Marbella or bargain property in Andalucia, our local property experts are perfectly placed to turn your dreams into a reality. Why not get in touch to find out more about how we can help you.