Best Places to Retire in Spain

The coast of Spain is where most internationals prefer to relocate. There are several compelling reasons for this. Firstly, the pleasant Mediterranean climate, abundant sunshine, mild winters, and warm summers, offer an extremely appealing environment for those seeking a more enjoyable year-round climate. The Spanish coastline also boasts stunning beaches, picturesque landscapes, and diverse coastal settings (from lively resort areas to serene fishing villages) offering varying degrees of relaxation and vibrant social lifestyles.

The coastal area stretching from Malaga City to Sotogrande is one of the most commercially exploited areas of the entire coast of Spain. Many individuals who choose to relocate to Spain are drawn to the allure of the Costa del Sol.

The topography of the land in this area mainly consists of mountains meeting the sea, resulting in a relatively narrow strip of coastal land that extends from Torremolinos to Estepona. This geographical layout, with the mountains hugging the coastline, creates a distinct landscape and offers breathtaking panoramic views from various vantage points along the coast. Residents and visitors can enjoy stunning vistas of the Mediterranean Sea juxtaposed against the rugged beauty of the mountains.

Squeezed into this narrow tract of coastal land are two primary transportation routes: the National Road, and the AP-7 highway. These serve as vital transportation arteries, facilitating travel and accessibility along the coast.
This accessibility is advantageous, allowing convenient access to Malaga International Airport, nearby towns, shopping centres, golf courses, leisure facilities, and an array of entertainment options.

The Malaga Province stands out as one of the pricier regions in terms of real estate and the overall cost of living. However, it contrasts with other coastal areas of Spain due to its limited open spaces, often featuring residential developments that lean towards a more compact design. This condensed layout can create a cosy and intimate feel, but might not offer the same expansive settings found in other coastal regions like the Costa de la Luz and Costa Almeria.

In terms of movement between residential areas and towns, the province does not provide the same ease and stress-free accessibility seen in other coastal areas of Spain. The presence of limited space and the concentration of developments along the coastline results in a more bustling and at times congested environment.

Additionally, some of the affluent areas could be criticized for feeling somewhat soulless or lacking in character, potentially detracting from the authentic essence of Spain’s cultural and natural heritage. The focus on luxury developments in these areas might overshadow the true charm and richness of Spain’s cultural identity.

That said, Malaga Province is an economic powerhouse in the far South of Spain. Internationals looking for work and entrepreneurship opportunities will be drawn to the area’s very important economic advantages, however, retirees may find more value in some of Spain’s other Costas.

Note: The villages inland from the AP7 offer some cost-effective and authentic options while still being close to transportation networks. Keep in mind that if you do decide to purchase property inland then keep in mind that a) the further you are from the sea the more real estate can be impacted by market fluctuations, and b) if it comes time to sell the length of time your property will have to spend on the market will likely increase.

The culture in Andalucia is one of inclusion and welcoming. While it can be challenging to settle in and form social circles in other areas of Spain, Andalucia is arguably one of the easiest regions in Spain to integrate. The warm-hearted nature of the locals and their propensity to readily accept newcomers, create an environment conducive to making social connections, and building a support network is truly special and should not be underestimated or undervalued. This affable culture makes it easier for expatriates to assimilate and feel part of the community, fostering a sense of belonging. At the other end of the scale would be regions like Catalonia or the Balearic Islands, where the culture can be quite insular, and it can be a lot tougher to build a social circle.

The vibrant cultural heritage, music, delicious cuisine, and historical landmarks enrich the overall experience of living in the Malaga Province.

Compared with other areas of the Costa del Sol, Nerja offers a more authentic experience of Spanish life and culture. This little ‘hidden’ gem is one of Spain’s most beautiful coastal villages and one of the Costa del Sol’s best-kept secrets. It occupies a spectacular part of the coastline with promontories and cliffs running into the sparkling blue Mediterranean waters while hiding beautiful secluded white sandy beaches.

Nerja offers one of the more privileged lifestyles on the Costa del Sol, with less of the hustle and bustle of the Marbella side, and more of a sense of community, relaxed living, and more in tune with what retirees are usually looking for in terms of the ideal Spanish lifestyle.

Nerja has excellent access to both Malaga (only 45 minutes) and Granada (only 1 hour) and enjoys a stunning year round climate.
The nearby beautiful white village of Frigiliana also offers some interesting real estate for sale which is a bit easier on the budget.

The Costa Almeria consists of a little bit of coast west of Almeria city and then a large tract of coastline East of the city which stretches all the way to the border of Murcia. The most notable part, and where the majority of foreign residents are located, is in and around Mojacar.
This white Andalucian village stands out like an oasis on a hilltop in the stark Almerian landscape. Three of the best years of our life were spent here with close friends while also taking full advantage of the hauntingly beautiful coastline, beaches, natural parks, and mountain ranges.

Mojacar and surroundings present a small and remote area in comparison to what you can find in the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, but it lacks for nothing in terms of fiestas and cultural activities. The year-round chiringuito (beach bars) culture is the best in Spain (we say this with confidence), with El Palmar and Conil (Cadiz Province) a close second. The areas of Turre, Vera Playa, and Garrucha are also popular places for retirees.

The area is a bit isolated and lacks the economic infrastructure of some of the other Costas like Costa del Sol, and Costa Blanca in the North. As beautiful, inspiring, and alluring as the region is, it does present some challenges for retirees.

There is a lack of certain professional services and amenities in the area. Medical services, for example, are a lot more professional and readily available in the other Costas to the North. The sense of isolation and the absence of a strong economic framework should be taken into account while considering relocation to this charming and distinct corner of Spain.

That said, the entire bay from Mojacar to Palomares offers a truly unique and enriching lifestyle. If you have had a stressful work environment and are looking for the ultimate place in Spain to de-stress, then you will struggle to find anything more in tune with your requirements (except perhaps the Costa de la Luz). The combination of tranquility, stunning landscapes, rich cultural activities, and a renowned beach bar scene creates a unique tapestry of experiences. If you can get past the lack of amenities, then the low cost of living for retirees and the fantastic social lifestyle will surely tip the scales in your favour.

I would be amiss if I did not mention that many of the Spaghetti Westerns were filmed in Tabernas nearby, and that the Cabo de Gata just south of Mojacar has some of the most dramatic landscapes and ‘undiscovered’ virgin beaches in all of Spain.

The Costa Calida borders the Almeria province in the south and the southern Costa Blanca to the north. Murcia’s coastline presents itself as an attractive option for those seeking affordability along the Spanish coast. It offers a spectacular rugged coastline, a very mild climate, a relaxed lifestyle, affordable accommodation, and many outdoor activities.

Despite its affordability and mild climate, there are important factors to be considered before moving to the area. While the cost of living might be more budget-friendly for retirees, the region lacks a real economy, industry is limited, and amenities are scarce.

The area’s infrastructure is not as developed as regions to the north, and this impacts services such as healthcare and transportation. Access to quality medical facilities is limited, requiring residents to travel longer distances to Murcia or Alicante for essential services.

Many areas of the Costa Calida rely heavily on seasonal tourism. While the 3 months of summer can be quite busy, the remainder of the year can be socially underwhelming. This lack of population during off-seasons can also affect the availability of services, and many restaurants, bars, cafés, and places of interest close for most of the year.

There are fewer cultural amenities such as museums, and theatres, and less entertainment and dining options, which impacts social interactions and diversity.

While Costa Calida offers an affordable cost of living on the Spanish coast, potential residents should consider the trade-offs, such as a limited economy and industry, fewer social opportunities, underdeveloped infrastructure, scarcity of cultural offerings, and limited transportation accessibility, before choosing this area for relocation.

The most vibrant areas of the Costa Calida (culturally and economically) tend to be the villages in the North, and closer to the Orihuela Costa (the Southern Costa Blanca) and bordering the Mar Menor (San Pedro del Pinatar, Santiago de la Ribera).

The Southern Costa Blanca stretches from Pilar de la Horadada on the border of Murcia Province to Alicante City in the North.

This area of Spain’s East coast, and in particular Orihuela Costa, is very popular with Northern Europeans and especially residents from the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France. The presence of residents from various Northern European countries contributes to a diverse and multicultural community and offers many opportunities for cultural exchange with locals and Internationals.

For retirees, the area boasts a privileged quality of life and an abundance of leisure activities. There are many professional services and amenities available in the coastal villages and also in Torrevieja City. In addition, the cities of Murcia, Elche, and Alicante are all within 30km to 50km and offer many services including professional medical care.

The most popular coastal villages are Cabo Roig, Punta Prima, La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, and Campoamor, while areas North of Torrevieja like Quesada, Rojales, Guardamar del Segura, and Santa Pola offer a more affordable lifestyle.

The area boasts a wealth of sports clubs, hobby and cultural venues, and golf clubs. In fact, there are around 10 golf courses and resorts in the immediate area.

Costa Blanca South is conveniently near both Murcia and Alicante airports and offers a well-connected infrastructure.

Located just 5km North East of Alicante city centre, this relatively unknown (among foreigners) residential area has a few advantages over some of the more popularised urban residential areas of the Costa del Sol like Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella, etc.

What comes to mind is the scene from Crocodile Dundee when Paul Hogan says “That’s not a knife, that’s a knife!”, except he might say, “That’s not a beach, that’s a beach!”.
The beach of Playa San Juan and its residents are the originators of the Noche de San Juan festival, where you will see bonfires and celebrations on the beaches of Spain (mostly Andalucia, Murcia, and Alicante) on the night of June 23rd.
The enormous wide golden sandy beach and its beautiful promenade stretch on for 10 km all the way to Campello port. Most of the beach is more than 50m wide and at some points, you have 100m of beautiful sandy beach from the promenade to the water’s edge!

There are all manners of sports and hobbies taking place throughout the year including volleyball, yoga, surfing, beach football, gyms, exercise classes, you name it. This is truly an area where the beach is the protagonist.

There are high-rise buildings along the shore and into the residential areas, however with the openness of the area and the space between the buildings you never get that closed-in feeling that you do in some areas of Malaga Province.

Playa San Juan is a ‘tasteful’ development with many green open areas and parks. The area is also very central and well-connected with Alicante city centre. There are many professional services and amenities available, and the infrastructure is excellent.

From Alicante city, there are fast train connections to both Madrid and Barcelona, and the free AP-7 highway connects you with two International Airports: Alicante and Valencia.

Real Estate is not cheap in comparison with other coastal areas of Southern Spain, and the cost of living is on par with the more popular areas of Malaga Province, and the Northern Costa Blanca however, you are benefiting from a quality lifestyle and all the conveniences and professional services that come with a modern infrastructure, and the proximity to an important city and economical hub!

The real estate offering is mostly apartments for sale, with some duplexes and triplexes, however in areas like Muchavista, Vistahermosa, and Cabo de las Huertas, you can also find freestanding villas for sale.
The population is mostly Spanish, with a small contingency of Internationals. There are many opportunities to integrate socially, and the area has a robust year round population, unlike many other coastal areas of Spain.

If you are looking for an area to retire in Spain that offers a vibrant cultural lifestyle with professional services and amenities close at hand, then Playa San Juan is worth investigating.

The Costa Blanca North offers an excellent balance of work and lifestyle (or just lifestyle if you are fortunate enough) and attracts people from a diverse range of backgrounds. Once you have visited these areas, it will be difficult to want to spend your retirement anywhere else in Spain!

The areas from Benidorm to Denia, boast a robust economy, which is also boosted by its proximity to both Alicante and Valencia, spectacular natural beauty, a dramatic coastline of coves, cliffs, cozy beaches, and diverse outdoor activities. There is a high standard of professional services available (including healthcare, schooling, banking, legal, design, etc.), a strong international community, a pleasant climate for all seasons, charming architectural heritage, a rich and diverse food culture, and an unbeatable lifestyle (think relaxed Ibiza but less expensive).

From most places on the Northern Costa Blanca, you are within easy reach of both Valencia and Alicante international airports, where you can also find high-speed rail connections to Madrid and Barcelona.
The free AP-7 highways take you to beautiful surrounding villages in minutes, including the Jalon Valley, which is one of the most beautiful wine-producing regions in all of Spain.

There is a wealth of entertainment and leisure activities available, and because the areas of the Northern Costa Blanca are all relatively close to one another, you feel more like a citizen of the Costa Blanca rather than one particular town or village. Not to forget, Denia also offers access via comfortable modern ferries to Ibiza and Mallorca.

With all these lifestyle benefits, it’s easy to understand why the Costa Blanca is the preferred area for foreigners looking to relocate to Spain. The Costa Blanca sees the most real estate sales to foreigners in all of Spain. Perhaps the strongest property market in all of Costa Blanca, the areas of Moraira and Javea also have the highest median property price. While the cost of living is still affordable compared to most European countries, your retirement funds won’t stretch as far here as they would in regions like Costa de la Luz, Almeria, or Murcia.

This is where we have lived and worked for the past 8 years, the longest amount of time we have lived anywhere on this planet for the last thirty years. And this is where we are happiest in the Spain.

Altea is a whitewashed hilltop village like those you find in Andalucia, and very similar to Mojacar in Almeria Province. It is extraordinarily beautiful, rich in culture, and offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean.

Altea has a strong Spanish and expat community and is popular with Brits, French, Belgians, Dutch, and Germans. Altea town itself is divided between the hilltop village and the residential area hugging the coastline.
The other strong communities in the Bay Area are Altea la Vella, Albir, Alfaz del Pi, La Nucia, Polop, and Callosa d’en Sarria, which is about 9km inland.

The Altea Bay Area offers a fantastic lifestyle rich in activities and entertainment. Due to its popularity with professional sportsmen, sportswomen, and teams from throughout Europe and many professionals and teams (cycling, football, athletics, etc.) host winter training camps here.
Did you know that, as an area outside a major city, it offers one of the highest occupancy rates for tourist accommodation in all of Spain?

In recent years, the area’s municipalities have invested largely in sports infrastructure. Whatever you can think of, there will be a facility for it, from skateboarding to rock climbing, rhythmic gymnastics to taekwondo, and BMX to parkour.

Due to the proximity of nearby villages, and bustling Benidorm, there is always something new to experience and discover. There is an excellent selection of public and private schools, and the area offers a fairly robust economy, which is also boosted by its proximity to Benidorm.

The property market is very robust, however there are still economic options to be found. Village houses in Altea hilltop ooze charm and if you can find something for sale then you may want to consider renovating it as a holiday home. Albir and Alfaz offer beautiful classic and modern villas for sale, while La Nucia and Polop, a little inland, offer more space for your budget.

The coast of Spain offers an array of lifestyle options and top places to live for retirees. If you prefer proximity to vibrant urban centres then Playa San Juan, Denia, Altea (close to Benidorm), and the areas south of Malaga city (Estepona, Mijas and Mijas Costa, Benalmadena, Torremolinos) are all good choices. For serene, charming, and culturally enriching villages, then Conil de la Frontera, Vejer de la Frontera, Nerja, Mijas (Malaga Province), Mojacar, Altea, Albir, Moraira, and Javea all present wonderful options. If you are looking for retirement places in Spain with a low cost of living then the Costa de la Luz, Costa Almeria, Costa Calida, and areas like Torrevieja, Rojales, Guardamar, and Santa Pola provides an authentic, tranquil atmosphere, with a range of affordable amenities and established expat communities. The Costa Blanca South combines affordability with modern infrastructure. The Costa Almeria provides a more isolated, relaxed lifestyle ideal for nature and beach lovers. For those seeking a balanced lifestyle with easy access to modern professional services, and a choice of two International Airports then Costa Blanca North, with destinations like Moraira, Javea, Albir, and Altea stands out.