Spain, with its rich culture, delightful cuisine, and pleasant climate, is a favorite destination for expats from around the world. In this guide, we'll explore the best cities in Spain that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of expatriates. From the bustling streets of Madrid and Barcelona to the serene beaches of Valencia and the historic charm of Seville, Spain offers a variety of experiences.
1. Madrid
Madrid is the capital city of Spain; therefore, it should not come as a surprise that this is one of the most popular destinations for an expat. Madrid is both the political centre and financial hub of the country. Further complimenting the area is a wealth of sightseeing, education, and recreation activities for expats and their families.
Madrid has earned a name as being one of the most popular cities to live in, with a glowing reputation as being ‘elegant’. With lines of parks and boulevards, the city has locations like the Royal Palace of Madrid, El Retiro, and the Sabatini Gardens. Numerous other architectural sites have earned praise.
2. Barcelona
Barcelona stands as a unique location due to having an excellent balance of beach and big city charms. There are numerous notable destinations to visit. Whether it is the ever-famous Park Guel, or the Sagrada Familia, there are both relaxed evenings and vibrant weekends on offer to wash away the stress of work. Much like Madrid, Barcelona is considered to be a hub of both art and culture.
It’s also worth noting that Barcelona is part of the region called Catalonia, which is a place where people speak the native Catalonian in addition to Spanish - expats with a passion for language will thrive here.
3. Seville
Seville exists near the border and is about an hour away from both the mountains and the coast. If you’re a fan of either, it’s a pretty reasonable commute.
Seville has earned a reputation for its cathedral, primarily, which stands as the third-largest church in the world. It is also the biggest Gothic-inspired church in the world and is the resting place of noted explorer Christopher Columbus.
As a location, Seville isn’t considered to be as much of a tourist destination as places like Madrid or Barcelona. However, it does create a vibrant city life thanks to being the birthplace of things like tapas and the flamenco style of dancing.
4. Valencia
Valencia is a city that has the honour of being the third-largest city behind Barcelona and Madrid. As a city, it focuses primarily on the arts and sciences and has a massive complex dedicated to the two ideals - a planetarium, oceanarium, and interactive museum are all on offer.
Something of note that often attracts people to Valencia is the “La Tomatina” festival which takes place each year and is a tomato-throwing festival. This, along with the nightlife and other historical buildings in the area means that Valencia can offer a lot.
5. Majorca
The last option which we will talk about today is Majorca, which is part of the Balearic Islands in Spain. It is known for things like good nightlife, beach resorts, and amazing restaurants.
The area is very much about a holiday lifestyle, and a lot of people enjoy a very relaxed and laid-back lifestyle. Those who want to retire or work digitally will find that the area is perfect for them.
Thankfully, the weather is good all year around, featuring mild winters and warm summers, so it’s a good place to live if you like the outdoors. As a place to live, this is on the expensive side, befitting a place which is big on the party lifestyle.
Frustratingly, Majorca is known for a frequently changing and fluctuating lifestyle in keeping with the passage of time and different tourism seasons. As a lot of the local economy is tied to tourism, the wages of its inhabitants can fluctuate as well.
The takeaway
It should be noted that Spain is a place that attracts many expats and for good reason. There’s something for everyone regardless of where you want to live, and it can be quite affordable.
As a removal company, we are happy to help get you to your dream home. We have plenty of experience helping people build their new lives in Spain, so please do feel free to get in contact and get a no-obligation quote.