Spain has long been a favourite spot for British retirees looking for a bigger boost of sunshine, a leisurely lifestyle, and a culturally sanctified nap. If you are keen to retire to Spain but are unsure where exactly, we’ve picked five fantastic spots for retirees. You might be surprised by how varied retirement options in Spain are, from lovely Costa Blanca towns to island living to the foodie haven of the Basque Country. We’ve looked at the different atmospheres offered, airport connections, weather and property for each. Discover where in Spain would be ideal for your retirement.
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1. Torrevieja, Costa Blanca
Torrevieja’s pink lake.
Year after year, the Costa Blanca is one of the most popular places to buy among foreign buyers. And even in an area already so desired, Torrevieja stands out as one of the most sought-after areas to buy a home. If you’d like to live near other English-speakers, enjoy an occasional fry-up and share a beer over the football, then a Torrevieja home might suit you well. At the same time, Torrevieja does not have the hedonistic holiday scene of other Costa Blanca hotspots, such as Benidorm.
As well as being home to an array of beautiful Blue Flag beaches, Torrevieja is home to a rose-tinted lake, Las Salinas de Torrevieja. Whether you’re in the mood for beach or lake, you can enjoy leisurely walks, picnics and swims. Additionally, if you have grandkids you’re keen to entice over to Spain for a visit, there are two waterparks.
Torrevieja has great shopping options: the open-air market, Mercadillo de Torrevieja, is perfect for stocking your kitchen with fresh fruit and veg. While, Habernas Shopping Centre has big brands like Zara and Sunglasses.
Nearest airport: Alicante is just 40 minutes away, which has low-cost flights year-round.
Weather: It’s sunny far more often that it’s not. Expect the greatest chill in January but with possible highs of 16 degrees, August is the warmest at 30°C.
Property:
One-bedroom, €69,900
As well as benefitting from access to a communal pool, this home is just a short walk to the town centre and the beach.
See more properties for sale in Torrevieja here.
Torrevieja has a diverse property market with prices starting at just €50,000. It is easy to find a small affordable apartment within short walking distance of local amenities.
Best for: those seeking a well-facilitated, expat-friendly community and budget-friendly property options.
2. Málaga City, Málaga
Keen to live in a sunny city?
Do you like the idea of retiring somewhere that is sunny, effortlessly cool and with plenty to keep you busy?
If you love urban living but Madrid sounds a little too serious, Málaga might fit you perfectly.
Home to (arguably) the best urban beach in all of Spain, Playa La Malagueta, which is just ten minutes from the city centre. Its over 1,200 metres long, lined with palm-trees and well-equipped for sailing and keeping the grandkids entertained. The birthplace of Pablo Picasso, Málaga is one of the greatest artistic hubs in Spain. Discover a museum in a 16th century palace dedicated to Picasso, large-scale graffiti in Soho Málaga and a “Made in Soho” market, full of antiques and local works. Plus, from lip-licking good tapas to upscale dining, Málaga promises to keep your belly happy.
Nearest airport: Málaga airport is just 8km from the city. The fourth busiest airport in Spain, flights are reliable and can be found at a low cost.
Weather: Even winter can enjoy 18°C heat, while the summer is sure to see temperatures in the 30s.
Property:
Two-bedroom, €380,000
Located on the fifth floor, this apartment enjoys amazing views of the historic city centre.
See more properties for sale in Málaga here.
Well-located properties with sea views or minutes from major attractions can come at a higher price, though tend to be more affordable than their equivalent in Madrid or Barcelona. If you would prefer to visit the city centre, then to live in it, then you will see your budget go further.
Best for: those seeking sun, artistic atmosphere & urban living.
3. San Sebastián, Basque Country
Enjoy your lush green surroundings.
If you’ve spent your working years scoffing sandwiches over your keyboard at lunchtime and want to spend your retirement indulging in finer foods, then consider San Sebastián. Undoubtedly the food capital of Spain, San Sebastián boasts of 46 restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide, including three with three stars. The area is particularly famous for its pintxos, bacalao al pil pil (cod fried in olive oil) and its cheesecake.
As well as an extraordinary gastronomic scene, San Sebastián has beautiful nature too. From the lush green hills of Monte Igueldo and Monte Urgull to the sandy beaches of La Concha and Zurriola. You can stroll along the promenade, take up surfing, or go for a hike.
Whether it’s a date to the international film or jazz festival or passing by Tamborrada drum parade, there is a wealth of unique things to see and do in San Sebastián.
Nearest airport: While Bilabo airport will be your go-to for international flights, San Sebastián is a good place to look for a home if you’re a fan of train or road travel, with great connections through to France and beyond.
Weather: If you love Spain but find the south’s heat a touch too much, you’ll enjoy the more moderate temperatures here in the north. August is the warmest month with temperatures in the mid 20s, January sees 13 days of rain and highs of 12 degrees.
Property: San Sebastián is not top of the list for most international property buyers. Centrally located homes can come with a steep price tag but it is still possible to find a small reasonably priced apartment.
Best for: food & nature enthusiasts.
4. Tenerife, Canary Islands
Mount Tiede.
If you love the great outdoors and hate cooler English temperatures keeping you indoors, Tenerife might be the place to charm you.
Your new place to walk could be the Mount Teide, the highest peak in all of Spain. It’ll keep you interested too with its lava cones and exclusive fauna and flora. You can also trot along to the Anga Rural Park, with its incredible laurel forest, caves and even natural pools. Plus, if you fancy getting into stargazing in your retirement, Tenerife is one of the best places to be, with its wonderful, unpolluted skies.
Tenerife has excellent, activity-packed beaches. Spy turtles, dolphins and whales. Take up scuba-diving or snorkelling. Or, indeed, just have a doze on the sand. When the grandkids visit, there are a couple of amusement parks you can take them to.
Santa de Cruz is the capital, with an exciting annual Carnival and all the modern amenities you’ll need. You might want to be right by it or you might prefer the slightly more old-fashioned feel of La Laguna.
Nearest airport: Tenerife does have a longer flight time to the UK than the other areas featured on this list, between four and five hours. Having said that, to benefit from Tenerife’s year-round pleasant climate, you’d really have to look to retire outside of Europe.
Weather: Winters are really mild here: think 21°C in January, mid twenties by April and a height of 30°C come August. But you will have to watch out for “calmia”, dust storms that head in from the Sahara.
Property: Studio, €360,000
A studio, just moments from the sea.
See more properties for sale in Tenerife here.
Property in Tenerife is quite varied. You’ll find older homes with traditional Canarian charm to flash new builds and everything in between.
Best for: those wanting year-round sun, don’t mind a slightly longer flight back home & want plenty of opportunity for outdoor adventure.
5. Mojácar, Almería
Mojácar’s old town is a typically Spanish pueblo blanco, while Mojácar Playa is a more modern, beachfront resort.
Mojácar is divided into two. The hilltop town, made up of beautifully preserved Moorish white-washed homes, with grand views of the sea. And then, closer to the beach, you’ll find newer properties. Mojácar Playa has 17 kilometres of gorgeous beach for you to enjoy. The warm weather means that you can swim right through April to October. Plus, whether you opt for beachfront or hilltop town, you’ll only be a 2km stroll away. Both areas have plenty of shops and restaurants.
Nearest airport: Almería international airport is an hour away by car.
Weather: Almería experiences just 200mm of rainfall a year (UK experiences more than 800mm). Plus, you can dose up on vitamin D, with June to August enjoying eleven hours of sunshine and temperatures in the 30s.
Property: Two-bedroom, €124,000
A south-facing apartment with picturesque views.
See more properties for sale in Mojácar here.
Mojácar (and the rest of Almería) has a great property selection, especially if you’re a fan of homes with character. You can find both apartments and sprawling villas (fit to have the whole family to stay) for a relatively low cost.
Best for: those looking for somewhere with a traditional Spanish feel & a strong certainty of sunshine.
Finally, you might also enjoy reading:
- How to Retire to Spain – our free new guide covering visas, healthcare, pensions and more.
- 3 great retirement options on the Costa Tropical
- Let’s retire to the Costa Cálida
- Let’s retire to… Mallorca!
- Retire to the Costa Brava
