Best Cities To Live in Spain

Best Cities To Live in Spain

If you’re dreaming of tapas, flamenco, and endless sunshine, you’re not alone! Spain is a magical country with a rich culture and warm hospitality.

But with so many beautiful cities to choose from, it can be tough to decide where to settle down. The below guide to the best cities to live in Spain is your ticket to finding your Spanish paradise.

From bustling metropolises to quaint coastal towns, we’ll take you on a journey through the top cities for nomads, expats, and retirees alike.

With insider tips and recommendations, you’ll have all the information you need to find your dream home in Spain. So, grab a glass of sangria, and let’s start living our Spanish dreams!

The Seven Best Cities in Spain

In our best cities to live in Spain list, we’ve brought together the top seven locations, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. We’ve also added some coworking spaces options hoping that it’ll give you a better understanding of the digital nomad community in each specific city.

1. Madrid

At the top of the list of the best cities in Spain to live in, we have chosen the beautiful Spanish capital, Madrid.

Despite having a high cost of living and some of the most expensive real estate in the country, Madrid is the best-connected city in Spain. If you choose to live in Madrid, you can easily explore the rest of the country thanks to the efficient infrastructure.

Madrid hosts a number of highly anticipated yearly events, as well as superb shopping opportunities and a number of cinemas and theaters that host performances throughout the year. Sidewalk cafes, restaurants, bustling pubs, and nightclubs make the city an ideal location for digital nomads who want to experience an active lifestyle.

Best Coworking Spaces in Madrid

  • The Shed
  • Espíritu23
  • Urban Campus Jerónimo

Coliving Spaces in Madrid

Advantages of living in Madrid

  • Culture and nightlife
  • A cosmopolitan city
  • Many parks and green areas

Disadvantages of living in Madrid

  • Expensive rents
  • Safety can be an issue

Cost of Living in Madrid

  • Estimated monthly costs for a single person are €750 (excluding rent)
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €990
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €780

2. Barcelona

The best cities to live in Spain list wouldn’t be complete without Barcelona. Despite being one of the cities with the highest cost of living in the country, Barcelona is one of Spain’s most popular cities, attracting millions of people from all over the world each year with its vibrant cultural scene, breath-taking colorful architecture, and almost year-round sunshine. 

Thanks to the work-life balance it offers, Barcelona has also become a digital nomad hub. 

What makes Barcelona so unique is that it is one of those unique places that combines sun, sea, and metropolitan vibes in one location. You never have to travel far to get away from the crowds, and the city itself has a busy waterfront area that is ideal for relaxing, socializing, and meeting new people.

Best Coworking Spaces in Barcelona

  • OneCoWork Plaça Catalunya
  • CREC
  • Cahoot
  • Betahaus

Coliving Spaces Barcelona

Advantages of living in Barcelona

  • Excellent public transport network
  • Many leisure options
  • Bustling nightlife
  • Beach

Disadvantages of living in Barcelona

  • Difficulty finding an apartment for rent
  • Petty crimes

Cost of Living in Barcelona

  • Estimated monthly costs for a single person are €750 (excluding rent)
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €967
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €775

3. Valencia

The third-largest Spanish city is also in the third position in our ranking of the best cities in Spain to live in. One of the biggest attractions for digital nomads looking to live in Valencia is the pleasant climate combined with the presence of many green areas. Its location on Spain’s southeast coast makes it an ideal location for digital nomads who enjoy the beach and nice weather.

The city has a little town feel to it and you can easily bike everywhere. If you’re seeking a warm place with culture, a network of fellow digital nomads, and a reasonable cost of living, Valencia can be an ideal place for you.

Best Coworking Spaces in Valencia

  • Botánico
  • Wayco Abastos
  • Vortex
  • Wayco

Coliving Spaces Valencia

Advantages of living in Valencia

  • High-quality life
  • Beaches

Disadvantages of living in Valencia

  • Can be too hot in the summer

Cost of Living in Valencia

  • Estimated monthly costs for a single person are €650 (excluding rent)
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €680
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €550

4. Bilbao

The next city on the list of the best cities in Spain to live in is Bilbao, in the Basque Country. Located in the north, close to the French border, Bilbao is a city with culture, lots of greenery, and many leisure options.

Bilbao is a great city to live in as a single digital nomad, thanks to its pubs and bustling nightlife. Even if you’re a digital nomad family, you can find many kid-friendly attractions in Bilbao. Beaches and hiking are just a 30-minute train journey away, so there’s something for everyone here.

Just a note, don’t expect the usual hot weather and sunshine in Bilbao, even in the summer. It is frequently cloudy and rainy in this area. Despite this, the city boasts a plethora of attractions to keep you occupied in the rain, including a plethora of museums. 

Best Coworking Spaces in Bilbao

  • Icaza
  • Biworking
  • Koop SF 34

Coliving Spaces in Bilbao

Advantages of living in Bilbao

  • Excellent gastronomy
  • Many green areas

Disadvantages of living in Bilbao

  • Bad weather
  • Lack of coliving options

Cost of Living in Bilbao

  • Estimated monthly costs for a single person are €720 (excluding rent)
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €880
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €690
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5. Seville

Listing the best cities in Spain to live in, we cannot leave out the capital of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, the city of Seville. Seville is known for its Moorish buildings, some of which date back to the Golden Age, and for its lush surroundings and historic, centuries-old architecture.

Although Seville is Spain’s fourth-largest city, it has a quaint, small-town feel to it that is only enhanced by its nice climate and friendly locals. 

Seville has a slow-paced way of life and is a good choice for digital nomads who are looking for a healthy work-life balance. It’s also a good starting point for those who want to explore other Spanish cities or neighboring countries, such as Portugal.

Best Coworking Spaces in Seville

  • Arcadia
  • Espacio RES
  • Regus

Coliving Spaces in Seville

Advantages of living in Seville

  • Excellent gastronomy
  • Low cost of living
  • Nice climate

Disadvantages of living in Seville

  • Public transport
  • Excessive heat in summer

Cost of Living in Seville

  • Estimated monthly costs for a single person are €650 (excluding rent)
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €670
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €520

6. Alicante

Alicante is a historic Mediterranean city on Spain’s Costa Blanca and is highly favored among British expats. If you want to live in a place that offers great beaches, nice weather, and delicious seafood, Alicante might be ideal for you.

When you make Alicante your base, you’ll have access to bays, coves, and some of Spain’s most stunning beaches within a short drive. It’s also a great place to live if you want to try sea sports. Also note that when compared to Valencia, its neighbor, Alicante has a much lower cost of living. This includes the price of properties, both for rent and purchase.

Best Coworking Spaces in Alicante

  • PortalSeis
  • Terretup
  • Aliworking

Coliving Spaces in Alicante

Advantages of living in Alicante

  • Less traffic
  • Low cost of living
  • Nice climate

Disadvantages of living in Alicante

  • The slow pace of life

Cost of Living in Alicante

  • Estimated monthly costs for a single person are €620 (excluding rent)
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €680
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €530

7. Malaga

Thanks to its climate, transportation, location, culture, and way of life, Malaga is rapidly becoming a major hub for digital nomads. Situated in the Costa del Sol, Malaga is a perfect base if you’re looking to live near the beach.

The temperature is most likely the biggest reason why digital nomads choose Malaga. Malaga is the place to be in terms of climate, with 300 days of sunshine each year and temperatures reaching 24 degrees in February. 

Malaga is beginning to flourish in the technology industry thanks to large-scale investments. Google’s cybersecurity headquarters will be located in Malaga. This significant investment has attracted other companies which will increase the city’s popularity among international companies.

Best Coworking Spaces in Malaga

  • The Living Room
  • Innovation Campus
  • Beworking
  • Grow Working

Coliving Spaces in Malaga

Advantages of living in Malaga

  • Entrepreneurship ecosystem
  • Low cost of living
  • Nice climate

Disadvantages of living in Malaga

  • Safety can be an issue

Cost of Living in Malaga

  • Estimated monthly costs for a single person are €620 (excluding rent)
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €720
  • Estimated rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €570

The Bottom Line 

Spain is a country that has something for everyone. Whether you’re a city dweller or a beach bum, a foodie or a culture vulture, Spain has a city that’s perfect for you.

From the vibrant nightlife of Madrid to the serene beaches of Malaga, Spain’s cities offer a high quality of life, rich cultural experiences, and affordable cost of living. We hope that our ultimate guide to the best cities to live in Spain has given you some inspiration for your next adventure.

So, pack your bags and get ready for a new chapter in your life. Spain is waiting for you! Make sure to check out our article on Living in Spain.

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Frequently Asked Qeustions

Where to live in Spain near the sea?

If you're looking for a seaside destination to live in Spain, there are several options to consider. Here's a list of 13 best places to live in Spain by the sea, starting with the most prominent and expensive locations and ending with some less-known ones. The good news is that overall, Spain is an affordable country to live in, and there is only one Spanish destination on the Mercer index of the most expensive cities in the world: Madrid, which is not near the sea.

The recommended cities to live in Spain by the sea are Barcelona, San Sebastian, Alicante, Denia, Valencia, Malaga, Torrevieja, Sitges, Bilbao, Tarragona, Marbella, Tenerife island, and Mallorca island.

Where to avoid in Spain?

Although this is a rather tough question, here are two places that you could choose to avoid in Spain:

  • Gibraltar Bordering Towns: Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located in Spain and is a popular tourist destination with tax-free shopping. However, the Spanish border towns have a different flavor, with the largest city, Algeciras, being the 16th busiest port in the world. Ferries from Algeciras to Tangiers and Spanish enclaves in Africa are safe, but the proximity to Africa encourages trafficking in drugs and illegal immigration. Gibraltar's focus on online gambling and international banking with tax shelters creates an unsavory atmosphere. As a tourist destination, it's safe, but living there may not be ideal. There are other worry-free destinations in Spain for expats.
  • El Mar Menor: El Mar Menor is a saltwater lagoon in Murcia, Spain, with clear and warm water ideal for water sports. However, due to pollution from hotels, marine life has collapsed, and the area has lost its Blue Flag designation. Heavy rains have worsened the problem, causing dead fish to wash up on the beaches. People are advised not to swim in the lagoon or buy property in the immediate area.

Where are the best places to live in Spain for young adults?

The best Spanish cities for young adults depend on their preferences and budget. Generally, young adults prefer big cities or areas close to them with easy access to services within 20 minutes. Coastal areas with good weather are also popular, such as the Mediterranean coast from Barcelona to Malaga, the Canary Islands (especially Tenerife and Lanzarote), and the Balearic Islands (especially Majorca). These areas are based on foreign clients' experiences and preferences. The large expat community in major cities are typically drawn to the vibrant city life, beautiful beaches, pleasant weather, and the music festivals, while also finding a relaxed lifestyle.

Where do most foreigners live in Spain?

Mallorca, the Canary Islands, and Andalucia are popular destinations for foreigners looking to live in Spain, mostly due to their favorable climate.

What is the safest place to live in Spain?

Spain is generally a safe country to live in, with no major security concerns in most cities. Northern cities, in particular, are popular for their safety, and San Sebastian is often considered a safe city. When planning a move to Spain, it's important to consider which region of the country you want to live in, as your location can affect many aspects of your life.

What are the best cities to live in Spain for families?

Madrid, Valencia, and Malaga are among the top cities in Spain for families to live in. It's easy to find good international schools and lots of expat families in most of these major cities. Any big city in Spain usually has a thriving expat community and plenty of job opportunities, especially if you speak Spanish.

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