If you are considering moving to Spain for retirement or work, with a family or not, one of the first things to look into is “where?”. Spain is a large country – 107 percent bigger than the United Kingdom, in fact!
Spain has many different landscapes, weather zones, mountains, coastlines, fertile plains, arid areas, waterfalls, olive groves and rocky outcrops, so choosing a place to call home is not that simple. Spain also has many beautiful islands in the Canaries and Balearics.
We take a look at 10 places to add to your list of potential locations.
1. Porta de Mar, Costa de Azahar
Where is Porta de Mar?
Literally meaning “Door to the Sea”, Porta de Mar lies between Barcelona and Valencia on the Mediterranean Sea on the Costa de Azahar, known as the Orange Blossom Coast. It is near two airports – Valencia and Castellón – the AP7 motorway and the via Verde del Mar, undoubtedly one of the prettiest routes in Spain.
What will I love about it?
With 27 kilometres of coastline and 300 days of sunshine, it is the perfect place for those who enjoy a relaxed outdoor life. There are long, sandy beaches but also small coves hidden by rocky outcrops, popular for snorkelling and diving.
What’s nearby?
The town of Castellón boasts two Michelin Star restaurants, plus numerous others offering the best of local cuisine. Being a small city, you can easily get around to everything you need. For the young, there is a water park nearby and a natural park, Desert de les Palmes. The Oropesa Marina has more than 700 moorings.
How much is property in Porta de Mar?
The area is less expensive than other places along the coast but there are new upmarket developments. A two-bedroom penthouse costs from €189,000, a three-bedroom terraced house from €269,000 and a three-bedroom villa in Oropesa from €770,000.
2. Costa Adeje, Tenerife
Where is Costa Adeje?
Tenerife is the largest of the seven islands in the Canaries and is home to almost 43 percent of the population. Closer to Africa than Spain, it has a warm, arid climate but it is still the greenest island and its beaches lure sunseekers from around the world. Costa Adeje lies in the south of the island and is 16 kilometres from Tenerife South Airport.
What will I love about it?
An upmarket town, it attracts many celebrities. It’s got water sports, boat trips, Barranco del Infierno (a natural zone of beauty), beaches, a lively nightlife and a warm and dry climate.
What’s nearby?
Water sports and theme parks provide entertainment for all the family. The Teide National Park has, as its main attraction, Mount Tiede, an ancient volcano and the highest peak in Spain. You can also go dolphin and whale watching and play golf.
How much is property in Costa Adeje?
Property is quite expensive, due to its popularity. Expect to pay from €205,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, €379,000 upwards for a three-bedroom house and up to €3,500,000 for a new, four-bedroom luxury villa with sea views.
Tenerife at sunrise
3. Mallorca (Majorca), Balearic Islands
Where is Mallorca?
Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, which lie off Spain’s Mediterranean coast. There are regular ferries from Barcelona and Palma Airport welcomes thousands of passengers each year.
What will I love about it?
Mallorca has long been a sought-after destination for the wealthy, artists, celebrities and other discerning people. It is a beautiful island, with turquoise seas, mountains, almond and olive groves, lovely beaches and a culture all of its own. Towering above Palma, the capital, is the magnificent cathedral and the city is great for eating out and shopping.
What’s nearby?
The other islands of Menorca and Ibiza are a ferry ride away and the mainland is only 200 kilometres away. Andratx and Pollença are two delightful coastal towns with some high-level properties, while Es Capdellà is a peaceful place close to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tramuntana mountains.
How much is property in Mallorca?
Property prices are on the higher side. You should expect to pay over €1m for homes in the popular resorts and considerably more for modern, luxury properties. A three-bedroom apartment in Pollença will cost in the region of €800,000 and a four-bedroom village house there costs €595,000. View these properties for sale in Mallorca.
4. Isla Canela-Huelva, Costa de la Luz
Where is Isla Canela–Huelva?
The Costa de la Luz is in the far south of Spain, bordering Portugal on the Atlantic Coast and is close to the town of Ayamonte in Andalusia. The nearest airport is in Faro in Portugal, with Isla Canela 75 kilometres away. Seville Airport is considerably further at 160 kilometres.
What will I love about it?
With seven kilometres of fine, sandy beaches and an 18-hole golf course nearby, it’s the ideal place to enjoy the outdoor life. Being a stone’s throw from Portugal, you can enjoy Spanish and Portuguese cultures and cuisine. Grilled sardines feature everywhere, as does other seafood. The island is unspoilt with a natural landscape and the average temperature is a warm 20ºC.
What’s nearby?
Huelva, the provincial capital, is renowned for being the port from which Christopher Columbus sailed to the Americas. It is also home to some innovative cuisine using local ingredients and a 4-star Parador Hotel facing the sea. The border with Portugal is only 20 minutes’ drive.
How much is property on Isla Canela and Huelva?
There are several new developments on the island, mostly sensibly priced and with sea views. Prices range from €215,000 for a three-bedroom apartment to €400,000 for a semi-detached house close to the beach and golf course. Check out these gorgeous properties for sale.
5. Cádiz and Province, Costa de la Luz
Where is Cádiz?
At the other end of the Costa de la Luz is the grand city port of Cádiz, one of Europe’s oldest, founded by the Phonecians in 1100 BC. Its emblem is a tuna fish and as you can imagine, tuna features greatly in local cuisine. The nearest airport is in Jerez and there is a direct train link to Cádiz which takes around 50 minutes.
What will I love about it?
The history, the cathedral, the ancient streets lined with individual shops, the Roman amphitheatre, the outstanding cuisine, the beaches and the friendliness of local people.
What’s nearby?
The white villages of Andalusia are a bus ride away. Of particular interest are Vejer and Arcos. Jerez La Frontera is the capital of sherry and a delightful town to sample the famous fortified wine. Doñana National Park is an important wetland welcoming birdlife.
How much is property in Cádiz and the Province?
Recently, property development has been upmarket with many high-end homes along the coast, rivalling those on the Costa del Sol. Most have large grounds and magnificent views. Prices start from €600,000, rising to several million Euro.
6. Rojales, Costa Blanca
Where is Rojales?
The town is in the province of Alicante on the Costa Blanca. There are several urbanisations around it and it is renowned for its cave houses along the river Segura.
Why will I love it?
With an abundance of restaurants and tapas bars, individual shops, good supermarkets and English and Irish pubs, there is something for everyone. There is a particularly pretty central square and the cave houses are often home to art displays, plus one in particular which features 1,000 shells carefully placed by the owner. It’s just 32 minutes’ drive from Alicante Airport.
What’s nearby?
A water park, ideal for all the family, cave housing craft shops, championship golf courses, bowling and go-carts and Castillo de Santa Barbara.
How much is property in Rojales?
Apartments start at €54,000, houses from €112,000 and up to €700,000 for a three-bedroom villa.
7. Los Alcázares, Murcia
Where is Los Alcázares?
Situated on the west side of the Mar Menor and on the Costa Calida, the spa town of Los Alcázares is just half an hour’s drive from Murcia Airport and is close to the AP-7 motorway.
Why will I love it?
The seven kilometres of sandy beaches, all-year sports opportunities, stress-free living, 320 days of sunshine, warm weather, a pretty old town, golf courses, shopping and a large expat community.
What’s nearby?
The ancient city of Cartagena and its Roman amphitheatre, historic centre and beautiful architecture. Murcia city and its imposing cathedral and local fresh produce market. El Mar Menor for cycling and the Salinas Viewpoint.
How much is property in Los Alcázares?
A less expensive area on the coast, prices here are available for all budgets. Smart new builds start at €218,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, €326,000 for a three-bedroom semi-detached house and over one million Euro for a luxury home facing the sea.
You will love the warm weather in Los Alcázares
Image: Q77photo via Shutterstock
8. Roses, Costa Brava
Where is Roses?
Just a few kilometres from the French border, Roses is in the Alt Empordà region in the north of the Costa Brava, at the northern point of the Gulf of Roses. The nearest airports are Girona at one hour’s drive and Perpignan Airport at an hour and 15 minutes’ drive. Its proximity to both countries makes it a convenient place to call home.
Why will I love it?
Steeped in history, it is a popular destination with a good nightlife, an interesting old town, a castle, beaches, a great variety of restaurants and tapas bars, water sports, boat trips and the marina with 485 moorings. There’s also the lovely landscape of Cap de Creus.
What’s nearby?
The town of Figueres, home to the Dalì Museum, Cadaquès, once Salvador Dalí’s home and the well preserved L’Escala tourist town and important fishing port. Girona, the capital of the province, is a delightful medieval city full of culture and good restaurants and bars. Cap de Creus natural park is nearby too.
How much is property in Roses?
A two-bedroom apartment with sea views close to the port costs from €236,000, a three-bedroom terraced house from €395,000 and independent villas with views up to €2.4m.
9. Mundaka, Basque Country
Where is Mundaka?
Situated in the northeast of the Basque Country, Mundaka lies in the Province of Biscay at the mouth of the estuary of the river Oka. It is a 30-minute-drive from Bilbao Airport.
What will I love about it?
The surfing capital of Mundaka is a picturesque fishing village popular with surfers from all over the world. You will love the views of Izaro Island and Ogoño Mountain, the beaches and the busy port. Hiking is popular in the hills behind the town.
What’s nearby?
Guernica, which is home to Pablo Picasso’s masterpiece and the famous Monday market. Bermeo, one of the Basque Country’s major fishing ports, has a lovely old port lined by restaurants and bars serving pinxos. There’s also Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve with distinctive vistas.
How much is property in Mundaka?
A two-bedroom apartment costs from €285,000 while luxury homes and villas in nearby Bermeo are priced at around €1m.
10. Vilagracía de Arousa, Galicia
Where is Vilagarcía de Arousa?
The ninth-largest town in Galicia, Vilagarcía de Arousa is located on the on the western coast of Spain in the province of Pontevedra. The nearest airport is in Vigo, 43 kilometres away and it’s about a one-and-a-half-hours-drive to Caminha in Portugal.
What will I love about it?
The bustling port, the sandy beach, dunes, the monastery, the palace, museums and shopping. You will also love the botanical park, flea markets, Castrogudín Reservoir and wetlands.
What’s nearby?
Vigo, which is known for its Roman ruins, busy port and Galician historic centre. The Armenteira River to traverse on foot, Caldas de Reis for hiking, Santiago de Compostela, Pontevedra, wine tours, vineyard visits and Islas Cies.
How much is property in Vilagarcía de Arousa?
Property is generally reasonably priced. A two-bedroom apartment will cost upwards of €115,000, a duplex up to €370,000 and large terraced houses from €350,000 to €850,000.
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