Taste Atlas declared Spanish cuisine to be the 9th most popular national cuisine in the world in 2023/24. Each region offers unique flavours and foodie experiences, from Valencian paella, to Andalusian gazpacho, and vibrant tapas culture in Barcelona. If you love food as much as we do, doesn't it make sense to buy a property in a celebrated food or wine destination?!
Here are our favourite best food & wine locations to buy a property in Spain.
If your heart is set on a city where you can indulge in world-class cuisine, stroll on the beach and swim in the sea, San Sebastian is perfect for you. The region is well known for its pintxos (small tapas-like dishes) and is home to 19 Michelin stars. This Spanish foodie mecca is completed with its array of cider houses such as Altzueta Sagardotegia, Sidreria Beharri and Gurutzeta and Txakolí - a young, fruity white wine found in the province of province of Gipuzkoa.
Other reasons to move to San Sebastian: Lively nightlife, friendly locals, stunning scenery and number of interesting festivals held throughout the year - the International Film Festival, many dance festivals and live music festivals.
Nearby alternatives: Madrid has some of the most incredible food markets - the best is Mercado San Miguel. There’s excellent restaurants to be found everywhere, including the oldest restaurant in the world - Casa Botín
Located in the Sherry Triangle (the Cadiz region), this seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda is a true Spanish gem. There’s plenty of sherry bodegas to visit; such as Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana , along with great tapas bars like Puerta de la Victoria, and an abundance of fresh seafood to try. The city's relaxed atmosphere, historic charm, and close proximity to the sea can all be enjoyed alongside a glass of Amontillado sherry.
Other reasons to move to Sanlúcar de Barrameda: There’s plenty of leisure clubs to join whether you enjoy - sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, or golf. The environment is rich with fruit trees and vineyards making it a scenic hiking spot.
Hidden foodie gems:La Lobera is an excellent restaurant serving fresh, innovative tapas made from local produce. Mercado de Abastos is a traditional market with vendor stalls selling cured meats, flowers, produce & cheeses.
Logroñois the gateway to the Rioja wine region with vast rolling hills of vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards. La Rioja is Spain's principal wine region, and Logroño is its lively capital. The vineyards here produce world-renowned wines like Tempranillo and some of the best wineries include - Bodegas Franco Espanolas and Bodega Ysios. A holiday home in Logroño means you're always a short commute from the Calle Laurel - a stretch of tapas bars that have achieved near mythic status in Spanish food folklore.
Other reasons to move to Logroño: When you order a glass of wine, the waiter will often ask you “Ribera o Rioja?” Which means which region do you prefer your wine from. That’s how important La Rioja is in regards to wine. Aside from the wine - there’s an enriching quality to life found within the city as it’s clean, has adequate health care, good transport connections and plenty of green space to explore.
Nearby alternatives: Pamplona is the new San Sebastian for food conscious Spaniards. It's best known for the Running of the Bulls (Feast of San Fermín) in July.
Hidden foodie gems: You can find the Vivanco Wine Museum just a 40 minute drive out of the centre of Rioja. Closer to the centre, you’ll find the Calle Laurel -a stretch of tapas bars that have achieved near mythic status in Spanish food folklore.
This charming town nestled in Spain's Valencian Community, has many deep rooted regional traditions. Local delicacies include dishes such as "Arros Negre" (rice with squid ink), "Fideuà" (noodle paella), savoury "Cocas" pastries, and truffle-infused dishes, showcasing the region's most prized truffles. Morella is also renowned for many typical Spanish products like olive oil, honey, cheeses such as Montanejos, and wines made from Bobal and Tempranillo grapes such as Bodegas. Fresh local produce like this is served at one of Morella’s leading michelin star restaurants Vinatea, where you’ll be welcomed with a delicious menu of tradition and innovation.
Other reasons to move to Morella: This incredibly historical city is a mix of modernism and the arts, thriving with fun and cutlure. Those who live there say it’s a peaceful place with endless things to do. The weather reaches highs of 31 degrees in the summer and winter will only ever see lows of around 20 degrees.
Nearby alternative:Valencia - Known as the birthplace of paella and horchata, also known for the La Tomatina Festival — a huge annual tomato fight!
Hidden foodie gems:Mercado Central - The biggest food market in Europe situated in a landmark building, this market offers an extensive range of Spanish delicacies as well as seasonal favourites.
A city filled with tapas crawls, chocolate museums, excellent food markets such as Mercado de La Boqueria and Michelin star restaurants like the Lasarteand Àbac. Not only is the city known for its delicious cuisine but it also offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle and a beautiful stretch of the coast that's hard to match anywhere else in Spain.
Other reasons to move to Barcelona:Barcelona is full of museums and galleries showcasing various themes and art movements, some of the biggest include: The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)which offers a collection of Catalan art from Romanesque to Modernism. There’s also the Picasso Museumwhich features one of the most significant collections of works by Pablo Picasso in the world.
Nearby alternatives:Girona - This was once home to the world's best restaurant El Celler De Can Roca. Begur is also a similar location and well known for excellent fish restaurants and beach living.
Hidden foodie gems:Ca La Nuri is a restaurant by the seafront serving traditional Catalan food and other European dishes.
The beautiful and thriving town of Pinoso is approximately a 45 minutes drive from Alicante and the white beaches of Costa Blanca. Here you’ll find an array of bodegas selling wine, almonds and olives. Bodegas Volver is one of the best - offering a serene countryside experience. Surrounded by vineyards and almond groves, it's perfect for those who seek a peaceful retreat. You can savour fine wines and traditional Spanish dishes at El Raco de Pere y Pepa, a Michelin star restaurant with fantastic service from the married couple who run the business.
Other reasons to move to: Despite being inland, Pinoso is still a sought after location for many tourists and expats. There’s many bars, restaurants and shops, a new 24 hour medical centre, dentists, two primary schools and a secondary school. There's also an excellent sports community centre with outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, football pitches and gymnasium.
Nearby alternatives:Alicante - Serves as both a bustling port city and the administrative centre of the Alicante province. The centre is known as Barrio de la Santa Cruz, famous for its winding alleyways, with vibrant, picturesque houses, popular nightlife, and tapas bars.
Hidden foodie gems:Templo Restaurante - A steakhouse serving the most succulent and tasty meats. Try their specialty T - bones!
This location is Spain’s best kept foodie secret - Asturias is known for its lush green landscapes and rugged coastlines. It’s a nature lover's dream. Base yourself here and enjoy regional dishes such as fabada Asturiana, a rich stew made with the Asturian large white beans (fabes de la Granja), pork shoulder, morcilla, chorizo, and saffron (azafrán). We love La Posada De Granda where you can try the region's heartiest cuisine.
Other reasons to move to Arriondas, Asturias: The village is in a large valley surrounded by mountains, where the Sella and Piloña rivers converge. They are an important part of its natural heritage, with an abundance of beautiful streams and canyons. Arriondas is located near the Picos de Europa National Park, which is filled with plenty of outdoor adventures whether you choose to cycle or hike.
Nearby alternatives:Gijon is a large coastal city in northern Spain. It’s known for its maritime heritage and the old fisherman's quarter of Cimadevilla. Prendes is also a similar location with several Unesco world heritage sites nearby. The closest heritage site in Spain is the Roman Walls of Lugo.
Hidden foodie gems:El Corral del Indianu - try the freshest and seasonal ingredients along with traditional northern spanish dishes such as the Chipirones en su tinta.
The beautiful, historic town of Cuenca is Spain's Gastronomic Food Capital for 2023. Famous for its "Hanging Houses" which perch on cliffs along the mountain line. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by green rolling hills. Besides its unique architecture and landscape, Cuenca offers a taste of Castilian cuisine and culture. You can find world class traditional cuisine at Raff San Pedro. A popular dish is the "Rabo de toro". As for local wine, Irén is the most widely planted grape variety in the Castilla-La Mancha region. You can also find small berry Muscat, Verdejo as well as Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. The main red grape varieties found are Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Garnacha, Alicante Bouschet (known here as Garnacha Tintorera), Monastrell, Syrah and Bobal. To have a taste of these then why not visit the Winery and Vineyard - Las Calzadas bodega artesanal y enoturismo.
Other reasons to move to Cuenca, Castilla: Cuenca is in close proximity to Madrid and Valencia, both roughly an hour away by train. Being ‘just around the corner’ from Spain’s capital and busiest travel hub makes it easy to explore the rest of the world from Cuenca.
Nearby alternatives:Albacete is a city and municipality in the Spanish autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha, and capital of the province. It’s flooded with green spaces as well as cobblestone streets and white wash houses.
Hidden foodie gems: MQM Museo del Queso Manchego Toledo - The cheese museum. You can learn about the history and production of authentic Spanish Manchego Cheese and visit the Tasting Room , where you will find the best array of cheeses!
With excellent restaurants, 9 of which being Michelin star, like the renowned La Bodeguilla and delectable food markets, Mallorca is an island of paradise for foodies. There’s also some lovely wineries across the island such as Ramanya. Mallorcan food specialties include - Sobrassada, Panades (Mallorcan empanadas), Coca Mallorquina, plus plenty of amazing fish (being an island). This Mediterranean gem offers stunning beaches, charming villages, and a vibrant culinary scene.
Other reasons to move to Majorca: Because Palma has it all: a picturesque, safe and easily-walkable historic city centre, golden sandy beaches, masses of excellent bars, restaurants and shops.
Nearby alternatives:Menorca - The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve island with crystal clear waters and white rocky cliffs. Menorca is a great destination for seafood lovers seeking fresh local produce.
Hidden foodie gems: The famous lamb restaurant Es Verger Alaró - halfway up the Puig de Alaró mountain, offering typical Mallorcan cuisine. This restaurant gained credible notoriety when British chef Rick Stein included the restaurant in one of his shows.
This charming town is made up of gleaming white walls and terracotta roofs. Enjoy tapas, flamenco, and a slower pace of life here. You’ll be close to many beaches and plenty of good seafood, which you can find at Restaurante Casa Francisco. Annie B’s Cookery School is a local institution, offering Andalucian cookery classes with a hint of Moroccan flavours, as well as sherry and wine tours. There’s also the Salazones Herpac factory which produces the best salted, preserved and smoked fish.
Other reasons to move to Vejer de la Fontera: There are amazing vast golden beaches and natural parks with endless hiking trails: The Alcornocales and Grazalema national park. Also the Estrecho is Europe’s busiest bird migration area. And most importantly, the Cádiz people are so friendly and helpful.
Nearby alternatives: Setenil de las Bodegas, is very similar with its white washed houses, although there are many here which were built into the cliff faces making it an interesting yet obscure place to explore. You’ll find more of a Mediterranean theme for food here rather than your traditional Spanish dishes.
Hidden foodie gem:Casa Varo - offering the best fresh loca Almadraba tuna dishes in Vejer!
Ibiza’s food scene is just as thriving as its party scene. From traditional pork sausages (Butifarra de sobrasada), traditional stews, seafood and fish dishes. Greixonera is a beloved local dessert made from yesterday’s bread or pastries. You’ll find great local cuisine at restaurants like Restaurante Sa Finca or more gourmet style dishes at gourmet at La Gaia by Óscar Molina. Beyond Ibiza's nightlife, you’ll also find a quieter, more serene side with the family run winery of Sa Cova. Relax and enjoy a walk around the grapevines whilst sipping on a glass of rose.
Other reasons to move to Ibiza:Ibiza is easily accessible to every major city or beach. You can be in Barcelona in under an hour, in Madrid in under two, and in London in under four. Ibiza’s work culture is very relaxed, a full 40-hour week slips by like a cool drink on a hot day thanks to laid back attitudes and happy outlooks on life. And after work it’s all about the beach, pool, cocktails and dinner!
Nearby alternatives: Sant Antoni de Portmany- is north west of the island. It has legendary sunset cafés and clubs, and a huge amount of water activities. Playa D’en Bossa is also very similar and home to the longest beach on the island. You will find many great bars and restaurants here too.
Hidden foodie gem: If you’re looking to do a spot of shopping in Ibiza then Forada Market is the perfect destination to go on a Saturday. You’ll find all sorts of local produce, from Spanish cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables and even sculptures and ceramics. If you’re lucky enough you’ll even get to watch live music and dancing.
Be the first to comment!