Madrid

Let’s start with the capital of Spain. Home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, El Retiro Park, a 125-hectare green oasis, and Paseo del Prado, one of the city’s most elegant boulevards, Madrid is packed to the rafters with historic gems and gasp-inducing architecture. Art lovers will delight in the fascinating museums, including Museo Nacional del Prado with works by Velazquez and Goya. And remote working never has to be boring again, if you work from La Tabacalera de Lavapies, an abandoned tobacco factory that's been hipped up with murals, a tapas bar, book shop, stage and gallery. It’s also an interactive space, so the man sitting beside you drinking espressos might just burst into song! Pick up treasures for your Spanish home at El Rastro, Madrid’s famous flea market, and take your visiting friends and family for traditional Spanish cuisine at Casa Botin, the oldest restaurant in the world.

Other reasons to move to Madrid: Legendary food scene and pulsating nightlife, cheap wine, more job opportunities than anywhere else in Spain, excellent transport system, and a warm welcome from the Madrilenos.

Hidden Heritage Gem: Madrid’s Ancient Egyptian temple, Templo de Debod, is magical at sunset. See paintings by Francisco Goya at The Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida, the artist’s final resting place. 

Nearby Alternatives to Madrid: The historic city of Toledo is about an hour from Madrid. Once Spain’s capital, escalators from the modern part of the village run alongside the city’s fortifications to the old town.  

Cadaques

Walk in the footsteps of one of the world's best-loved artists, the King of Surrealism, Salvador Dali, in picturesque Cadaques. Known as the pearl of Catalonia, this sleepy beach town is like catnip to art lovers. 20 mins down the road in Port Lligat you can visit the artist’s home -  Dali House Museum, and then amble along the boardwalk, admiring Dali paintings displayed against the backdrop of the natural coastline. Dali’s birthplace of Figueres is less than an hour’s drive, and is home to the incredible Dali Museum and Theatre, conceived by the eccentric man himself. All three locations are packed with galleries inspired by Dali and the breathtaking landscapes of the Costa Brava. 

Other reasons to move to Cadaques: Mouth-watering Mediterranean seafood, a relaxed pace of life, short drive to the French border and the many delights of Occitane, just down the road from the beautiful Cap de Creus Natural Park. 

Hidden Heritage Gem: See art by Picasso, Duchamp and Dali at Cadaques Museum of Modern Art.

Nearby Alternatives to Cadaques and Port Lligat: The charming hamlet of Santa Eulalia de la Pena is 5.5 km from Cadaques.

Cadiz

The whitewashed streets of this ancient port city are lined with stunning neo-classical and gothic buildings, charming cafes, and quirky boutiques. Climb Torre Tavira to enjoy exceptional ocean and city vistas, visit iconic Parque Genoves for a peaceful stroll, or check out Castilla de Santa Catalina, a stunning castle built in 1596. Cadiz Cathedral sits at the heart of the city - known as the cathedral of the Americas; it was built using money from trade between Spain and the US. 

Other reasons to move to Cadiz: Mercado central is the oldest covered market in Spain and a great spot to buy unusual fish and seafood, the old fisherman’s quarter in the La Vina neighbourhood is best for seafood restaurants. Plus there’s a warm climate all year round, beautiful green spaces, dazzling sea views, and an abundance of cheap properties. 

Hidden Heritage Gem: La Cueva del Pajaro Azul, was one of Spain’s most famous flamenco clubs in the 1960s, and it's still going strong today.  

Nearby Alternatives to Cadiz: Chiclana de la Frontera, in the province of Cadiz is a 10-minute drive from Playa de Sancti-Petri Blue Flag beach. Enjoy therapeutic water treatments at the public spa, Balneario de Fuente Amarga Chiclana.

Deia

This coastal mountain village is one of the prettiest in Majorca and known as a hotspot for artists and celebrities. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Serra de Tramuntana. Can Alluny, just outside Deia, was notable writer and war poet Robert Graves’ home from 1946 until his death, and the house and garden have been sympathetically restored as a museum, which displays original editions of The White Goddess, alongside curios including the great man’s reading glasses and favourite tea. Don’t miss a visit to the spectacular Son Marroig estate, this house once belonged to Deia superfan Archduke Lluis Salvador, and is now an understated museum housing artefacts from his life and work.

Other reasons to move to Deia: It’s one of Majorca’s most beautiful villages, and home to many award-winning restaurants, including Bens D’Avall, Tramuntana Grill and Nama. The village grocery store, Es Forn, is full of authentic local produce and gourmet delights. 

Hidden Heritage Gem: The Deia International Music Festival and the Deia Art Festival is a popular event with locals and visitors. 

Nearby Alternatives to Deia: Picturesque Valdemossa hosts the colourful annual Festival Chopin. Soller is a characterful coastal town with the Museu Balear de Ciencies Naturals, art exhibitions and a botanical garden. 

Seville

If you want to fully immerse yourself into the history and culture of Spain, look no further than Seville. It’s the birthplace of flamenco and home to Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sed, the second-biggest cathedral in the world, where you’ll find the tomb of Christopher Columbus. You can spot the tower (La Giralda) of this imposing 15th-century building from pretty much anywhere in the city - climb to the top for unrivalled city views. Plaza de Espana, Seville’s most famous square (and an architectural triumph with its famous Spanish steps) is right next to Maria Luisa Park. Seville’s Real Alcazar is Europe’s oldest working royal palace and recognised as one of the UNESCO heritage sites Spain, alongside the cathedral and Archivo de Indias.

Other reasons to move to Seville: Despite its major city status, Seville is a walkable city with appealing small-town charm, fabulous restaurants and bars everywhere you go, excellent shopping options, including some mouth-watering covered markets, and its close to the sherry triangle, and the many attractions of Andalucia.  

Hidden Heritage Gem: Tablao Flamenco Pura Esencia Sevilla, is an intimate flamenco theatre offering daily shows.

Nearby Alternatives to Seville: Cordoba offers a dreamy combination of culture, tradition, history and art. It’s also home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites. The town comes alive in May with the Cordoba Fiesta de los Patios, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event. The city of Granada, capital of Granada province, is nearby, where you’ll find the old Moorish quarter of Albayzin.

Valladolid

This north-western city’s list of former residents reads like a roll call of Spain’s most illustrious historical figures: Philip II, Ferdinand & Isabella, Christopher Columbus and Miguel Cervantes. Check out the city’s museums in Plaza Mayor - don’t miss Spain’s premier sculpture collection at Museo Nacional De Escultura or Museo Oriental, with its collection of Oriental artefacts from China, Japan and the Philippines. Museo Casa de Cervantes is a museum inside the former home of Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, where he penned his novel Don Quixote. 

Other reasons to move to Valladolid: Under the radar tapas scene that rivals Barcelona and Madrid, cheaper cost of living than other, more well-known Spanish cities, excellent public transport, including super-fast trains that’ll get you to Madrid in under an hour.  

Hidden Heritage Gem: The 16th century Cathedral of Valladolid is well worth a wander around, followed by an al fresco café con leche at one of the many cafes that surround it.  

Nearby Alternatives to Valladolid: Zaragoza is an art-lovers paradise (and possibly one of the most underrated cities in Spain.) Experience a unique blend of urban and ancient architectural heritage, including Aljaferia Palace (an 11th-century Arab palace and UNESCO World Heritage site). A striking cathedral lies at the heart of Plaza del Pilar, the largest square in Spain. Salamanca is an ancient Spanish town and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Head to the historic centre to see important Baroque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance and Romanesque monuments. 

Medina Sidonia

If you’re looking for a slice of authentic Spain, you can’t go wrong with a pueblo blanco, one of Andalucia’s famous white-washed villages, and Medina Sidonia is one of the prettiest and liveliest of them all! As you approach this picturesque town, it’s impossible not to swoon at its typically Spanish architecture, set high in the heart of the plains of Cadiz. With its medieval fortified walls, ruined castle, and narrow cobbled streets, there are countless buildings and places of interest in this historic town, including the Gothic-Renaissance-style Church of Santa Maria de la Coronado and the underground galleries at the Roman Archaeology Museum.

Other reasons to move to Medina Sidonia: This relatively unknown part of Andalucia is ideal for golf, hiking and horse riding. There’s a large expat community in and around the town, plus, the local cuisine and wine are unmissable, and you’re only 30 mins from stunning Atlantic beaches.

Hidden Heritage Gem: Learn how Medina Sidonia’s local delicacy, alfajores, are made at the Aromas de Medina cake shop.

Nearby Alternatives to Medina Sidonia: San Fernando. This small peninsula on the Bay of Cadiz was the birthplace of famous flamenco singer Jose Monge Cruz. It has two beautiful beaches and a lively events calendar, including the Feria del Carmen y de la Sal in July.

Barcelona

Barcelona has a buzzing expat community, partly because the job market is thriving, and the food is world-class, but it’s also because the city is absolutely full of heritage gems and exciting architecture. The giant basilica Sagrada Familia (one of Barcelona’s nine UNESCO World Heritage sites) is the most popular visitor attraction in Barcelona, but it’s not the only place to admire Gaudi’s work - his artistry was integral to many of the city’s iconic landmarks, from Park Guell and La Pedrera to Casa Batllo. The city’s museums and galleries include MNAC: Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Fundacio Antoni Tapies, Museu Picasso and Arts Santa Monica. If you base yourself here, you’ll never be bored, and friends and family will be desperate to visit every chance they get! 

Other reasons to move to Barcelona: The nightlife is buzzing and Calle Blai in the Poble Sec neighbourhood is well-known for its tapas scene. Oh, and it’s just 90 minutes from Costa Brava, there’s year-round sunshine, fabulous beaches on your doorstep, mountainous views, outdoor activities, a lively expat community, the list goes on… 

Hidden Heritage Gem: Museu de la Xocolata in the El Born neighbourhood. Enjoy an immersive learning journey into the history and culture of everyone’s favourite confectionery - chocolate. 

Nearby Alternatives to Barcelona: Bilbao. Smaller than Barcelona, it’s a modern city with a charming old town, picturesque riverside views, and a strong community feel. It’s home to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, a fascinating chrome and metal building with an interesting contemporary modern art collection.

Olite

Step back in time to fairytale Olite, one of Spain’s oldest medieval towns. A beautiful gothic castle looms over the winding medieval streets, which are filled with galleries, churches and noble houses. Discover Palacio Real de Olite, a royal palace and important enclave of the Middle Zone of Navarra. The palace offers guided tours and family workshops, and it is also used as the venue for the annual summer Theatre Festival. And you’re only 40km from historic Pamplona, famous for its bullfighting festivals and mouth-watering food scene that only the locals seems to know about.  

Other reasons to move to Olite: It’s small but lively - the ancient streets are lined with things to see and do. Cheaper cost of living than better known Spanish cities. Olite’s favourable Mediterranean climate has made it the wine capital of Navarra, with many vineyards and wine-tasting tours close by. If you love history and wine, you’ll find a fantastic wine museum inside the old Santo Angel Palace, a striking 17th-century mansion. 

Hidden Heritage Gem: Iglesia de San Pedro. This church is less visited than Iglesia de Santa Maria La Real de Olite. Set in an attractive square, admire the Gothic-inspired cloister and spire, and Baroque altarpiece.

Nearby Alternatives to Olite: The tiny medieval village of Ujué is 30 minutes from Olite. The fortified Santa Maria church stands majestically on top of a mountain. Pamplona is the official capital of the Navarra region and hosts the annual Festival of San Fermin, one of the best fiestas in the world. 

Velez Malaga

The old quarter of Velez is a Site of Historic and Artistic Interest, so it’s a great choice if you want to live in an authentic, traditional Spanish town. Offering a sublime blend of architectural heritage in Spain (including Casa Larios, Teatro del Carmen, Fountain of Felipe II or Fernando VI, and El Posito) and picturesque coastline, wandering the streets is like taking a step back in time. The Palace of the Marquis of Beniel is a fusion of Mudejar and Mannerist architecture and is home to a foundation in memory of Maria Zambrano, a Spanish writer and philosopher born in Velez Malaga in 1904. Close to the palace, you’ll find Casa de Cervantes, a 16th-century manor house said to have once been the home of writer Don Miguel de Cervantes, which now houses several gallery exhibitions. The city has many interesting relics of its Arab past, including the Royal Gate and walls of the old Moorish city. 

Other reasons to move to Velez Malaga: Authentic Spanish living, close to Malaga International Airport, easy to get around so you probably won’t need a car. It’s also home to one of the best pay-and-play golf courses in the world (Baviera Golf Club).

Hidden Heritage Gem: Museo de la Semana Santa de Velez-Malaga is a fantastic cultural facility with art exhibitions.

Nearby Alternatives to Velez Malaga: Rincón de la Victoria offers easy access to the city of Malaga and the airport. Once a sleepy fishing town, it’s a gateway to the fascinating cultural heritage in Spain and sensational gastronomy of the Axarquia region, and home to Europe’s only visitable sea grotto, Cueva del Tesoro (Treasure Cave). 

Cuenca

This jaw-droppingly beautiful historic town, founded by the Moors, is known for its ‘hanging houses’ and was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1996. With fortified city walls, cobbled streets and medieval castle ruins, it’s a magical place for history lovers. Perched on a limestone spur high above the Júcar and Huécar rivers, it boasts one of Spain’s first Gothic cathedrals, Santa Maria y San Juan, which was built on the site of an Islamic mosque. There’s also a museum dedicated to abstract art. 

Other reasons to move to Cuenca: Cheap properties, underrated food scene, close to other historic towns such as Belmonte and Alarcon - one of Spain’s prettiest villages - and Albarracin. Plus there’s a busy calendar of cultural events, including the unmissable San Mateo festival in September.

Hidden Heritage Gem: There are thousands of fossils and lots of model dinosaurs on display at Cuenca’s contemporary palaeontology museum.  

Nearby alternatives to Cuenca: Alarcon is one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, known for its 8th century Arab fortress and the spectacular Alarcon murals.  
 

Still wondering where to live in Spain? Check out our guides on renting and buying a property in Spain.