Gorgeous Spain is full of life with a friendly culture, impressive architecture, fun-filled festivals, sunny beaches, delicious food and wine, and of course beautiful weather practically all year round. It is little wonder that the country has been one of the most popular destinations for foreigners to migrate to. Where would be the best place to live in Spain? We are here with a list of the 5 best places to live in Spain as a foreigner.
1. Madrid
Madrid being the capital city is a cosmopolitan city that embraces culture from all over the world. Most foreigners will find themselves comfortably settled in as it is easy to meet new people and make friends amongst English speakers, Spanish citizens, or other foreigners from all over the world.
The city also offers an impressive gourmet food scene, colourful art scene, exciting nightlife and entertainment as well as lots of green spaces. On a practical front, you and your loved ones get to enjoy excellent medical, education, and transport infrastructures, and considering the fact that this is their capital city, the cost of living in Madrid remains surprisingly affordable.
The climate is also attractive with summer highs of up to 40°C and winter lows descending to a comfortable 12°C.
2. Barcelona
The city of Barcelona is home to some of Spain’s most stunning architecture. This historic coastal city is also rich with beautiful parks and gardens, vibrant art and nightlife, excellent seafood, sandy beaches, quaint medieval streets and bustling markets, plus chic boutiques, restaurants and bars. There are also plenty of outdoor sports opportunities here, including hiking, biking and kite surfing.
Situated in between the Mediterranean sea and the lower Pyrenees Mountains, Barcelona benefits from consistently pleasant weather all year round, with the coolest winter temperatures at around 10°C, climbing to averages of 30°C during the summer months. Barcelona is also considered the capital of Catalonia, a region where the people are fiercely proud of their unique culture, and the Catalonian language is widely spoken throughout the city.
The quality of life here for foreigners is extremely high, and it is possible to live comfortably on a relatively modest budget. There is a great public transport system, an excellent healthcare system and plenty of education options for foreigners.
3. Valencia
Spain’s third-largest city after Madrid and Barcelona, the port town of Valencia nestling on the banks of the Turia River on the east coast of Spain has in recent years undergone an amazing transformation which has turned it into one of the most dynamic and desirable cities in the country. This city has been home to many settlers from the north of Africa over the centuries, and this influence can be seen in the beautiful Moorish architecture.
The city is also famous for its Paella – one of Spain’s classic dishes and its markets are filled with fresh and tasty produce from both land and sea. There are a wide variety of cultural attractions, including colourful festivals, an opera house, museums and aquariums, and there is plenty here to keep foreigners occupied all year round.
4. Seville
Relaxed, charming, vibrant, romantic, flamboyant – Seville in southern Spain has so much to offer. The locals are unashamedly passionate about their history and culture, and traditional flamenco and bull fighting are still popular here.
Architecture lovers can marvel at great works of art from gothic cathedrals and serpentine medieval alleyways to elaborate royal palaces. The social scene is buzzing with activities at plazas till late into the night, and they make the perfect location to enjoy Seville’s excellent culinary scene – especially the tapas which the city is famous for.
Foreigners get to savour an exciting nightlife here too with flamenco bars, cocktail bars, clubs and pubs to suit any taste, and the shopping scene includes everything from thriving traditional markets to upscale boutiques.
The city isn’t huge and that is part of its appeal. There is a welcoming foreigner community here, and the cost of living is relatively inexpensive.
5. Granada
In the heart of Andalucia lies the magnificent medieval Alhambra Palace, a magical Moorish architectural gem, and the city of Granada’s largest tourist attraction. Granada is elegant and cosmopolitan, a fusion of old and new which attracts people of all ages and cultures.
The food in the city is delicious and very affordable, the nightlife is booming, the historical features and culture are compelling, and the scenery just outside of the city is sublime.
Foreigners who settled in here find it easy to mix with the locals, the cost of living is very affordable and as this is a small city everything is within easy reach.
Summers may be scorching but winters can be as low as 7°C which is a little fresh for Spain.
Your Preference Matters
At the end of the day, the city you choose has to fit the lifestyle of you and your loved ones. Spain is a beautiful and welcoming country no matter where you eventually choose. We hope you find the article useful. Do share your thoughts in the comments section below.
