Spain is one of Europe’s most popular retirement destinations, but where exactly should you settle? We compared living costs, property affordability, healthcare, transport and what overseas buyers themselves say they want to find five of the best regions to retire to in Spain.
Retiring to Spain can mean winter walks beside the Mediterranean, coffee in the town square or a home surrounded by the greener scenery of northern Spain. But choosing somewhere to live year-round is very different to choosing a favourite holiday destination.
Spain already performs strongly on affordability. In the Your Overseas Home Cost of Living Index 2026, our basket of everyday expenses was 32% cheaper in Spain than in the UK. Costs vary considerably within the country, however, so where you settle could make a significant difference to how far your retirement income goes.
In short: The Valencia region is our best all-round place to retire to in Spain in 2026, combining comparatively manageable living costs, good transport links, healthcare and a large international community. Murcia ranks highly for affordability, while Andalusia, Asturias and the Canary Islands each suit different retirement priorities.
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How we ranked the best regions to retire to in Spain
Spain was one of the strongest European destinations in our Easiest places to retire overseas in 2026 ranking. But Spain is a large country and life on the Costa Blanca can look very different to retirement in Asturias or the Canary Islands.
For this ranking, we’ve looked beyond sunshine and beaches. We compared:
- Regional household expenditure
- Property affordability
- Healthcare
- Transport connections
- Climate
- International resident surveys
- Your Overseas Home buyer research
Spain is already relatively affordable compared with the UK: in the Your Overseas Home Cost of Living Index 2026, our basket of everyday expenses was 32% cheaper in Spain than in the UK.
That index compares countries rather than individual Spanish regions, so we’ve gone a step further for this ranking. We also compared official regional household expenditure figures published by Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE).
Our own buyer research gives us another clue about what matters in retirement.
Among UK-based retirement respondents to the Your Overseas Home Annual Buyer Survey 2026, 61.3% selected a healthier lifestyle as a reason for moving overseas. Better weather was selected by 52.7% and a lower cost of living by 42.5%.
Property affordability matters too. Almost two-thirds – 65.9% – of property buyers surveyed had a budget below €300,000 (£257,000 at the exchange rate used for the survey), while 43% were looking below €200,000. Among buyers choosing Spain specifically, the most common budget was €200,000–€299,999, selected by 31.1%.
And the retirement wish list is more practical than you might think. Among prospective buyers choosing Spain, 78.6% said walking distance to shops and cafés was essential, while 59.7% wanted a home by the sea. A swimming pool mattered to 46.6% of Spain buyers, compared with 32.5% across all destinations.
If you’re still working out the practicalities of making the move, our guide to retiring to Spain from the UK covers areas such as visas, healthcare and finances.
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With all that in mind, these are our five regions to put on your retirement shortlist.
What are Spain’s best regions for retirees?
1. Valencia – best all-rounder
If you want sunshine and easy access to the UK without Costa del Sol prices, the Valencia region has a strong case for first place.
It includes Valencia city as well as Alicante, the Costa Blanca, Dénia, Torrevieja and numerous smaller coastal and inland towns. That gives retirees plenty of choice between city living, established coastal communities and quieter locations a little further inland.
There is also strong evidence that overseas residents enjoy living here. Valencia city came first worldwide in the 2024 InterNations Expat City Ranking, while Alicante came third. Valencia also topped its quality-of-life ranking.
Living costs remain comparatively manageable. INE recorded average annual household expenditure of €13,704 per person in the Valencian Community in 2025, below the Spanish average of €14,066.
Transport is another advantage. Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport handled almost 20 million passengers in 2025, with the UK among its largest international markets. Valencia also has its own international airport and high-speed rail connections to Madrid.
For retirement, that accessibility matters. You can live somewhere that feels very Spanish while still being well connected to the UK for trips home and visits from family.
Best for: retirees looking for sunshine, a large international community, good transport and plenty of choice between towns and cities.
Where to look: Alicante, Santa Pola, Dénia, Torrevieja, Jávea and towns inland from the Costa Blanca.
2. Murcia – best for value
Murcia receives less international attention than neighbouring Alicante and Andalusia. For retirees watching their budget, that is part of its appeal.
Official figures put average annual household expenditure at €12,408 per person in 2025. That was 11.8% below the Spanish average and among the lowest figures in the country.
Property can also be more accessible than in many of Spain’s best-known retirement areas. Coastal locations such as Águilas and parts of the Costa Cálida sit alongside less expensive inland towns, giving buyers flexibility over both budget and lifestyle.
Healthcare spending is another point in Murcia’s favour. Spanish Ministry of Health figures show the region spent €2,155 per resident on public healthcare in 2024, compared with an average of €1,957 across Spain’s regions.
You still get a Mediterranean climate and easy access to beaches, golf courses and towns such as Cartagena, but without the price premium found in parts of Málaga province or the Balearic Islands.
Murcia also suits buyers who want a little more space for their money. For someone selling a UK home and trying to avoid putting too much of their retirement capital into property, that could be an important consideration.
Best for: retirees prioritising affordability, outside space and Mediterranean living.
Where to look: Murcia city, Águilas, Mazarrón, Cartagena, San Javier and communities around the Mar Menor.
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3. Andalusia – best for an active retirement
It would be difficult to produce a Spanish retirement ranking without Andalusia.
The region includes the Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, Costa de Almería and inland cities including Granada, Seville and Córdoba. That means the retirement experience can vary enormously depending on where you choose.
Our own 2026 buyer survey found the Costa del Sol was the second most-selected Spanish region among respondents who had already narrowed down where they wanted to buy, just ahead of the Costa Blanca.
Málaga also came second worldwide in the 2024 InterNations Expat City Ranking. Some 43% of Málaga respondents were retired and 99% rated its climate and weather positively.
Day-to-day living can be surprisingly affordable. Andalusia recorded average household expenditure of €12,197 per person in 2025 – the lowest figure of any Spanish autonomous community.
Property is the catch.
Málaga province, in particular, has seen strong price growth and homes in Marbella and other prime parts of the Costa del Sol can be considerably more expensive than property elsewhere in Andalusia.
That doesn’t mean Andalusia is only for wealthier retirees. Looking further east towards Almería, west towards Cádiz or inland can open up considerably more choice.
And Andalusia has another advantage that is harder to capture in a spreadsheet: infrastructure for international residents. In many established retirement areas you’ll find English-speaking lawyers, healthcare providers, clubs and social groups alongside frequent flights back to Britain.
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Best for: retirees who want plenty going on, warm winters, established international communities and good UK connections.
Where to look: Málaga province if your budget allows, plus Almería, Cádiz province, Granada province and towns further inland.
4. Asturias – best for green Spain
Retiring to Spain doesn’t have to mean searching for the hottest place on the map.
Asturias sits on Spain’s northern coast, with Atlantic beaches, mountains and much greener scenery than the Mediterranean regions. Summer temperatures are generally more moderate too, which may appeal if weeks of temperatures above 30°C sound more tiring than tempting.
It isn’t the cheapest region for everyday spending. Average household expenditure was €14,241 per person in 2025, slightly above the Spanish average.
Property can compensate for that. Buyers can still find significantly lower prices in many parts of Asturias than in Spain’s most sought-after Mediterranean coastal markets.
Healthcare is another draw. Asturias had the highest public healthcare expenditure per person in Spain in 2024, at €2,322, according to Spain’s Ministry of Health.
Your shortlist could include cities such as Oviedo and Gijón or smaller towns closer to the coast and mountains.
There are compromises. Asturias gets more rain than southern Spain and international flight connections are more limited. If family plans to visit several times a year, check the journey carefully before committing.
But for retirees who want to walk, cycle, spend time outdoors and avoid the strongest summer heat, northern Spain deserves serious consideration.
Best for: active retirees looking for cooler summers, countryside and access to the coast.
Where to look: Oviedo, Gijón, Villaviciosa and smaller towns within easy reach of the coast.
5. Canary Islands – best for winter warmth
If escaping the British winter sits near the top of your retirement wish list, the Canary Islands are the obvious choice.
Their position off the north-west coast of Africa gives Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura much milder winters than mainland Europe.
That can change how you live day to day. Walking, swimming, eating outside and playing golf remain realistic options through much more of the year.
Living costs are also comparatively favourable. Average household expenditure was €12,652 per person in 2025, €1,414 below the Spanish average.
The compromise is property affordability. The islands have experienced significant price growth and desirable coastal areas can be expensive, particularly where housing supply is limited.
Island life itself also deserves careful thought.
Flying to the UK is straightforward from the main islands, but visiting mainland Spain means getting on another flight or taking a ferry. If your retirement plans involve regular road trips around Spain or frequent visits to family on the mainland, another region may work better.
Spend time on your chosen island outside the main holiday season too. Tenerife and Gran Canaria in particular have very different microclimates, communities and property markets within relatively short distances.
Best for: retirees who put mild winters and year-round outdoor living ahead of easy mainland access.
Where to look: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, comparing individual towns rather than judging each island as one market.
Where is the best place to retire in Spain?
For the strongest all-round combination of climate, everyday costs, transport, healthcare access and international community, the Valencia region is our best region to retire to in Spain in 2026.
But there isn’t one winner for everybody.
If keeping both property and day-to-day costs under control matters most, look closely at Murcia. If you want a large international community and plenty happening throughout the year, Andalusia remains hard to beat.
For cooler summers and an active outdoor retirement, Asturias makes a compelling alternative to the Mediterranean coast. And if January sunshine is your priority, the Canary Islands have an obvious advantage.
The key is to choose somewhere for February as well as August.
Before buying, spend time in your shortlisted town outside the main holiday season. Try the journey to the supermarket, nearest health centre and airport. Go out for coffee on a weekday morning. See whether you could comfortably manage everyday life without relying on a car if driving becomes less appealing later in retirement.
Those details are likely to matter much more in ten years’ time than being five minutes closer to the beach.
What should I do next?
Once you have a couple of regions in mind, compare them based on how you would actually live rather than where you’ve most enjoyed going on holiday.
Our guide to retiring to Spain from the UK explains the practical side of the move, while our Easiest places to retire overseas in 2026 lets you compare Spain with other retirement destinations.
You can also search property for sale across Spain to see what your budget could buy in each region.
FAQs
We rank the Valencia region first overall because it combines good transport, healthcare access, comparatively manageable costs, warm weather and a large international community. However, the best region depends on your budget and priorities.
Murcia and Andalusia stand out in official household spending data. In 2025, average annual expenditure was €12,408 per person in Murcia and €12,197 in Andalusia, compared with a Spanish average of €14,066. Property prices can still vary enormously within both regions.
Many everyday costs can be lower. The Your Overseas Home Cost of Living Index 2026 found its basket of everyday expenses was 32% cheaper in Spain than in the UK. Your actual spending will depend on where you live, your housing costs and your lifestyle.
The Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol remain two of the most popular areas with British buyers. Our 2026 buyer survey also found both among the most frequently selected Spanish regions.
The Costa Blanca may suit you if affordability is a bigger priority, while the Costa del Sol has a particularly well-established international community and excellent transport connections. Spend time in both outside summer before deciding.
