Best destinations to retire in Spain

Denia

Denia is a welcoming, cosmopolitan community in the province of Alicante, on the Costa Blanca. Separated from the main road by the positioning of the Montgó natural park, Denia feels like its own separate kingdom. It is home to 42,000 people, a fifth of whom are expats hailing from Britain, Germany, Holland and France. 

It’s a great place for expat retirees to put down roots because it’s a year round town, with plenty going on during the winter months. There are lots of organised activities for English-speakers and Spanish language lessons are easy to come by.

There’s a weekly street market on Mondays, a flea market on Fridays, and evening arts and crafts markets during the Spring and Summer months. UNESCO designated Denia as a City of Creative Gastronomy in 2015, and its foodie game is strong - there are more than 300 restaurants in the area, serving up mouth-watering Valencian produce and succulent seafood (including the famous red prawn of Denia).

There are many transport links here, including a ferry if you want to get away to Ibiza – which is only 55 miles away. 

There is also a range of healthcare providers, including dentists and a well-equipped new public health hospital (Marina Salud) on the way out of town.

Los Alcazares

Located on the Costa Calida in the province of Murcia in south east Spain, Los Alcazares is a beach town divided into old and new; the old town offers high street shops, specialist boutiques, traditional tapas restaurants, and a charming marina. The new town was built nearly 15 years ago to accommodate the increasing popularity of the resort, with a large pedestrianised plaza that boasts family-friendly bars, shops, international restaurants, lots of opportunities for al fresco dining, and a twice weekly market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The town hosts a summer fun fair, circus and an evening market in July and August, as well as the usual Spanish festivals throughout the year. Water sports, golf, boat trips and beaches are all on your doorstep. 

Retirees love the Costa Calida region because it benefits from a dry microclimate, which is perfect for people suffering from arthritis, rheumatism or asthma. There are also several blue flag beaches around, and more than 10 golf resorts. 

Los Alcazares is only 30 minutes from Murcia airport, and benefits from a medical centre in town, as well as a university hospital 10 minutes drive away.

Palma, Mallorca

The pretty island of Mallorca is consistently voted as one of the best islands in the world to retire to, most recently by Money Wise in 2019. World-renowned tennis player and native Mallorcan Rafael Nadal once said “I live where I would like to live. I live in Mallorca, and I am not sure there are better places.”

The capital of Palma is a vibrant hub with a stunning marina, hundreds of shops and restaurants (four of which currently have a Michelin Star), a spectacular cathedral, museums, and more culture and history than you can shake a stick at. 

Festivals and events occur practically every month all over the island. Our favourites in Palma include the Festes de Sant Sebastia in January, a fiery celebration of the patron saint of Palma that includes street parties, big bonfires and concerts in every major square of the city, and the glamorous Palma International Boat Show, which takes place at the end of April. 

The island is equally great for retirees looking to pursue an active lifestyle (hiking in the mountains, watersports, exploring varied landscapes), or for the more culturally minded (museums, art galleries, musical events). 

As you can imagine, Palma offers extensive bus links to other resorts on the island, and the historic FS train connects the capital with the pretty town of Sóller, in the mountainous north of the island stopping at picturesque Bunyola on the way.

There are several hospitals and medical centres located in and around Palma.

El Valle

Looking to play a lot of golf in your retirement? How about retiring to a golf resort? El Valle, a gated community on the Costa Calida in Murcia province,  could be the place for you. With only 369 villas and 319 apartments, this luxury resort offers tranquil, community living and the location and landscape makes it feel like a Spanish mountain village. It’s popular with expats too; Kyero’s data wizards saw a 200% increase in searches for property in El Valle in 2020.

Facilities include an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course (one of the best in the region), an international supermarket, restaurant and club house, tennis courts, a gym, and 24/7 security. Golf tournaments are held weekly. 

El Valle is situated close to the Sierra de Carrascoy mountains regional park, with easy access to Murcia city, and its beaches, shops, bars and restaurants. Food and wine lovers can take a day trip to Abanilla (40 minutes away), known for its fabulous paella and traditional olive oil presses, while history buffs should not miss the ancient city of Cartagena (40 minutes drive) 

The hospital in nearby Murcia is only a 12 minute drive away. There are no transport links at the resort, so having your own car is essential. The nearby city of Murcia is connected to all the major Spanish cities via train and bus.

Benidorm 

The popular resort town of Benidorm on the Costa Blanca, which spawned a long-running TV show in the UK, is perfect for retirees looking for fun and entertainment in their golden years. With its long promenades, pedestrianised city centre, easily accessible beaches and all year round events programme, it’s very popular with British expats and is known for its British bars and restaurants - great if you’re worried about being able to speak Spanish fluently, or if you think you’ll miss your home comforts. 

There are lots of things to do in and around Benidorm, including relaxing on the many beaches of the Costa Blanca, exploring the Sierra Helada National Park, the usual golf and water sports, and there’s a surplus of water parks and a theme park nearby perfect for when the grandchildren come to stay. The pretty hilltop town of Guadelest, with its fresh water spring, Moorish castle and traditional way of life, is also a must visit. 

Benidorm is only 40 minutes drive from Alicante airport, and is well served by the Costa Blanca’s extensive bus network. There is also a regular train service that connects Benidorm with Alicante and Denia.

Nerja

A classic Spanish seaside resort and former fishing village on the glittering Costa Del Sol, Nerja is a beautiful town to retire to. Offering all the usual tapas restaurants, water sports, golf, hiking, horse rides, swimming, tennis and even petanca, you’ll never be short of things to do.

Day trips from Nerja include the ancient Nerja Caves, a series of 5km underground caverns that contain the oldest stalagmite in the world, pretty white-washed villages such as Maro and Competa, and of course the historic city of Granada and its magnificent Alhambra Palace (Spain’s top visitor attraction) is only 80 minutes drive away. 

A medical centre is located on the road into Nerja, with an emergency room open 24/7. The nearest hospital is in Velez Malaga, 30 minutes away. 

Playa De Los Cristianos, Tenerife 

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and boasts one of the best climates in the world, known as the ‘eternal spring.’ Summers are balmy and warm but not roasting, while winters are mild. The island has a stunning coastline, with a mountainous backdrop, and is perfect for nature lovers and those who are looking for an active retirement.

Playa De Los Christianos is a buzzing resort town in the south of the island, popular with expats looking for a quieter scene compared to its lively neighbour, Playa de Los Americas. The town grew from a tiny fishing village and still has a pretty harbour, and two of the biggest and best beaches on the island, one of which has an unofficial nudist area. 

There is plenty to do in and around Los Cristianos if you are retired, including day trips to the nature paradise island of La Gomera. Mount Teide is only one hour away and offers spectacular views, plenty of hiking options (there’s also a cable car), a restaurant and even star gazing events at night. 

There are lots of picturesque fishing villages to visit, one of the best is Masca, 40 minute drive away in the north of the island. There’s golf courses nearby to while away your day, as well as all the usual water sports and a friendly expat scene. 

The resort is only 15 minutes drive from the airport. There is a doctor’s surgery in town and a hospital in nearby Santa Cruz. 

Mojacar

Mojacar is a beautiful white washed hilltop pueblo situated in the south eastern part of the province of Almeria, overlooking the beach resort of Mojacar Playa, with its 17km of tranquil beaches. 

The village, with its cobbled streets and old fountain, is blessed with a fascinating history, having been inhabited since the bronze age. The fountain has been at the centre of village life for centuries, and is still used by residents as a meeting place, and source of fresh water today.

There is a weekly market on Wednesdays, a selection of craft shops, and lots of candle-lit restaurant terraces and cafe-lined plazas. There are many festivals and fiestas throughout the year but the most important is the Moors and Christians Fiesta in mid-June, where the whole village dresses up and celebrates the 15th century story of the battle between the Arab settlers and Catholic invaders. 

There is a bus service from the pueblo to the beach, for those that don’t fancy the walk back (which is all uphill). There are a couple of medical centres in the region, and the main hospital is located 35 minutes drive away in Huércal-Overa. 

Villamartin

Located in the province of Alicante, in the community of Valencia on the Costa Blanca, the Villamartin development was built in the early 1970s to accommodate the influx of visitors to the area. It has now grown into a much-loved community that offers immaculate poolside villas, townhouses, and apartments, as well as a supermarket, restaurants, bars, shops, pharmacies, two excellent golf courses and a bank.

Local authorities on the Costa Blanca have invested heavily in accessibility and state-wide free healthcare, making it a very attractive region to retire to. More than 50 beaches have been made accessible for those who are physically impaired, many watersports and leisure facilities are also disability-friendly, and several towns in the area have green routes that guarantee hospitable conditions for wheelchair users. 

There are lots of Blue Flag beaches close to Villamartin, including La Zenia, whose pristine white sands and clear, azure waters make for a perfect day at the seaside. 

Villamartin is less than an hour from the historic cities of Alicante, Murcia and Cartagena, with all their amenities, culture, and great food, and it’s less than 50 minutes from Alicante airport. Less than 15 minute drive to the nearest hospital.

Castellon de la Plana

If you’re a history buff looking to retire to Spain, Castellon de la Plana, a medieval city on the Costa Azahar is a good option. Just one hour north of Valencia, this small, culture-packed city is known for its gothic cathedral, sparkling marina, Moorish castle and pretty beaches, and is often described as a living museum because of all the elaborate architecture there is to admire.

There’s plenty to see and do in and around Castellon; there are three museums (including a fine arts museum), the Columbretes Islands National Park, the famed villages of Bencarlo and Peñiscola just along the coast, and the vibrant city of Valencia is less than an hour away. The city is easily accessible and compact enough to be able to walk around the city centre in less than an hour. 

It’s a well connected city; Castellón–Costa Azahar Airport is only 30 mins away, while Valencia Airport is 60 mins away. There’s an extensive bus and train network, and even eco-friendly trams. 

There are two hospitals, and several medical clinics located in the city centre.

Seville 

The birthplace of flamenco, Seville offers the very best Spain has to offer, at a fraction of the cost of its bigger cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona. According to Internations, Seville is the 4th cheapest city in Spain, just behind the Basque city of Bilbao.

Exquisite Moorish architecture can be found all over (don’t miss the Royal Alcázar, Seville Cathedral or the Plaza de España), the city centre is very walkable on foot and the city offers a plethora of shopping options and incredible restaurants, bars and markets, as well as an enviable annual events programme. 

Located on the Guadalquivir River, Seville is only 93 miles away from the Portuguese border, making it a perfect base if you want to explore Portugal during your retirement. The famous , encompassing the towns of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúca de Barrameda  and El Puero de Santa María, is on your doorstep, while the historic cities of Cordoba, Granada and Huelva are within driving distance. 

Seville airport mainly deals with domestic flights, Jerez airport is 70 minutes away, while Malaga airport is 2 hours away. 

There are a couple of hospitals in Seville, as well as medical centres, doctor’s surgeries and everything else you’d expect from a big city.