Retiring to Spain is a major step and is filled with many big decisions – most importantly where to live.
Brits are spoilt for choice when choosing a location, with many areas on both the mainland and holiday islands offering idyllic options.
The Spanish Eye asked artificial intelligence for the best places for Brits to retire to in Spain, below are its answers in the order it gave them.
Costa del Sol
Best for: Warm weather year-round, British expat communities, golf, beaches.
Popular towns: Marbella, Estepona, Mijas, Nerja, Benalmadena.
Why Brits love it: Huge English-speaking community, excellent healthcare access, great transport links (near Malaga), familiarity – British shops and pubs galore.
Costa Blanca
Best for: Affordable living, beautiful coastline, relaxed lifestyle.
Popular towns: Alicante, Torrevieja, Javea, Altea.
Why Brits love it: Lots of budget-friendly properties, strong expat network, great for beach lovers and walkers, milder winters than the UK but not as hot as the south.
Barcelona / Catalonia Region
Best for: Culture, city life, day trips, mountain-sea combo.
Popular towns: Sitges, Tarragona, Castelldefels.
Why Brits love it: Stunning architecture, food, and vibe, access to international flights, coastal lifestyle without giving up city perks.
Valencia
Best for: City with a beach, more authentic Spanish life, affordability.
Why Brits love it: Cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona, mellow pace, but with lots going on, good transport and healthcare, very walkable and green (Turia Gardens!).
Andalucia (inland)
Best for: Rustic lifestyle, scenery, tranquility.
Popular towns: Ronda, Granada, Almeria (also on the coast), Antequera.
Why Brits love it: Charming historic towns, tapas culture and low cost of living, cooler climate in the mountains, fewer tourists than the coasts.
Balearic Islands
Best for: Island life, upscale atmosphere, nature.
Popular islands: Mallorca (especially Palma and Soller), Menorca.
Why Brits love it: Beautiful landscapes, friendly, international vibe, slower pace of life, very peaceful, excellent for hiking, boating, and nature lovers.
Honorable Mentions
Madrid: More for city-lovers, not beachgoers. Vibrant but not ideal for everyone in retirement.
Basque Country (San Sebastian, Bilbao): Gorgeous, green, cooler, and very cultural—but more expensive and less English spoken.
