The best city in Spain to live: it’s not Madrid nor Barcelona
From the lush north to the radiant Mediterranean, from serene inland plains to sun-soaked islands, there is a consensus in Spain on what the good life is. Here, excellence is measured in hours of sunlight, conversations in the street and the proximity of everything essential.
The quality of life in Spanish cities is breathed in the air, tasted in traditional dishes and felt while sitting in a square watching the world go by. With this honoured position in mind, we wanted to know in which city people live best.
The testimony of those who know Spain best
To truly take the pulse of a city, one has to go beyond the statistics and stereotypes. Indeed, one need ask those who live in and know the place. And in order to identify which city in Spain is the optimum one to live in, our online survey asks those with first-hand experience and daily insights.
The following is the opinion of those who best know the country, offering a unique survey on the quality of life carried out by and for the residents of these places.
Cities that lead the well-being poll
Seville and Santander, two cities with seemingly little in common, begin the ranking with a noteworthy draw for fifth place. This is indisputable proof that both north and south are equally valid when it comes to enjoying urban life in Spain.
Fourth place goes to Gijón, the northern port city set in an extraordinary landscape where food is an art form. Gijón harmoniously melds sea and city, tradition and modernity and, no less importantly, offers a pleasantly mild climate.
The third-place winner is Madrid, the metropolis par excellence. Madrid is the city where boredom is unthinkable, whether it be enjoying its nightlife, its extraordinary cultural offering or the opportunity to taste an entire country’s gastronomy in a single city.
For the silver medal, Málaga stands out as the quintessential Spanish city. Followers often cite its customs, the seaside charm, the sunlight, not to mention the ever-present bustle of the city’s street life.
Spain’s best city to live in
Valencia, the pearl of the Mediterranean, garners the most votes for its outstanding quality of life. The city is a treasure trove of history, culture, and culinary delights set along the alluring Mediterranean Sea.
With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, Valencia invites outdoor living, whether it be on its city beaches or strolling along the old riverbed of the Turia River, today an enormous urban green space. Valencia strikes the ideal balance between the perks of a metropolis and a human dimension that marks its measured pace of life.
You can also read this article in Spanish.
Follow us on Facebook to discover more fascinating places in Spain!