101 Reasons to move to Spain

1,320 days of sunshine per year!

Spain enjoys a mild climate, but you can still experience all 4 seasons, depending on which region you settle in. Spain’s official tourism website has a useful section on average temperatures by region. 

2. Tapas

Compact food made with love, traditionally served with a drink. Tapas is an artform in Spain.   

3. Sherry 

No longer just your nan’s favourite tipple, Sherry has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, popping up on fancy cocktail menus from New York to Shanghai. It’s a fortified wine made from white grapes grown near the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalucia. 

4. Siesta

A mandatory two hour afternoon snooze to avoid the hottest part of the day.

5. Family friendly culture

“Spain has real community spirit, you feel safe in Spain, wherever you go it feels like people are looking out for you, and your children. I can’t imagine bringing up my boys anywhere else” – Sian Burton, Kyero Sales Director.

6. Spanish History  

Reminders of Spain’s Moorish legacy lingers in the country’s palaces, gardens and street culture. Dramatic narrative, rich tapestry,  From the Roman invasion to the, 1492 discovery of America, the expulsion of the Reconquest, Moorish culture, and the blossoming of a vast maritime empire, via Civil War. 

7. The Alhambra

This spectacular Moorish palace in Granada is Spain’s most visited attraction, and it’s not hard to see why, with its jaw-dropping marquetry ceilings, trickling fountains and pools and colourful geometric tiling.  

8. Flamenco 

A gravel-voiced singer, a Spanish guitar and a dancer fired by passion are the key ingredients to a powerful flamenco performance.  This erotically charged dance is an art form derived from the folklore and musical traditions of Andalucia. Its roots go back many centuries and are most closely entwined with Arabic, Greek and Caribbean culture.

9. Football

Football is the new bullfighting in Spain, it’s the sport that brings the nation together. And the rivalry between Barcelona and Madrid is legendary.  

10. Expats rate life in Spain 10/10 

Spain ranks ahead of the UK and US on work/life balance, healthcare, safety, quality of life, and social life, according to the HSBC expat explorer survey

11. Festivals galore

Spain is a country that lives for its festivals, from small villages to big cities, there’s always a festival going on somewhere to enjoy good food, dancing fancy dress. Some of our favourites are the Seville Feria, La Tomatina (a tomato festival that concludes with a big tomato fight!), Las Fallas in Valencia, and of course, Easter and Christmas are always a big deal to the Spanish. 

12. Better value properties

Spanish property gives you more value for money, the average cost of a property in Spain is £192k, compared to £274k in the UK, £273k in Germany, and £368k in the USA. Check out all our Properties for Sale and bag yourself a bargain. 

13. Live longer!

The average lifespan of a resident in Spain is currently 83.38 years whilst that of a British resident is 81.60. In France it’s 82.5; Germany it’s 80.9; Netherlands its 82.01; while in the USA it's 79.7. 

14. Markets

From the historic food markets of Madrid, Valencia and Granada, to the weekly street markets held in nearly every village, town and coastal resort in Spain, if you’re looking for fresh local produce at a reasonable price, from fish to citrus fruit, there will be a nearby market to feed your appetite. 

15. Beaches 

From the pristine sands in the north, to secret coves in the Balearics and Canary Islands, to the bustling beaches of the Costa Del Sol and Costa Brava, Spain offers more than 7,500km of coastline with more than 3,000 beaches to choose from. Pass the bucket and spade. 

16. Cheaper cost of living 

According to Numbeo in 2022, Spain ranks number 21/42 in the European Cost of Living Index, making it cheaper to live than the UK, France, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, and Italy. 

17. Delicious seafood 

Gambas pil pil (prawns and garlic), crispy fried squid, arroz marinero (rice and seafood), cod croquettes, espetos (grilled sardines), Galician octopus, seafood paella, the list of seafood options in Spain is never ending. 

18. Well established Expat life 

270,000 Brits currently live in Spain, according to the Office of National Statistics, followed by 211,000 French expats, 167,000 Germans and 57,000 Americans. These groups have created communities that are just waiting for you to join. Find out more about what it’s like to live in Spain by listening to our Spain Experts Series podcast episode – Your New Life in Spain. 

19. Wine

The grassy northwest is most famous for Alberino, a white grape and zesty wine. Along the Mediterranean coast, you’ll find mega-wines like Cava and Sherry but also lesser-known regional red and white varieties. The Ebro River Valley serves the famous vineyards of La Rioja and Navarra with a glut of Tempranillo grapes, while dessert wine is a speciality of the Canaries. The most affordable table wine comes from the Spanish interior, near Madrid.

20. Dining al fresco 

Who doesn’t love dining outdoors with their loved ones? And with 320 days of sunshine on offer, there won’t be many days where you’ll have to eat indoors. 

21. Watersports

From lazy, sun-drenched boat rides around the coast, fishing trips and water skiing, to kayaking and canoeing around Spain’s rivers (the Noguera Pallaresa river in the Pyrenees is particularly spectacular), to scuba diving on the Costa Brava, and windsurfing near Tarifa, Spain is paradise for water enthusiasts. 

22. Healthier diet 

According to the World Health Organisation: “The traditional Mediterranean is characterised by a high intake of plant-based foods (fruit, vegetables, nuts and cereals) and olive oil; a moderate intake of fish and poultry; and a low intake of dairy products, red meat, processed meats and sweets. Social and cultural factors closely associated with the traditional Mediterranean diet, including shared eating practices, post-meal siestas (afternoon naps) and lengthy meal times, are also thought to contribute to the attributed positive health effects recorded in the Mediterranean region.”

23. Hiking 

The Spanish landscape is a gift to hikers. One of Spain’s prettiest and simplest hikes can be found in the Tramuntana Mountains in the north of Mallorca, where you’re never more than an hour away from some charming village bar. While the Camino de Santiago is one of the most famous hiking routes in Europe. 

24. UNESCO world heritage sites 

Spain boasts 49 world heritage sites, from spectacular cathedrals, monasteries and tower, to historic towns, national parks, mountain ranges and walking routes. We love Cuenca town (above).

25. Paella

Arguably Spain’s most famous dish. Helpful tip: paella is traditionally a lunchtime treat only, as it’s considered by the locals as too heavy to eat at night. So if you see someone enjoying paella for dinner, they’re highly likely to be a tourist!

26. San Sebastian

One of the best foodie cities in the world, San Sebastian is located on the Basque coast and is known for its many Michelin starred restaurants, its beautiful beach and its dynamic pintxos bar scene.  

27. Golf  

Spain is tee-riffic for golfers. There are currently 398 golf courses in Spain, with more than 70 located on the Costa Del Sol. 

28. Nightlife

Some of the best nightlife in the world can be found in Spain, from the super clubs of Ibiza and the iconic bar and tapas scene in Barcelona, to the party resorts of Marbella, Magaluf and Sitges. 

29. A short ferry ride to Africa 

The ferry ride between Tarifa on the southern tip of Spain, to Tangiers is less than hour. So you can explore the souks, grab an authentic Moroccan tagine and sip mint tea all in the space of a day trip from the Spanish mainland. 

30. Best restaurants in the world 

El Celler de Can Roca in the province of Girona was voted world’s best restaurant in 2013 and 2015, coming in 2nd place in 2018, while Asador Etxebarri, a Basque country restaurant famous for its steak, was voted 3rd best restaurant in the world in 2019 and 2021. 

31. Free vitamin D 

Doctors advise that the average adult needs 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day, and as your body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors, and so there’s 320 days of sunshine every year, you won’t need to take a supplement to get your daily dose of this feel good vitamin. 

32. Island life

The Balearics and the Canary Islands offer sun kissed beaches, and water-based activities galore, not to mention great food, shopping and nightlife, but there are a few lesser known islands to explore, such as the compact little island of Tabarca, off the coast of Torrevieja, the Medes Islands off the Costa Brava which are famous with scuba enthusiasts for their marine life and the uninhabited island of Es Vedrà, which has long been part of the legend of the lost city of Atlantis.  

33. LGBTQ-friendly

Spain was one of the first countries in Europe to legalize same-sex marriages in 2005, and is considered one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world today. The Pride festivals in Madrid, Ibiza and Sitges are huge, and great fun!

34. Sangria

Who doesn’t enjoy a cold jug of sangria as the sun sets over some fabulous body of water? A red wine punch with fruit and sometimes other spirits, the drink has been hugely popular with tourists over the years, although not so much with the locals. 

35. Beautiful botany

Bougainvillea, jasmine flowers, red carnations (the official flower of Spain), pomegranate flowers, Valencian red roses. Despite the hot weather, Spain is filled with exquisite plants and flowers.  

36. Blossoming public transport system

The Spanish Government has invested significantly in the public transport system over the past decade, including the Granada-Antequera high speed train line which now makes reaching the region of Andalucia much faster from Madrid and Barcelona. The high speed line from Madrid to destinations in Galicia is also nearing completion. 

37. Camino de Santiago

Not one, but a dozen different footpaths come together at the tomb of St James in Santiago de Compostela. The most popular is the Camino Frances, a 790km pilgrimage from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France. 

38. Gaudi architecture

One of Spain’s most famous residents, Antoni Gaudí was a Catalan architect, famous for his highly individualised modernist buildings, his most famous work being the Sagrada Família in Barcelona. 

39. Salvador Dali

“The two greatest strokes of luck that can happen to a painter are (1) to be Spanish, and (2) to be called Dali” – Salvador Dali. 

The surrealist painter and eccentric artist was born in Spain in 1904, and he dominated headlines around the world until his death in 1988, consorting with some of the 20th century’s most famous people. The Dali theatre and museum dedicated to him in his hometown of Figueres is well worth a visit. 

40. Guggenheim Museum 

Designed by world famous architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is one of the world’s top modern art museums.

41. Pueblo blancos 

Andalucia is famous for its pueblo blancos, or white washed villages, the most famous of which is the beautiful town of Ronda. We also love Vejer de la Frontera which boasts a delicious foodie offering, and the pretty village of Grazalema with its cobblestone streets and inviting town square. 

42. Hidden gem cities

Everyone knows about the wonders of Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, but Spain has some spectacular under the radar cities to explore too, such as Valladolid, Zaragoza (above), Toledo, and Salamanca.  

43. Sierra Nevada Mountains

Just 2 hours drive from the Costa Tropical coastline, the Sierra Nevada Mountain range offers a whole host of activities, from skiing to star gazing. 

44. Jamón, pork and general pig worship

Jamón: the Iberian Peninsula’s gift to the world food larder has many different classifications. Cheaper jamón serrano is made from white pigs and cured for less than 15 months, while the pricier jamón ibérico is made from black pigs and cured for up to 3 years. 

45. Oranges 

Spain is one of the world’s top orange growers, from bitter Seville oranges to sweet clementines. Valencia is the most famous region for oranges, with large swathes of land near the coastline used as orange groves. 

46. Waterparks

Perfect for a family day out, Spain has more than 70 water parks, the biggest of which is Siam Park in Costa Adeje, Tenerife. 

47. Great Mosque of Córdoba

Exquisite 8th century mosque built by the Muslim King Abd al-Rahman, founder of the Umayyad Arab dynasty that ruled over Spain for three centuries, this is one of Spain’s most famous buildings and tourist attractions. 

48. Gypsy culture 

The Roma (Gypsies), are an ethnic minority in Spain famous for their traditional, nomadic way of life, and for introducing flamenco to popular culture. In Spain, they are known as Gitanos. 

49. Old school Hollywood glamour

Spain has some serious classic Hollywood pedigree. Hollywood goddess Ava Gardner settled in Madrid after falling in love with Spain while filming 1951’s Pandora and the Flying Dutchman on the Costa Brava. Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway loved to watch the bullfights in Seville and Pamplona, while heartthrob Errol Flynn allegedly became a war reporter during the Spanish Civil War.  

50. Olive oil

Spain is responsible for exporting 46.9% of the world’s olive oil. Their nearest rival is Italy, who has a 16.7% share of the annual $604 million export market.

51. Spanish language

Spanish is a good language to learn. There are 534 million Spanish speakers in the world, and it’s the 5th most common after English, Mandarin Chinese and Hindi. Get some tips on learning Spanish from James Blick, founder of Devour Spain tours in our Spain Experts Series Podcast – Learning Spanish. 

52. Good international schools

There are more than 250 international schools located across Spain, teaching the British and American curriculums, although many expats have lots of positive things to say about the local education system. Find out where all government accredited schools are in the area you want to move to on the Ministry of Education website.  

53. Spanish beer

Mahou Cinco Estrellas is the default beer of Spain, and the official beverage of Real Madrid football team, while their rivals in Barcelona prefer Estrella Damm. We also like Moritz, a Catalan pilsner brewed in Barcelona, and Cruz Campo, Spain’s biggest beer brand. 

54. Startup culture  

The business startup scene is becoming sustainable with more readily available investment as the government removes red tape and obstacles. Some of the startup names you might recognise are Cabify, TravelPerk and Glovo. 

55. Vermouth 

Aromatic, fortified wine, makes for a delicious pre-dinner aperitif, usually drunk over ice with a squeeze of orange juice. Although it originated in Italy, the Spanish  now produce some of the best vermouths available on the market today.   

56. Cheaper Zara

Spain is the home of clothes (and home) store giant Zara, which means the clothes tend to be about 20% cheaper in Spain than the rest of the continent, and 30% cheaper than in the USA. Happy shopping!

57. National and local holidays galore!

Spain celebrates 8 national holidays and 14 local ones, compared to UK’s 8 per year, and Germany’s 9. 

58. Swimming pools are the norm 

There are currently 250,000+ Spanish homes listed on Kyero with pools. 

59. There are gold mines in Spain

Las Médulas was one of the biggest gold mining operations in Antiquity, set up by the Romans. Now a UNESCO world heritage site. 

60. Grow your own tropical fruits and vegetables

From olives, oranges, mangos and lemons to juicy tomatoes, bananas and grapes (so you can make your own wine!). Spain’s tropical climate and fertile land allows you to grow an abundance of exotic produce that are off limits in colder countries. 

61. Ride your motorbike all year round

The weather in Spain means that bike enthusiasts can enjoy the roads almost year round, and there are some spectacular routes to cruise. 

62. Cheaper to eat out

Eating out in a restaurant in Spain is cheaper than going to a restaurant in the UK, USA, Australia, Italy, Germany, France, Netherlands, Ireland and Denmark, according to globaleconomy.com.   

63. Incredible sunsets (and sunrises!)

Unsurprisingly, a country that boasts 320 days of sunshine every year also offers up some spectacular sunsets to enjoy alongside your aperitivo. 

64. Long lunches

Spain has a strong foodie culture, accompanied by a long held tradition of eating together, so lunch breaks in Spain tend to be long, drawn out affairs where you are encouraged to savour your meals and enjoy the company of others. Buen provecho!

65. Open air cinemas

The wonderful climate in Spain means open air cinemas are an option (almost) all year round. Barcelona offers a whole host of summer cinema events every year, as does the Starlite Cinema in Lanzarote and Ibiza.  

66. Open air theatres 

If theatre is more your thing, there are lots of outdoor options, our favourites include the spectacular Roman Theatre of Mérida, and the atmospheric Peralada Castle in Girona

67. Spanish doors 

Who doesn’t enjoy an epic door? The old town streets of Spain are full of ornate wooden doors to admire and upload to Instagram. 

68. Kitesurfing in Tarifa

Tarifa, on the southern tip of Andalucia, is one of the most famous spots in Europe for kite surfing, with strong wind all year round. 

69. Breakfast in the sun

Start the day as you mean to go on, with breakfast in the gorgeous Spanish sunshine. In Spain you can get all the vitamin D you need from your morning orange juice and the morning sun!

70. Pablo Picasso

Spain’s most famous artist was born in Malaga, found great success in Madrid and spent a great deal of time in the countryside of Catalonia. There is an art museum dedicated to him in Barcelona.  

71. Windmills in Consuegra

Built in the 10th century, these famous windmills inspired Miguel de Cervantes during the creation of Spain’s most famous novel – ‘Don Quixote.

72. Budget cocktails and beer

According to Eurostat, Spain offers the cheapest alcohol of any Mediterranean country, so all those sunset aperitivos won’t break the bank.   

73. Chocolate con churros!

The Spanish love a sweet breakfast, and churros originated in Spain as a breakfast snack, although we strongly encourage you to eat them at any time of the day. 

74. Las Alpujarras

A region made up of epic gorges and valleys, and charming historic mountain villages in Andalucia, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. A magical place to explore. 

75. Christmas

The Spanish take Christmas very seriously, read our Guide to Christmas in Spain for more info. And don’t forget to try the Roscón de Reyes (Spanish Christmas cake). 

76. New Year traditions 

It’s considered good luck to eat a grape at each strike of the clock during the countdown to midnight on New Year’s Eve in Spain. If you’re looking to find a new love in the new year, it’s also considered lucky for a friend to buy you a pair of red knickers before the 31st December, that you then wear on the night. You’re practically guaranteed to find a mate if you do this! 

77. Beach life

It’s estimated that Spain is home to more than 3,000 beaches along its 7,000km coastline, from secluded coves, to bucket and spade resorts and everything in between, there’s a beach here to suit everyone. 

78. Los Picos de Europa

Spectacular mountain range on northern Spain, home to wildlife such as the brown bear and the Iberian wolf, with villages, lakes, gorges, forests and meadows to explore.  

79. Laid back lifestyle 

Siestas, long lunches, even longer dinners with family and friends, chilling on the beach, Spain is where you go to experience a laid back lifestyle. 

80. Authentic Horchata de chufa

A hugely refreshing non-alcoholic drink from the Valencia region, made with tiger nuts. It tastes like almond or hazelnuts. 

81. Spanish guitar 

Who doesn’t love to hear the sensual strains of Spanish guitar whenever they’re in Spain? It’ll put you in the mood for sun, sea, and whatever else after just a few chords. 

82. Las croquetas

Are croquetas the best tapas dish? We think so! Crispy and oh so moreish, with fillings ranging from the traditional ham and potato, to vegetarian spinach (surprisingly good) or chorizo. Our mouths are watering just thinking about them. 

83. Spaghetti westerns

In the 1960s, Sergio Leone started a trend for stylish American westerns filmed in Spain and Italy. Almeria was a popular backdrop, with the Tabernas Desert and the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park being used in seminal Spaghetti Western, A Fistful of Dollars. Today, you can visit the Oasys Mini Hollywood Park and stroll along the western movie sets that were erected for some of your favourite Hollywood movies, including Lawrence of Arabia and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. 

84. Magical place for your children to grow up

Listen to Kyero Sales Director Sian talk about the idyllic life her two boys lead since moving to Spain more than a decade ago in our Schools & Education podcast, part of Kyero’s Moving to Spain Expert Series. 

85. Spanish tortilla

One of Spain’s most popular, and simple, national dishes, the Spanish tortilla (or Spanish omelette) is made with eggs and potatoes, and usually some onion. And there are plenty of recipe variations, depending on what you have handy in the fridge. A life saver for vegetarians in Spain. 

86. Glorious national parks to explore

Spain has 16 spectacular national parks, 11 of which can be found on the Iberian peninsula. Don’t miss the Sierra Nevada national park in the south, and the Atlantic Islands of Galicia Maritime-Terrestrial National Park (above) in the north.

87. Great medical care

Spanish healthcare is known to be affordable and reliable, although it’s always recommended you get some private health insurance as well if you’re an expat looking to relocate there.

88. Endless social life possibilities

From eating and drinking al fresco, to yoga on the beach and group hikes, the fine weather and friendly atmosphere in Spain combine to offer endless leisure pursuits and fun opportunities to socialise.  

89. Easy to see & travel around the rest of Europe by car

Road trips to Portugal and France are a possibility, and if you’re located in the northern part of Spain, it’s possible to get to Italy in 6 hours. 

90. Spain is a fantastic country to retire to

Spain is a friendly country with a strong sense of community spirit, the cost of living is low and the expat retirement community is thriving. Discover 11 of the best destinations to retire to in Spain.

91. The Iglesias musical dynasty

Julio and Enrique Iglesias have been serving up some of the best Spanish pop music over the last 70 years to a worldwide audience. Bailamos! 

92. Tropical fruit trees everywhere

Oranges, mangos, pomegranates, guavas, papayas, avocados, lychees. Grow them in your allotment, or experience them fresh from the local market. 

93. Charm & romance around every corner 

Gorgeous views, spectacular beaches, sultry Spanish guitar, exquisite food and wine… Spain is such a romantic country.

94. Distinct regions & diverse terrain

From lush green forests and lakes in the north, to deserts and tropical beaches in the south. You can find almost every type of landscape in Spain.

95. The animals

Wild boar, ibex, hedgehogs, rabbits, genets, chameleons, lizards, lots of birds.  OK also centipedes that are 6 inches long, plus scorpions and snakes but it’s still great to observe the beautiful wildlife!

96. Every type of coastline

In Spain you’ll find family friendly beaches with restaurants and facilities, natural coves, rocky mountainous beaches that are full of wildlife, volcanic islands, picturesque harbours. However you like to enjoy the sea, Spain has a coastline to suit you.

97. Swim in the ocean during the winter

The Mediterranean stays relatively warm well into the winter, making it possible to enjoy a refreshing dip nearly all year round.

98. So many wonderful and diverse destinations to live!

From multi-cultural city life in Madrid and Barcelona, beach bumming around your favourite Costa, and experiencing traditional Spain in a pretty pueblo blanco, to off-grid living in the Galician countryside, there are so many places you could move to, listen to Kyero founders Martin & Louise Dell discuss their favourite destinations in Spain to live in our Moving to Spain Experts Series Podcast.

99. Sustainable cities

The Spanish government is committed to making Spain more sustainable. Spain’s Observatory of Sustainability named the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz the most sustainable city in Spain. It's home to Spain’s first network of cycle paths and it is well known for its Green Belt, a 25-year endeavour designed to reclaim green spaces in and around the city. As a result, wetlands, rivers, green corridors and more were recovered and restored, organic orchards and botanical gardens were created, and new environmental facilities were installed. Discover 10 more sustainable cities in Spain.

100. Sublime ceramics

Spain is known for its gorgeous artisan ceramics, from colourful tiles to vibrant pottery. Read expat Marijke’s blog on Andalucia – the home of “made in Spain” ceramics

101. Part of the EU

Spain is part of the EU, by becoming a citizen of Spain, you have all the rights of an EU citizen, including free movement across Europe, and access to free healthcare.