Neighbourhood guides by city
Once you know your city, you will see which of its neighbourhoods and nearby towns fit different kinds of newcomer.
This guide helps you pick the right area once you know your city. It has named neighbourhood guides for Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga and the Costa del Sol, Seville, Alicante and the Costa Blanca, the Balearic and Canary Islands, Bilbao and the Basque Country, and smaller cities. Where a…
Pick the article that fits your situation
Where to live in Madrid: districts and nearby towns
A guide to choosing between Madrid's city districts and the towns around it, matched to the kind of newcomer each suits: singles, students, couples, families and professionals. Read it before you start looking at listings.
Where to live in Barcelona: neighbourhoods and nearby towns
A guide to choosing where to live in Barcelona: the main city districts and the towns around it, with the kind of person or household each one suits. For newcomers deciding between the city and the metropolitan area.
Where to live in Valencia: neighbourhoods and nearby towns
A guide to choosing between Valencia's city barrios and nearby towns, with who each place suits. It is for newcomers deciding where to rent, whether they want city life, a quieter family area or a cheaper commuter town.
Where to live in Málaga and on the Costa del Sol
Helps you choose between living in Málaga city and a Costa del Sol coastal town for year-round life. It compares services, work, seasonality and daily needs, and profiles the main areas and towns, for newcomers who have not yet picked a base.
Where to live in Seville: neighbourhoods and Aljarafe towns
A guide to choosing where to live in Seville: the central districts, the Aljarafe towns to the west, and how summer heat should shape your choice. It is for newcomers deciding between city life and a suburban home.
Where to live in Alicante and on the Costa Blanca
A comparison of Alicante city, big resort towns and quieter Costa Blanca towns, including how much each closes down in winter and how that affects renting. For newcomers deciding where on the coast to base themselves.
Where to live in Palma and the Balearic Islands
A guide to choosing where to live in Palma and across the Balearic Islands. It covers which Palma districts suit which people, how island towns compare on cost, why winter lets are common, and how far you can get without a car.
Where to live in the Canary Islands: Las Palmas and Tenerife
A guide to where newcomers settle in Gran Canaria and Tenerife, from the two capitals to south Tenerife's resort towns, and how the islands' microclimates change what daily life feels like. For anyone choosing an island area.
Where to live in Bilbao and the Basque Country
A guide to choosing between Bilbao, San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz, and to which areas of each city suit professionals, families, students or tighter budgets. It is for newcomers who have not yet picked a city or neighbourhood.
Neighbourhoods in Zaragoza, Granada, Murcia and other cities
A guide to which smaller Spanish cities suit newcomers and what kind of neighbourhoods each has. It covers Zaragoza, Granada and Murcia in detail, for people choosing where to rent or buy beyond Madrid and Barcelona.
About this topic
It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. Pick your city, and you will see which neighbourhoods and nearby towns suit different kinds of newcomer.
This guide does not help you decide which city to move to. It also does not cover regional-language questions.
Start with "Neighbourhoods in Zaragoza, Granada, Murcia and other cities". It covers the smaller cities, and it is the place to look if yours is not one of the larger cities with its own guide.
Neighbourhood guides by city: questions that cross several articles
Is it cheaper to live outside the city centre in Madrid or Barcelona?
Yes, nearby towns are often cheaper than the central districts, but prices vary a lot by town. In Madrid, Getafe, Leganés and Alcorcón are cheaper metro-linked suburbs, while Pozuelo and Majadahonda are pricey. In Barcelona, L'Hospitalet, Badalona, Terrassa and Sabadell cost less. Read "Where to live in Madrid: districts and nearby towns" and "Where to live in Barcelona: neighbourhoods and nearby towns".
Where should a family with children look first in Madrid or Barcelona?
Families who want international schools often look at Chamartín and Chamberí's northern edge in Madrid, and at Sarrià-Sant Gervasi in Barcelona. Outside the cities, Pozuelo, Majadahonda and Las Rozas near Madrid, and Sant Cugat near Barcelona, are popular. Both city articles list the options: "Where to live in Madrid: districts and nearby towns" and "Where to live in Barcelona: neighbourhoods and nearby towns".
Which areas suit a single person who wants a lively, walkable neighbourhood?
Centro in Madrid (Malasaña, Chueca, Lavapiés) and Gràcia in Barcelona suit young people who want a lively area. Expect noise and, in central Madrid, many tourist flats. Poblenou in Barcelona is a modern option popular with remote workers. See the Madrid and Barcelona articles for the full picture.
Why is it hard to find a long-term rental in Mallorca or Ibiza?
Long-term rentals are scarce in the Balearics because many owners earn far more from summer tourist lets. The common alternative is a winter let, often from about September or October to May or June, which you must leave before high season. Read "Where to live in Palma and the Balearic Islands" before you plan a move.
Are any Balearic towns cheaper than Palma?
Yes, inland and Menorca towns are generally cheaper than Palma and the prime coastal areas. In Mallorca, Inca, Manacor and Llucmajor cost less than Andratx, Pollença or Deià, and Maó and Ciutadella in Menorca are cheaper than Mallorca's prime areas. Rents still run high across the islands, so "Where to live in Palma and the Balearic Islands" explains the trade-offs.
Explore places
Where you live changes the details. See how Spanish regions and cities compare on rent, jobs, weather, safety and healthcare.
What to read next
More in Neighborhoods, commute, and everyday geography
Choosing your neighbourhood
You will have a step-by-step way to pick a barrio in Spain and the tools to test it before signing.
Planning your commute
You will know how to choose where to live around your real commute and what to do when it fails.
Area types across Spain
You will know which kind of area fits your life before choosing a specific barrio.
Also in Housing and where to live
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For important relocation decisions, speak with a qualified human specialist.
Always verify important information with the relevant official authority or a qualified adviser before acting. This website uses large language models together with various public data sources, official government documents and other established sources. Due to the amount of data on this website, some information might be wrong. Information may also be incomplete or outdated.