Alternative Cities to Live in Spain

Discover the hidden gems of Spain with Spacest.com

Spain offers a variety of alternative cities to Madrid and Barcelona, each with its unique character and a more affordable rental market.

If you’re thinking of moving to Spain, explore with the Team at Spacest.com Castellón de la Plana, Bilbao, Málaga, Zaragoza, Granada, Pamplona, Salamanca, and Murcia, eight cities that could become your next home.

If you love Spain, its colors, its scents, and its history, don’t miss our in-depth guide The best cities to live in Spain.

Castellón de la Plana, between sea and mountains

Castellón de la Plana, located on the Mediterranean coast in the Comunidad Valenciana, is known for its unique combination of sea and mountains.

The city offers enchanting beaches, like Playa del Pinar, and the Desierto de las Palmas natural park, ideal for nature lovers.

Living in Castellón de la Plana

Castellón de la Plana offers a relaxed pace of life, perfect for those seeking tranquility and contact with nature. The city is also famous for its gastronomy, with dishes based on fresh fish and local products.

Residents enjoy numerous cultural events throughout the year, such as the Fiestas de la Magdalena, one of the region’s most important celebrations held in March.

Castellón also boasts a lively sports scene, with opportunities for sailing, scuba diving, and trekking. The marina and yacht club offer many sea-related activities, while the nearby mountains are perfect for hiking and climbing.

Additionally, the presence of Jaume I University contributes to a vibrant student life and numerous academic and cultural events.

Rentals in Castellón de la Plana

Rentals in Castellón de la Plana are quite affordable. A single room in the city center costs about 300 euros per month on average, while in the suburbs prices drop to 200-250 euros.

The abundance of housing options, from modern apartments to traditional houses, makes Castellón a versatile choice for various types of residents.

Discover all rental listings in Castellón de la Plana.

Bilbao, culture and innovation in the Basque Country

Bilbao, the heart of the Basque Country, is famous for its modern architecture and the Guggenheim Museum.

The city has undergone an impressive transformation, becoming a center of innovation and culture.

Learn more about Bilbao in our guide Moving and Living in Bilbao: a Complete Guide.

Lifestyle in Bilbao

Bilbao offers a high quality of life with numerous parks, museums, and restaurants. The city is a major gastronomic center, famous for its pintxos, small bites of haute cuisine served in local bars.

Residents can enjoy a rich calendar of cultural events, including the Bilbao Film Festival and the Great Week (Aste Nagusia), a nine-day summer festival featuring concerts, fireworks, and traditional performances.

Bilbao is also a hub of innovation, with numerous urban renewal projects transforming old industrial areas into modern, functional spaces.

The city is home to major educational and research institutions, such as the University of the Basque Country, contributing to a stimulating intellectual environment.

Renting in Bilbao

The rental market in Bilbao is more expensive than in other smaller Spanish cities but still cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona.

A rented room in the city center costs an average of 500-600 euros per month, while prices can drop significantly in the suburbs.

Bilbao is an excellent choice for professionals and families, thanks to its strong economy and numerous job opportunities in the tech and creative sectors.

Check out the best rental listings in Bilbao.

Málaga, the pearl of Costa del Sol

Málaga, located on the Costa del Sol, is one of the sunniest and liveliest cities in Spain.

Known for its beaches, port, and historic center, Málaga offers a perfect combination of sea and culture.

Life in Málaga

Life in Málaga is characterized by a mild climate year-round, allowing for enjoyment of the beaches and outdoor activities.

The city is also an important cultural center, with museums like the Picasso Museum and the Centre Pompidou hosting world-renowned art collections.

Málaga hosts numerous events, including the famous Festival de Málaga, dedicated to Spanish cinema.

Málaga‘s historic center is a labyrinth of narrow streets and charming squares, full of bars, restaurants, and shops.

The city is also known for its vibrant nightlife, with numerous venues offering live music and entertainment.

Moreover, Málaga is very welcoming to expats, with a growing international community.

Renting in Málaga

Rentals in Málaga are quite affordable, especially considering the quality of life the city offers.

A rented room in the city center costs an average of 500 euros per month, while prices drop to 200-300 euros in the suburbs.

Málaga is ideal for those seeking a balance between urban life and access to the sea.

The diverse housing options, from modern apartments in the center to more traditional houses in the suburbs, make it easy to find a suitable housing solution.

Zaragoza, a dynamic city in the heart of Aragon

Zaragoza, the capital of the Aragon region, is a city rich in history and modernity.

With its famous Pilar, the city offers a variety of cultural attractions and a vibrant urban scene.

Living in Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a dynamic city with a rich historical heritage, visible in its numerous monuments and museums, such as the Zaragoza Museum and the Forum of Caesaraugusta Museum.

The city is also a major events center, like the Fiestas del Pilar, one of Spain’s largest religious and cultural celebrations, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Zaragoza is also known for its gastronomy, with typical dishes like “ternasco aragonese” (roast lamb) and borage, a highly appreciated local vegetable.

The University of Zaragoza is one of the most important in Spain and attracts many students every year.

Renting in Zaragoza

A rented room in the city center costs an average of 300-400 euros per month, while prices drop considerably in the suburbs.

Zaragoza is an ideal choice for students and young professionals due to the presence of academic institutions and job opportunities.

The city offers a wide range of housing, from modern apartments in the center to more traditional houses in the suburbs.

Granada, history and beauty at the foot of the Sierra Nevada

Granada, located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, is famous for the Alhambra and its fascinating mix of Arab and Spanish culture.

The city offers a unique environment and excellent quality of life.

Discover more about Granada in our in-depth guide Living in Granada.

Life in Granada

Living in Granada means immersing yourself in a city rich in history and culture.

In addition to the Alhambra, Granada offers numerous other attractions, such as the Albaicín neighborhood, with its narrow streets and white houses, and the Granada Cathedral, a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance.

The city is also famous for its vibrant nightlife and tapas bars, where you can enjoy free tapas with every drink ordered.

Granada is also a university city par excellence, with the University of Granada attracting students from all over the world.

This gives the city a youthful and dynamic atmosphere, with numerous cultural and academic events.

The proximity to the Sierra Nevada offers opportunities for winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, while the tropical coast is perfect for summer activities.

The Rental Market in Granada

Rentals in Granada are quite affordable: Granada is an ideal city for students, thanks to the presence of the University of Granada, one of the most prestigious in Spain.

The city offers a wide range of housing, from modern apartments to traditional Andalusian cortijos: discover all rental listings in Granada.

Pamplona, tradition and modernity in Navarra

Pamplona, the capital of Navarra, is famous for its bull run during the San Fermín festival.

The city offers an excellent blend of tradition and modernity, with numerous parks and a vibrant cultural scene.

Living in Pamplona

Pamplona is a city that combines modernity with traditions. Besides the San Fermín festival, the city offers numerous cultural events and excellent gastronomy.

The numerous parks and green areas make Pamplona a very livable city. The Parque de la Taconera, with its historic gardens and free-roaming deer, is one of the residents’ favorite parks.

Pamplona is also an important educational center, with the University of Navarra attracting students from all over the world.

This gives Pamplona a vibrant student life and numerous academic and cultural events.

Renting in Pamplona

Rentals in Pamplona are affordable: a single room in central areas costs around 500 euros per month.

Pamplona is ideal for families and professionals looking for a quiet but lively city.

The city offers a wide range of housing options, from modern apartments in the center to quieter residential neighborhoods.

Salamanca, the quintessential university city

Salamanca, known for its historic university, is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

The historic center, a UNESCO heritage site, offers a unique atmosphere and extraordinary architecture.

Life in Salamanca

Salamanca is a vibrant university city with a rich cultural life and a young environment.

Plaza Mayor is the city’s heart, surrounded by numerous cafes and restaurants.

The presence of the University of Salamanca makes the city a center of academic excellence, with students from all over the world.

Salamanca offers numerous cultural events, such as the Festival Internacional de las Artes de Castilla y León, presenting a wide range of theatrical, musical, and dance performances.

The city is also known for its rich gastronomic offer, with restaurants serving traditional dishes like jamón ibérico and hornazo.

Renting in Salamanca

Salamanca is ideal for students and young professionals thanks to its vibrant student life and low costs.

The city offers a wide range of housing, from modern apartments to renovated historic buildings: discover the best rental listings in Salamanca.

Murcia, sun and tradition in southeastern Spain

Murcia, located in southeastern Spain, is a city known for its sunny climate and rich agricultural tradition.

The city offers a quiet environment and a high quality of life.

Living in Murcia

Murcia is a city that enjoys a mild climate all year round, perfect for sun lovers.

The city offers numerous cultural events and a vibrant gastronomic scene, with traditional dishes like caldero murciano and zarangollo.

The numerous squares and parks make Murcia a very livable city.

Murcia is also an important educational center, with the University of Murcia attracting students from all over Spain and abroad.

The city hosts numerous festivals and fairs, such as the Feria de Murcia, celebrating local culture and traditions.

Renting in Murcia

Murcia is ideal for families and professionals looking for a mild climate and a quiet life, but also for students thanks to the prestigious University.

The city offers a wide range of housing options, from modern apartments to traditional cortijos: discover the rental listings in Murcia.

In Conclusion

If you are looking for an alternative to Madrid and Barcelona to live in Spain, Castellón de la Plana, Bilbao, Málaga, Zaragoza, Granada, Pamplona, Salamanca, and Murcia offer excellent opportunities.

These cities combine a high quality of life with affordable rents, making them ideal for those wishing to relocate.

Spacest.com is your trusted platform to find the perfect rental in these charming Spanish cities.

With a wide range of rental options available, Spacest.com will help you find your dream home in Spain.