Spain has so much to offer beyond its stunning beaches and amazing weather. Its cities are also some of the most vibrant and cultural-rich spots in Europe.
In Spain’s cities, you can explore Roman ruins, Moorish castles and ancient churches…enjoy balmy summer evenings spent eating tapas and drinking local wines or sangria…or discover the artwork of the world’s most famous painters and artists who were inspired by the atmosphere, light, and color of these places.
The often slow pace of life in Spanish cities is also the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the modern world. The work-life balance in Spain is kept in check by a siesta culture that makes it easier to get an ice-cream at 11 p.m. than at 2 p.m.
Like many of the world’s big cities, real estate prices in Spain’s major urban centers can be high. But dig into the listings, or you go just outside the downtown areas (say a short drive from the city center proper), and there is still great value to be had.
This week, I asked my team to research city getaway pads in Spain…places you could visit for a few weeks each year to rest, recharge, and soak up the big-city atmosphere, while maybe renting for income when you’re not using them.
This is what they found…
Malaga
Listing Price: €179,000 ($198,800)
Malaga has some incredible restaurants and bars. You could explore them from this condo on the outskirts of the city. Listing here.
One of Spain’s most vibrant and international cities, Malaga sees around 20 million passengers pass through its airport each year. In November 2023 it was voted the best city in the world to live and work by the expat-focused group InterNations. Malaga is renowned for its rich and diverse gastronomic scene, offering everything from Michelin-starred fine dining to traditional neighborhood tapas.
The stunning Mediterranean coastline here is backed by the Montes de Malaga mountain range. Visitors can enjoy lively beaches in the center of Malaga and more secluded coves along the coast.
Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and his childhood home has been turned into a fascinating museum. The city is proud of its artistic heritage. The numerous museums and galleries you’ll find here have earned it the nickname “the City of Museums.”
My team found this charming three-bedroom property on the outskirts of Malaga. It has a living room, a separate kitchen, one bathroom, and an outdoor terrace. Located in the Castañetas neighborhood, you’re about a 25-minute drive to the center of Malaga (there’s a regular bus service into the city too). Amenities like supermarkets, shops, schools, and health centers, are all within walking distance of the apartment.
The apartment is listed for €179,000 ($198,800), and you can view the listing here.
Valencia
Listing Price: €240,000 ($265,000)
The city of Valencia offers history, modernity, and beaches…and this one-bed apartment is in the heart of the action. Listing here.
Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city and sits on the country’s southeast coast. With its combination of historic old town (which is home to Valencia Cathedral, said to house The Holy Grail), its futuristic architecture epitomized by the City of Arts and Sciences (a scientific and cultural complex), and its beaches, this often-overlooked city offers the perfect Mediterranean lifestyle.
Near the center of Valencia is this one-bed apartment. It has an open plan kitchen/living area, one bathroom, and a large dressing room. It comes fully furnished and has a fully fitted kitchen.
Its location means it’s perfect for exploring all that the city offers. And that fact that its turnkey means that you could also start renting it out straight away if that’s part of your plan.
This apartment is listed for €240,000 ($265,000). You can see the full listing here.
Girona
Listing Price: €256,000 ($284,400)
Girona’s Old Town is alive with history. From this charming four-bed apartment you could visit it whenever you please. Listing here.
The ancient city of Girona, in northern Spain, dates back over two millennia to Roman times. Built on a hill, the city has panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Girona is also a cycling mecca, home to many professional cyclists, and offers excellent routes in the surrounding countryside.
Girona isn’t the biggest city, but it’s peaceful, beautiful, and well-connected. Barcelona’s bustling center is just 40 minutes’ drive away. If you fancy a weekend break in Paris, there’s a high-speed TGV train that connects Girona with Paris, a journey of about six hours.
The heart and soul of Girona lies within its enchanting Old Town. The historic center is renowned for its medieval architecture, with narrow cobblestone streets, ancient stone walls, and imposing Gothic buildings. The iconic Girona Cathedral, with its massive Romanesque cloister, dominates the cityscape.
This charming four-bedroom apartment is in a quiet residential area close to a supermarket and other amenities. It has a living room with terrace access, a fully equipped kitchen with an adjoining laundry room, and two bathrooms.
The home comes with a parking space and the building has an elevator, garden, and security cameras. The listing price is €256,000 ($284,400). See the full listing here.
Granada
Listing Price: €295,000 ($328,700)
In Granda, you’re close to both the ski slopes and the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean. From this home you could enjoy both in the same day. Listing here.
Granada is a stunning city in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, famous for its unique architecture, a mix of Moorish and Spanish influences. The city’s crown jewel is the Alhambra, a sprawling hilltop fortress encompassing royal palaces, serene courtyards, and ornate Islamic architecture. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and an incredible place to spend time admiring the intricate Moorish design, delicate stonework, and lush gardens.
To the south of the city, the Sierra Nevada Mountain range looms majestically. These snow-capped mountains provide Granada with an interesting selling point. Located close to both the mountains and the coast (it’s about a 50-minute drive to the beach of Playa Granada), it’s possible to spend the morning at the beach, and the afternoon skiing in the mountains.
A short stroll from the city center in the Realejo neighborhood (Granada’s Jewish Quarter), my team found this charming four-bedroom terraced house with 1,400 square feet of living space.
Located on the first floor of a fully restored palatial house, it includes two bathrooms and a large patio. The rooms have high ceilings with original wooden beams, and the property has stone columns made from the local Sierra Elvira marble.
The size of the home gives it the potential to be converted into two apartments. The home is listed for €295,000 ($328,700). The listing is here.
A Coruña
Listing Price: €490,000 ($544,300)
A Coruña is known as “The Glass City” thanks to the many enclosed glass balconies, just like the one in this incredible four-bed duplex. Listing here.
If you have a bit more in your budget, this next property is in the historic port city of A Coruña, also known as La Coruña, in the northwestern region of Galicia.
A Coruña is an underappreciated gem, a blend of ancient and modern, with the iconic Roman Tower of Hercules, a 2nd-century lighthouse, standing as a reminder of the city’s rich history.
The old town is a maze of streets lined with traditional Galician galería houses and their enclosed glass balconies. These glass balconies are a common sight and A Coruña derives its nickname, “The Glass City,” from them.
A Coruña lies on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean. There are stunning coastal and beach views, with dramatic cliffs and hidden coves adding to the beauty.
This elegant four-bedroom duplex, located on the 17th floor, has over 2,000 square feet of living space. The first floor includes a large hall, a bathroom, two bedrooms (currently being used as offices), a bedroom, and a master suite with a bathroom. The second floor contains a living-dining room with access to a large, covered terrace. The terrace is equipped with a chill-out area, bar, heating, and fireplace.
Also on this floor are a bathroom with a laundry area, a kitchen, and an office area. The condo comes with a storage room and parking space. Residents have access to a shared gym with a sauna, Turkish bath, and a heated pool.
The duplex is listed for €490,000 ($544,300), and you can see the listing here.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. If you’re interested in any of these listings you should hire an attorney and do your own due diligence. We haven’t visited these properties in person or done any due diligence on them.
P.P.S. For more listings of affordable overseas dream homes, click here to follow our Your Cheap Dream Home Instagram account.
