As winter loosens its grip and the days grow longer, Europe undergoes a spectacular transformation. Streets bloom with wisteria and cherry blossoms, parks fill with the scent of blooming flowers, and the golden glow of spring sunlight bathes city squares where café terraces come alive.
It’s the season of romance…renewal…and embracing life outdoors once again…
In cities like Ghent, Belgium, spring awakens the true essence of European life—where locals linger in sun-drenched cafés, enjoy open-air concerts, and gather for picnics in blooming parks as the days grow longer and warmer.
While Paris is often the city touted as the best place in the spring (at least according to Dean Martin), there are other vibrant European destinations that offer a similar breathtaking spring experience…but without the sky-high prices and crowds.
From the ivy-covered facades of Braga to the storybook canals of Ghent…the artistic energy of Nantes…the coastal elegance of San Sebastián…and the ancient beauty of Plovdiv…these cities are some of Europe’s best-kept secrets.
Each of them offers an affordable alternative to the likes of Paris, Amsterdam, or Brussels, allowing you to own a home in an enchanting European springtime haven without breaking the bank.
These cities capture the magic of spring in Europe while offering real estate opportunities that are as inviting as the season itself.
With that in mind, my team and I have been looking for listings that capture the essence of spring living. Here’s what we found…
Braga, Portugal
Listing Price: €143,000 ($155,000)
This one-bedroom apartment is located in a quiet residential area of Braga, a lesser-known city in the North of Portugal with stunning architecture (right-side picture).
Braga is a city where the past and present intertwine beautifully. Known as the “Rome of Portugal,” it boasts grand churches, baroque architecture, and lively squares filled with music and laughter. In spring, its gardens burst into color, and the iconic Bom Jesus do Monte staircase—a UNESCO site—is framed by bright azaleas and camellias. Outdoor markets brim with fresh produce, and locals linger over espressos in sunlit plazas.
Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, this charming one-bedroom apartment is the perfect retreat for someone looking to enjoy Braga’s vibrant culture and easygoing lifestyle. This 517-square-foot apartment is located a few minutes from the city center, and has a well-lit living area, a compact kitchen, and a comfortable bedroom.
It’s on the market for €143,000 ($155,000). Check the listing here.
Ghent, Belgium
Listing Price: €175,000 ($190,000)
Located in a dynamic neighborhood in Ghent, Belgium…this one-bedroom apartment (right-side picture) is just steps from the historic center, cafés, and cultural hotspots.
Ghent is an architectural fairytale, a city where medieval towers rise above winding canals and ivy-clad buildings. But despite its rich history, it’s anything but stuck in the past. This Flemish gem is a hub of youthful energy, thanks to its large student population.
In spring, tulips line the waterways, open-air concerts pop up in hidden courtyards, and the city’s famous Floralies flower festival fills the streets with intoxicating scents. The atmosphere is electric, blending Old-World charm with a vibrant, creative spirit.
Located near the heart of Ghent, this one-bedroom apartment is within walking distance of everything: art galleries, traditional cafés, and picturesque bridges perfect for sunset strolls. With 538 square feet of living space, the property has a bright living area, an open-plan kitchen, a spacious bedroom, and a bathroom. It’s currently listed for €175,000 ($190,000).
Nantes, France
Listing Price: €170,000 ($185,500)
You’ll never be far from bustling markets, art spaces, and the Nante’s renowned gastronomic scene in this one-bed apartment which is on the market for $185,500.
If you’re looking for a slice of Parisian charm at a fraction of the price, Nantes is calling.
Once a historic maritime powerhouse, it has reinvented itself as an artistic and cultural mecca. Spring in Nantes is a spectacle of color, with magnolia trees lining the boulevards and the banks of the Loire River transforming into a lively meeting place for locals. The Île de Versailles, a Japanese-inspired garden in the heart of the city, is a peaceful escape filled with cherry blossoms and koi ponds, offering a perfect balance between nature and urban life.
This cozy apartment is currently on the market here… It’s located just minutes from the Île de Versailles and local markets and has one bedroom, a bathroom, a bright living room with French windows, and a kitchen. It’s perfect for enjoying Nantes’ vibrant culture and relaxed riverside lifestyle.
It’s listed for €170,000 ($185,500). The full online listing is here.
San Sebastián, Spain
Listing Price: €200,000 ($216,000)
This cozy apartment in San Sebastián (430 square feet) is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy life in one of Spain’s most stunning coastal cities.
San Sebastián, or Donostia, is the definition of coastal elegance. Tucked between green mountains and the sparkling Bay of Biscay, this beauty in the Spanish Basque country is famed for its golden beaches, world-class cuisine, and laidback yet sophisticated vibe.
In spring, the promenades bloom with cherry trees, and the aroma of fresh seafood and salty sea air makes the city feel like paradise. Here, life moves at a deliciously slow pace, where every moment is meant to be savored…
Wake up to fresh sea breezes, stroll to the city’s famous pintxo bars, and unwind with a sunset walk along La Concha beach. Whether you dream of a temporary getaway or a permanent seaside escape, this is a fantastic opportunity to own a home in one of Spain’s most attractive locations.
This centrally located apartment has a bright living area, a kitchen, and a bedroom, all in a well-connected neighborhood. It has beaches, bars, and scenic promenades just minutes away and is on the market for €200,000 ($216,000). You can check the full listing here.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Listing Price: €231,000 ($250,300)
This one-bedroom apartment is located in a newly built residential area surrounded by Plovdiv’s rich past, yet equipped with contemporary comforts.
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a home in a European city that blends antiquity with a dynamic, creative edge, Plovdiv, in Bulgaria, might be the place for you.
Plovdiv is in fact one of Europe’s oldest cities, but its youthful energy is undeniable. Built on seven hills, this ancient metropolis is an open-air museum of Roman ruins, cobbled streets, and colorful 19th-century mansions. Come spring, the Kapana arts district overflows with festivals, live music, and pop-up galleries. The city’s leafy parks are perfect for afternoon picnics, and café culture thrives in its sun-drenched plazas.
We found this modern apartment with 828 square feet of living space. It has an open-plan living and dining area, a kitchen, a bedroom, and a bathroom, with plenty of room to enjoy city life. Located in a vibrant district close to Plovdiv’s cultural and historical landmarks, this home gives you access to everything the city has to offer.
The list price for this apartment goes for €231,000 ($250,000). Check the listing here.
Wishing you good real estate investing,
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 done any due diligence on them. For more listings of affordable overseas dream homes, click here to follow our Your Cheap Dream Home Instagram account.
P.P.S. Have you visited any of these cities? Drop me a line here and tell me what you thought of them—I’d love to hear from you!
Here’s a question I recently got from a reader…
Cary asks: Hello Ronan, I have been following RETA for several years.
Recently you sent an email about cities in Mexico to invest in. We love Cozumel and have been there numerous times and would love to buy an investment property there.
Do you have any plans to offer any RETA deals in Cozumel in the future? Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom!
Ronan says: Hi Cary. Thanks for your feedback.
The stunning island of Cozumel lies just a 45-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen.
It’s Mexico’s largest island, at nine miles wide and 31 miles long, and boasts stunning white-sand beaches and glistening turquoise waters.
A 45-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen’s pier lies the island of Cozumel.
This island is a hugely popular destination for cruise ships. Last year, the Port of Cozumel welcomed 3.72 million passengers, making it the fourth-busiest cruise ship port in the world.
Cozumel is famed as a top diving destination. On the western side of Cozumel, the seafloor plunges dramatically. The shallow coral gardens quickly give way to the deep blue Caribbean, where the Mesoamerican Reef (the world’s second-largest barrier reef system) stretches like an underwater mountain range.
As far as having a Real Estate Trend Alert (RETA) deal in Cozumel goes, this island is definitely on my radar, so stay tuned!
If I find a RETA-grade deal there, members of my RETA group will hear about it first. Not yet a RETA member? (Learn how you can join here.)
If you’re interested in an investment property in this area you should also consider looking at Playa del Carmen.
Recently, I brought RETA members the opportunity to own in a unique, amenity-rich community in the heart of this cosmopolitan beach city.
It was the opportunity to own stunning condos in a community called The Landmark right in the heart of Playa del Carmen, a short walk to the beach, the dining, the shows, gyms, stores.
The Landmark will also have an incredible half acre rooftop amenity area called The Sky Club…a truly unique feature, even in Playa which is well known for its rooftop amenities. The Sky Club will feature landscaped luxury, with a sauna, infinity pool, gym, restaurant and Caribbean views.
The Landmark is going to have the standout rooftop in Playa—full resort level luxury. A whopping half-acre of gardens, spa amenities, yoga area, infinity edge pool with Caribbean views, co working, wellness…restaurant, bar… (Renders shouldn’t be considered final.)
With this deal, I expect gains of $201,600 five years after delivery and red-hot rental income. Playa is a place that sees 80% to 90% occupancy year-round in premium buildings! And there’s a good choice of property managers here. Rent short-term at a modest 73% occupancy thus allowing for a good deal of personal use…use conservative estimates of nightly rates…and I figure on a gross yield of over 13%. That’s income of $41,500.
Prices to own in similar high-end communities in downtown Playa run in the mid-$400,000s and even $500,000s. For instance, some people will pay $485,000 for a 731-square-foot two-bed condo three blocks from Playa del Carmen’s famed 5th Avenue and farther again from the ocean.
Yet the exclusive, RETA-only price is from just $318,400 for a luxury two-bed condo in The Landmark, in the heart of everything with that huge rooftop of resort-level luxury.
There was a very strong response to this deal when I launched it to RETA members a couple of weeks ago. But if you’re a member and you didn’t get in on this back then, you can join the waitlist in case there are cancellations (sometimes, RETA members who got in on deal launch day will back out for personal or financial reasons, and those on the waitlist get first pick when a unit becomes available).
If you’re not yet a RETA member but are interested in this deal, and all future deals I bring to the table, you’ll find all the info you need to become a RETA member here.
