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AMERICANS IN SPAIN

Five towns in Spain where American retirees can enjoy life

The American population in Spain is growing and it's not just students and English teachers, an increasing amount of pensioners are choosing to spend their golden years here too.

Published: 5 April 2024 10:19 CEST
towns americans in spain
Church of Our Lady of Los Remedios in Mijas, southern Spain, a favourite place to move to among American retirees. Photo: Arenda Vermeulen/Pexels

Americans are increasingly looking to Europe for a better life and Spain is often their chosen destination. According to the most recent figures from Spain’s national statistics agency (INE), in late 2022 there were 41,953 US nationals officially residing in Spain.

The latest INE statistics show that Madrid is home to more Americans than any other region, making up more than a quarter of the total overall.

There are 11,570 Americans who officially live in the region right in the centre of Spain, the majority of them in the capital city itself.

READ ALSO: Where in Spain do all the Americans live in 2023?

Many Americans who move to Spain are students or part-time English teachers looking for a taste of ‘Europe’ and to experience something new, but not all of them. Increasingly, older Americans are looking across the Atlantic to Spain as a retirement destination, hoping to take advantage of the climate, (relatively) low cost of living, and laid back lifestyle.

American retirees in Spain have different priorities than their younger compatriots. Whereas the youngsters might long for the hustle and bustle of a big city such as Madrid or Barcelona, retirees would probably prefer a slower paced life in a smaller town. Younger, working Americans are more likely to be offered a job in a city, whereas retirees don’t have to worry about that and are free to choose wherever they want.

International Living, a global lifestyle website, has catered to this audience with a ranking of “five smaller alternatives for a relaxed retirement” in Spain. 

If you’re a retiree in Spain (American or otherwise), let us know what you think of their choices in the comments section below,  and if there’s another town in Spain you’d recommend for an enjoyable retirement. 

Benalmádena

Benalmádena, a coastal town of around 75,000 in Málaga province, took the top spot in the ranking. International Living cited the town’s “quiet, family-friendly” atmosphere, as well as a whole host of attractions including a butterfly park, two aquariums, casino, Buddhist Stupa, and one of the largest marinas in Andalusia.

One of the main draws of Benalmádena is its proximity to nearby Málaga, a thriving city with an international airport. The provincial capital is only around 20km away, and can be reached easily by train or car in around half an hour.

Benalmádena in Málaga province, southern Spain. Photo: GuiPao/Pixabay

Mijas

Mijas, also in Málaga province, took the second spot in the rankings. It’s a little inland, but just 5km or so, so the coast is still easily accessible.

International Living stated that “the white-washed Andalusian pueblo of Mijas attracts expats from all over the world because it serves as the gateway to Costa del Sol’s “golf valley.” They aren’t wrong: twenty-seven golf courses are within a seven-mile radius of Mijas, so for retirees who want to spend the rest of their days golfing, Mijas might be for you.

Mijas has the highest percentage of international residents of all cities on the Costa del Sol at almost 40 percent (36 percent).

The sun sets in Mijas, another favourite among American retirees in southern Spain. Photo: ddzphoto/Pixabay

Almuñécar

Still in Andalusia but this time in Granada province, Almuñécar was third in the ranking and it’s easy to see why: this coastal town of 28,000 boasts 20 beaches and enjoys 340 days of sunshine a year.

According to Spanish property giants Idealista, the quality of life is high given the lower cost of living than in other coastal towns in Spain, the high standard of public services including healthcare and transport, and the wide range of leisure activities available.

There are 20 beaches in and around Almuñécar. Photo: 5459357/Pixabay
 
Sitges

Sitges is around 20 miles south of Barcelona and known for its pro-LGBT environment, alternative lifestyles, and abundance of beaches and Garraf Natural Park.

For retirees wanting an international feel, International Living claims that the town’s “permanent population of 26,000 is made up of 35 percent Northern European expats.”

However, prices up Catalonia are almost certainly going to be more expensive than the Andalusian towns higher up the list. In fact, the International Living ranking refers to Sitges as “’Ibiza in miniature’ for its wild nightlife and the ‘Saint Tropez of Spain’ for its pricey real estate.”

If you’re looking for a cheap, quiet retirement, maybe Sitges isn’t for you.

Sitges is famous for its film festival. Photo: Antonio Lorenzana Bermejo/Pexels

Miraflores de la Sierra

If quiet is what you’re after in your retirement , consider Miraflores de la Sierra, a small mountain town of 6,000 that’s just 30 miles from Madrid.

This means you won’t to be too far away from the cultural draws of the capital city, while enjoying plenty of peace on your day to day.

A view of La Najarra mountain next to Miraflores de la Sierra. Photo: Miraflores Town Hall/Wikipedia

READ ALSO: Americans in Spain: Taxes, investing and cutting through the confusion

Member comments

  1. The very best, most beautiful, peaceful, safe and uncrowded places to retire are in the north of Spain, especially Galicia. Incredible beaches, charming villages, delicious food, and beautiful weather! The south of Spain is one huge drought region, and there are very serious problems with lack of water increasing crime, and high prices.

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DISCOVER SPAIN

Flamenco, horses and sherry: Jerez’s Feria del Caballo

The swish of a flamenco skirt, the soft beat of hooves drumming on the roads and the smell of sweet sherry, these are the senses you'll experience at Jerez de la Frontera’s Feria del Caballo in May, a worthy alternative to Seville's busy April Fair.

Published: 22 April 2024 09:19 CEST
Flamenco, horses and sherry: Jerez's Feria del Caballo

There’s nothing quite so Andalusian as attending a local feria or festival, comprising all the elements you’d expect from this quintessential area of Spain – flamenco, horses and lots of food and drink.

While the most famous feria is Seville’s Feria de Abril, it may not actually be the best place to experience your first one. This is primarily because in Seville, visitors are not allowed to enter many of the so-called casetas (tents or marquees) where the main events such as music and dancing take place.

These are reserved for private companies or are by invitation only. By visiting the Feria del Caballo in Jerez de la Frontera instead, you’ll be able to enter almost all the casetas for free and not have to worry about jostling for space with so many other tourists, as it’s mainly locals who attend.

Horses wait in the shade at the Feria del Caballo in Jerez. Photo: Esme Fox

Jerez lies approximately 90km south of Seville and is renowned throughout the country for three things – horses, flamenco and sherry. It forms one point of the famed Sherry Triangle, where the majority of Spain’s sherry or jerez is produced and is also home to the prestigious Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre (Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art). This is where some of Spain’s most talented horses perform and dance with their riders.

READ ALSO: The surprising connection between Spanish sherry and the British and Irish

While the town also holds a sherry festival and a flamenco festival, the Feria del Caballo is where all three elements are brought together.

This year the Feria del Caballo takes place from May 4th to the 11th, 2024. Like previous years the main fair will take place in the Parque González Hontoria, just north of the city centre.

Traditional trajes de flamenco in Jerez. Photo: Esme Fox
 

During the day time, there are several dressage competitions taking place, then as late afternoon and evening draws near, the whole town heads to the fairground for an evening of partying and drinking.

Everyone dons their traditional trajes de flamenco or flamenco costumes, and horse-drawn carriages take revellers for rides along the dusty streets, lined with casetas, decorations and barrels of sherry.

By night the whole fairground is aglow with twinkly multicoloured lights. Flamenco music blares from each caseta and everyone shows off their Sevillanas moves. Sevillanas is a traditional folk dance from the region of Seville, which could be mistaken for flamenco to the untrained eye.

Jerez’s Feria del Caballo by night. Photo: Esme Fox

The order of the day is a rebujito, the feria’s classic tipple which is a mixture of sherry and lemonade. It might not sound great, but it can get quite addictive.

Next to the park, which has been turned into a mini festival city within itself is a traditional funfair complete with rides such as twirling tea cups and bumper cars, as well as games from coconut shys to fishing for plastic ducks and mock shooting ranges.

Dressage competition at the Feria del Caballo in Jerez. Photo: Esme Fox

The history of the Feria del Caballo goes back over 500 years. In 1264 Alfonso X granted the town two annual duty-free fairs, one in April and the other in September/October. By the Middle Ages, this turned into commercial livestock fairs that took place around the same months. 

However, it wasn’t until 1955 when the Domecq Sherry family came up with the idea of a festival focused on the city’s connections with horses.

Today, Jerez de la Frontera offers one of the best places to experience a typical Andalusian feria. 

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