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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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SPANISH TRADITIONS

IN IMAGES: Fiesta and fervour at Spain’s El Rocío pilgrimage

If there's a tradition that shows how partying and religious devotion are deep-seated in the culture of Spain's southern Andalusia region, that's the 1-million-people pilgrimage and festivities of El Rocío.

Published: 20 May 2024 16:55 CEST
IN IMAGES: Fiesta and fervour at Spain's El Rocío pilgrimage

La Romería del Rocío is the biggest and most famous of Andalulsia’s romerías.

It takes place on the weekend of Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday when hundreds of thousands (often closer to a million people) come to take part in the religious celebrations of the Virgin of El Rocío.

During the days before Pentecost, devotees make their way on foot, horseback and in horse-drawn decorated carriages to El Rocío, a hamlet located within the municipality of Almonte in the province of Huelva, around 80 km away from Seville.

Pilgrims of the Triana brotherhood cross the Quema river on their carriages drawn by oxen on their way to the village of El Rocío. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)

They come from Huelva, Seville and Cádiz and towns across the region to converge in El Rocío singing traditional flamenco cantos and coplas on the way.

Pilgrims usually take between two and ten days to reach El Rocío. The Brotherhood of Huelva, who have a shorter journey than other pilgrims, take two days to complete the 61.5km journey.

Between 25,000 and 30,000 horses take part in the romería, some of which have controversially died during the pilgrimage over the years due to heat, exhaustion or lack of water.

At night, the travellers strike camps along the route with bonfires, singing, dancing and feasting until the early hours.

A pilgrim places a baby against the effigy of the Rocío Virgin- (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)

By Saturday, all the religious brotherhoods meet for a procession to the shrine but it isn’t until Monday morning that the statue of the Virgin Mary is taken out of her shrine and paraded through the town.

READ ALSO: ‘Mucho arte’ – Why do Andalusians say they have a lot of ‘art’?

This is done so after hordes of worshippers engage in the “salto de la reja” (jumping of the fence), when around 3am in the morning they actually climb over the altar railings to reach the statue and carry it above their heads.

Pilgrims gather en masse in the main square of El Rocío village. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)

El Rocío dates back to the 17th century, resulting from the supposed apparition of the Virgin Mary over an olive tree in Almonte two centuries earlier, as claimed by a local shepherd.

Around 55 percent of Spaniards define themselves as Catholic (down from 91 percent in 1978), evidence that Spain has become less and less traditionally Catholic.

A Rocío pilgrim touches a figure representing the Virgin Mary. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)

However, cultural Catholicism is still alive, especially in Andalusia. In other words, andaluces in particular adhere to the cultural traditions of being baptised, doing their first communion, confession, confirmation, and so on, and then maintain a more ‘social’ relationship with the church by attending Catholic festivals, weddings, funerals, and baptisms but little else.

So despite the apparent religious intensity and superstition that Andalusians display during Holy Week and other centuries-old traditions like El Rocío, they’re not necessarily practicing Catholics who go to mass every Sunday, especially the younger generations.

READ MORE: How Catholic are Spaniards nowadays?

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