When considering a move to Spain for permanent residence, the spotlight often falls on the well-known cities of Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. For those drawn to the warmth of the sea, Alicante is a common choice. Yet, along the Costa Blanca and neighboring Costa Cálida coasts, several other cities provide excellent infrastructure, proximity to international airports, and a high quality of life. Here is an overview of seven underrated Spanish cities for expats in 2026—each offering unique advantages and lifestyle opportunities.
Águilas (Murcia)
Águilas is a tranquil resort town on the Costa Cálida coast, often described as “the Spanish Caribbean in Murcia” due to its postcard-perfect landscapes and tropical ambiance. Unlike the crowded, urbanized areas of the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, Águilas offers peaceful surroundings, especially in the Cuatro Calas area and La Carolina beach, with fewer tourists and abundant natural beauty.
Situated on the shore of Mazarrón Bay, 105 km from Murcia, Águilas boasts 28 km of coastline featuring cliffs, coves, and sandy beaches. It has long attracted European retirees who appreciate its calm atmosphere and outdoor lifestyle. The town offers a long seaside promenade, a marina, and access to two protected natural parks—Cabo Cope y Puntas de Calnegre Regional Park and Cuatro Calas Natural Area—ideal for hiking and cycling.
With a population of over 37,000, Águilas uniquely blends excellent urban infrastructure with natural tranquility, avoiding the noise and traffic typical of larger towns. Property prices here are notably affordable, averaging €1,671 per square meter in October 2025, well below the national average of €2,555. However, prices have surged by 26.4% over the past year, indicating growing interest.
Orihuela Costa (Alicante)
Orihuela Costa is a coastal district stretching along the shore between Torrevieja and Pilar de la Horadada. Though administratively part of the inland city of Orihuela, located about 25 km away, it has its own town hall and police station. Originally developed as a holiday destination with urbanizations and villas, it now supports a significant year-round population.
This international district features Scandinavian supermarkets, English pubs, and German restaurants, with English widely spoken. The infrastructure is well-developed, catering to diverse needs with numerous shops, bars, and restaurants. Orihuela Costa hosts the popular CC Zenia Boulevard shopping and entertainment center and offers convenient access to the AP-7 motorway and bus connections to Torrevieja. Golf enthusiasts will find several clubs here, along with the El Limonar International School Villamartín nearby.
The coastline alternates between rocky sections, coves, and wide sandy beaches that remain less crowded than those in neighboring Torrevieja. The climate allows for sunbathing almost year-round, with the swimming season lasting from May to October.
Property prices average €2,928 per square meter, with an 8.6% annual increase. Prices vary by neighborhood, from €2,466 in Los Altos to €3,829 in Lomas de Campoamor–Las Ramblas. Both resale and new developments are widely available.
Elche (Alicante)
Elche (Elche/Elx in Valencian) is the second-largest city in Alicante province and the third-largest in the Valencian Community. It is a vibrant, green city with excellent transport links, including an international airport 17 km away and bus and train connections to Alicante. Although not directly on the coast, its coastal district Los Arenales del Sol offers beach access just 15 km from the city center.
Known as Spain’s shoe capital, Elche hosts many renowned footwear factories and boasts extensive shopping options, including El Corte Inglés and The Outlet Stores Alicante nearby. The city’s highlight is El Palmeral, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed palm grove with around 300,000 palm trees dating back to the 10th century. This green oasis is a favorite spot for outdoor activities.
Elche also features numerous parks, historical sites like the Basilica of Santa María, and cultural events such as the Misteri d’Elx mystery play, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. The city offers comprehensive amenities for permanent residents, including schools, Miguel Hernández University, sports centers, hospitals, and private clinics.
Property prices average €1,600 per square meter, with a 14.8% annual growth rate. Finding long-term rental housing is generally easier here than in Alicante or Valencia.
Torre Pacheco (Murcia)
Torre Pacheco, located 37 km from Murcia city, has a population of about 40,000. The early 2000s saw a construction boom here, characterized by spacious urbanizations with golf courses, spa resorts, and a variety of housing types from apartments to villas. Major developers like Polaris World targeted affluent Europeans seeking summer or permanent homes, offering well-planned layouts and comprehensive services within the communities.
The municipality’s economy is driven primarily by tourism, ranking tenth in income within the Murcia region. It enjoys regular bus connections to Murcia, Cartagena, Alicante, Madrid, and nearby towns, as well as a railway line passing through.
Life in Torre Pacheco resembles comfortable countryside living. Large urbanizations function like small cities with sports facilities, gyms, restaurants, and hotels. Excellent sandy beaches are just 10–12 km away in Los Alcázares, and the El Valle y Carrascoy Regional Park lies nearby.
Property demand is strong, with prices reaching €2,477 per square meter in October 2025 and an extraordinary annual growth of 45.9%, marking new historical highs.
San Javier (Murcia)
San Javier is a small resort town on the shore of the Mar Menor lagoon in Murcia, with a population of around 36,000, about a quarter of whom are foreigners. It includes part of the La Manga del Mar Menor spit but here we focus on the main urban area. San Javier offers kilometers of clean sandy beaches and seafront promenades, a quiet atmosphere, and well-developed infrastructure including regular bus services and a railway station 10 km away with fast connections to Murcia.
Its prime location at the crossroads of Alicante, Murcia, and Cartagena, along the calm waters of the Mar Menor, makes it ideal for swimming and water sports. Mediterranean beaches are accessible nearby in Pilar de la Horadada and La Manga.
San Javier hosts two major annual events—the Festival Aéreo air show and the International Jazz Festival—drawing tens of thousands of visitors. The town comfortably accommodates both tourists and residents during these times. For permanent living, it offers schools, medical centers, supermarkets, and shopping facilities, with Orihuela Costa’s extensive amenities just a short drive away.
Property prices are relatively affordable, averaging €2,066 per square meter with a 13.5% annual increase.
Finestrat (Alicante)
Finestrat is a small municipality adjacent to the famous Benidorm and, along with Altea Hills, Moraira, and Teulada, is a hub for luxury real estate on the Costa Blanca. The town’s historic center reflects authentic inland Spain, while the surrounding area features upscale low-rise residential complexes and villas, notably the prestigious Sierra Cortina urbanization in the Golf Bahía area.
Finestrat has its own beaches south of Benidorm—La Cala de Finestrat—and is close to Benidorm’s renowned beaches and theme parks. More than half of its residents are foreigners, who tend to live in modern complexes known for high construction quality, energy efficiency, and thoughtful layouts. The native population mainly resides in the historic center.
The municipality is set in a stunning landscape with Puig Campana mountain to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the east, offering spectacular views. Finestrat is favored for both holidays and permanent residence, prized for its greenery, tranquility, and safety compared to bustling Benidorm.
Property prices here are higher than in other Alicante municipalities, averaging €3,333 per square meter with a 10.2% annual growth. Interestingly, the seaside area Cala de Finestrat is the most affordable (€2,937/m²), while Bahía Golf commands the highest prices (€3,701/m²).
Rojales (Alicante)
Rojales is a small municipality near Torrevieja on the southern Costa Blanca, featuring a compact historic center that preserves the charm of old Spain. Surrounding it are modern residential developments, including the large urbanization Ciudad Quesada, which functions almost as a town itself and is administratively part of Rojales. Over 70% of the municipality’s 17,000 residents are foreigners.
This dual character makes Rojales both an authentic Spanish enclave and a comfortable expat community with modern infrastructure such as schools, a health center, sports facilities, and a golf club.
Its location is convenient, close to Torrevieja and Guardamar del Segura beaches, and near the Las Salinas de La Mata y Torrevieja Natural Park, famous for its pink lake and flamingos. Residents enjoy hiking, cycling, visits to historic cities like Elche and Orihuela, beach relaxation, and shopping in nearby commercial centers.
Property prices average €2,280 per square meter, with prices remaining stable over the past year.