Real Estate in Spain. The Ten Best Places to Buy in 2026

The 10 Best Places to Buy Real Estate in Spain for 2026

Hello and a very warm welcome back to my blog! In today's post, I want to give you my opinion on the 10 best places to buy real estate in Spain for the year 2026.

Before we dive in, I’d really appreciate it if you could share this blog with anyone interested in Spanish real estate. Thank you!

There’s no doubt that it’s getting harder and harder to find value-for-money property in Spain, especially in the larger cities. Madrid and Barcelona have always been quite expensive, but now even smaller cities like Sevilla and Granada are not cheap. In both cities, real estate is getting towards €3,000 per square meter. Two cities I had in the top 10 last year, namely Zaragoza and sadly Valencia, are no longer reasonably priced. Over the past year, property prices in Zaragoza have gone up by around 20% to reach an average of €2,400 per square meter. And on a somber note, for those of you wanting to buy in Valencia, real estate prices are now around €3,700 per square meter on average. Therefore, neither place is in the top 10 this year.

However, there are still a number of places where property is still very reasonably priced in Spain. Here are my top 10 places to buy real estate in Spain for the year 2026:

Alicante: Sun, Sand, and Smart Investments!

Only two or three years ago, Alicante was the best place to buy property in Spain. You used to be able to find property not far from the Postiguet beach for around €2,000 a square meter, but those days are now long gone. Average real estate prices are approaching €3,000 per square meter. Nevertheless, Alicante just about deserves to be in the top 10. It’s a lovely city with wonderful beaches, a nice cathedral, the amazing Santa Barbara Castle, excellent bars, restaurants, cafes, very good medical facilities, and generally a high quality of life. The weather is very good for most of the year, as is the nightlife. Alicante also has excellent transport facilities, including an international airport with flights to numerous destinations in Europe.

Cordoba: History, Horses, and Hot Property Deals!
The beautiful city of Cordoba, with a population of around 325,000, is generally not on people’s radar when it comes to buying property in Spain, but it should be. Cordoba is situated in the Andalusian region of Spain and located conveniently between Sevilla and Granada. Its historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city is rich in history. There are lovely parks, good food, excellent medical facilities, and a vibrant nightlife scene. At one time in the 10th century, it was the largest city in Western Europe. Transport-wise, Cordoba is on the Spanish high-speed rail network. Within 50–150 kilometers you have three airports: Malaga, Sevilla, and Granada. Property prices have been on the rise but are still very reasonable at an average of around €1,800 per square meter, much cheaper than Sevilla and Granada.

Leon: Lions, Legends, and Low Prices!

Leon has a population of around 125,000 and is situated in northwest Spain. It’s an underrated city rich in history with many historic monuments, including churches and palaces. The stunning Plaza Mayor is enclosed by wonderful ornate Baroque buildings. Leon has a number of festivals and is a delight for food lovers. Medical facilities are good, and there’s a university here, two railway stations, and an airport (though destinations are limited). Property prices in Leon are very reasonable at an average of around €1,800 per square meter; in the city center, just above €2,000 per square meter.

Caceres: Medieval Magic and More for Your Money!

With a population of around 96,000 and situated in western Spain's Extremadura region, Caceres is possibly Spain’s best-kept secret. Very few people outside Spain have heard of this city, but it’s truly lovely. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a stunning mix of Roman, Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture, cobbled medieval streets, fortified walls, and numerous towers. There are cathedrals, churches, palaces, and museums, plus no shortage of festivals, especially music festivals. Healthcare is excellent, and Caceres feels very Spanish compared to many larger cities. The locals are friendly, and the city has its own railway station and bus terminal. Real estate prices are competitive at an average of around €1,600 per square meter.

Avila: Walkable Walls and Wallet-Friendly Finds!

Situated in Castile and Leon, Avila has a population of around 57,000 and is a very well-preserved city rich in history. Its medieval walls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is full of Renaissance churches and palaces, has two universities, excellent cuisine, a basketball team, and many festivals. Avila has good medical facilities and is only about 85 kilometers from Madrid, making for easy day trips to the capital. Avila is very walkable, and property prices are rather cheap at just under €1,600 per square meter on average.

Huelva: Spanish Sunsets and Savvy Shopping!

Huelva may come as a surprise in fifth place, but this city with a population of around 143,000 in Andalusia, located in the southwest Iberian Peninsula, has a lot to offer. The climate is good with mild winters and warm summers. The food is excellent with a wealth of bars and restaurants. There are plenty of festivals throughout the year. Huelva offers access to less crowded Atlantic beaches and national parks, and healthcare is considered good quality. By train, you have easy access to Sevilla, and a high-speed train to Madrid (about 4 hours). The nearest airports are Faro (Portugal) and Sevilla, both less than 100 kilometers away. Property prices average around €1,700 per square meter and just above €2,000 per square meter in the city center.

Almeria: Beaches, Bites, and Budget Buys!

Almeria and its province remain reasonably priced, although prices have been rising. In the city of Almeria, real estate prices are still well under €2,000 per square meter on average. In Roquetas de Mar, prices are even cheaper at less than €1,700 per square meter. In seaside towns like Vera and Mojacar Playa, prices are higher. This area boasts one of the best climates in Europe and has an airport with flights to multiple UK destinations plus Brussels, Rotterdam, Luxembourg, and Prague. The food is excellent, and Almeria is full of events, festivals, and exhibitions.

Toledo: Timeless Treasures at a Fraction of the Price!

Toledo is a wonderful city to live in, with around 85,000 inhabitants. It has an amazingly rich history and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. Toledo is well under an hour from Madrid by car or train, offering great access to the capital. Property prices are still below €2,000 per square meter, a fraction of what you’d pay in Madrid (over €7,000 per square meter). Toledo has a great selection of bars, restaurants, lively nightlife, and many festivals and events throughout the year.

Tarragona: Roman Ruins and Real Estate Rewards!

Situated on the Costa Dorada with a population of around 138,000, Tarragona is underrated with a unique blend of sandy beaches and historical monuments. The Roman ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Roman theater overlooking the Mediterranean is particularly impressive. Tarragona offers top-notch food, good medical facilities, a university, and is well-connected by transport. Reus airport is 8 kilometers away, with direct flights to several UK and Irish cities, plus Paris, Brussels, Eindhoven, and Dusseldorf. Barcelona airport is about 100 kilometers away. Property prices are under €2,000 per square meter.

Murcia: Marvelous Murcia, Where Your Euro Goes Further!
Murcia and its province top the list. Murcia city, in southeast Spain, has so much to offer: rich history, delicious gastronomy, beautiful squares, a lovely river, and a laid-back, authentic Spanish atmosphere. Property prices in the city are cheap at only €1,700 per square meter. In the province, you can find affordable homes in seaside towns like San Pedro del Pinatar, Los Alcazares, Cartagena, Mazarrón, and Águilas. Cartagena and Águilas both offer property for around €1,700 per square meter. Murcia province has an airport with direct flights to several UK cities, Dublin, and Marseille. The climate is simply wonderful.