There’s an absolute mass tourism crisis that you might have seen on the news. In 2024, Spain experienced record levels of tourists, reaching 94 million (with the majority going in the summer months).
Those sorts of numbers crammed into areas like Barcelona, Madrid, the Canary Islands, and many more simply aren’t sustainable. So, can you move to Spain from the UK? Yes. But the question of ‘How can I move to Spain from the UK?’ is easier if you move to an area that’s looking for people like you.
From June 15th, Spain will see the beginning of the tourism protests again. But, there are some areas in Spain where tourists are more than welcome if you’re considering moving to Spain from the UK. These areas are just as good as the most popular areas that Brits moving to Spain seem to flock to. If anything, they have more charm and character and are far more welcoming.
Read on for our top three areas crying out for tourists if you’re moving from the UK to Spain.
La Rioja
La Rioja is iconic in our eyes – how are people not visiting the region that’s the birthplace of Spain’s most famous wine, Rioja (believe it or not)? Retiring to Spain from the UK in an area like this would be incredible.
Located in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, moving to Spain and settling in Rioja is nothing short of a fairytale. The rolling Spanish countryside, the slightly cooler northern climate (yet beautiful summer temperatures), the wonderful locals – everything about the area will get you asking, ‘How do I move to Spain from the UK?’
Sadly, in August 2024, arguably the busiest month for any location in Spain, La Rioja only had a total of 18,009 visitors. Out of those numbers, only 10,000 were Brits, and probably because they wanted to sample the wine. You can imagine that during the winter months, the only people La Rioja residents see are themselves or a few passing Spanish citizens.
And it’s such a shame. The bodegas (vineyards) here are absolutely stunning – Bodegas Riojanas is the best. You can sample fresh Rioja wine from the barrel. Add that to the fact Rioja is all about natural attractions, and every day feels like paradise. The Mediterranean forests and lunar landscapes will see you never wanting to leave.
We highly recommend visiting the capital, Logroño, and Briones and Haro – they’re three of the best places to visit in La Rioja.
The average house price here is €112,541 for a reasonable 90 m². They’re such affordable prices for a move to Spain.
Cantabria
Cantabria deserves more credit than it gets. This mediaeval port area located in northern Spain isn’t somewhere you go to sunbathe – temperatures reach a mild 20 degrees in summer. It is, however, a place you can go to bathe in its beauty. They are seeing slightly more tourists, but not as many as they need. In August 2024, 81,041 foreign people stayed there.
Cantabria seems stuck in time. It’s a quiet, traditional, serene Spanish area with natural beauty all around you. And visit one of the colourful fishing ports, and you might just taste some of the best seafood you’ve ever had. We recommend going to Puerto Deportivo or Pesquero de Colindres; some people say San Vicente de la Barquera is the best, but it’s hard to pick a favourite.
The locals really know how to enjoy life here, prioritising living over anything else and welcoming foreign people with open arms. The Cantabria, Spain, tourism website literally says they’re relying on people to keep returning to this wonderful region.
We’d recommend seeing Santillana del Mar or Camaleño. These areas are how Spain should be.
The average house price here is €153,437 for 90 m². How can I move to Spain? You can start by dreaming of living here.
Asturias
In August 2024, 86,352 foreign people visited Asturias – an injustice to the area’s beauty.
Asturias might just be Spain’s best-kept secret. Tucked along the northern coast, it’s the region tourists forget, which is baffling. The beaches look like they belong in a film, yet barely anyone’s lying on them.
If you’re moving to Spain from the UK and want nature, culture, and calm, Asturias is it. Picture green mountain ranges, dramatic cliffs, and tiny coastal towns with more charm than a postcard. The locals? Some of the friendliest you’ll meet. They treat you like family before you’ve even said a word. Retire to Spain from the UK in Asturias and you’ll live a dream life.
The Picos de Europa National Park is incredible. Or, for seaside beauty, Llanes or Cudillero are our favourites. The latter is a fishing village painted in bright colours, stacked on a hill, overlooking crystal-clear waters.
Oviedo, the capital, is calm, clean, and full of culture. Think traditional cider houses and cobbled streets. It’s everything tourists say they want—without the crowds. If you want to move to Spain from the UK, this is the place to go.
The average house price here is €132,570 for 90 m².
Spain isn’t closed off to tourists—it just wants better ones. Fewer crowds. More respect. If you’re planning on moving from the UK to Spain in 2025, these are the places we think you should go. And if you’re wondering ‘How do I move to Spain from the UK?’ a residency consultation can help. Learning how to emigrate to Spain is easy with their help.
