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Home Community answers Popular Regions in Spain for British Expats and Why They Choose Them

Popular Regions in Spain for British Expats and Why They Choose Them

Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

“Forgive my ignorance as a new person thinking about moving to Spain but why are Andalusia and Valencia so much more popular than the rest of Regions in Spain?”

Popular Regions in Spain for British Expats and Why They Choose Them

Answers

These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:

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“Good question. Valencia is to the north of Spain and Andalusia is more to the south. Very different areas really. the weather in the north of Valencia can be very different to Andalusia as well.

Plus in Valencia, they speak Catalan dialect so again can be very different. The coastal areas seem to be popular with British expats. Valencia is probably prettier as they get more rain there and Andalusia is extremely dry most of the year.”

“They have attractive coastlines, warm weather and already have a lot of other Brits living there for those not fluent in Spanish.”

“I would love to live in the Basque Country but unfortunately, property there is the most expensive in mainland Spain. It is just beautiful.”

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Popular Regions in Spain for British Expats and Why They Choose Them

“We come a close second in Valencia”

“Once upon a time I had Tenerife on my list as holidayed there a few times but I think it will remain just a visiting island for me. I do love that heat though.”

“On the cards for me is the Castellon area. I’ve yet to visit the Almeria region! So my head may turn! But I don’t drive & not sure the Almeria region would be ideal for that reason.”

“I live in the Valencia and they speak both Valenciano and Castilian. Both are officially the languages of the region.

In fact, they are very offended if they hear it said Valenciano is a dialect. It’s like Welsh in the UK. It is the first language in all schools here with Castilian being taught as well. They are very proud to hang on to Valenciano.”

Conclusion

The popularity of regions like Andalusia and Valencia among British expats moving to Spain can be attributed to their distinct climates, cultural offerings, and established expat communities.

These regions offer a blend of scenic beauty, cultural richness, and expat-friendly environments, making them attractive destinations for those looking to relocate.

The choice often depends on personal preferences regarding climate, language, and lifestyle, with each region offering unique benefits and challenges.

📖 Related Reading: For a complete overview of step-by-step relocation plan, documents, housing, and first-week admin, see our Moving to Spain: The Complete Guide.

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author avatar
Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert
Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.