The Best and Cheapest Cities to Retire in Europe

Using ALL the data from our articles and research, The Expat compiled the ultimate guide of the best and cheapest cities to retire in Europe.

This is probably the most remarkable video ever published on our channel. We have put together all the work we did during the last 4 years in a single video.

Best Places for Early Retirement

There are 71 cities in 14 different countries in this full guide.

These are places where high quality of life meets longevity, happiness, new friendships, and a cost of living that is less than half of what you pay in the US or England.

We start with Southern Italy. It is a macro-region composed of 8 different provinces, and you will discover the best cities to live and retire in 7 of them.

Sardinia, I don’t know much about you. If anyone is familiar with Sardinia, please let me know in the comment section.

Ready?

Some of the Places Mentioned Among the 71 Best Cities to Retire in Europe

Italy

(They are not in order of preference)

1. Cosenza (Calabria): A lesser-known gem in southern Italy, offering a low cost of living.
2. Sciacca (Sicily): Coastal town with beautiful beaches and rich history.
3. Empoli (Tuscany): Charming city in the heart of Tuscany, known for its art and culture.
4. Bari (Apulia): Vibrant port city with a beautiful old town and excellent cuisine.
5. Catania (Sicily): Historic city at the foot of Mount Etna, offering a mix of culture and natural beauty.
6. Livorno (Tuscany): Coastal city with a multicultural atmosphere and beautiful waterfront.
7. Lucca (Tuscany): Well-preserved Renaissance city famous for its intact city walls.
8. Matera (Basilicata): Unique city known for its ancient cave dwellings and rich history.
9. Reggio Calabria (Calabria): Coastal city with a pleasant climate and stunning views of Sicily.
10. Salerno (Campania): Gateway to the Amalfi Coast, offering a mix of history and modernity.
11. Termoli (Molise): Picturesque coastal town with a charming old town and beautiful beaches.

Spain

1. Zaragoza (Aragon): Large city with rich history and affordable living costs.
2. Gijón (Asturias): Coastal city in northern Spain known for its maritime heritage and beaches.
3. Can Pastilla (Balearic Islands): Small resort town near Palma de Mallorca, perfect for beach lovers.
4. Vigo (Galicia): Largest city in Galicia, offering a mix of urban amenities and natural beauty.
5. Rincón de la Victoria (Andalusia): Coastal town near Málaga with a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle.
6. Torremolinos (Andalusia): Popular resort town on the Costa del Sol with excellent beaches.
7. Cáceres (Extremadura): UNESCO World Heritage city with well-preserved medieval old town.
8. Castellón de la Plana (Valencian Community): Coastal city with a perfect balance of urban and beach life.
9. Huesca (Aragon): Small city at the foothills of the Pyrenees, ideal for nature lovers.
10. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands): Capital of Gran Canaria with year-round warm climate.
11. León (Castile and León): Historic city famous for its Gothic cathedral and vibrant culture.
12. Málaga (Andalusia): Birthplace of Picasso, offering a perfect blend of culture, beaches, and modern amenities.
13. Oviedo (Asturias): Elegant city in northern Spain known for its medieval old town and gastronomy.
14. Salamanca (Castile and León): Renowned university city with stunning architecture and rich history.
15. Santander (Cantabria): Sophisticated coastal city with beautiful beaches and excellent cuisine.
16. Toledo (Castile–La Mancha): Historic city known as the “City of Three Cultures” with a well-preserved old town.

Romania

1. Brașov (Transylvania): Charming mountain city surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains.
2. Oradea (Bihor County): Beautiful city near the Hungarian border with Art Nouveau architecture.

Hungary

1. Budapest (Central Hungary): Stunning capital city offering a high quality of life at affordable prices.
2. Szeged (Csongrád-Csanád): University city known for its sunshine and thermal baths.

Greece

1. Chania (Crete): Picturesque coastal city with a beautiful Venetian harbor and old town.
2. Kalamata (Peloponnese): Coastal city famous for its olives and beautiful beaches.
3. Thessaloniki (Central Macedonia): Greece’s second-largest city with rich history and vibrant culture.

Poland

1. Gdynia (Pomeranian): Modern port city on the Baltic coast with a high quality of life.

Cyprus

1. Larnaca (Larnaca District): Coastal city with beautiful beaches and rich history.
2. Limassol (Limassol District): Vibrant coastal city known for its beaches and wine production.

Latvia

1. Riga (Riga Region): Baltic capital with stunning Art Nouveau architecture and affordable living costs.

Ireland

1. Limerick (Munster): Vibrant city on the River Shannon known for its cultural scene and Georgian architecture.

Levi Borba is the founder of expatriateconsultancy.com, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author. You can find him on X here. Some of the links above might be affiliated links, meaning the author earns a small commission if you make a purchase.