Valencian Community 2026: sea, dynamic cities and personal attractiveness
By 2026, the Valencian Community is confirming its status as a flagship region on Spain’s Mediterranean coast.
Between the sea, human‑scale cities and international openness, it attracts digital nomads, families and retired Europeans alike. 🙂
This territory is structured around three major hubs:
- Valencia, an innovative and well‑connected regional capital
- The Alicante coast, highly sought‑after for its sunshine and seaside lifestyle
- The province of Castellón, quieter but full of potential
Each offers a different living experience, with one key point in common: proximity to the sea and a firmly Mediterranean way of life.
Valencia: medium‑sized city, startups and international residents
Valencia ticks a lot of boxes for those who want to change their life without giving up city living.
It’s a metropolis of around 800,000 inhabitants within the city limits, large enough to offer every service, yet compact enough to remain manageable on a daily basis.
You’ll find:
- A fast‑growing startup ecosystem, particularly in tech and green sectors
- Well‑regarded universities attracting students and researchers from all over the world
- An established community of expats and remote workers
- A lively historic centre, plus regenerated, creative neighbourhoods
This gradual internationalisation makes integration easier: there are international schools, coworking spaces, events in English or French, and a dynamic network of local associations.
On the property side, Valencia still offers more affordable prices than Barcelona or Madrid, which appeals to:
- Young professionals buying their first apartment
- Families looking for more space for the same budget
- Investors seeking good value for money for long‑term or holiday rentals
On the ground, properties in demand in Valencia often combine generous floor areas with a price per square metre that remains reasonable compared with Spain’s major capitals. Data from Green Acres, a website specialising in second homes, shows that buyers interested in the city favour large houses and apartments, illustrating the appeal of a genuine quality of life rather than simple pied‑à‑terre.
Valencia is also a market where very different profiles meet: Spanish families, European buyers in search of sun, and investors comparing central neighbourhoods with more residential areas on the outskirts. The price gaps between these zones still offer room for manoeuvre for those willing to move slightly away from the centre while staying well connected by public transport.
Coast (Alicante, Castellón): second homes and retired Europeans
The coastal strip from Alicante to Castellón has gradually become a genuine European crossroads.
You’ll find Spaniards, of course, but also many French, Belgians, Dutch, Germans and Scandinavians. 🌞
For foreign buyers, this coastline is particularly attractive to:
- Retirees looking for a mild climate, a good healthcare system and a quieter life
- Families wanting a second home to share throughout the year
- Investors betting on holiday rentals, especially close to the beaches
Cities such as Alicante, Benidorm, Dénia, Jávea and Oropesa del Mar offer a wide range of properties: sea‑view apartments, renovated townhouses, villas with pools, serviced residences.
Figures provided by Green Acres confirm this international appeal, particularly in the province of Alicante. Foreign buyers mainly come from France (21% of enquiries), followed by the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland, with median budgets of around €300,000 for properties of about 120 m². This buyer profile explains the success of residences with pools, family homes close to the beach, and properties that can be rented out for a few weeks a year.
In the best‑known resorts, the hierarchy of prices per square metre also reflects different market positions: in Benidorm, a hotspot of seaside tourism, properties in demand average around €439,000 for 128 m², with a high price per square metre typical of very touristy markets. In Dénia, average demand is closer to €393,000 for 152 m², reflecting a balance between a lively resort and year‑round living.
In Xàbia/Jávea, another hugely popular destination among Europeans, searches focus on properties around €385,000 for 137 m², often villas or detached houses with outdoor space in Xàbia/Jávea. Further north, Oropesa del Mar in the province of Castellón illustrates a more accessible positioning: houses for sale in Oropesa del Mar average around €147,000 for almost 100 m², making it an attractive entry point for tighter budgets.
By moving a little away from the first line of the sea, you often find:
- More affordable prices
- Quieter surroundings suited to year‑round living
- Authentic villages still just a few minutes from the beach
This is an interesting compromise for those who want to enjoy the coast without being at the heart of tourist crowds.
Green Acres statistics for the province of Castellón also show a market that remains relatively affordable, where foreign demand – from France, Germany, Romania and Poland – focuses on compact properties, between 70 and 90 m² at the median, with median prices around €140,000. It’s an ideal profile for a first purchase abroad or a modest second home that’s easy to manage remotely.
Evolution of services and infrastructure
The Valencian Community doesn’t just offer a pleasant living environment: it is also investing heavily in its infrastructure and public services.
These developments are strengthening the region’s appeal for the years to come, especially for new arrivals.
Investment in soft mobility and sustainable tourism
In major cities as well as coastal municipalities, there is a clear drive to encourage more sustainable forms of transport.
The main trends are:
- Deployment of continuous cycle lanes, particularly in Valencia and along the coast
- Development of urban walking with pedestrianised centres and improved public spaces
- Growing provision of public transport (tram, bus, local trains) to reduce car dependency
- Sustainable tourism projects that promote trails, natural parks and protected areas
These changes directly benefit residents: less noise, less local pollution, greater safety for families and a more pleasant daily life.
For buyers, this can also be an important indicator:
- A neighbourhood well served by public transport and cycle lanes becomes more attractive
- Areas close to parks, seafront promenades and green spaces are particularly sought‑after
In Valencia, for example, the redevelopment of many roads into tree‑lined boulevards and the extension of tram lines have directly influenced the perception of certain outlying districts. When planning a purchase, it makes sense to overlay the map of new mobility projects with that of property prices to identify areas likely to gain in value over the coming years.
The rise of remote work and internal migration to coastal areas
As in many European countries, remote work has reshaped residential geography in Spain.
The Valencian Community is directly benefiting from this.
We are seeing:
- An influx of workers from other Spanish regions, attracted by the climate and quality of life
- A flow of foreign remote workers settling year‑round on the coast or in Valencia
- Increased demand for homes that are comfortable for everyday living (office room, balcony, terrace, fibre‑optic internet)
This dynamic is stimulating certain local markets and can support prices in the most attractive areas.
For you as a future buyer, this means it makes sense to look at:
- The neighbourhood or village’s internet connectivity (fibre)
- The presence of coworking spaces or cafés suited to working
- The possibility of having an extra room or flexible space for working from home
On the Alicante coast, this profile of international remote workers overlaps with that of the many European second‑home owners already present. In Alicante itself, property averages around €344,000 for 214 m², leaving enough leeway to combine living space, a home office and outdoor areas, while remaining close to the beach and urban amenities.
Quality of life and moderate cost of living
The strength of the Valencian Community lies in this double balance: a very pleasant living environment for an overall cost that remains reasonable by Spanish and European standards.
This is what makes it an increasingly popular destination for a medium‑ or long‑term life project.
Prices still slightly below the Spanish average: an advantage for first‑time buyers
In many Spanish cities, prices have risen sharply in recent years.
Overall, the Valencian Community remains slightly below the national average, even though the most touristy or central areas are more expensive.
This creates an opportunity for:
- First‑time buyers who are struggling to buy in Barcelona, Madrid or certain French regions
- Couples and families wanting more space or comfort
- Buyers seeking a good balance between purchase budget, running costs and property quality
In practice, you can still find:
- Affordable apartments in certain districts of Valencia
- Townhouses or small villas just inland from the coast
- More reasonably priced properties in medium‑sized inland or northern cities in the region
To optimise your project, it can be useful to:
- Compare several areas (city centre, outskirts, coastal villages)
- Prioritise your criteria: sea view, floor area, proximity to schools/shops
- Seek guidance to decipher the local market and price trends
Databases from specialised players such as Green Acres in Valencia also offer a first indication of the budgets to plan for, depending on the cities and types of property, even before you travel there.
By cross‑referencing these benchmarks with your project (main residence, second home, rental investment), you can refine your search and target the areas where your budget will make the most sense.
Cultural life, mild climate, Mediterranean access
Beyond the figures, it’s everyday life that makes the difference.
Living in the Valencian Community means enjoying the sea and sunshine without giving up culture, services or social life.
What particularly appeals to newcomers:
- A mild climate with many days of sunshine each year
- The proximity of the Mediterranean for swimming, water sports or simple walks
- A rich cultural life: traditional festivals (Fallas in Valencia, Magdalena in Castellón…), museums, concerts, festivals
- A renowned gastronomy, centred on fresh produce and conviviality
For year‑round settlement, this lifestyle makes integration easier: you go out more, walk more, enjoy terraces, markets and local events.
The region is also well connected to the rest of Europe thanks to:
- Valencia and Alicante airports
- High‑speed rail links to Madrid and other major cities
- Ports and ferry routes along the Mediterranean coast
A valuable asset for those who want to keep a foothold in their home country while building a new life in the sun. ☀️
