A feast for the senses, Spain’s coastal cities offer a lifestyle that encompasses everything the country is famous for – historic architecture, fantastic cuisine, rich culture, colourful nightlife, limitless shopping and beautiful beaches. Most have an airport too, making weekend trips there a doddle. Getting excited? We’ve started the search for you with these four options…

Valencia

Where: Capital of the Valencian Community, located halfway down Spain’s east coast. Birthplace of ‘paella’ and with its own airport, it’s often labelled a ‘mini Barcelona’.

Highlights: Turia Gardens, an 8km long park that bisects the city, built on the old course of the Turia River and today used for all types of sports and outdoors activities; one of Spain’s largest and best preserved old towns, which includes a UNESCO site; venue for Spain’s largest festival, Las Fallas, recently granted UNESCO heritage status; a recently  regenerated beachfront area, that includes the landmark City of Arts and Sciences complex and Europe’s largest aquarium. Fantastic, sweeping centrally located beach!

Featured property: A modern apartment in one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods, Ruzafa. With two bedrooms, the property has a south-facing open-plan living area with floor-to-ceiling doors opening onto three balconies! Part of the central Eixample district, Ruzafa is popular for its beautiful architecture, plentiful bars and restaurants, and being within walking distance of everything, including Turia Gardens and the historic quarter.

Málaga

Where: The centrepoint of Spain’s southern coastline, Málaga is the second largest city in Andalusia after the regional capital Seville. Málaga Airport, one of the busiest in Spain, is the gateway to the Costa del Sol.

Highlights: Oozing Andalusian charm, balmy Málaga is not only one of Spain’s, but also Europe’s, oldest cities; landmark sights around its regenerated historic centre include its Moorish Alcazaba and Gibalfaro castle, the Roman amphitheatre and its Cathedral; Picasso’s birthplace, the city’s foundation and museum to the artist are world-famous; the palm-fringed promenade along Malagueta beach and the string of sandy bays lined with fabulous chiringuito restaurants are true gems.

Featured property: The top of a converted character building, this penthouse is located in the old quarter, steps away from historic landmarks Plaza Uncibay, Plaza de la Constitución and Calle Larios, so you couldn’t be more central! In fact a duplex, the lower level has the feature bedroom with en-suite, while above is a stunning living area with a terrace offering views of Málaga Cathedral, the Alcazaba and the mountains beyond.

Alicante

Where: The second largest city in the Valencian Community after Valencia two hours north, Alicante is the midpoint of the Costa Blanca on Spain’s east coast. Alicante Airport, also one of the busiest in Spain, is the main gateway to this expat-friendly coastline.

Highlights: A laid-back port city, Alicante gets overlooked for the holiday resorts to the north and south but has much to offer; Barrio de la Santa Cruz is the city’s picturesque old quarter, where narrow streets climb towards Santa Bárbara castle; the marbled Explanada de España is the city’s palm-fringed seafront promenade, deemed one of Spain’s finest – it leads to the city’s main beach, Playa Postiguet; sweeping San Juan beach to the north and with three kilometres of golden sand is popular too; away from the beach, two large parks, L’Ereta and El Palmeral, are favourite places for hanging out; protected Tabarca Island, a few kilometres off the coast, makes a nice day trip from Alicante port and has lovely clear waters.

Featured property: This fabulous renovated apartment is in the heart of the city, located on the Plaza de Calvo Sotelo, making it close to the main shopping area and just five minutes’ walk from the marina. With two bedrooms, a feature of the property is its main living area with huge windows for plenty of light and impressive city views.

Palma de Mallorca

Where: The capital – and also largest – city of the Balearic Islands, located in the Bay of Palma on the sunny south coast of Mallorca. The gateway to one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations, which attracts Spanish royalty and celebs, only Madrid and Barcelona have busier airports.

Highlights: Seamlessly fuses charming historic quarters with hip modern neighbourhoods, offering boutique shopping and world-class gastronomy; caters for the world’s jet set, but equally families and the trendy young crowd; jewels in its architectural crown include its landmark La Seu cathedral and the Old Town (Casc Antic) with its maze of streets, majestic palaces, galleries, museums and shady squares, and the Santa Catalina area; the palm-fringed Paseo Marítimo (seafront promenade) is world famous and winds along past pristine sandy beaches and the yacht-filled marina, overlooked by luxury apartments and restaurants; justifiably its nickname is the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’.

Featured property: Who could resist the fabulous views of this penthouse apartment in the seafront area of Porto Pi? A stone’s throw from the seafront promenade, it looks out across the marina and yacht club to the Can Barberá dock and Bay of Palma beyond. With three bedrooms and a terrace, it comes with access to a communal pool.