2025 Best Places to Live in Southern Europe

Southern Europe is one of the most attractive regions in the world, with beautiful places to explore and numerous thriving cities rivalring each other in historic wealth, brimming with life and charm. But a few places truly stand out above the rest. Every year, My Dolce Casa uncovers the best places to live in the South of Europe by analyzing the latest quality of life index from Numbeo, which looks at the cost of living, safety, environment, property prices and climate ratings.

In 2025, three Spanish cities take the podium: Valencia, Madrid, and Malaga, giving Spain uncontested bragging rights as the best country to live in Europe.

Valencia is once again the best place to live in Southern Europe. The Eastern Spain city seems to have found a long-term recipe for success: great quality of life, enviable weather, it’s safe, clean and as pretty as they get.

Madrid is this year’s second best place to live, and also Spain’s capital and largest city. It’s easy to see why Madrid earned this honor. Its royal elegance, streets bustling with life and world-class living are evident from the moment you arrive.

Malaga dethroned last year’s third place city, Porto, with its quality lifestyle, safety, close to perfect Southern Spain weather and cultural uniqueness.

Zagreb Croatia

Two Croatian cities are in the top ten. First, we have Zagreb in fourth place. The capital city is not only one of the best places to live in Croatia, but also in the entire Southern European region. Zagreb’s unique quality lies in its mix of laid-back Mediterranean and Balkan vibe, with a thriving tech and startup scene.

The second Croatian city in the ranking is Split, in seventh place. Beyond its stunning Adriatic views, Split is also known for its safety, offering a welcoming environment where locals embrace the “pomalo” (take it easy) mindset, making it an ideal place to enjoy both city and seaside life.

Ljubljana, Slovenia, is the fifth best place to live in the South of Europe. What puts Ljubljana so high on the list? The city stands out as a green and bike-friendly capital where the car-free city center feels like a cozy, open-air living room, lined with charming riverside cafés and stunning Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture.

As you may expect, the two most popular Portuguese cities are in the top ten. Porto is the sixth best place to live in the region. Beyond its nostalgic charm, Porto is also one of Europe’s safest cities, where locals greet you with warmth, and wandering its streets—day or night—feels both inviting and secure. The Portugal city also boasts a pleasant climate.

Lisbon claims the eighth spot this year. The city is one of Europe’s safest capitals, with charming neighborhoods. With its mild Mediterranean climate bringing over 300 days of sunshine a year, life here feels both comfortable and vibrant year-round.

Barcelona is in eight place, the fourth Spanish city in the top ten, while Bologna is in tenth place and the only Italian city in the ranking.