A scouting trip is the difference between choosing a city from a spreadsheet and choosing one you’ve actually lived in, even briefly. Two weeks gives you enough time to visit 3-4 cities, walk the neighborhoods, test the healthcare system, check internet speeds, and experience what daily life actually feels like — not the tourist version, but the Tuesday-afternoon-grocery-shopping version. This itinerary covers the four most popular expat cities with specific tasks for each stop. Not sure which cities to prioritize? Our best cities for expats guide compares all the top options.
Before You Leave: Pre-Trip Planning
Book Flexible Accommodations
Stay in Airbnbs in residential neighborhoods, not hotels in tourist zones. You want to experience what living there actually feels like — walking to the grocery store, hearing the noise levels at night, navigating the streets at 7 AM. Book apartments with cancellation flexibility in case you want to extend a stay or shorten it.
Download These Apps
- Idealista — browse rental listings in each city to understand pricing
- Google Maps — save neighborhoods, grocery stores, clinics, and coworking spaces to your map
- Moovit or Google Maps Transit — understand public transport options
- SpeedTest — test internet speeds at each Airbnb
- DeepL or Google Translate — for conversations beyond basic Spanish
Prepare an Evaluation Checklist
Bring a structured checklist for each city. Score each on the same criteria so you can compare objectively after the trip. Our scouting trip checklist covers everything you should evaluate, from healthcare to internet to noise levels.
The Itinerary
Days 1-4: Valencia
Why first: Valencia consistently ranks as the best city for expats, and going first gives you a strong baseline to compare other cities against.
Where to stay: Ruzafa or Ensanche neighborhood. Both are central, walkable, and popular with expats.
Day 1: Arrival + Neighborhood Walk
- Arrive, settle into your Airbnb
- Walk the neighborhood: note grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, cafes
- Have dinner in Ruzafa — observe the vibe, noise level, foot traffic
- Test internet speed at your Airbnb
Day 2: Practical Infrastructure
- Visit a centro de salud (public health center) — walk in, see the facility, note wait times
- Browse Idealista listings and visit 2-3 apartment viewings (call ahead or use the app)
- Visit Mercado Central or your neighborhood market for grocery prices
- Walk or bike to the beach — note distance, transit time
- Check out a coworking space if you work remotely (Wayco, Loffice, or Impact Hub Valencia)
Day 3: Living Logistics
- Visit a bank branch (Sabadell or CaixaBank) — ask about account opening for new arrivals
- Walk the neighborhoods you’re considering: El Cabanyal, Benimaclet, Ensanche, Ciutat Vella
- Take public transit — try the metro and bus system
- Have lunch at a menú del día restaurant (the €10-14 fixed lunch menu at local bars)
- Visit international schools if relevant (contact ahead for tour appointments)
Day 4: Day Trip + Final Assessment
- Morning: Visit the Turia Gardens, City of Arts and Sciences — assess recreation options
- Afternoon: Take the commuter train to a beach town (El Saler, Sagunto) to see surrounding areas
- Score Valencia on your evaluation checklist before leaving
Days 5-8: Madrid
Why second: Madrid is the polar opposite of Valencia — bigger, busier, more expensive, colder. Experiencing the contrast helps clarify your priorities.
Where to stay: Chamberí or Salamanca. Residential, well-connected, representative of where expats actually live.
Day 5: Arrival + Orientation
- Arrive via AVE high-speed train from Valencia (1 hour 40 minutes)
- Walk your neighborhood and surrounding areas
- Explore Retiro Park, note distance from your apartment
- Test internet speed
Day 6: City Infrastructure
- Visit 2-3 apartments on Idealista — note how Madrid pricing compares to Valencia
- Ride the metro to different neighborhoods: Malasaña, La Latina, Chamberí, Salamanca
- Visit a hospital or private clinic — check the healthcare infrastructure
- Have a menú del día lunch and compare to Valencia prices
Day 7: Lifestyle Assessment
- Visit international schools (if applicable) — Madrid has the widest selection
- Check out coworking spaces (WeWork, Impact Hub, local options)
- Walk the shopping districts — Fuencarral, Gran Vía, Serrano
- Experience Madrid’s restaurant and nightlife scene
- Note the temperature — Madrid’s continental climate feels very different from the coast
Day 8: Final Assessment
- Morning: Visit one more neighborhood you’re curious about
- Lunch: Try a neighborhood restaurant away from tourist areas
- Score Madrid on your evaluation checklist
- Compare honestly to Valencia
Days 9-11: Málaga
Why third: Málaga represents the Costa del Sol lifestyle — warmer climate, smaller city, beach culture, lower costs. It’s a top choice for retirees.
Where to stay: Centro Histórico or Pedregalejo. The old town gives you walkability; Pedregalejo gives you beach proximity.
Day 9: Arrival + First Impressions
- Fly or take the AVE from Madrid (2.5 hours by train)
- Walk the old town and seafront
- Browse Atarazanas Market for grocery prices
- Test internet speed
- Have dinner in Pedregalejo’s beachfront chiringuitos
Day 10: Infrastructure + Neighborhoods
- Visit 2-3 apartments in different neighborhoods
- Check out Teatinos (modern, residential) vs. Centro (walkable, lively) vs. El Palo (beachside, quiet)
- Visit the hospital or a private clinic
- Walk the Muelle Uno port area — assess recreation and dining options
- Check the airport — Málaga’s international connections are excellent; note flight options to your home country
Day 11: Lifestyle + Assessment
- Morning at the beach — note water temperature, crowds, accessibility
- Visit a coworking space if relevant
- Afternoon: Drive or bus to a nearby pueblo blanco (Mijas, Frigiliana) for context on surrounding areas
- Score Málaga on your evaluation checklist
Days 12-14: Barcelona (Optional — Swap for Alicante or Seville)
Why last: Barcelona is the most expensive option. Coming last, you’ll know exactly whether the premium is worth it compared to the cities you’ve already seen.
Where to stay: Eixample or Gràcia. Both are residential, well-connected, and give you a realistic experience.
Day 12: Arrival + Neighborhoods
- Arrive via train or flight from Málaga
- Walk Eixample’s grid, Gràcia’s village streets, Poblenou’s tech district
- Note the difference in foot traffic, noise, and density compared to other cities
- Test internet speed
Day 13: Practical Comparison
- Visit apartments — note how much more expensive Barcelona is for equivalent space
- Try the metro and bus system
- Visit a coworking space in 22@ (Poblenou tech district)
- Walk La Barceloneta beach — assess beach quality compared to Valencia and Málaga
- Have a menú del día and compare prices
Day 14: Final Assessment + Departure
- Morning: Final neighborhood walk in your top pick
- Complete your evaluation checklist for Barcelona
- Flight home from Barcelona airport
Daily Evaluation Checklist
Rate each city 1-5 on these categories every day:
| Category | What to Evaluate |
|---|---|
| Cost | Apartment rent, groceries, restaurants, transport |
| Climate | Temperature, humidity, sunshine, wind |
| Healthcare | Clinic quality, English availability, proximity |
| Transport | Metro/bus, walkability, bikeability, airport access |
| Language | English widely spoken? Can you manage with basic Spanish? |
| Safety | Comfortable walking at night? Petty crime? |
| Lifestyle | Restaurants, culture, recreation, beach, parks |
| Expat community | Other expats around? Facebook groups? Meetups? |
| Internet | Speed at Airbnb? Coworking quality? |
| Gut feeling | Can you see yourself living here for 3-5 years? |
The “gut feeling” metric is underrated. After three days in a city, you’ll know whether it resonates or not. Trust that instinct — it captures things no spreadsheet can measure.
Budget for the Trip
| Expense | 2-Week Estimate |
|---|---|
| Flights (US to Spain, return) | $600-$1,200 |
| Internal transport (trains/flights) | €150-€300 |
| Accommodation (Airbnb, residential areas) | €700-€1,400 |
| Food and dining | €400-€600 |
| Local transport (metro, bus, taxi) | €100-€150 |
| Miscellaneous (coffee, coworking day passes) | €100-€200 |
| Total | €2,000-€3,500 |
Book flights during shoulder season (March-May or September-November) for the best prices and most representative weather. For a deeper look at what daily life costs in each of these cities, see our cost of living breakdown. Avoid August — half of Spain is on vacation and many businesses operate on reduced schedules.
Tips for Maximum Value
Tell landlords you’re scouting. When viewing apartments, mention you’re planning to relocate. Some landlords will hold a place or give you first refusal when you return. You’re a more reliable tenant prospect than a tourist.
Meet other expats. Join Facebook groups (“Americans in Valencia,” “Expats in Málaga”) and attend a meetup during your visit. Fellow expats will tell you things no guidebook covers — which neighborhoods are changing, which banks are expat-friendly, which insurance companies to avoid.
Eat where locals eat. Skip TripAdvisor’s top 10. Find the bar with the menú del día chalkboard and no English menu. This is what your daily lunch experience will actually be.
Walk at different times. A neighborhood that’s charming at 11 AM might be deafening at midnight. Spanish nightlife is real and it’s loud. Visit your potential neighborhoods in the evening and on weekends.
Don’t commit on the trip. Use the scouting trip for data gathering, not decision-making. Go home, review your notes, compare your scores, and make the decision with a clear head. You can always sign a lease remotely once you’ve decided. For everything else you should evaluate, our full preparation and evaluation list breaks down the full assessment process.
Bottom Line
Two weeks across 3-4 cities gives you enough data to make a confident relocation decision. Start with Valencia as your baseline, add Madrid for contrast, include a coastal option (Málaga or Alicante), and optionally check Barcelona if budget allows. Score each city on the same criteria, meet other expats, and resist the urge to decide on day three. The investment of €2,000-3,500 in a proper scouting trip can save you from an expensive mistake — moving to a city you’ll want to leave after six months.