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If you're considering retiring in Spain, first look beyond the Costa del Sol. You may wind up there anyway, as many retirees have before you. (Most retirees favor the southern part of the country because of its mild subtropical climate.) But Spain has more than its share of beautiful places. Andalucía, Catalonia and Valencia all have highly livable cities, each with its own extraordinary history, culture and artistic treasures. You'll at least have fun exploring these regions, and you might just find one you never want to leave.

Most English-speaking retirees live in and around the city and province of Málaga. So many, in fact, that some complain that it has become more British than Spanish. Their choice is no surprise, since the Málaga area boasts spectacular weather, low living costs and (outside the city) unspoiled beaches. But Andalucía covers a lot of territory, including these places:

• Seville, the historic capital of Andalucía, is an ancient river port that once served as the entry point for the riches of the New World brought back by Spanish explorers. Its Old Town is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Seville still reigns as the world capital of the tapas scene, and the historic home of the flamenco. The cost of living is moderate.
• Granada is at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, giving it easy access to ski country just an hour away from the beaches of the Mediterranean. It is graced by arguably the most famous tourist attraction in Spain: The 14th century Moorish citadel, palace and museum complex known as the Alhambra. The cost of living is low.
• Córdoba's storied history is visible at every turn. A bridge built by the Romans in the first century B.C. is still in use, and its great cathedral was erected as a mosque around 800 A.D. Its Old Town, the center of Islamic Spain in the 10th and 11th centuries, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cost of living is low.
• Málaga, the city and province, is the most populous part of the stretch of the Mediterranean coastline known as the Costa del Sol. This ancient city, founded by the Phoenicians, is the default choice for British retirees, and it is attracting a growing number of American expats as well. The smaller towns outside the city of Málaga have a lower cost of living. Málaga's most famous local son is Pablo Picasso; the house where he grew up is now a museum. The city also is one of Europe's prime beach towns – if you don't like crowds, you don't want to be in Málaga in midsummer.

Find out more about Andalusía in the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Barcelona, the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia, is in the northeast of Spain. It has become a world center of business and culture in its own right, and the grand Gothic buildings of its Old City are now surrounded by glittering modern towers. At a population of about 1.6 million, this Mediterranean city is second in size only to Madrid among Spanish cities. It's a relatively expensive city. Learn more in the BBC News profile of Catalonia.

Valencia, the capital city of the autonomous region of the same name, sits on the coast north of the Costa del Sol. Visible vestiges remain of Roman, Medieval and Moorish periods in the city's history, but its most spectacular architecture dates to the city's 15th century golden age. The Valencia region shares the subtropical climate of the Costa del Sol. Paella was invented there. The cost of living is relatively low. Lonely Planet has more about Valencia.

(For more ideas on some of Spain's top locales, see Top 5 Retirement Cities In Spain.)

Spain has an embarrassment of riches for retirees, including and well beyond the Costa del Sol. As with any major life decision, you'll want to do lots of research, including consulting with a financial advisor about any possible tax and budget implications of moving abroad. Then your best bet is to take a tour before deciding where to settle.

To get up to speed on some of the issues to consider when retiring overseas, see Plan Your Retirement Abroad and What Does Retirement Abroad Cost?