If you're trying to decide where to live in Spain as a vegan, the question isn't simply which city has the most vegan restaurants. Daily life matters more.
Can you find plant-based groceries without crossing town? Are there enough vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants for regular meals? Can you buy specialty products when you need them? And what happens when you move beyond the trendy neighborhoods?
For most vegan expats, Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia are the three cities worth comparing first.
Each has a strong plant-based community, but they make vegan living easy in different ways. Barcelona has the strongest overall vegan scene, Madrid offers the broadest big-city food selection, and Valencia may provide the easiest balance of plant-based living, everyday convenience, and lifestyle.
So, what is the best city in Spain for vegans?
For maximum vegan variety, Barcelona has an edge. For a huge urban food ecosystem, Madrid is hard to beat. For someone looking to settle down and make vegan living part of an everyday routine, Valencia deserves serious consideration.
Here's how the three cities compare.
Quick Comparison: Madrid vs. Barcelona vs. Valencia for Vegans
| Category | Madrid | Barcelona | Valencia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegan restaurant variety | Excellent | Excellent+ | Very good |
| Vegan grocery access | Excellent | Excellent | Very good |
| Dedicated vegan stores | Very good | Excellent | Good |
| International food selection | Excellent | Excellent | Very good |
| Vegan community | Large | Very established | Growing |
| Everyday affordability | Moderate | Moderate to high | Generally easier |
| Plant-based lifestyle | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Best for | Big-city variety | Dedicated vegan lifestyle | Balanced everyday living |
These differences become more important when you're choosing a city to live in Spain as a vegan, rather than simply visiting for a week.
1. Barcelona: Best for a Dedicated Vegan Lifestyle
If your top priority is having a deeply established vegan scene around you, Barcelona is probably the strongest choice.
The Barcelona vegan scene has developed alongside the city's broader reputation for alternative food, sustainability, independent businesses, and international culture. That combination creates an environment where vegan restaurants, plant-based cafés, specialty products, and ethical businesses feel relatively easy to find.
Vegan restaurants in Barcelona
Barcelona has an impressive range of plant-based dining.
You can find casual vegan burgers and pizza, creative plant-based cuisine, vegan bakeries, Asian-inspired food, tapas-style dishes, brunch, desserts, and restaurants built entirely around vegan menus.
The biggest advantage isn't necessarily one particular restaurant. It's density.
If you're living in a neighborhood with plenty of restaurants, you are less likely to feel that eating vegan requires special planning. Meeting friends for dinner doesn't have to mean researching the menu days in advance.
That matters enormously over months and years.
Vegan grocery shopping in Barcelona
Barcelona also performs well when it comes to grocery access.
Mainstream supermarkets increasingly carry plant-based milk, tofu, meat alternatives, vegan desserts, legumes, and other staples. Specialty stores can fill the gaps when you're looking for harder-to-find products.
For a vegan expat, this creates two levels of convenience:
- Everyday groceries from conventional supermarkets
- Specialty vegan products from dedicated or health-focused stores
That combination makes Barcelona particularly attractive if you enjoy cooking at home but still want plenty of options when eating out.
Who should choose Barcelona?
Barcelona is especially well suited to someone who wants their vegan identity to be part of their social and cultural life.
Choose Barcelona if you value:
- A large vegan restaurant scene
- International cuisine
- Specialty vegan products
- Plant-based cafés and bakeries
- A large international population
- An established vegan community
- Lots of food variety without leaving the city
The trade-off is that Barcelona can feel expensive and crowded compared with Valencia, particularly in popular areas.
For some expats, that cost is worthwhile. For others, it makes Valencia more appealing.
2. Madrid: Best for Variety and Big-City Convenience
Madrid is another excellent option for vegan expats, particularly if you want the advantages of a major capital city.
The Madrid vegan food scene is broad rather than niche. As one of Europe's largest urban centers, Madrid has an enormous restaurant ecosystem, extensive international food options, and a growing selection of plant-based meals.
Vegan food in Madrid
One of Madrid's biggest strengths is variety.
You aren't limited to restaurants advertising themselves as vegan. Many conventional restaurants offer vegetarian or vegan dishes, while dedicated plant-based restaurants provide more specialized menus.
That distinction matters.
Living as a vegan is often easier when you can eat with non-vegan friends without making the entire meal revolve around finding a vegan restaurant.
Madrid's international population also helps. Depending on the neighborhood, you can find cuisines where plant-based meals are already a natural part of the menu.
Grocery access for vegans in Madrid
Madrid is particularly strong for everyday grocery shopping.
Large supermarkets make it relatively straightforward to build a plant-based diet around inexpensive staples such as:
- Beans and lentils
- Rice and grains
- Fresh vegetables
- Fruit
- Nuts and seeds
- Plant-based milk
- Tofu
- Meat alternatives
- Vegan snacks
Specialty stores can provide additional choices when you're looking for organic, ethical, or specifically vegan products.
For someone who cooks most meals at home, Madrid's size is an advantage. You have access to a large network of supermarkets and food retailers rather than relying on a small number of specialty businesses.
Madrid's advantage for vegan expats
Madrid can be particularly attractive if you're moving to Spain for work and want a city with a huge professional and social ecosystem.
There are more than enough restaurants for nights out, plenty of international residents, and neighborhoods with very different personalities.
That makes Madrid a strong contender for anyone searching for the best expat cities in Spain while also wanting an easy plant-based lifestyle.
Who should choose Madrid?
Madrid is a good fit if you want:
- A major international city
- Extensive restaurant variety
- Strong supermarket access
- Plenty of international cuisine
- A large professional and expat community
- Easy access to vegan and vegetarian options without living in a vegan-focused neighborhood
Its main disadvantage is the same thing that attracts many people: its scale.
Madrid can be busy, sprawling, and expensive in desirable areas. If you're looking for a slower Mediterranean lifestyle, Valencia may feel more comfortable.
3. Valencia: Best for Balanced Plant-Based Living
Valencia is the wildcard in this comparison.
It doesn't have the same international reputation for vegan food as Barcelona, and Madrid has a larger overall food ecosystem. But for someone actually living in Spain as a vegan, Valencia can offer an appealing combination of convenience, affordability, and lifestyle.
Valencia plant-based living
Valencia's food culture naturally emphasizes fresh produce, legumes, grains, vegetables, and Mediterranean ingredients.
That doesn't mean traditional Spanish or Valencian cuisine is automatically vegan. Many classic dishes contain seafood, meat, eggs, or dairy.
But the underlying ingredients can make it relatively straightforward to build a healthy plant-based routine.
Fresh markets, supermarkets, neighborhood shops, and restaurants give residents plenty of opportunities to buy vegetables, fruit, legumes, rice, nuts, and other plant-based staples.
For a vegan who cooks frequently, that can be more important than having dozens of dedicated vegan restaurants nearby.
Vegan restaurants in Valencia
Valencia has a growing plant-based restaurant scene, with vegan and vegetarian options ranging from casual food to more creative dining.
The selection isn't as extensive as Barcelona's, but that doesn't necessarily make vegan life difficult.
If your lifestyle involves eating at home most days and going out occasionally, Valencia can provide plenty of choice.
The city also benefits from its international population and tourism industry, which have helped expand demand for vegetarian and vegan food.
The lifestyle advantage
Valencia may be especially appealing if your definition of easy vegan living includes more than food.
For many expats, quality of life is part of the calculation.
You might want a walkable neighborhood, access to outdoor spaces, a strong local food culture, and a less intense pace than Madrid or Barcelona.
Valencia can check many of those boxes while still providing a solid selection of plant-based food.
Who should choose Valencia?
Valencia is worth considering if you want:
- A strong Mediterranean lifestyle
- Good access to fresh produce
- A growing vegan food scene
- Lower everyday pressure than the biggest Spanish cities
- A strong balance between city amenities and quality of life
- A practical environment for cooking plant-based meals at home
For a vegan expat who doesn't need a dedicated vegan restaurant on every block, Valencia could be the smartest overall choice.
Grocery Access: Which City Makes Vegan Shopping Easiest?
Restaurant variety gets most of the attention, but grocery access is arguably more important when you're relocating.
Think about how often you eat out versus how often you buy groceries.
If you cook five nights a week, supermarket access will affect your daily routine far more than the number of vegan restaurants within walking distance.
Madrid
Madrid has the advantage of scale. Major supermarkets and specialty retailers provide broad access to plant-based staples and meat alternatives.
It's particularly easy to build a flexible vegan grocery routine around inexpensive whole foods.
Barcelona
Barcelona also performs extremely well. Its large international population and established alternative-food culture support a strong selection of vegan and specialty products.
If you want products specifically marketed toward vegans, Barcelona may have the edge.
Valencia
Valencia is particularly strong for fresh produce and Mediterranean staples.
For someone comfortable preparing meals from basic ingredients, this can be a major advantage. You may not need a huge dedicated vegan supermarket when your everyday diet centers on vegetables, beans, grains, fruit, and other whole foods.
Bottom line: Madrid and Barcelona win for sheer specialty selection, while Valencia is highly practical for fresh, everyday plant-based groceries.
Dedicated Vegan Stores: Does It Really Matter?
Dedicated vegan stores can be useful, especially after moving to another country.
They make it easier to find things that ordinary supermarkets may not carry, such as specialty cheeses, meat substitutes, vegan sweets, prepared foods, ethical household products, or niche ingredients.
Barcelona has the strongest reputation of the three for a dedicated vegan retail ecosystem.
Madrid is also well positioned, particularly because its large population supports specialized businesses.
Valencia has fewer options, but mainstream supermarkets and health-oriented stores can cover many everyday needs.
Before choosing a neighborhood, consider what you actually buy.
If you rely heavily on specialty products, Barcelona or Madrid may be the better fit. If most of your shopping consists of fresh produce and basic plant-based ingredients, the difference becomes much smaller.
What Is the Cheapest City for Vegan Living?
There's no universal answer because rent usually has a much greater effect on your budget than the price difference between vegan groceries in these cities.
Still, Valencia often has an advantage for people trying to balance food costs with housing and lifestyle expenses.
Madrid and Barcelona can both become expensive, particularly in highly desirable central neighborhoods.
A vegan diet based primarily on whole foods can be relatively affordable in all three cities. Beans, lentils, rice, seasonal vegetables, fruit, potatoes, grains, and other staples don't require a premium vegan budget.
The expensive version of vegan living is usually specialty food, frequent restaurant meals, imported products, and vegan substitutes.
If you're relocating on a budget, learn to shop like a local rather than building your diet around specialty products.
What Is the Best Spanish City for Vegan Restaurants?
If restaurant choice is your number-one priority, Barcelona is the strongest overall pick, with Madrid very close behind.
Barcelona's established vegan scene gives it an advantage in dedicated restaurants and specialty dining.
Madrid's enormous restaurant market makes it exceptionally easy to find vegetarian and vegan-friendly options across many cuisines.
Valencia has enough vegan and vegetarian restaurants to make plant-based dining practical, but it doesn't offer the same density.
For frequent restaurant-goers, the ranking is roughly:
- Barcelona
- Madrid
- Valencia
For everyday plant-based living, however, the difference is less dramatic.
Which City Is Best for a Vegan Expat?
The answer depends on what "easy" means to you.
Choose Barcelona if you want the most developed vegan scene.
Barcelona is ideal for someone who wants vegan restaurants, specialty stores, international communities, and plant-based culture to be highly visible in everyday life.
Choose Madrid if you want maximum urban variety.
Madrid is a strong choice for professionals and expats who want a huge city with excellent food options, extensive grocery access, and a broad international community.
Choose Valencia if you want balance.
Valencia may be the best choice for someone who prioritizes quality of life, fresh food, home cooking, and a growing vegan scene over having the largest possible selection of dedicated vegan businesses.
How to Choose a Neighborhood as a Vegan
Your city matters, but your neighborhood may matter more.
A vegan living in a centrally located neighborhood with supermarkets, markets, restaurants, and good public transportation may have an easier experience than someone living farther away from the city's food hubs.
Before signing a lease, check five things:
1. Supermarkets
Look for at least two convenient grocery options within easy walking distance.
2. Restaurants
Search for vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants nearby rather than across the city.
3. Fresh markets
Local markets can be excellent for affordable produce and everyday plant-based ingredients.
4. Transportation
Good public transportation makes specialty shopping much less frustrating.
5. Community
If meeting other vegans matters to you, choose an area with restaurants, cafés, community events, or other businesses that attract plant-based residents.
This approach is particularly useful for anyone moving to Spain without knowing the cities well.
Tips for Living in Spain as a Vegan
Moving abroad can make dietary routines feel complicated at first. A few habits make the transition much easier.
Learn the Spanish food vocabulary
Know terms such as:
- Vegano — vegan
- Vegetariano — vegetarian
- Sin carne — without meat
- Sin lácteos — dairy-free
- Sin huevo — egg-free
- Ingredientes — ingredients
Don't assume that vegetarian automatically means vegan. Eggs, cheese, milk, butter, and mayonnaise can appear in otherwise meat-free dishes.
Build your diet around local staples
You don't need to recreate your grocery routine from the United States.
Spain has excellent access to legumes, vegetables, fruit, grains, nuts, olive oil, rice, potatoes, and other foods that work naturally in a plant-based diet.
Don't depend entirely on restaurant food
Even in Barcelona, the city with perhaps the strongest vegan scene of the three, cooking at home will generally make your diet more predictable and easier to control.
Explore before choosing your long-term neighborhood
If possible, spend some time in your preferred city before signing a long-term lease.
Try grocery shopping. Eat at restaurants. Visit markets. Check how long it takes to reach specialty stores.
Your ideal neighborhood on a map may feel very different in daily life.
Is Spain a Good Country for Vegans?
Yes. Spain can be a very comfortable country for plant-based living, particularly in larger cities.
The biggest cities provide the greatest concentration of vegan restaurants, specialty products, international food, and plant-based communities.
At the same time, you don't need a fully vegan food ecosystem to maintain a vegan diet. Spanish supermarkets and markets provide many affordable plant-based staples, making home cooking practical.
For an expat, the bigger challenge is usually learning how to navigate menus and ingredients rather than finding food at all.
The Best City in Spain for Vegans Depends on Your Priorities
So, which city wins?
Barcelona is the best city in Spain for vegans who want the strongest dedicated vegan scene.
Madrid is the best choice for vegans who prioritize big-city variety, international food, and convenience.
Valencia is arguably the best all-around option for people who want plant-based living combined with a more relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle.
There's no single winner for everyone.
If your perfect Saturday involves trying a new vegan restaurant, shopping at a specialty store, and meeting other people from the plant-based community, Barcelona is difficult to beat.
If you want career opportunities, an enormous restaurant ecosystem, and the convenience of a major capital, Madrid makes a compelling case.
If you want fresh produce, home cooking, outdoor living, and a growing vegan community without the intensity of Spain's two biggest cities, Valencia may be the better fit.
The most important question isn't simply "Which Spanish city has the most vegan food?"
It's "Which city makes the way I actually want to live easiest?"
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FAQ: Vegan Living in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia
What is the best city in Spain for vegans?
Barcelona is generally the strongest choice for dedicated vegan restaurants, specialty stores, and an established plant-based community. Madrid offers greater overall big-city variety, while Valencia provides an appealing balance of vegan options, fresh food, lifestyle, and affordability.
Is Barcelona vegan-friendly?
Yes. Barcelona has one of the most developed vegan food scenes in Spain, with dedicated vegan restaurants, cafés, specialty products, and many conventional restaurants offering plant-based choices.
Is Madrid good for vegan expats?
Yes. Madrid is an excellent city for vegan expats because of its large restaurant scene, international population, extensive supermarkets, and wide range of vegetarian and vegan food.
Is Valencia good for plant-based living?
Yes. Valencia is a strong option for plant-based living, particularly for people who cook at home and value fresh produce, Mediterranean ingredients, and a relaxed lifestyle. Its vegan restaurant scene is smaller than Barcelona's but continues to offer plenty of options.
Is vegan food expensive in Spain?
It doesn't have to be. A vegan diet based on beans, lentils, rice, vegetables, fruit, grains, potatoes, and other whole foods can be affordable. Specialty vegan products and frequent restaurant meals will increase costs.
Which Spanish city is best for a vegan expat?
The answer depends on your priorities. Barcelona is best for a dedicated vegan scene, Madrid for urban variety and international food, and Valencia for a balanced lifestyle with strong access to fresh plant-based ingredients.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding dietary or health concerns.