We’ve just released our annual Overseas Retirement Index and, as always, this massive undertaking is met with great excitement…
In it, we reveal the top 14 places to retire in 2025.
Out of these 14, a whopping 7 are based in Europe, showing just how enviable—and attainable—a new life in the Old World can be for retirees (and folks of any age!).
In the next few issues of In Focus: Europe, I’ll be counting down to Europe’s #1 place to retire, starting today with the 7th and 6th place winners…
These two winners in particular both qualify as “Europe’s Secret Riviera”—unspoilt white-sand coastlines on the Mediterranean and the Adriatic that cost a fraction of what you’d pay in France, Italy, or Spain…
7. Kotor Bay—Low-Cost Mediterranean Living In Europe’s Secret Riviera
· #7 Best Place to Retire in Europe
· #10 Best Place to Retire in the World
Kotor Bay is a deep, craggy inlet of the Adriatic Sea found in Montenegro. Overlooking the same stretch of water as southeastern Italy, it boasts 57 miles of sparkling coastline backed by towering mountains and dotted with a charming mix of medieval towns and luxe modern developments.
Kotor Bay is made up of three main towns: Kotor, Tivat, and Hercig Novi. Kotor is in the southeastern corner of the bay. The jewel in its crown is Kotor Old Town, a three-sided walled city of great historical significance that’s widely regarded as the best-preserved medieval town in the Mediterranean. There are great reasons to live here: it has a mild climate—year-round, temperatures average between 36°F and 88°F, a low cost of living, access to nature, diverse recreation opportunities, stunning scenery, and places to sit back and enjoy yourself (outdoor cafés overlooking the sea, rooftop bars, and so on).
The ultra-wealthy treat this yachting paradise like their own private riviera… part of the reason Kotor Bay won top spot in the 2023 Jetset Retirement Index… but because prices remain low, the average person can still access all of its lifestyle benefits. Montenegro’s government values foreign investment and wants to attract more foreign residents. It makes it easy for expats to set up life here with its turn-key residency policies.
It continues to invest in tourism and construction… more hotel chains are establishing themselves here… cruise ships sail up to Kotor’s harbor on the daily… It’s only a matter of time before word about Montenegro spreads as far as North America, and Canadian and American tourists and expats start to arrive.
Prices vary from town to town, with Kotor Old Town and Tivat’s seafront drag costing the most compared to the villages scattered around the bay. You can rent a small, one- or two-bed apartment in Kotor Old Town for about 800 euros per month.
A cappuccino costs about 1.50 euros; a mini bottle of wine is 4.50 euros; a slice of pizza is 3 euros; a slice of cake is less than 5 euros.
In short, Kotor Bay offers some of the best value for money on the Continent.
The surprisingly large expat community in Kotor Bay is mostly made up of Europeans as well as some North Americans. They love this area for its safety, access to nature, the myriad recreation opportunities, and the diverse and interesting community.
You might think the relative isolation of this little country would add up to a low level of English, but the fluency of the locals will come as a pleasant advantage. You’ll have no trouble speaking to waiters, real estate agents, taxi drivers, shop attendants, and so on.
With Montenegro set to enter the EU in the next few years, big things are ahead for this little gem. Now’s the time to get in—before it becomes a mainstream stop on Europe’s tourism trail… and prices inevitably go up.
- Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus—Sun-Soaked Mediterranean Island With Cheap Property
- #6 Best Place to Retire in Europe
- #9 Best Place to Retire in the World
Northern Cyprus, with its gorgeous beaches, great food, and rich culture, is an underrated retirement destination. Plus, since it’s a former British colony, English is widely spoken.
Here you can experience Mediterranean living at its best—without the price tag of comparable destinations, like the South of France or Spanish Costas.
For most North Americans, Northern Cyprus is still an off-the-radar choice for overseas retirement. Here’s a little help from a local on where prospective expats should settle…
Kyrenia is a coastal town that’s quickly developing. If you love the mountains as much as the beach, this is the place to be, as the magnificent Five-Finger Mountains are located here.
Local legend says that these mountains got their shape after two men fell in love with the same girl in Kyrenia. They decided to settle the disagreement with a duel…
As the worse of the two men threw his opponent into a swamp, the better one could do nothing but ask for help by outstretching his hand. When the swamp dried out, the mountains took the shape they have today.
The legend of the Five Finger Mountains is not the only interesting story from Cyprus… My favorite has to do with Saint Hilarion Castle. Also located on Kyrenia Mountains, it’s said to be Walt Disney’s inspiration for Snow White’s castle.
Very close to the castle, there’s Karmi village, with picturesque white houses, pubs, restaurants, and a church right in the canter. Bellapais, another village in Kyrenia, has a beautiful 13th-century abbey right next to Kybele Restaurant, which has amazing views of the city. It’s also where the famous British author Lawrence Durrell wrote his masterpiece, “Bitter Lemons of Cyprus.”
Kyrenia has great restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy the view of the Kyrenia mountains and the sea at the same time. Some of the best ones are Eagle’s Nest Restaurant, Tezgah Café Zeytinlik, and Ezic Peanuts.
The two most popular towns for expats in the Kyrenia area are Alsancak and Esentepe. Both have big expat communities and many facilities around.
In Alsancak, there is a national park with walking and running paths. It’s a great place for a relaxed morning walk. The town also has an amazing vineyard, popular among expats as well as locals for wine tastings and tours.
Winemaking has a long history in Cyprus. It can be traced back to the 1st century when the traditional Cypriot wine commandaria was served at the wedding of King Richard the Lionheart and Berengaria of Navarre.
Esentepe is home to Alagadi Turtle Beach where the endemic caretta carettas and green turtles come to hatch every year. The season for the turtles is between May and October.
A local organization works for the protection of the turtles and organizes public sessions where residents and tourists can see baby turtles hatching from their eggs and taking their first steps towards the sea.
The best golf in the country, Korineum Golf & Beach Resort, is also located in Esentepe. Besides playing golf, visitors can also enjoy nature, have a drink, or grab a bite at the course.
Bonne route,
Kat Kalashian
Editor, In Focus: Europe
