Spaina country recognized for its rich culture, gastronomy, landscapes and history, also stands out for the cleanliness of its streets. With more than 8,000 municipalities spread across its autonomous communities, it is the second most visited country in the world, reflecting its tourist attraction. In this context, the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has evaluated the cleanliness of Spanish cities through a survey carried out in 2023. This OCU survey, in which almost 7,000 residents of 59 cities participated, has made it possible to identify what is the cleanest and dirtiest city in Spain.
The OCU has selected the municipality with the highest score in terms of cleanliness. This distinction is based on the inhabitants’ perception of the hygiene in your environmentwhich reflects a commitment to the quality of urban space and the well-being of its residents. Thus, while Spain continues to attract tourists for its various qualities, the cleanliness of its cities has also become an important factor for improve quality of life and the image of the country internationally.
This is the dirtiest city in Spain according to the OCU
The OCU has published the results of its survey on cleaning in Spanish citiesrevealing important differences in citizens’ perceptions. Oviedo, in Asturiasstands out as the cleanest city in Spain, with a score of 86 out of 100. This rating is due to the satisfaction of its residents with the cleanliness of streets, sidewalks and public areas.
It is followed by two other cities in the north, Bilbao and Vigowith 77 and 76 points respectively. Other towns that also excel in cleanliness include Pamplona and Albacete. The complete classification of the 10 cleanest cities in Spain is headed by Oviedo, Bilbao, Vigo, Pamplona, Albacete, Getxo, Soria, Salamanca, San Sebastián and Huesca.
In contrast, the survey has shown that Palma, in the Balearic Islandsis the city with the worst score when it comes to cleanliness, obtaining only 35 points out of 100. Seville, Alicante and San Sebastián de los Reyes are also among the least clean cities. The survey reveals that urban cleanliness remains a worrying issue, as overall satisfaction has decreased since the previous study in 2019.
Furthermore, it is observed that the large Mediterranean and southern capitalsthe most touristy, tend to receive the lowest ratings. Cities such as Barcelona, Seville and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have seen a notable drop in their scores since 2019. In contrast, some cities have shown significant improvements, such as Guadalajara, Jaén and Lugo, which have climbed positions in the ranking.
The study also highlights that, although a greater cleaning expense does not always translate into better grades, the frequency of cleaning tasks, such as sweeping and washing, has a positive impact on citizen satisfaction. The OCU recommends increasing the frequency of these tasks to improve the general perception of cleanliness, especially in the dirtiest city in Spain according to this study.
The best cities to retire
The retirement It is a moment longed for by many Spaniards who want to enjoy their final years in peace and without stress. This often means leaving hometowns behind in search of more serene destinations that offer a high quality of life, combining good weather with adequate services.
A recent study by the OCU classifies Spanish cities based on various factors such as urban cleanliness, cost of living, safety, pollution, cultural offer, leisure and real estate market. Vigo stands out as the best city to live in Spainobtaining first position after a survey of more than 3,000 residents of the 15 largest cities in the country.
Vigo stands out for a combination of favorable factors, including a good climate, excellent urban services and a wide cultural offer for retirees. Residents value the cleanliness of the streets, safety, and reasonable cost of living. In addition, Vigo offers outstanding healthcare, with a system that receives a good score for its efficiency and accessibility.
You Zaragoza and Bilbao followwhich are also placed at the top of the ranking due to their high quality of life. The report places Vigo, Zaragoza and Bilbao as the cities with the best conditions to enjoy retirement, while Madrid and Barcelona occupy the lowest positions in terms of quality of life.
In terms of healthcare, A crucial aspect for retirees, Bilbao is positioned as the city with the best service. 72% of those surveyed expressed their satisfaction with healthcare in the Basque city. Zaragoza and Córdoba are also highlighted for their healthcare, with 69% and 62% satisfaction respectively.
This focus on quality of health services and other infrastructure reflects the importance of these factors in choosing a place to enjoy a peaceful retirement.
