Happiness or sunshine – where would you invest?

Last week, I made an inspiring family trip from Alicante to Gdynia, then to Barcelona, and back to Alicante. Three coastal cities, each with its own character and lifestyle. But today, I want to focus on two of them: Gdynia and Barcelona. Both ranked as the happiest cities in their countries.

Gdynia, where I used to live, is a young and modern city by the Baltic Sea. It’s full of energy and growing fast. Construction is happening all around. New homes, office buildings, and public spaces are being built in many parts of the city. You can really feel that it’s a place looking ahead.

Barcelona is different. It’s a beautiful and historic Mediterranean city. Also by the sea, but with a much older story. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, full of culture, stunning architecture, and a relaxed lifestyle. From Roman ruins to Gaudí’s famous buildings, the city connects the past with the present like very few others.

From a real estate perspective, they offer very different opportunities.

In Gdynia, the city is expanding. There’s room to build and energy behind its transformation. In Barcelona, space is limited, especially in central districts. The city is largely built-up, and new development is rare.

In fact, as I walked through Barcelona, the only active construction cranes I noticed were those above La Sagrada Familia. A basilica that’s been under construction since 1882. That’s 143 years… and counting!

This says something important about investing in property. Gdynia gives you a chance to grow with the city. Barcelona offers something else — a unique atmosphere and long-term value.

Both are great places to live and invest in, depending on what matters most to you. Are you driven by growth potential? Cultural depth? Or maybe — sunshine?

- Gdynia has around 60–70 sunny days each year
- Barcelona gets about 170–180
- Alicante leads the way with over 300 sunny days per year — one of the sunniest cities in Europe

In my next post, I’ll take a closer look at Alicante — a sunny and relaxed city with a strong lifestyle appeal. If you dream of living where the sun shines almost every day, it might be the right choice for you.