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Many Brits dream of a sunny retirement in Spain or Portugal, but a new ranking of the best places in the world to spend your golden years has shown that a European spot now beats Benidorm and the Algarve.

A report by International Livingmagazine compared a huge number of potential retirement destinations, ranking them on metrics from housing and visa availability to the climate and healthcare. Coming in at number one was a European destination that's just three-and-a-half hours from the UK, making it perfect for British expats.

Greece was described in the report as a "Mediterranean dream come true" as it was crowned the magazine's "number one retirement haven". The report said: "The Mediterranean rhythm rules. Life here is slow and easy. The olive trees outnumber people 12 to 1, and in villages ringed by medieval walls or mountain paths, neighbors greet one another over stone archways."

The country was also praised for its Golden Visa, described as "one of Europe's most straightforward paths to EU residency". Greece also offers a Financially Independent Person (FIP) visa for retirees, or anyone who has a stable, passive income of at least €3,500 per month (just over £3,000).

Of course, Greece is a huge country and includes 166 islands, so it has the advantage of offering all sorts of retirement destinations, from cities to archipelagos, so most expats will find a place that suits their style.

Around 17,000 British expats already live in Greece, a tiny fraction of the 300,000 that have made Spain their home, but certain areas have larger communities than others. Athens is a popular destination for retirees, offering a mix of the relaxed Greek lifestyle with the facilities and buzzing atmosphere of a city.

Living here means you can enjoy the historic sights outside of tourist season, have a huge number of authentic restaurants right on your doorstep, and can take the tram or bus to nearby beaches in less than half an hour.

If you had more of an island lifestyle in mind, then Crete is another spot that's becoming popular with retirees. Offering about 300 days of sunshine a year, it's among Europe's sunniest destinations. Even in the winter months, you're likely to enjoy mild weather that's much more pleasant than the UK.

Crete is Greece's largest island, and is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches and calm, turquoise coasts. It's becoming increasingly popular with British and American expats who appreciate its relatively low cost of living and relaxed vibes. From ancient palaces to vast hiking trails, there's plenty to keep you occupied during your retirement.

The Ionian islands, such as Corfu, are also a good option for expats thanks to short flight times and incredible Mediterranean beaches. Corfu has long been a summer holiday favourite with Brits, but in winter temperatures can hover at a mild 15C, so you aren't dealing with the big freeze from December to February.

The capital of the island, Corfu Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its ancient buildings and Venetian-style architecture. Corfu is sometimes known as Greece's emerald isle, thanks to its lush green mountains, and in the south of the island, in particular, you'll find white sand beaches with turquoise waters ready for you to take a dip.

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