So you’re planning to study Spanish in Spain for a while. ¡Qué bien! Once you’ve decided on your budget, the next thing is to pick your destination, as well as a good language school.
This can be a tough decision to make.Spain is a huge country with a myriad of climates, landscapes, micro cultures and regional accents. You might feel equally drawn to spending your free time in flip-flops sipping sangria, as experiencing exciting Spanish city life. City or sea, what’s best?
We here at UniSpain have resolved the problem for you by putting together a Top 5 List of City & Beach Destinations. Hand picked by us from the four corners of the Iberian Peninsula and the Spanish isles, these urban seaside cities will allow you to combine sea and sand with all the thrills and benefits of urban living.
#5 – BASQUE COUNTRY: San Sebastian
San Sebastián has three main areas of interest: first, there is the old town, Parte Vieja, at the foot of Monte Urgull. This is where you’ll find pintxo bars galore. Centro Romántico, the city’s impressive shopping district with its late 19th century architecture, stretches all the way from La Concha beach to the UrumeaRiver. On the other side of the Urumea, you’ll find the Gros neighbourhood and its chilled out surfing beach, Playa de Gros.
The International House San Sebastian Lacun is located in the city’s happening Egia district, in the centre, with popular bars and restaurants all around. This school forms part of a global network of language schools and therefore enjoys international recognition. The school places importance on innovative teaching methods as well as use of technology in and out of the classroom, including free WiFi. Students get lots of extras, like discounted gym membership. Prices start at 339€ (£291 or $446) for two-week courses comprised of 20 Spanish lessons per week.
#4 – BALEARICS: Palma, Mallorca
During the day, shop for fashion on Paseo del Born or head to the shore to swim in the clear blue waters of Mallorca’s tiny, hidden coves. In the evening, stroll through narrow lanes around the Le Seu Cathedral, chill out at an open air concert at Parc de la Mer or dance the night away in the clubs on the Passeig Maritim. Few places offer something for nearly everybody, but Palma, the ancient Mediterranean port city, manages to do just this.
International House Mallorca in Palma’s historic heart, offers high quality intensive courses, as well as specialist courses such as 50+ courses for mature students as well as Spanish lessons combined with sailing! Starting at 390€ (£335 or $514) for a two-week course that includes 20 lessons each week, and the school also offers flexible accommodation options for their students.
#3 – CANARIES: Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
If you want to flee tourism, then you might be astonished to find that Gran Canaria’s Las Palmas is about as far from cheesy tourist bars and fish and chips restaurants as it gets. This fine old Canarian city has a larger than life urban feel with its crowded shopping streets, busy industrial and commercial port and a small, but grittily charming historic centre. Las Palmas offers one of Spain’s best and longest stretches of urban beach, the Playa de las Canteras – grab your towel and your book or take a leisurely stroll on the shore and watch the numerous local surfers, sunbathers, swimmers and joggers who enjoy the wild beauty of this well-placed city beach.
A two-week intensive course that includes 20 Spanish lessons per week at Gran Canaria School a mere 270€ (£229 or $346). The school has been around since 1964 and their successful language programme offers complete immersion, which aims to get all students communicating in Spanish as quickly as possible.
#2 – ANDALUSIA: Malaga
Malaga’s outer districts are densely built and cramped, but the closer to the historic centre and the port you get, the more the city opens up and charms its visitors. In the winding streets around the Cathedral you’ll find some of the nation’s best tapas restaurants, wine bodegas and salsa, dance and rock clubs. The town hall has invested hugely in the city’s cultural offering, so unless you choose to head to the trendy El Palo beaches for the day, you’ll have around twenty-five major attractions to choose from, including the new must-see PicassoMuseum.
Malaca Instituto holds several major international certifications, has developed its own teaching materials and all its teachers receive on-going training. Built on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean sea, the school not only offers a multimedia learning-centre and internet access, but also its own onsite residence complete with restaurant and bar, sun terraces and a swimming pool. Prices start from a two-week course, with 20 weekly Spanish lessons, at 359€ ($469 or £305).
#1 – CATALONIA: Barcelona
The bustling Barceloneta, the chilled Bogatell, naturist Mar Bella and deserted Caldetes… there are numerous beaches in Barcelona, and each stretch of sand has its own character. Thanks to the city’s Mediterranean climate, you can enjoy golden sand and salty sea breezes most of the winter here – right next to Barcelonaciutat, the Catalonian centre of cool.
Camino Barcelona is probably the most popular language school in Spain. And with good reason: it offers excellence in tuition, yet you will not find a more reasonably priced school in the city. The school’s enthusiastic and highly qualified teaching staff ensure that everybody gets the most out of their course and the school’s intensive programs are highly popular. Camino Barcelona’s rates start at 252€ (£213 or $330) for a two-week course that cinludes 20 Spanish lessons each week.
We hope that you enjoyed our Top 5 list of City & Beach destinations in Spain and that it has helped you to make your study break in Spain as exciting and fun as possible.
For more information, check out other relevant and interesting articles about learning Spanish on UniSpain’s blog, or visit UniSpain online for information and prices on over 40 language schools all across Spain.
