As you’ve probably noticed already from our website, the choice of location for your Spanish course in Spain is wide and varied, with schools in the north, south or in coastal or inland regions. What is true however, is that most people head to the big cities. One thing you should not miss out on is the chance to get to know some of the amazing places around these cities that are within reach for a day trip.
We have a few ideas for you below. Most will be doable by bus, but it’s a great idea to get a few friends together and hire a car. You could even stay somewhere overnight. You’ll find some great deals on family run hotels and hostels. What are you waiting for?
GRANADA
Granada is an inland location so a suggestion for a day trip that immediately comes to mind is a trip to the coast. There are some beautiful towns, with their whitewashed Andalusian-style buildings. They’re great for a day at the beach with drinks and tapas in the beachside bars and restaurants. Nerja is a lovely town, popular with expats but still with its own Spanish charm. Salobreña is a typical white village with great beaches and there’s also an amazing view of the coast if you climb up to the castle. The third town is Almuñecar which has the beaches too and also an array of historical sights, including San Miguel castle and an old Roman aqueduct. All these towns are on bus routes leaving from Granada bus station.
If you want a more leisurely, closer-to-nature day trip, from Granada you have quick and easy access to the Alpujarras on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. It’s a great place to go hiking and get to experience some authentic Andalusian mountain villages. One of them is Trevélez, known for its Serrano ham. Another one is Güéjar Sierra, the starting point for one of the most popular hiking routes in the Sierra Nevada.
VALENCIA
If you fancy getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and (for once) don’t feel like doing it at the beach, one place you really shouldn’t miss is the Albufera Natural Park. It’s a lagoon and wetlands area just 11 kilometres from Valencia. Once you’re there, there are boat rides, walks, villages to visit, rice fields and see if you can spot the traditional fisherman’s houses. Many Valencians go here because of the beaches too. You can get there by bus but it’s also possible to cycle there on bike lanes from Valencia. It’s a fantastic place to see nature close-up and a welcome change to life in the big city.
MADRID
Unfortunately, a day to the coast is probably a little bit of a push from Madrid. However, one great idea for a day trip is Cuenca. It’s located just 50 minutes to the east of Madrid and is well-connected by train. Once there, this historical town has plenty to offer. The hanging houses are stunning and the town centre is like a large, open-air museum. The Cuenca region is well known for some of its culinary delights too, such as Manchego cheese and pisto manchego - a mix of vegetables, fried up into a thick dish similar to ratatouille. You can try them in the tapas bars. If you fancy cooling off, take a dip in the Huecar river, used a lot by the locals.
MALAGA
There are of course several directions you can go for an excursion from Malaga. However, one absolute must is a trip to Ronda. It will take your breath away. The town straddles a deep gorge and the photo opportunities this offers (from three bridges, from below, from either side) will ensure you have a spectacular screensaver for years to come. There’s also a very interesting bullfighting museum and oldest bullring in Spain (I’m not a fan of the “sport”, but it was interesting) and the old town centre is full of the Spanish atmosphere you would expect. Just 65 kilometres west from Malaga, you’ll need a car to get there, but the drive there is also spectacular.
Don’t forget that wherever you learn Spanish in Spain, the language school will also organise a programme of activities too. These could also include day trips to destinations further afield, but are often more related to the cuisine, culture and music of the city you study Spanish in - for example when you learn Spanish in Granada, there is sure to be some flamenco related activities available.
If you want to integrate one of these days trips into a study trip to Spain, Estudia-España offers a huge range of Spanish courses in Spain at a wide range of accredited, high-quality language schools. Learn Spanish in Granada, Madrid, Barcelona and 10 other cities throughout Spain. Save up to 10% on the price of all Spanish courses!
