11 Reasons Why Your Gap Year Should Be In Spain

Planning your gap year but not sure where to go? Spain should definitely be high-up on the list whether you want to volunteer, immerse yourself in history and art, or just have a great time at the beach.

Adventure

For many, taking a gap year is all about embarking on an adventure, taking those first steps away from home and travelling on your own for the first time. Spain has ample opportunity for adventures, whether you want to walk the world’s most dangerous footpath, zip line between countries or take to the slopes in the Pyrenees or Sierra Nevada.

Nightlife

Language

Taking a gap year in Spain is a great opportunity to brush up on your language skills, something that could be very useful at university or in your future career. If nothing else, learning Spanish opens up a whole new world of travel possibilities – next stop, South America?

Variety

While Spain has the image for many as a summer holiday destination, the country is much more varied than its sun, sea and sangria stereotype. From the lush green landscapes of Galicia in the north-west, to the volcanic Canary Islands, Spain is full of different landscapes ripe for exploring.

History

From its Roman occupiers and Moorish history to the Spanish Golden Age and the Civil War, Spain’s history is fascinating, turbulent and, in many areas, well preserved. You can visit the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre in Tarragona, the stunning Moorish fortress, the Alhambra, in Granada, and the world’s biggest Gothic cathedral, where Christopher Columbus is buried, in Seville.

Volunteering

Spain has various volunteering opportunities if you want to give back and do some good during your gap year. Haces Falta is a good resource for volunteering opportunities, whether you’re into animal rights or want to help out new immigrants, there are lots of different volunteering jobs available.

Teaching English

If you’re looking to earn some extra money, teaching English as a foreign language is a popular job with English-speakers in Spain, where many Spaniards are eager to learn English to boost their career prospects. Check local language academies online for available positions.

Art

Spain is a fantastic destination for those interested in art – from the Golden Age masters like Diego de Velázquez to the boundary-pushing modernism of Picasso and Salvador Dali. The country is home to some world-famous museums; Madrid’s Prado Museum regularly makes ‘the world’s top ten museums’ lists, while the Guggenheim in Bilbao is one of the country’s masterpieces of modern architecture.

Beaches

Spain isn’t the world’s second-biggest tourist draw for nothing – the country’s beaches are fantastic – from the rugged, rocky beaches of the northern coast to the golden sands of the long Mediterranean coastline.

Festivals

Spaniards love their festivals, from La Rioja’s wine battle to mega Easter celebrations. Each town and city has its own special fiestas, while the country has among the most public holidays in Europe (so plenty of days off if you’re working!)

Great place to be on a budget

Spain is a great place to live for students on a budget compared to pricier European countries like the United Kingdom or France. The south of the country is generally cheaper than the north, so if you’re looking for a reasonably-priced city, head to Andalusia.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.