Learn Spanish in Valencia

Why learn Spanish in Valencia?

• Real immersion. Valencia is less touristy than Barcelona or Madrid, and fewer people switch to English, so you practise Spanish every day: in shops, markets, bars and at home.
• Clear, neutral Spanish. The Spanish spoken in Valencia is standard and easy to follow, a good base wherever you'll use it later.
• Lower costs. Courses and rooms cost less than in Madrid or Barcelona, so you can afford to stay longer, which is what really makes the difference.
• Plenty to do after class. The beach, the Turia gardens, festivals and a big international student community mean lots of chances to use your Spanish.

If you're coming to Valencia for a degree or an Erasmus semester, our complete guide to studying in Valencia covers universities, paperwork and costs.

Types of Spanish course in Valencia

Most schools start new groups every Monday, at every level from complete beginner (A1) to advanced (C1–C2). These are the main formats, with typical 2026 prices:

A "lesson" is usually 50–55 minutes. Most schools also charge a one-off registration fee (around €35–€60), and many sell course books separately. Prices per week drop for longer bookings, typically from 4, 12 and 24 weeks.

Where to study Spanish in Valencia

Private language schools

The widest choice. Valencia has around twenty schools accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, the Spanish government's official body for teaching Spanish, which checks teaching quality, teacher qualifications and facilities. You can see them all on the Instituto Cervantes list of accredited centres (under Comunidad Valenciana, Valencia).

When comparing schools, check:

• Accreditation: Instituto Cervantes accreditation, plus any international memberships.
• Class size: 6–8 students is ideal; some schools allow 12 or more.
• Timetable: morning or afternoon classes, and whether lessons are 45 or 55 minutes.
• Location: most schools are in the city centre (Ciutat Vella, Eixample) or near the universities.
• Activities: many include cultural visits, cooking classes and weekend trips, a big help if you arrive alone.
• Visa support: if you need a student visa, ask whether the course meets the 20-hours-a-week rule.

University language centres

Both public universities teach Spanish to foreigners. The Centre d'Idiomes of the Universitat de València (itself Instituto Cervantes accredited) runs semester and summer intensive courses, and the UPV Language Centre offers courses for its international students. They're usually cheaper than private schools and are timed around the academic calendar, so they suit Erasmus and degree students best.

The Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI)

The public language school offers Spanish for foreigners as a year-long course (October to May), a few hours a week, for under €100 a course plus a small first-time registration fee. It's excellent value but slow-paced, places are limited, and you must enrol months in advance (usually in spring or early summer). Best if you're living in Valencia for a full year.

Free ways to practise: language exchanges

An intercambio is a language exchange: you swap conversation in your language for conversation in Spanish. There are weekly intercambio nights in bars and cafés around the city, and many students find a regular exchange partner through their university or school. They don't replace a course, but they're the best free way to get speaking practice.

How much does it cost to learn Spanish in Valencia?

A month of intensive Spanish in Valencia, including a room and living costs, typically comes to €1,300–€2,200:

The course is the biggest variable: a university or EOI course costs a fraction of a private intensive one. To save money, book longer (the weekly price falls), avoid July and August if you can, and book accommodation directly rather than through a school package, which often adds a placement fee.

Spanish or Valencian?

Language schools in Valencia teach Spanish (castellano), which everyone in the city speaks. Valencian, a variety of Catalan, is co-official in the region: you'll see it on street signs, metro announcements and public forms, and you may hear it in villages around the city. You don't need it to live or study here, but learning a few words is a nice touch, and it's easier once you speak some Spanish.

Official certificates: DELE and SIELE

If you need proof of your level for a university, a job or a visa, there are two official Instituto Cervantes exams:

• DELE (Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera): one exam per level, A1 to C2. The diploma never expires. Exams run on fixed dates several times a year at exam centres in Valencia.
• SIELE: a single computer-based exam that scores you across all levels, with results in a few weeks. Valid for five years and available on many more dates.

Many schools offer DELE and SIELE preparation courses in the weeks before the exam. Check registration deadlines on the Instituto Cervantes website, as they close well before exam day.

Do I need a visa to study Spanish in Valencia?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens don't need a visa; if you stay longer than three months you must register as a resident.

From outside the EU, you can study a short course on a tourist stay of up to 90 days if your nationality allows visa-free entry. For a longer course you need a student visa, and the course must be full-time: at least 20 hours a week at an authorised centre. Apply at the Spanish consulate in your country well before you travel; accredited schools can usually provide the enrolment letter you'll need. Rules change, so always check the latest requirements with the consulate.

Where to stay while you learn Spanish

Where you live makes a huge difference to how fast you learn:

• Host family: the fastest way to improve. You speak Spanish at breakfast and dinner, learn everyday vocabulary and get help settling in. Our host family rooms cost from €370 a month with bills included, and short stays are welcome.
• Shared student flat: more independence and a social flat life. Ask for flatmates who speak Spanish if you want to practise at home. Our shared-flat rooms cost from €380 a month with all bills included.
• School residence or package: convenient for very short stays, but usually the most expensive option per week.

Most language schools are in the city centre, and buses, metro and Valenbisi bikes connect every neighbourhood, so you don't need to live next door to your school. See all our student rooms in Valencia, with photos, prices and travel times.

Tips to learn Spanish faster in Valencia

1. Stay longer. Four weeks is a good start; twelve weeks or more is where most students see a big jump.
2. Live in Spanish. A host family or Spanish-speaking flatmates gives you hours of extra practice every day.
3. Use afternoons well. Go to an intercambio, join a sports club or volunteer: anything that makes you speak.
4. Shop at the markets. The Mercado Central and neighbourhood markets are perfect for everyday Spanish.
5. Set a goal. Booking a DELE or SIELE exam for the end of your stay keeps you motivated.