If your answer is a big YES, the experience of living abroad is one of the most popular choices among young people.

Spain is one of your favorite destinations if you want to fully enjoy this experience while learning a new language. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world, and the third most used on the Internet. So, getting a degree while getting to know a new city, meeting new people and learning Spanish doesn’t sound too bad at all, does it?!

Index
How to choose the perfect city for you
The best public universities in Valencia
1. University of Valencia – Universitat de Valencia (UV)
2. Polytechnic University of Valencia – Universitat Politécnica de Valencia (UPV)
3. Jaume I University of Castellon – Universitat Jaume I (UJI)
4. Universal Arts School (UA)
The best Private Universities in Valencia
1. Cardenal Herrera University – Universidad Cardenal Herrera (CEU)
2. Catholic University Sain Vincent Martyr – Universidad Católica San Vicente Mártir (UCV)
3. European University – Universidad Europea (UE)
4. ESIC Business & Marketing School – Escuela de Negocios ESIC (ESIC)
5. Valencian International University – Universidad Internacional de Valencia (VIU)
Frequently asked questions

How to choose the perfect city for you

Spain is a big country and has a lot of different cities to choose from. But the most important thing to consider when making the big decision is what you expect to find in the destination. Are you a big city fan? Do you prefer a quiet, small town where you can enjoy nature in silence? Would you rather a bit of both? Spain has it all!

If you’re still not 100% sure about Valencia, you can find our other guides:
The Best Universities in Barcelona for International students
The Best Business Schools in Barcelona

–> If you think the university application procedure is complicated? No worries, if you are a students of one of our University Pathway courses, we help you along the way.

Now, let’s talk about Valencia!

Why Valencia?

Valencia is the third biggest city in Spain. It’s a lot less populated than Madrid or Barcelona but, at the same time, has a big city life and… beautiful beaches!

One of the most exciting things about this city is its weather; the temperature is never less than 10° C, and locals assure that in their land you will enjoy at least 300 sunny days a year. Considering that Valencia has amazing beaches this sounds a pretty exciting fact, doesn’t it?

Cost of living

As we said before, Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, that’s the reason why it is more likely to get a more affordable room, and a lower cost for everyday life than in cities like Madrid and Barcelona, while still being able to enjoy a big cultural and social life.

On average, the cost of living for a student can be around  €1328 per month (2022), including food, social activities, public transportation (€34 a monthly pass) and a shared flat.

Now, let’s talk about the best universities in Valencia for international students, but before learn about the Spanish university access exam (EBAU/Selectividad) and how to apply to a university in Spain.

The 4 best public Universities in Valencia

1. University of Valencia
Universitat de Valencia (UV)

https://www.uv.es/

It is one of the oldest surviving universities in Spain, and the oldest in the Valencian Community. It is regarded as one of Spain’s leading academic institutions. The University was founded in 1499, and currently has around 55,000 students. Most of the courses are given through the medium of Spanish, but the university has promised to increase the number of courses available in Valencian. Moreover, in some degrees part of the teaching is in English.

The University of Valencia has three main urban campuses located in Valencia city and in Burjassot-Paterna, and some other buildings and facilities in the hearth of Valencia town, such as the Historic Building, Botanical Garden, Cerveró Palace, the Rectorate and others. It has 18 Schools and Faculties located in its three main campuses. Each one allocates different academic departments and offers undergraduate, official masters and PhD programs in almost all of the academic fields: arts and humanities, engineering, health sciences, sciences, and social sciences.

2. Polytechnic University of Valencia
Universitat Politécnica de València (UPV)

http://www.upv.es/

Founded in 1968 as the Higher Polytechnic School of Valencia, it became a proper university in 1971, but some of its schools are more than 100 years old. The UPV focuses on science and technology and consists of three campuses (Valencia, Gandia and Alcoy) and 14 schools and faculties: Faculty of Business Administration and Management, Faculty of Fine Arts, Higher Polytechnic School of Alcoy, Higher Polytechnic School of Gandia, School of Agricultural Engineering, School of Computer Science, School of Architecture, School of Building Management, School of Civil Engineering, School of Design Engineering, School of Engineering in Geodesy, School of Cartography and Surveying, School of Industrial Engineering, School of Rural Environments and Enology, and School of Telecommunications Engineering.

The UPV offers 48 bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and 81 doctoral degrees.

3. Jaume I University of Castellon
Universitat Jaume I (UJI)

https://www.uji.es/

Founded in 1991, this university is a pioneer in the use of new information technologies, it was the first Spanish institution to have a public web server, and the first university to have a Center for Education and New Technologies (CENT) whose mission is to research and advise on the application of new technologies to improve the quality of teaching.

The Jaime I University is recognized internationally for its International Master’s Degree in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies, which was created almost twenty years ago and in which around 40 students from 30 different countries participate year after year . To date, more than a thousand students have graduated from this Master’s program, from over 100 countries.

It has 3 faculties and 1 school: Faculty of Legal and Economic Sciences, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Higher School of Technology and Experimental Sciences.

4. Universal Arts School
(UA)

https://www.ua.school/

Founded in 1994 as a center specialized in CGI (Computer Generated Images), and digital images, the hours of training and methodology the schools offer allow their students to find work in the most important top studios worldwide.

The UA has been referenced by the American institution Animation Career Review as one of the 100 best international schools, ranking 15th in the world.

They also offer international certifications and scholarships or financing plans, according to the needs of each student.

The Best Private Universities in Valencia

1. Cardenal Herrera University
Universidad Cardenal Herrera (CEU)

https://www.uchceu.es/

It is the first private school of Law ever founded in Valencia and, though it has been associated with the University of Valencia and Polytechnic University of Valencia, the CEU has gained its current name 1999.

Cardenal Herrera University offers degrees in English -Bachelor’s degrees in Architecture, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing Studies and Gastronomy and Culinary Management-, in French and in Spanish, and provides high-quality teaching to over 9,250 students from all over the world, with 35% of the students being international.

It is also a worldwide recognized international institution, placed among the best 23 Spanish, private Universities.

2. Catholic University Saint Vincent Martyr
Universidad Católica San Vicente Mártir (UCV)

https://www.ucv.es/

It was founded in 2003, starting with vocational degrees, such as Primary Education and Nursing. It promotes intellectual and personal curiosity that will allow students to discover and lead full lives. The Catholic University Saint Vincent Martyr offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas such as Law, Business, Experimental Sciences, Psychology, Humanities, Educational Sciences, Health Sciences, Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Veterinary, and Multimedia.

This university allocates more than €5.4 million to scholarships. Its money is destined to different aid programs, ranging from full scholarship coverage to a percentage of the scholarship coverage, and helps students who are part of large families to get to study.

3. European University
Universidad Europea (UE)

https://universidadeuropea.com/

Its goal is to provide their students with a holistic education and shape leaders and professionals who are prepared to respond to the demands of a global world. The European University distinguishes itself by their entrepreneurial spirit. They encourage their students to collaborate and work together to implement the best practices.

The UE offers degree and postgraduate programmes, Masters Bootcamps, Doctorate and PhD programmes, higher-level technical degrees, and courses. It also offers online programmes to get to study from all over the world.

4. ESIC Business & Marketing School
Escuela de Negocios ESIC (ESIC)

https://www.esic.edu/

Founded in 1965, ESIC has the porpouse of create an educational institution especially focused on the world of marketing, adapted to the challenges presented by a globalized, digitalized and rapidly changing economy. Its mission is to educate people with a global and integral vision throughout their professional cycle in management, marketing, innovation and digital skills and promote the transformation of students so that they can develop successfully in their professional lives in a responsible manner and become actors of change in organizations and society.

The university offers 123 strategic agreements with universities and business schools around the world, 12 campuses in Spain, agreements with 2,500 companies to facilitate the employability of our students and an alumni network of more than 66,000 professionals.

5. Valencian International University
Universidad Internacional de Valencia (VIU)

https://www.universidadviu.com/

It is a private, online education university; its main headquarters are in Valencia, but students can access all their courses remotely.

It was founded in 2008 by the Generalidad Valenciana as a private non-profit entity, under the name of Universidad Internacional Valenciana. At the International University of Valencia, master classes are broadcast live via videoconference, emulating a face-to-face class over the Internet, and in its methodology, class attendance is not compulsory, leaving the decision to the student. 

VIU offers degrees in its Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Communication, Faculty of Social and Legal Sciences, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Higher School of Engineering, Science and Technology.

Now that you know the 9 Best Universities in Valencia for International students, do you have a favorite?

Frequently asked questions

How can I apply to a university in Valencia?

Since every university has its own rules and there’s no centralized system in Spain, you will have to look for the special requirements of the university of your interest and send them the documents. Be aware of the deadlines!

Have in mind that, usually, universities save about 5% of their vacancies for international students, so the competition for entering can get hard. Read closely every step of the procedure your chosen institution asks for in their websites, and don’t miss the chance! If you have doubts, try to contact the student secretary office.

Do I need a student visa or NIE?

Please, take into consideration that if you live in Schengen area (EU, EEA and Swiss nationals) you do not need a visa to study in Valencia, but you need to register for the NIE.

Non-EU citizens must apply for the Spanish student visa at the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate (or from Spain if you’re already there). Please mind that you already can get the visa before starting your studies at the university. For example, when you start a full-time Spanish course of 20 lessons per week or more, or one of the Spanish University Pathway courses. If you study Spanish for 6 months or 1 year you can renew your Spanish student visa in Spain to continue with your studies at the University.

How much does it cost to study in Valencia?

There is no doubt Spain is one of the most affordable countries in Europe, and Valencia, while still a big city, is much less expensive than Barcelona or Madrid.

Public universities

The cost of studying at public universities in Valencia is decided every year by the Valencian government. Usually, tuition fees range between €720-1,800 per year.

The total cost of tuition is calculated on a pay-per-credit basis across Spain. The cost is determined according to the number of credits, the practical component of the qualification, as well as administrative fees. An academic year usually has 60 ECTS credits, and the cost of credits can range between €12-30 per credit for every first enrollment.

Have in mind that students from inside the EU will pay the same tuition fees as Spanish students, but the ones from outside the EU -and those who are repeating a subject- will have to pay more.

Private Universities

Every private university in Valencia will set its own fee depending on the course you take and the institution you choose, but tuition fees for private university degree programs can range from €5,000 to 18,000.

–> Do you think the university application procedure is complicated? No worries, if you are a student of one of our University Pathway courses in Valencia, we help you along the way.

Other relevant articles

Study visa for Spain

• Do I need any visa to study Spanish in Spain?
• How to get a Spanish study visa for non-EU citizens? (applying from your home country)
  • How to get a Spain student visa from UK
  • How to get a Spain student visa from USA
• How to apply for a student visa while in Spain?
• How to renew a Spanish student visa?
• Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
• Medical insurance for Spanish student visa – all you need to know
• What is the NIE and how do I get it?
• What is the TIE and how to get it?

Study at a Spanish University

• How to apply to a university in Spain for international students
• PCE University Spain access exam for students from EU, China, Norway, etc.
• The best universities in Barcelona for international students
• The Best Business Schools in Barcelona
• The 9 Best Universities in Valencia for international students
• The 9 Best Universities in Madrid for international students

Other interesting information

• Find the best English speaking lawyers in Spain
• The Linguaschools complete and comprehensive guide to Spanish paperwork.

Anything to add? Share your own experience in the comments below!

DISCLAIMER: We have gathered information to our best knowledge, from our experience, using many different (official) sources. Regulations change and interpretations may vary per country or region, but also between public office or staff. No rights can be derived from any of our articles. The content is merely a guide and we recommend you to check information with official sources before and during the process.

Summer is usually the time of the year in which we travel the most. Spain is full of beautiful places but some don’t receive the attention they deserve. A clear example of this is Valencia.

Here we’ll tell you 5 things to do in summer in this beautiful city and why you should go.

1. Enjoy the sun and sea

One of Valencia’s biggest attractions is its wonderful beach, where both locals and tourists enjoy the sea. From hanging out on the beach to reading a book, any activity is fun when you’re enjoying the sun.

2. Discover the Turia gardens

For nature lovers, strolling through the gardens of Turia is an excellent choice. Valencia has several beautiful parks and gardens, but none compares to Turia, the largest urban park in the city.
With more than 110 hectares, it is the perfect place to walk, relax, play sports and sightseeing as it’s home to the most spectacular architectural complex in Valencia: the City of Arts and Sciences.

3. Go out for tapas in the historic center

Especially after sunset, terraces, cafes, bars and restaurants of the historic center are full of locals that go out to enjoy delicious tapas and drinks with friends. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, so going out for tapas is the perfect plan to meet people and enjoy Spanish cuisine.

4. Enjoy cinema on the beach

Do you like the sea and the movies? What can be better than watching a film on the beach? Every week in summer, a film festival takes place in different beaches of Valencia. There’s no admission fee making it an excellent plan to enjoy with friends.

5. Improve your Spanish

Summer is the ideal time to practice a language and enjoy cultural activities. In addition to meeting people, you’ll learn Spanish with native teachers and you can put it into practice with the locals in your free time.

Don’t miss out! Join one of our courses and learn Spanish in Valencia.

Spain is the 4th biggest countries by geographical area in Europe with 506.000 km2. Due to the size there is so much to see and do in this vast and diverse country. One of this beautiful places is called Valencia, a large city on Spain’s eastern coast, located 320 km south-east from Spain’s capital Madrid.

Valencia has a mix of old and new buildings, giving it a real special feel of it’s own. From medieval castles and towers, to modernist and art decor architecture and plenty of beautiful places to eat and drink. It is the 3rd biggest city in Spain with nearly 800.000 inhabitants and is situated at the Mediterranean coast. The city has the largest inner city urban park in whole Europe, three beaches (Playa de las Arenas, Playa de Malvarrosa and Playa de la Patacona) and is packed full of culture and history, for example the holy grail. Historians worldwide believe La Catedral de Valencia is home to the last cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper. The Holy Grail is made of agate stone and displayed in a decorative – gold and pearls – structure in the city’s imposing cathedral. Legend says the Holy Grail, which features in the cult novel The Da Vinci Code, possesses miraculous powers and crowds gather to pray in its presence.

1) La ciudad de las artes y las ciencias – The city of arts and sciences

The city of arts and sciences is a cultural and architectural building and park complex. It represents the modern town’s landmark and is located in the drained channel of the river Turia which is 280 km long, rises in Montes Universals and ends in Valencia. The complex was designed by the Spanish architectures Santiage Calatrava and Félix Candela and includes five buildings:

• L’Hemisferic (an IMAX cinema): The building has the shape of and eye that reflects 24.000 square meters lake. The cover of the cinema looks like the eye lips of the eye, and can be closed or opened. (ticket prices: 8.80 € adults, 6.85 € reduced, 4.70 € school groups, 6.40 € adult groups)
• Prince Felipe Museo de las Ciencias (science museum): The construction of the building reminds a whale skeleton. The museum is orientated to learning the sciences through experience and it is perfect to go with kids, because everything is graphically diplayed with huge texts and pics, experiments, button to touch and experience. The museum is open from Monday to Sunday from 8.00am till 00.30 am. (ticket prices: 8.00 € adultes, 6.20 € reduced, 4.30 € school groups, 5.80 € adult groups)
• Oceanographic (a giant marine par or aquarium): The Oceanografic is Europe’s biggest Aquarium and it invites you to travel around the planet’s main seas and oceans. More than 45,000 examples of 500 different marine species – amongst which can be found sharks, Beluga whales, walruses, sea lions, penguins and manta rays – inhabit nine underwater towers that, structured in two levels, represent the most emblematic ecosystems of the planet. The oceanographic park, created as a great leisure, training and research centre, is structured into ten great areas. (ticket prices: 27.90 € adults, 21.00 € reduced, 12.55 € school groups, 18.65 € adult groups)
• Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia: The spectacular building promotes the performing arts. It has an extension of 55.000 square meters and is one of the finest international venues for theatre, dance, opera and music concerts. Measuring over 70 meters in height, the Palau de les Arts is divided into four separate halls, all boasting the latest technological advances conceived to stage all kinds of opera, musical and theatrical performances. Perfomances start normally at 8pm, during Sundays and bank holidays at 7pm. The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia is divided into the following rooms:
  • Sala Principal: This concert hall, which seats 1,412, principally serves as an opera house, but it is also used for ballet and other performing arts.
  • Auditorio: With a seating capacity of 1,490 people, this auditorium is equipped with advanced sound, cinema, and video installations.
  • Aula Magistral: This space, which can seat up to 378 people, is especially designed for performances by small music ensembles and it is also used for recitals, conferences, and educational events.
  • Teatre Martín i Soler: This theatre, located next to the Palau de les Arts, forms the south-west boundary of the complex. With a seating capacity of 400 people, the backstage installations and orchestra pit of this space are perfect for small and medium format opera performances.

• Agora (multi-functional space): The Agora in the City of Arts and Sciences is a versatile space that will allow the holding of varied events. A multi-functional setting has been planned for the staging of congresses, conventions, concerts, and performances; it can also be converted into an exhibition area. This building hosted successfully the Valencia Open 500 Tennis Tournament, one of the most important international sports meetings.

2) La Lonja – the world heritage

Constructed between 1482 and 1548, during Valencia’s “Golden Age”,  La Lonja de la Seda (the Silk Exchange) is World Heritage-listed and described by UNESCO as “an exceptional example of a secular building in late Gothic style, which dramatically illustrates the power and wealth of one of the great Mediterranean mercantile cities”. Visitors can peruse the former trading hall, with its splendid spiral columns, and chill out in a courtyard sprinkled with orange trees.

3) The birthplace of Paella – taste the real one

Typical Valencian paella consists of white rice, green vegetables, meats that range from chicken and rabbit to snails or seafood, beans and seasoning. Many proud Valencianos say that these are the only required ingredients in a paella and therefore Valencia people proudly boasts it’s the birthplace of this iconic Spanish dish. While you can savour seafood paellas here, an authentic paella valenciana stays faithful to its peasant origins. It’s traditionally cooked on an open wooden fire with locally grown rice and only eaten at lunch. Valencians swear their mothers – and grandmothers – do the best paella, but many restaurants offer tasty version ‘menu del dias’ (fixed-price, three-course specials).

4) El Barrio del Carmen

Street art is one of the quirkiest features of El Carmen, the grittiest, but increasingly gentrified, chunk of Valencia’s historic centre. Springing south from the pretty Carmen church and plaza, a warren of alleys bulge with clothes and curio stores, tapas bars, bohemian cafes, jazz lounges and cosmopolitan restaurants.

5) The fallas festival

The festival begins in March, marking the beginning of spring, and technically lasts for 5 days. Each neighborhood has Falla houses that compete by building their own “falla” (effigy), which is usually a political pun or gag. The houses compete in different leagues, and on the last night of this lively festival, known as ‘La Crema’ (burning night), all but one effigy are destroyed. The surviving falla is called a “ninot” (small falla), and is officially pardoned. On this night, the entire city is on fire– literally and figuratively– as revelers enjoy music, parties, food, drinks and dancing in the streets. This fiesta is definitely worth experiencing at least once in your life.

6) The golden sandy Mediteranean beaches of Malvarrosa
The beaches of Las Arenas and Malvarrosa along the Mediterranean cost are beautiful sandy beaches stretching as long as the eye can see. They are noticeably clean, like the whole city and in peak summer time the beach will never be overly crowded, leaving tourists and Spanish locals with enough space to enjoy the sea. The coastal promenade is relatively undeveloped with a modest number of delicious bars and restaurants scattered along the front. For more beaches: the 7 most beautiful beaches in Spain.

7) La Tomatina in Bunol

La Tomatina is a food fight festival held on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of Bunol 40 km direction west away from Valencia. The festival is supposed to be the ‘World’s Biggest Food Fight’ where more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets. The festival is in honor of the town’s patron saints, Luis Bertran and the Mare de Deu dels Desemparats (Mother of God of the Defenseless), a title of the Virgin Mary. This year La Tomatina is taking place on the 26th of August and starts at around 11am when many truck haul the bounty of tomatoes into the centre of the town at Plaza del Pueblo. Once the tomato throwing begins, the battle is generally every man for himself.

8) The Natural Park of the Albufera
The Natural Park of the Albufera just south of Valencia Region is a Mecca for bird watchers. Connected to the sea by two narrow canals, it is one of the largest lakes in the country, with a total area of 21,000 hectares, much of which is covered in thick reed beds.

9) Calpe – the beautiful village in Costa Blanca 

At the heart of the Costa Blanca, within the region of Valencia lies the ancient fishing village of Calpe. Now transformed into a tourist magnet, the town sits in an ideal location, easily accessed by the A7 motorway and the N332 that runs from Valencia to Alicante; its approximately one hour drive from the airport at Alicante. Calpe has a wonderful mixture of old Valencian culture and modern tourist facilities. It is a great base from which to explore the local area or enjoy the many local beaches. Calpe alone has three of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the coast.
 Calpe is dominated by the towering rock of Ifach which reaches an impressive 332m, rising almost sheer above the sea and is a nature reserve. The summit of the rock is reached after a tough climb up a footpath, by means of a short tunnel through the upper part of the rock. Be warned the path above the tunnel has almost no safety features and is not recommended for anybody with a fear of heights, the very young, or the remotely unfit.

10) Sagunto
Only 20 kilometres from Valencia Region and easily accessible by bus or train (30 minutes), the coastal town of Saguntois one of the most important historical locations of the entire region. Bronze Age and Iberian peoples settled here, drawn by the fertile lands and the natural fortress formed by a high crag which rears out of the plains. But Sagunto is most famous for its courageous resistance to the Carthaginian general Hannibal, who laid a siege to the fortress in 219 BC for 8 months. Rather than surrender, the citizens set fire to their city and perished in the flames. Today, the fortress and old Jewish quarter of the city of Sagunto are a popular tourist attraction, with one of the largest and most highly restored Roman theatres in existence in Spain set in a natural amphitheatre just above the town.

11) Xàtiva – the heritage of Spanish history

The city is situated 60 km away from the city Valencia and it is one of the most important cultural and historical cities in the region of Valencia. In 1150 the first paper on European ground was produced in Xàtiva by Moors. The city was founded by Iberian and Moors but in 1244 the city was conquered by Jaime I. of Aragon who created one of the most important archives in Europe. Xàtiva, especially the castle and the old town of the city, has many remains from each era of Spanish history, from the Iberians over Romains and Moors till the Gothic epoch. You can buy a train ticket for 6 € way and return (50 minutes one way) from the train station of Valencia to Xàtiva.

12) Utiel-Requena Region
Scarcely 40 miles inland from the city of Valencia, on the way to Madrid, you will find the Utiel-Requena Plateau. With a totally different climate to that of the coast, its cold, frosty winters and sunny, scorching summers make it the largest wine-producing area in the Valencia Region and one of the largest in Spain. A rural landscape of rolling hills and vineyards dotted with small towns and villages combines with mountainous, thickly wooded areas ideal for trekking or cycling. One of the most dramatic features of the area are the Hoces del Cabriel Gorges, where the Cabriel river runs swiftly among impressive stone walls and needles, an awe inspiring backdrop for sports such as canoeing or rafting. If you prefer walking around old towns and monuments, then Requena’s old town (the “Villa”) is the place to visit. Its winding streets flanked by old white houses, some impressive gothic churches and the “Cuevas del Vino”, a maze-like underground system of wine cellars with more than one mile of caves, will surprise you.

Should you prefer to focus on cuisine and wines, you will find a good array of restaurants in the area, together with some of the oldest wine cellars and wineries in Spain. Utiel-Requena is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines with the area being renowned for the predominant use of the Bobal grape variety. Archaeological finds in ancient Iberian settlements, such as the one at Villares, show that viticulture and wine production in the area dates to at least the 7th century BC.

13) Montanejos – the hot springs

The Castellón town Montanejos is famous for its health contribution and it is situated 90 km north west from Valencia. The water has health properties and is highly recommended for cases of digestive and kidney-related illnesses. When you walk through the beautiful nature of Montanejos you can find crystal clear water spots with cliffs to jump off.

There’s no doubt about it, these months we are spending much more time at home with our house-mates and families than normal. We prepare nice meals, we read books, we have online meetings with friends, we decorate the house and…we watch Netflix.

We asked our colleagues what they are watching and why. We hope we can inspire you with some new cool movies and series to watch this fall and winter.

Julia recommends Cuéntame como pasó:
A Spanish prime-time television drama series since 2001. It recounts the experiences of a middle-class family, Los Alcántara, during the last years of the rule of Francisco Franco and the Spanish transition to democracy. “It’s super interesting!” You can watch this series on RTVE

Céline is a big fan of the Japanese movies of Studio Ghibli which are all on Netflix:
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation film studio headquartered in Tokyo. The studio is best known for its animated feature films, and has also produced several short films, television commercials, and one television film.
“I really like how detailed they are, the drawings, the sounds and the whole Miyazaki universe! I’m a bit sad that I didn’t watch them as a kid aha! And my favorite one so far is Howl’s moving castle!”
This film tells the story of a young, content milliner named Sophie who is turned into an old woman by a witch who enters her shop and curses her. She encounters a wizard named Howl and gets caught up in his resistance to fighting for the king.

Serge recently watched season 5 of Peaky Blinders:
A British period crime drama set in Birmingham, England. The series follows the exploits of the Shelby crime family in the direct aftermath of the First World War. The fictional family is loosely based on a real 19th-century urban youth gang of the same name, who were active in the city from the 1890s to the early twentieth century.
“The series is actually a bit too violent for me, but I couldn’t resist continue watching it. Mainly because of the leader of the family Tommy Shelby and other strong characters. Interesting to see how people lived in the 19th century in England and how crime was organised from (to me) unfamous city Birmingham.” You can watch this serie on Netflix.

Maica highly recommended Merlí, which you can watch on Netflix:
A Spanish television series produced by the Catalan channel TV3 about a philosophy teacher of the same name who encourages students to think freely using philosophy. “The protagonist is a philosophy professor at an institute in Barcelona and his relationship with his students. They deal with current affairs which I find very interesting.”

Gaby watched Beastie Boys Story on Apple TV:
It is a documentary film about the Beastie Boys. Beastie boys were an American hip hop and rap rock group from New York City, three white rappers who started off in punk, accidentally became frat superstars, then reinvented themselves to their own style. The story is told by 2 members in a theater which makes it different to other docus.
“I love watching music documentaries, to hear the stories behind the artists. You understand and appreciate more of their work. I liked the Beastie Boys but was never a ‘fan’, after seeing their story I respect the growth they made from such a young age and especially came back older and wiser to set some past errors straight as well. I love that they like different styles of music and used a lot of their creativity not just to rap but play instruments, produce, shoot videos, you name it. They contributed big in the scene and are a historical part of hip hop. Plus it was nice to see NYC and the 80/90s again”

Liesbet is watching the second season of The Alienist on Netflix:
An ad hoc team assembled in mid-1890s New York City to investigate a serial killer who is murdering street children. The series incorporates fact with fiction by including the characters that are historical figures, such as Theodore Roosevelt, who held the post of police commissioner from 1895 to 1897.
“I like the story, it’s exciting and scary, I love the period in which it takes place. The actors are wearing beautiful clothes and it’s super cool to see what New York looked like back in the 19th century.”

Brenda watched Ratched on Netflix (not for the faint hearted):
Ratched is an American psychological thriller streaming television series about the character of the same name from Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Created by Evan Romansky and developed by Ryan Murphy, the series stars Sarah Paulson in the title role and serves as a prequel to the novel. Ratched received a
two-season series order; the first season premiered on Netflix on September 18, 2020

Enjoy!

A few days ago, the group of our dear professor Vito, enjoyed an excellent class at MUVIM, the Valencian Museum of Illustration and Modernity. It was a very interesting class in which the students not only practiced Spanish but also learned about the evolution of modern thought and its influence on the city of Valencia. It was certainly a different experience that students will remember for a long time.

Do you want to come to Valencia to have a fantastic experience and learn Spanish? What are you waiting for to enroll in our courses? We’re waiting for you!

The Museum of Natural Sciences is in the heart of the Viveros gardens, just a few minutes walk away from Linguaschools Valencia’s main building. It is an excellent museum that aims to spread the natural heritage of the city.

Recently, our teacher Patri took her class to the museum! It was a great idea and students were able to learn Spanish in a wonderful and different environment.

The Museum of Natural Sciences has fossils that are more than 4000 years old, so, by visiting its facilities, our students not only expanded their scientific knowledge related to the Valencia area but also learned Spanish in an entertaining way. It was an incredible experience!

If you also want to enjoy a unique experience learning Spanish in Valencia, have a look at our courses and activities. You won’t regret it!

Our teaching method is so flexible that it allows us to move classrooms outside our building, so students can learn Spanish anywhere. This is especially attractive in the summertime when the weather is perfect for being outdoors.

This week, some of our students enjoyed a Spanish class at the Jardines de Viveros. Not only they walked through one of the most beautiful and historic gardens in Valencia, but also enjoyed a small tasting of typical dishes from different countries.

It was a very enriching experience for everyone so we are already planning the next one!

Would you like to learn Spanish in a school with a unique environment and with the most flexible and effective methods? What are you waiting to come to study at Linguaschools Valencia? We are waiting for you!

Paella is a traditional Spanish dish from Valencia. It is a rice dish that can have meat, fish, seafood, and vegetables and is characterized by its use of saffron to give it a yellow color and unique flavor. There are three main types of paella:

• Valencian paella/paella valenciana: rice, green vegetables, rabbit, chicken, or duck, snails, beans, and seasoning.
• Seafood paella/paella de marisco: rice, seafood, and seasoning.
• Mixed paella/paella mixta: combination of seafood, meat, vegetables, beans, and seasoning.

How to prepare the best paella

Before beginning preparations, it’s important to ask, “How many people will be eating?”Once you answer that, you can decide what size and type kind of pan is needed.

• The Paella Pan: Paella pans, sometimes called paelleras are made especially for the job. They are round, open, metal pans, which are approximately 2-2.5 inches deep (5-6 cm). These pans spread the heat and withstand cooking over hot coals. Paella pans can be made of carbon steel, stainless steel or enamel and have two handles. The material, shape and shallow depth of the pans are what make them perfect for cooking rice, which is the focus of the paella. Paella pans are readily available in sizes from a 9-inch pan that makes 1-2 servings, and costs about 10 Euro.

• Casual Ingredients: 
  • Spice Mix for chicken, recipe follows
  • 1 (3-pound) frying chicken, cut into 10 pieces
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 Spanish chorizo sausages, thickly sliced
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 Spanish onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • Bunch flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped, reserve some for garnish
  • 1 (15-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and hand-crushed
  • 4 cups short grain Spanish rice
  • 6 cups water, warm
  • Generous pinch saffron threads
  • 1 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed
  • 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and de-veined
  • 2 lobster tails
  • 1/2 cup sweet peas, frozen and thawed
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Chicken Spice mix: 1 tablespoon sweet paprika, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• Preparation: Before starting rub the spice mix all over the chicken and marinate chicken for 1 hour in the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 190ºC/375ºF/gas 5. Season the chicken pieces and dust with flour. Heat a little olive oil in a large deep pan and fry the chicken until golden brown on both sides. Place the pieces on a baking tray and into the oven for 20 minutes. Add salt and freshly ground pepper. Remove the chicken from pan and reserve. In the same pan, make a sofrito by sauteing the onions, garlic, and parsley. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes on a medium heat. Then, add tomatoes and cook until the mixture caramelizes a bit and the flavors meld. Fold in the rice and stir-fry to coat the grains. Pour in water and simmer for 10 minutes, gently moving the pan around so the rice cooks evenly and absorbs the liquid. Add chicken, chorizo, and saffron. Add the clams and shrimp, tucking them into the rice. The shrimp will take about 8 minutes to cook. Give the paella a good shake and let it simmer, without stirring, until the rice is al dente, for about 15 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, when the rice is filling the pan, add the lobster tails. When the paella is cooked and the rice looks fluffy and moist, turn the heat up for 40 seconds until you can smell the rice toast at the bottom, then it’s perfect. Cook’s note: The ideal paella has a toasted rice bottom called socarrat. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes. Finally, add the cooked chicken and serve sprinkled with chopped parsley and a wedge of lemon.Garnish with peas, parsley and lemon wedges.

• Drink: Paella is a complex dish, with many ingredients and layers of flavors, so the range of wines and beers that complement it is wide. Traditionally, the Spanish accompany Paella with a rosé or a crisp Spanish white wine such as albariňo. Lovers of sparkling wines could try a good Spanish cava and red wine fans might favor a light Spanish rioja.

• Bon appetit / ¡Buen provecho!

Game of Thrones takes place in a barbarous medieval world, draws inspiration from the savage political infightings and incorporates several elements that have become de rigueur in fantasy novels like the sword with names or the daring deeds of arms. But the TV series has more to offer. It demonstrates the brutally human nature and a highly contemporary interest in relative morality, hierarchical injustice and bad faith. Humans have been trained since childhood to tell and listen to stories. The phenomena of Game of Thrones lies in the fact that it meets the people’s needs and transfers them into a state of trance through endless fantasy fictions and continues large-scale storytelling’s during the episodes as well as mysterious cliffhanger at the end of every other chapter. The author of the novels George R. R. Martin uses the medieval fantasy series to create political metaphors and epics for our times that are linked to human history. The series has been praised by critics and has won a Golden Globe and 14 Emmy Awards. Game of Thrones also became the most watched series on the Spanish subscription (Juego de tronos) broadcasting company Canal +.

During the five seasons of Game of Thrones that is based on ”A Song of Ice and Fire” HBO uses many different locations from Malta to Iceland, especially Spain plays a very important role in venue hosting of the series. This July Game of Thrones announced that they have added Navarra as a third location in Spain to their filming scenes in the upcoming Season Six in September. It is the second year in a row that Spain has been chosen to film locations of the popular series.

Here are the Spanish cities that were chosen for filming scenes of the Game of Thrones Season Six:

• Girona: 1 hour away from Barcelona, the city in northern Catalonia has imposing medieval city walls, towers and churches, a Jewish Quarter and four rivers crossing the city. Girona will host the worldwide hit show for at least three weeks in September. Filming will involve the city’s Old Quarter (Barri Vell), where Girona’s highlights are concentrated and two thousand years of history are on display. Rumors have been also pointing out towards the cathedral and the Jewish Quarter as possible sets for the show.

• Peñiscola in Castellon: The seaside resort of Spain’s eastern Mediterranean coast in the Valencian Country has a fortified castle built by the Knights Templar on a headland which rears above the seaside resort. A portion of season six will also be shot in Peñíscola. Peñiscola is about 1,5 hour away from Valencia.

• Navarra: Game of Thrones has selected the spectacular location of Bardenas Reales in Navarra, to the third Spanish location of the Sixth Season. The Bardenas Reales are a semi-desert expanse in south-east Navarra, the Bardenas boast spectacular, near-surreal, rock formations. Due to the fact that Bardenas Reales in Navarra will be the third location for the filming scenes of Game of Thrones Season Six, approximately 3.500 people past through the casting in Tudela on the 4^th of July. The filming of the scene for the Sixth Season will take place in September 2015. The Bardenas Reales are about 2 hours away by car from San Sebastián.

HBO begins filming Game of Thrones Season Six in Belfast in late July. Specifics on exactly what locations will be used in Girona and Peñiscola will be unveiled closer to the time of production around September 2015.

Last year the American show’s crew spent 12 days filming in Seville’s Real Alcázar palace to recreate the ‘Kingdom of Dorne’ in the series (an exotic land with a warm climate and an architectural style reminiscent of Arabian building design) and 13 days in Osuna shooting a scene of about four minutes. Cordoba’s Roman Bridge has also appeared in the show.

Here you find more about the Spanish locations of Game of Thrones from 2014:

• Alcázar de Sevilla: Alcázar de Sevilla, in style similar to Granada’s Alhambra, was the perfect spot to represent the Water Palaces of the Kingdom of Dorne. During the shot of Game of Thrones, Alcázar de Sevilla was transformed into the palatial private residence of Martell in the capital, Lanza del Sol. The place is surrounded by green gardens, beautiful pools (“Baños de Doña María”) and owns the Grotto of the Sultans. It is definitely worth to visit. At our school in Granada we regularly visit Seville for weekend trips.

• Plaza de toros de Osuna, Sevilla: You can see the bullring of Osuna in the fifth season, where Tyrion and Daenerys meet in the Arena of Meereen. Plaza de toros hosts one of the show’s biggest scenes and it is the most expensive series scene in the history of television.

• The Roman bridge in Cordoba: The fascinating Roman bridge in Cordoba represents the Long Bridge of Volantis during Game of Thrones. The scences were shot with several cameras and a drone to make it look even longer. The bridge is 247 meters long and it was built by imperial troops in the first century in order to replace the wooden one. At our school in Granada we regularly visit Cordoba for weekend trips.