The Concha Bay in San Sebastián, Spain

Learn Spanish in San Sebastian

Learn Spanish in San Sebastian, set on a sandy horseshoe bay in northern Spain, with stunning golden, sandy beaches & excellent surf all year round.

12 air-conditioned classrooms
Course materials purchased on-site
Terrace area
Library with multi-media learning materials
10 minutes’ walk from the beach
Free Wi-Fi
Accredited by the Cervantes Institute
Member of the FEDELE organisation
Wheelchair-accessible school with adapted bathroom facilities
Approved for Bildungsurlaub (various states), CSN, and Erasmus+ programmes

Our school in San Sebastian

If you want a location that offers world-famous restaurants, glorious beaches, and accessible arts and culture, look no further than San Sebastian! Our school is located in the centre of San Sebastian, with many shops, bars and amenities within easy walking distance. The picturesque La Concha beach is located just ten minutes away, and the old town around 20 minutes away. Head here for Pintxos (the Basque country’s version of tapas) - it is a way of life in San Sebastian and you will find delicious morsels laid out on all the bars, as well as hot options to order from the kitchens. Take a Pintxos tour to get tips from an expert on the best establishments to try and how to go about sampling all the small plates that take your fancy (our school sometimes offers this as an optional activity so keep an eye on the student information board for further details).

Surfing is also a popular pastime in this location, and Zurriola Beach offers great waves for surfers of all abilities. Surf lessons can be booked in addition to our Spanish language programme, but availability can be limited so we would recommend reserving your board and wetsuit with us in advance!

Our Spanish language school in San Sebastian, which boasts over 60 years of teaching experience, has 12 air-conditioned classrooms, all equipped with modern facilities. There is a terrace area where you can chat with fellow students during breaks, and library facilities that will help with homework and self-study. For your convenience, there is also free Wi-Fi throughout the building.

Photos

Learning Spanish
Friendly teachers
Outside the school
Room in student residence

San Sebastian

Come and join us on a Spanish course in San Sebastian, where you can experience a wonderful combination of both Spanish and Basque culture. Set on a sandy horseshoe bay on the northern coast of Spain, the city of San Sebastian boasts stunning golden beaches and, with excellent surf conditions all year round, is every surfer’s paradise!

San Sebastian is not just sparkling waters and golden sands - it is also a beautiful city of narrow streets, restaurants, bars and with a charming historic centre. The city is also an ideal base from which to explore the scenery of Spain’s northern coast and the Pyrenees Mountains whilst learning Spanish at our school.

San Sebastian became a popular destination in the mid-1800s, when Queen Isabel II visited to take saltwater baths on the advice of her doctors. The Spanish aristocracy quickly followed suit, establishing San Sebastian as a resort town and allowing the city to flourish both socially and economically. San Sebastian has a turbulent history and even being a favourite location of the elite wasn’t enough to prevent another outbreak of war. When peace was restored once more, the decision was made to focus the development of San Sebastian as a tourist resort rather than a manufacturing town. A visit to the San Telmo Museum (the Museum of Basque Society and Citizenship) will provide an insight into the history and evolution of your chosen study location.

From here take a hike up Monte Urgull - a pastime that should take around 30-40 minutes. The walk features physical evidence of the different historic periods that have shaped the city, and those that make the trip will be rewarded with photo opportunities aplenty, giving a different perspective of this beautiful city.

If you prefer a walk on the flat, head to Paseo Nuevo, a coastal walk that circles the base of Monte Urgull and is exposed to the full force of the Cantabrian Sea. Beware of rogue waves which can sometimes take unsuspecting walkers by surprise!

No text on San Sebastian would be complete without referencing the city’s astonishing 19 Michelin Stars, cementing its reputation as a foodie paradise! Many restaurants have tasting menus that offer excellent value for money, but if you want really want to get involved in the local gastronomy scene, enquire about the school’s Spanish and Cooking course.

Courses in San Sebastian

Available courses

    Our school in San Sebastian offers a wide range of Spanish courses, including an Intensive Spanish course of 20 lessons per week and a combined course of Intensive + Private Lessons, combining 20 group lessons 5 weekly Spanish lessons. If you would prefer more flexibility, why not consider a course of Private Lessons only? This is a great way to improve at a fast rate and focus on any areas of weakness you may have.

    We also offer an Intensive + Mini-Group course, allowing you to combine 20 weekly group lessons with 10 additional lessons in smaller groups.

    Not only do we offer Spanish courses in San Sebastian, but you can also learn to surf! Our Intensive + Surfing surf combines the 20 weekly Spanish lesson with 5 surf lessons per week. Or, if Spanish cuisine is more your thing, you can even take an Intensive + Cookery course.

    Special courses in San Sebastian

    Accommodation

    Available accommodation

      While on a Spanish course at our school in San Sebastian, you can stay with a local host family, where you will be sure to have a fully immersive experience! This accommodation option is available on a self-catering, bed and breakfast or half-board basis. Host family accommodation provides an insight into a typical Basque household, with all ‘family’ types being represented. You may stay with a couple, a single person and their pet, or a mother, father and children. If you have any preferences regarding your accommodation, please mention them at the time of booking and the accommodation officer at the school will try and take them into consideration when selecting your homestay. If necessary, special diets can be catered for with a small supplement. Bed linen and bath towels are provided but you should pack your own beach towels.

      Alternatively, if you would like more independence during your stay in San Sebastian, we also offer Student Residence and Shared Apartment accommodation.

      Shared apartment accommodation could mean a stay with local residents of San Sebastian, or with other students of the language school. Both have their advantages - a stay with other students is a very sociable experience but exposure to Spanish can be limited as many students revert to English or other languages when in mixed company, whereas a stay with a Spanish host offers a more authentic experience but can mean that you aren’t staying with your classmates. You will have your own bedroom and will share the public areas of the apartment with the person or people you are staying with. Bed linen is provided but you should pack your own bathroom and beach towels.

      In San Sebastian it is not uncommon to use public transport to travel between the accommodation and the language school, although there are a few host family homes and apartments within walking distance.

      The student residence is just over 3 km from the school and the city centre but is well connected by public transport or bike path. The rooms are simply furnished and have a private bathroom, desk, telephone and Wi-Fi. The residence also benefits from a gym, sauna, study rooms, library, basketball and paddle tennis courts, ping-pong tables, table football and billiards and a garden and seating area. If you would like to book a meal plan it is possible to add breakfast, half-board or full board to the booking. Meals are taken at the on-site cafeteria. This accommodation option becomes fully booked far in advance so we would recommend contacting us as early as possible if interested in staying in the residence. Bed linen and bath towels are provided.

      Activities

      Take part in the school’s activity programme, where you can practise Spanish, experience local culture and make friends from all over the world! Activities on offer do vary, but may include things like international evenings, city tours, wine-tasting, film evenings, parties and excursions in and around San Sebastian.

      How to get there

      The nearest international airport to our Spanish language school in San Sebastian is Biarritz, which is just over 48 km away. Transfers to San Sebastian can be arranged from this airport, Bilbao, or San Sebastian, or from Irun/Hendaye station.

      Location: central San Sebastián
      Nearest convenience store: 50 m
      Nearest café: 30 m
      Nearest bus stop: 76 m (Urbieta 58)
      Distance from airport: 48.3 km (Biarritz Airport)
      Distance from train station: 600 m to Donostia-San Sebastián and 250 m to Amara Donostia


      Location of our school in San Sebastian

      Course

      4.3 / 5
      Accommodation

      4.0 / 5
      School Staff

      4.6 / 5
      Average score for our school in San Sebastian based on 41 previous client reviews.

      Student reviews & feedback

      Private lessons with Host Family
      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      I had private lessons so it wasn't a standard course. I had a teacher and we had lessons in the class and lessons outside, on walks. She understood my main priority was speaking so we talked most of the time and practiced areas I was less strong in.

      My hosts were delightful and made me feel like one of the family. They took me out to a film and to what they considered "authentic" pinxhos bars. Couldn't have asked for more.

      Intensive 20 + Surfing with Shared Apartment
      Course
      Accommodationn/a
      School Staff

      Liked the way to teach. I learnt a lot.

      Intensive 20 with Host Family
      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      Excellent, friendly teachers who strived to stretch my knowledge of Spanish in a supportive manner. My accommodation
      was perfectly equipped for private study. Clean, well appointed flat within walking distance of the school. Spanish family were extremely friendly and cooked well.

      Intensive 20 with Shared Apartment
      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      I really enjoyed my course. The staff were very friendly and very helpful during the class. However I would say that the school wasn't as flexible as some other schools - you could not change classes as easily as I know you can at other schools.

      The flat that I stayed in was quite nice and very central. The land lady was very kind and happy to speak with me in my terrible Spanish!!!

      San Sebastian is a beautiful city with a great beach to walk along for some beautiful views. There were quite a few school led activities to do around the town.

      Intensive 20 + Private lessons
      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      Teaching was generally good, The one-to-one sessions were particularly excellent, the post-class activities were useful in helping get to know other students and the city.

      The accommodation was basic but comfortable, friendly, reasonably well-located. Good value considering it was high season.

      San Sebastian is sensational.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      I found the school very friendly and efficient. The accomodation was in a spacious flat right in the centre of the town, 5 minutes from the beach, 10 minutes from the old quarter and 15 minutes from the school. My room was clean, larger than expected very bright and cheery.Very sunny.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      The course was a great expereince because it allowed me to meet many fun people!! I had a host family who were very friendly and welcoming! It really helped to try and practice what I had learnt during the day with the family. It helps if you do the activites the school offers because it's a quick and easy way to get to know people.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      The teachers and staff were very professional I feel that even though I only took classes for 2 weeks it gave me a good start to learning spainsh the school

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      I did the intensive + 5 course and it was perfect for me. We went at a great pace and had a really fun atmosphere in the classroom, and the individual lessons allowed me to tailor what i wanted to do which was important as i was only there a week. the teachers were fab.

      I was so lucky with my host family who were kind, attentive and full of advice to an extent way beyond the call of duty! there were very patient with me attempting to string together sentences and even drove me to the station when i had to go home!

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      Had 2 teachers - 1 excellent, 1 good. Classes were fun & I learned a lot. Accomodation was fine for 1 week but was a bit basic for longer e.g. single shower/bathroom for 3. San Seb is an outstanding location and I'd recommend it to anybody

      Intensive 20 with Shared Apartment
      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      Excellent teachers who explained well, kept a good rhythm to the class and created a good atmosphere. Probably the best foreign language teachers I've had (and I've been to quite a few language schools).

      Accommodation in a great location, clean room and friendly host.

      Thanks for arranging the course at the last minute for me.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      I like the quality of the teachers at the Lacunza School. The placement test is well done and leads to small homogenous groups. I would like to do another course there. Accommodation was nice, in the middle of old San Sebastian. Host lady was 73 years old, but very energetic and friendly!

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      Really good teaching on the teachers' course - very inspiring and gave me lots of ideas. Also good for my Spanish (which is my 4th language!) Good - nice apartment. Flat mates were really nice but found the age difference more difficult as they wanted to go clubbing every night! However, I also got to speak loads of French with 2 of them which was good, but maybe better for my Spanish if I had stayed with a native speaker. San Sebastian is an amazing place!

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      A great life experience! The classes were enjoyable and useful. The teachers were friendly and well trained. My family were perfect and the location too.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      I enjoyed all the classes, the teachers were knowledgable and dedicated and the staff were friendly and always helpful. I stayed with a host family and they were wonderful. I always felt safe and comfortable. We got along very well.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      San Sebastian course was an amazing experience. My spanish improved so much and I felt I learnt the necessary areas. As well as that, I made so many friends from all over the world! My host family have to be the best host family in the world! They were very kind and we learnt alot from talking to them at home.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      I learned more in the last month in Spain than i have in at least the last two years of school in Ireland. The classes were brilliant and the teachers were lovely. I was very impressed with my accomadation; the house was perfect, the family were very warm and welcoming, I learned a lot from them, and the food was excellent. I couldn't have asked for more.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      I only studied at the school for one week, but I found just what I was looking for. A range of interesting lessons at the right level for me and some friendly, lively teachers. This is a great way to visit spain and I will do it again.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      The course is really personal and especially the private courses are really helpful. The accommodation was good and it was nice to taste the real Spanish dinner. I love San Sebastian!!

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      Very enjoyable - learned a lot and the classes were well prepared and structured. Lots of talking in Spanish which also helped to improve my skills.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      The course was good, with a careful initial assessment and placing in the right class. All teachers were good and clearly communicated with each other between classes. My hosts were welcoming and charming. San Sabastian is a wonderful city.

      School statistics

      Nationality (%)


      France (9)
      Germany (11)
      Ireland (5)
      Italy (4)
      Netherlands (11)
      Russia (3)
      Sweden (3)
      Switzerland (7)
      Uk (8)
      Usa (27)

      Average Student Numbers

      * Statistics considered correct at the time of publishing

      Student stories on our blog

      San Sebastian – Top 10

      San Sebastian is a wonderful city to live and to study in. Having lived there for five months, I will let you in on some of the best bits of the city:

      1. Food! (pintxos, pintxos, pintxos)

      San Sebastian is known worldwide for it’s Michelin star restaurants (try Mugaritz and Arzak). It is also famous for it’s specifically basque take on tapas, called Pintxos.  Read more...

      Prices for San Sebastian

      Choose your course below to view our prices in pounds sterling (GBP), US dollars (USD) or euros (EUR).

      (b) = start dates suitable for complete beginners and all other levels
      IALC Partner
      ALTO
      WYSE Travel Confederation
      WYSE Work & volunteer abroad
      Our schools are rated  (4.59/ 5) based on 3984 customer reviews!
      Read in: | EN | FR | DE | IT | NL | ES

      Apple Language Courses

      Unit 12, The Office Village
      North Road

      Loughborough
      Leicestershire
      LE11 1QJ
      England


      T: 01509 211 612
      E: info@applelanguages.com

      Contact Numbers.

      United Kingdom United Kingdom01509 211 612
      Ireland Ireland01 6950417
      Italy Italy800 699 791
      Netherlands Netherlands020 7036459
      Spain Spain91 1140113
      United States United States646 652 0770
      International International+44 1509 211 612

      Sign up for our newsletter

      We accept

      Visa Mastercard Maestro American Express iDeal

      Apple Language Courses Company Number: 08311373
      VAT Number: 152 4085 30
      © Apple Language Courses Ltd 2024