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.
Prices & dates for San Sebastian
Why learn Spanish in San Sebastian?
Join us for a Spanish course in San Sebastian, where you can immerse yourself in the rich blend of Spanish and Basque cultures. Nestled along a sandy horseshoe bay on Spain's northern coast, San Sebastian features breathtaking golden beaches and year-round excellent surf conditions, making it a surfer's paradise.
But San Sebastian offers more than just beautiful beaches. The city is filled with narrow streets, vibrant restaurants, and lively bars, all set within a charming historic center. It also serves as a perfect base for exploring the stunning landscapes of Spain’s northern coast and the Pyrenees Mountains while you learn Spanish at our school.
San Sebastian gained popularity in the mid-1800s when Queen Isabel II visited for saltwater baths on her doctors' advice. The Spanish aristocracy soon followed, transforming the city into a thriving resort town. Despite its appeal to the elite, San Sebastian faced challenges during turbulent times. After peace returned, the focus shifted to developing the city as a tourist destination rather than a manufacturing hub. A visit to the San Telmo Museum, which showcases Basque society and citizenship, will deepen your understanding of the city’s history and evolution.
For a bit of adventure, hike up Monte Urgull, which takes about 30-40 minutes. This trail reveals remnants from various historical periods that have shaped the city, and those who make the trek will be rewarded with stunning views and plenty of photo opportunities.
If you prefer a flatter walk, stroll along Paseo Nuevo, a coastal path that hugs the base of Monte Urgull and offers breathtaking views of the Cantabrian Sea. Just be cautious of unexpected waves that can catch walkers off guard!
No discussion of San Sebastian would be complete without mentioning its impressive 19 Michelin Stars, solidifying its status as a culinary haven. Many restaurants offer tasting menus that provide excellent value, but if you want to dive deeper into the local food scene, ask about our Spanish and Cooking course.
About our San Sebastian school
If you're seeking a destination known for its renowned restaurants, stunning beaches, and vibrant arts and culture, San Sebastian is the perfect choice! Our school is centrally located, with shops, bars, and amenities just a short walk away. The beautiful La Concha beach is only ten minutes from us, while the charming old town is about a twenty-minute stroll. Don’t miss out on Pintxos, the Basque version of tapas, which is a beloved tradition in San Sebastian. You’ll find an array of delicious small bites displayed in bars, along with hot dishes available to order. Consider joining a Pintxos tour to learn from an expert about the best places to visit and how to enjoy these delightful small plates. Our school occasionally offers this as an optional activity, so be sure to check the student information board for updates.
Surfing is another popular activity here, and Zurriola Beach provides excellent waves for surfers of all skill levels. You can book surf lessons alongside our Spanish language program, but spots can fill up quickly, so we recommend reserving your board and wetsuit in advance!
Our Spanish language school in San Sebastian has over 60 years of teaching experience and features 12 air-conditioned classrooms equipped with modern amenities. During breaks, you can relax and chat with fellow students on our terrace, and our library facilities are available to assist with homework and self-study. For your convenience, we also offer free Wi-Fi throughout the building.
Location of our school in San Sebastian
What is the best Spanish course 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
What accommodation is available in San Sebastian?
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.
Available activities in San Sebastian
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 to our school in San Sebastian
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.
4.3 / 5
4.1 / 5
4.6 / 5
San Sebastian: Student reviews & feedback
Club 50+ with Host family
I would like to thank you and inform you that I had a splendid two weeks in the school in San Sebastian.
Everything was very interesting and very pleasant! I am happy with the choise and the collaboration.
- R. Van Bavel
Intensive + Mini-group with Shared apartment
The Spanish course in San Sebastian was absolutely fantastic and the teachers were brilliant and fun. I learnt a lot. I wish I could have stayed longer but unfortunatelly I had to return to work.
I stayed in a shared appartment that was very close to the school - just 6 minutes walk, very central and close to everything. It was clean, modern, quiet, had two bathrooms and the kitchen was very well equiped. I could not ask for more, it was absolutely fantastic.
- J. Gerrard
Private lessons with Host Family
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.
- G. Fisher
Intensive 20 + Surfing with Shared Apartment
Liked the way to teach. I learnt a lot.
- H. Karlstrom
Intensive 20 with Host Family
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.
- J. Molloy
Intensive 20 with Shared Apartment
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.
- D. Bridges
Intensive 20 + Private lessons
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.
- G. Moore
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.
- P. Durkin
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.
- C. Versavel
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
- L. Ballard
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!
- M. Jones
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
- W. Byrne
Intensive 20 with Shared Apartment
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.
- C. Pearson
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!
- E. Jette
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!
- S. Whiteman
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.
- R. Quinn
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.
- K. Murphy
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.
- L. Medbury
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.
- S. Cummins
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.
- H. Whelan
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!!
- N. Gijzen
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.
- J. Mccurdy
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.
- S. Remington
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
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...
Mount Igeldo, Mount Urgull and lots and lots of walking – San Sebastian
For the past couple of months, I have been suggesting to guests at my workplace that they go and catch the views over San Sebastian at the top of either Monte Igeldo or Monte Urgull. I finally got the chance to go and do this myself and I’m pleased to report that they did not disappoint!
Read more...Sunrise and Sunset – beaches in San Sebastian
[caption id="attachment_3676" align="" width="250"]
Playa de la Concha[/caption]
So far I’ve been in San Sebastian for a little over one month. As mentioned in my intro I am here with Apple Languages to focus on pushing my Spanish language skills to the next level! Whilst I’m here I will be exploring the city and letting you in on what it’s really like to live and study Spanish in San Sebastian!
Read more...
United Kingdom
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Spain
United States
International
Company Number: 08311373
