So you want to move to Spain to learn Spanish and teach English, but you don’t know which location to pick. In this article, we go over some of the best Spanish cities to live in. Whether it’s the busy capital of Spain or a sunny coastal city, we’ll help you identify the unique advantages of living in each of our top picks.
So you want to move to Spain to learn Spanish and teach English, but you don’t know which location to pick. In this article, we go over some of the best Spanish cities to live in. Whether it’s the busy capital of Spain or a sunny coastal city, we’ll help you identify the unique advantages of living in each of our top picks.
Best Spanish cities: A programme that gets you there
If you want to move to Spain, the EBC Road2Spain programme is a great way to make it happen. It allows you to study Spanish at a Cervantes Institute accredited school with a one-year student visa. The programme also allows you to take an accredited TEFL course, which will get you English teaching certification accepted by language schools worldwide and the British Council, which works in more than 100 countries around the world.

Best Spanish cities: The EBC Road2Spain programme
What sets the EBC Road2Spain programme apart is that it is sustainable. Why do we say this? Thanks to the Spanish immigration law, Spanish student visa holders can legally work up to 30 hours a week. And they can do so directly with their student visas.
Before the recent changes to the immigration law, companies needed to file for a special permit that would allow a student visa holder to work. Now, however, it is much easier for both parties.
Taking the Road2Spain programme with the TEFL certification course will certify you to teach English in Spain and anywhere else in the world. Whether or not you have prior teaching experience, the EBC Trinity CertTESOL course will help you become an effective and much sought after English teacher.
Since teaching is not for everyone, you can also choose the one-year Spanish-only package. However, keep in mind that the price is the same as the one-year Spanish course that comes with the Trinity CertTESOL certification. When you put it on a weighing scale, you may want to consider getting certified to teach English.
After all, all EBC graduates get access to our lifetime, worldwide job placement programme. This is a great safety net to have. At any point in your life when you feel like you need a change of scenery or even an entire career change, this course will have your back.
Best Spanish cities: Study, work, and earn in Spain
The Trinity CertTESOL certification together with the Spanish immigration law will allow you to study, work, and earn at the same time. You can legally teach English in Spain while you are studying Spanish on your one-year programme. As long as your teaching hours don’t interfere with your class hours, you’re good. And the best part is that you get to choose the Spanish city to live in.
Best Spanish cities: The EBC Road2Spain options
The EBC Road2Spain programme allows you to choose among these locations:
- Madrid
- San Sebastian
- Barcelona
- Valencia
- Malaga
Each location comes with its own set of advantages. When it comes to deciding on a city to study Spanish and teach English in, you want to choose one that aligns with your personality, needs, and goals.
With that, let’s go over what makes each of these Spanish cities unique.

Best Spanish cities: Study and teach in Madrid
If you like the hustle and bustle of life in the big city, Madrid is a great place to choose. It is the capital of Spain, so it’s very international and cosmopolitan. Being the heart of Spain, it’s a busy place, so you will never run out of fun things to do.
On the business side, it’s an international hub for companies, so living in this Spanish city naturally comes with a lot of networking opportunities. From international institutions to language exchange meet-ups (with wine), if you’re looking for something more aligned with globalisation, Madrid will not disappoint.
It’s also a very good central location regarding travel. It’s easy to find international flights that depart from Madrid and vice versa. Madrid is also relatively easy to get to from any other point in Spain. After all, it is the Spanish capital.

Best Spanish cities: Study and teach in San Sebastian
San Sebastian, located on the northern coast of Spain in the Basque Country, is heaven on earth for food lovers. The city is the food capital of Spain and is also known for its beautiful natural landscape. Its beaches and nature parks make it an ideal location for people who like the outdoors and sports.
Imagine getting to learn Spanish and teach English in such a serene natural paradise!

Best Spanish cities: Study and teach in Barcelona
If you’re looking for something international and innovative, Barcelona is a great Spanish city to live in. Filled with architectural masterpieces like the Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, or even Palau Guell, you will find all of these in the same city.
Barcelona is also a very multicultural place, so for anyone looking for a Spanish city where there is a lot of diversity, this is a great option to go with. Furthermore, you will find many other international students, as the city is a popular destination among people pursuing their studies abroad.
The cosmopolitan hub is also a great place to find internships with international companies, since Barcelona is known as a startup hub. Studying Spanish and teaching English in this diverse city is bound to be one of the best experiences of your life.

Best Spanish cities: Study and teach in Valencia
If you’re someone who loves the beach, then Valencia is the dream you can turn into reality. Located on the east coast of Spain, it’s known for having a great climate throughout the year. This means that while summers are warm to hot, winters are mild.
Besides being a beautiful place, Valencia is also a popular destination among international students. Furthermore, prices in this city are pretty cheap, making it an affordable place to live in.
If you’re looking for a Spanish city that is cost-efficient with a great climate, Valencia is a great option to go with. Oh, not to mention the world-renowned paella! Seafood lovers are in for a real treat should they choose to study Spanish and teach English in this city.

Best Spanish cities: Study and teach in Malaga
Located in southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol, Malaga is a great sunny place to live in. It also has a rich cultural history, as it is located in the Andalucian community. The south of Spain has a lot of influences from various civilisations embedded into its culture, including Moorish and Roman influences.
If you’re looking for something a little more laid back but not entirely secluded, then Malaga is a great Spanish city to choose. Its weather, proximity to the coast, and historical variety make it a true gem in the sunny south of Spain.
It’s also close to famous Andalucian cities like Granada, where you can find the famous Alhambra, and even Cordoba, where you can find the Mosque Cathedral. Sevilla, where you can find the Giralda, is also just a drive away from Malaga. You can’t go wrong with this city!
Best Spanish cities: Move to Spain
Now that we’ve gone over the different advantages of living in the Spanish city options of the EBC Road2Spain programme, all you have to do is choose. After picking the right one for you, send us a message, and we’ll help you get started! ¡Hasta pronto!