What are the best and most interesting cities to go to in Spain?

• Barcelona - Barcelona really has everything to offer: architecture, culture, shopping, beautiful parks, a lively nightlife and nice beaches. The ideal city for a city trip or a weeks-long vacation. Barcelona is the city of the famous architect Gaudí. Other attractions are the Ramblas, a long street running to the monument of Columbus, and Camp Nou, FC Barcelona's soccer stadium.
• Madrid - The city contains numerous museums and galleries, parks and gardens. A must see is the Royal Palace, Madrid Cathedral and the Templo de Debod, which is one of the few Egyptian structures in Europe. Get great views of the city at the Faro de Madrid tower or stroll through the La Latina neighborhood. Furthermore, the Gran Via is highly recommended, this is considered the Broadway of Madrid. Madrid has a nightlife like you experience in few places, open-air nightclubs, flamenco bars, terrazas (open-air café) and hip clubs where you can spot soccer players.
• Malaga - Right on the southern coast of Spain is Malaga. It is the port city of Andalusia and the largest city on the Costa del Sol. In Malaga, you can easily combine a city break with a sun vacation. With dozens of museums, the Picasso museum is the most famous. Other important sights are the Roman theater, the Moorish fortress and the covered markets. Tasty seafood restaurants and tapas bars are everywhere in this port city.
• Salamanca - Go out in Salamanca. Salamanca is a well-hidden city in the Spanish interior, and with its international and Spanish students, it is the student city of Spain. The most famous nightlife spots are in the historic center and Plaza Mayor. Every bar, pub and club here has its own setting.
• San Sebastian - Surfers all over the world come to this place to surf. By now it is part of daily life here and so (from spring to fall) many surfing competitions are held.
• Seville - The historic center of Seville is full of monuments, museums and romantic parks. The most famous structure in Seville is the Real Alcazar, Seville's royal palace with beautiful gardens. Or visit the Plaza de Espana, the park Maria Luisa and the Cathedral of Seville. For nightlife, this is also a great place to go, flamenco originated here and throughout the city you can visit typical flamenco bars. 
• Valencia - Valencia's cathedral is famous for its different architectural styles. At the Mercado Central, the largest market in all of Europe, you can really buy and taste everything or spend a whole day on the beach in the summer. A modern attraction is the Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias, otherwise known as "the City of Arts and Sciences. During the festival Las Fallas in March, Valencia is the place to be.

What are the highlights to see in Spain?

• Alhambra and Albayzin in Granada - Granada is known for its Moorish culture found throughout the city. The Alhambra palace and fortress belonged to the Moorish rulers in Granada and is a real must-see. The Albayzin is the Arab neighborhood in the city of Granada. Here you can still find a traditional souk and several Arab restaurants.

What are the best activities to do in Spain?

• Visit soccer match - Football is an important sport in Spain. Because of the rivalry, soccer matches between the country's administrative center, Madrid, and the country's economic heart, Barcelona, get a lot of attention. But any soccer match in Spain is an experience to witness.
• Take a dance class in Spain - Salsa classes are held all over Spain, and it is often possible to join a free class. Flamenco is a popular dance in the south, with Seville being the "Flamenco capital. Try to find a smaller performance, which are often free and hidden in basements or unfamiliar buildings.

What are the customs in Spain regarding food?

• Dinner is eaten late during the evening, 9 PM is general time to start. 
• Many people love Spanish food, especially tapas. Spaniards eat as many as four times in a day.
• Breakfast (el desayuno) is usually toasted bread with an espresso in a café. The most important meal of the day is lunch (la comida), which is taken extensively between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. in the afternoon. It is a hot meal, for example Paella. The third meal is the snack (la merienda) which is eaten when we Dutch think of dinner, namely between 6:00 and 7:00 pm. The fourth and last meal is dinner (la cena), which starts at 10:00 p.m. and is a bit lighter than lunch. Tipping is common in Spain, and is usually just included in the price.

What are the best recipes in Spain?

• There are many regional specialties in Spain. For example, a lot of fish is eaten in the Canary Islands and gazpacho (cold soup) in Andalusia. A lot of spices are used. The most famous dish from Spain is paella, which is usually made with fish or chicken. Tapas are Spanish appetizers. Tortilla de Patatas, these are tortillas made from potatoes and egg.
• Typical food is tapas! It is shared with drinks. Tapas are small dishes. In many ways served from the counter or from the menu: grilled pimiento, manchego, chorizo, patatas bravas, tortilla.
• A dessert that Spaniards love is flan, a soft custard made of eggs topped with a caramel sauce.
• Typical Catalan dishes are rabbit with vineyard snails and Catalan sausage (butifarra) with white beans.
• Paella: A rice dish with chicken and fish, peppers and various seafood

What are the best drinks in Spain?

• A truly Spanish drink is sangría.This is a mix of red wine, sugar, cognac and various (fresh) fruits.If the fruits such as orange segments, grapes and melon have sat in the mix a little longer, the flavor has also soaked into the fruits.
• Spain is also known for its local wines, good wines are the Rioja and the Navarra.
• Cava is the most famous sparkling wine from Catalonia made in exactly the same way as Champagne.
• Want something to drink without alcohol?Then ask for Mosto (white grape juice).
• It is not recommended to drink tap water. You can just get bottled water in the supermarket.

What are notable holidays and festivals in Spain?

• Las Fallas - In Valencia from March 15 to 19. Large statues are made by locals, usually of papier-mâché. During this festival there are large parades, paella competitions, fireworks and lots of churros eaten. On the last day, the statues are set on fire.
• Semana Santa - Or Holy Week takes place a week before Easter. In Andalusia this is celebrated in a big way, furthermore processions are held in many cities.The death of Jesus and atonement take center stage here.
• Sanfermines - From July 6 to 14, international running of the bulls in Pamplona. There are also fireworks, music and parades every morning.
• Fería de Abril - This is one of the highlights of Seville's cultural calendar and is held in late April/early May. This festival is a combination of music (flamenco!), a market and a fair.
• La tomatina (the tomato festival) - This festival is held annually in the village of Buñol, near Valencia. The tomato field battle attracts some 40,000 participants and is a spectacular event to witness. (Watching is also possible, but put on old clothes).
• Belief in Spain: Eat a grape, every hour the clock makes a sound on new year's eve. Twelve times and it will bring you prosperity.

What are the notable habits in Spain?

• Siesta-Nap and relax time (shops are generally closed) when the sun is shining between 2.30 and 4.30 PM.
• Tapas-Shared with drinks and in company, small dishes. In many ways served from the counter or from the menu: grilled pimiento, manchego, chorizo, patatas bravas, tortilla.
• Dinner is eaten late during the evening, 9 PM is general time to start. 
• Flamenco-Dance from Andalusia, with costumes and music with a soul.
• Silvester evening: they will eat 12 grapes when the clock counts at midnight. When the clock ticks every count, one grape. It brings properity. Inside information: do not chew on the grape, otherwise your mouth will be full with residu. 
• With Silvester: your underwear is the colour red, the next year will be lucky! When you are serious about this, burn your red underwear at midnight. And put money in your shoes, before midnight. 
• Would you like to travel in the new year, make sure you walk around your suitcase. Chances are higher to make beautiful trips! 
• In the New Year: "Feliz ano" is wished with a glass of cava (the Spanish champagne).
• Kisses (two) are common as a greeting, also when you don't know each other well.
• Manana, manana means tomorrow, in general do not stress out and take it easy. Do not worry the Spanish are not so strict with their punctuality, being late is common.
• Cursing and talking loud is part of the culture. Often you can just follow conversations on the street.

Why study, do an internship, volunteer or work temporarily in Spain?

• because places like Barcelona, Ibiza, Madrid, Malaga, Salamanca, Valencia are nice places to stay.
• because the work culture is generally Mediterranean.
• because it is the country of festivals and fiestas, where you can always find something fun to do.
• because if you actually spend some time in Spain, you will learn to speak Spanish faster.
• because if you speak Spanish (one of the most widely spoken languages in the world) it is a plus on your resume.
• because the Spanish government, in many ways, wants to encourage studying in Spain.
• because the education system in Spain is well regarded.
• because there is a wide range of courses available in both Spanish and English.

What should you pay attention to?

• be aware that the well-known bureaucracy can make things complicated and time-consuming to arrange.

How to stay safe and out of trouble in Spain?

• Spain is in general a safe country for travelers and tourists.
• Keep your wits about you though, as there are risks of being scammed.
• There are incidents of pickpockets or robberies in big cities and busy tourist spots. Avoid flaunting expensive jewellery, phones and bags. Keep valuables safe.
• Be wary of the distraction scam where you are approached by friendly enough people who distract you with questions, offers of flowers or a magic trick while their partners in crime empty your pockets.
• Bands of thieves have been known to operate on motorways either puncturing your tyres at rest stops or pretending to be police officers flagging you down on the pretext of there being something wrong with your car. Whilst helping you fix the tyre or inspecting the ‘problem’, the others take your valuables. Driving a rental or a car with a foreign plate will attract most scammers.
• Robbery is common in Spain, especially on highways, one should also be careful of criminals and fake cops. These usually drive into the back of your car to signal for you to stop. It is recommended to just keep driving or stop in a place where there are many other cars.
• In big cities, traffic can be somewhat chaotic and drivers can be flexible in following the rules.
• Even though possession of cannabis in small quantities and for personal use only is now legal, possession of large quantities or dealing any drugs (including cannabis) is strictly prohibited.
• A hidden threat is the burning sun. Protect yourself against sunstrokes and wear your sun hat to a Flamenco dance too.
• In the wintere it can be cold, bring warm clothes and a raincoat in winter.
• Check recent information on health measures and vaccinations.

What to look out for regarding natural disasters in Spain?

• Forest fires do occur, especially in summer or after long dry spells. Be careful when discarding cigarette butts and avoid starting open fires, use designated barbecues when available.
• Forest fires can cause a lot of damage, so be careful with open fires yourself. Earthquakes can occur in the Canary Islands.