Beaches, sun and good food are just some of the reasons that make Spain a desired destination for millions of international tourists. According to data from the National Statistics Institute, 2017 broke records, around 82 million foreign tourists visited Spain, 8.9% more than in 2016.
Proof of this is that more and more families and international students are choosing our country to receive a quality education and live new experiences. Each one will have their own reasons for choosing Spain as their destination, but there are some that mark our character.
Most emblematic cities
Madrid: It is the capital of Spain. With more than 3 million people, it is the city with the greatest cultural offer in the country: monuments, nature, museums and countless youth activities throughout the year. After London and Berlin, it is the largest capital city in Europe. The Royal Palace, the Prado Museum or the Thyssen Museum are two of the most visited tourist attractions.
Barcelona: Cosmopolitan and open to the Mediterranean Sea, it stands out for its vanguardist character and architectural works with a singular style recognized all over the world, with constructions by Dalí or Gaudí. The charcuterie or bread with tomatoes makes its gastronomy a delight for the millions of tourists who visit the city every year.
Valencia: Paella and Fallas make Valencia the third most important city in Spain. The City of Arts and Sciences, the tourist emblem of the city, is the most modern and cultural area. It has a science museum, a reference aquarium in Europe and several complexes dedicated to the arts.
The weather
The weather in Spain has many contrasts, so that visitors can choose the one that best adapts to their preferences. The north is humid and hot, the centre offers somewhat colder winters and hot summers, the east and south of the peninsula have shorter winters and warmer temperatures for most of the year. The Spanish summer invites you to enjoy a wide variety of beaches on the Cantabrian Sea, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
Gastronomy
The Mediterranean diet is known for its variety and its main ingredient, olive oil, which makes it healthier. Vegetables, meat, fish and rice are the basis of Spanish gastronomy. It has many typical dishes depending on the area of the country, but the best known are the Valencian paella, Andalusian gazpacho, potato omelette or Iberian ham, without forgetting of course tapas, small portions of food to share available in any bar in the country.
It has many typical dishes depending on the area of the country, but the best known are the Valencian paella, Andalusian gazpacho, potato omelette or Iberian ham, without forgetting of course tapas, small portions of food to share available in any bar in the country.
Spanish culture and traditions
Spain is a monarchical state with a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages, when, through the union of the kingdoms of Castile, Leon, Aragon, Navarre and Granada, it became a unique state.
In addition to its history, Spain can boast an immense artistic and cultural heritage. Throughout the country you can find emblematic monuments with centuries of life such as the mosque of Cordoba, the Alhambra in Granada or the Alcazar in Toledo.
Flamenco and bullfighting mark the Spanish tradition. Flamenco was born in Andalusia, a southern region where the art of dancing Sevillanas is learned from childhood. Bullfights can be seen in almost any part of the country. In Spain there is a lot of street life. The days are longer as it is eaten between 2 pm and 3 pm and dinner is not usually served before 9 pm. The popular festivals such as the “Carnavales”, “Fallas” or the “San Fermines” mark a very complete festive calendar.
It has many typical dishes depending on the area of the country, but the best known are the Valencian paella, Andalusian gazpacho, potato omelette or Iberian ham, without forgetting of course tapas, small portions of food to share available in any bar in the country.
Education
Education in Spain has three types of offer, public, subsidised and private schools. The latter are oriented to the internationalization of their studies. Students seek to obtain international curricula based on a complete and quality education, based on bilingualism. This opens the doors to new international students and promotes exchange programs and student mobility in our country. The private schools have a varied curricular program that is adapted to foreign students.
