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Gap Year Programs in Spain

Sipping sangrias, dancing the flamenco, and exploring diverse architectural styles — aww, sííí, why not live the good life with a gap year in Spain? ¡Es la caña! With 44 World UNESCO Heritage sites, hundreds of fiestas, and millions of Spanish speakers, you’ll experience something new every day. Give yourself a break from the hubbub of school or work to create a better version of yourself, learn some Spanish, and make lifelong friends. Take it despacito with a gap year abroad in Spain: lounging on beaches, exploring palaces, and savoring gazpacho on warm, sunny days.
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85 Gap Year Programs in Spain

Seamester

Featured Provider of the Month

The Intern Group - Spain
9.3689 reviews

The Intern Group

The Intern Group logo
International Internships in Madrid

We provide first-class international internships in Madrid! We ha...

See All 2 Programs
CIEE Gap Year Spain
9.52 reviews

CIEE High School Grads Abroad

CIEE Gap Year in Seville, Spain: Spanish Language & Culture

Your gap year in Seville offers the perfect balance of structure ...

See All 4 Programs
Spain
103 reviews

Impact Gap Year

Impact Gap Year logo
Cultural Explorer Gap Year

Take on an 8-month trip of adventure, community service, and comm...

See All 2 Programs
Traditional Dance in Spain - IGS
8.333 reviews

Institute for Global Studies

Institute for Global Studies logo
Spain’s Most Interesting Internships: Over 41 Options

Travel to Spain where some of our best-reviewed internships take ...

See All 15 Programs
Spain
00 reviews

EF Education First

EF Education First logo
EF Language Year Abroad – Malaga, Spain

Immerse yourself in the Spanish language and Mediterranean lifest...

See All 6 Programs
Spain
9.55793 reviews

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 9...

See All 3 Programs
9.6837 reviews

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

GoEco - Top Rated & Award Winning Volunteer Programs Abroad

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with awa...

See All 7 Programs
9.7651 reviews

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

Seamester Study Abroad and Gap Year Voyages

Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more th...

See All 3 Programs
9.6444 reviews

Semester at Sea

Semester at Sea: Global Study Abroad on a Floating Campus

Unlike traditional study abroad or tourism experiences, Semester ...

See All 2 Programs
9.229 reviews

Gapforce

Europe Tour with Gapforce

Experience the ultimate European adventure every summer, travelin...

101 reviews

Linguistic Horizons

Gap Year: Spanish or English Language Immersion

Take a life-changing gap year abroad with Linguistic Horizons! We...

9.56 reviews

Spanish Institute for Global Education

Study Abroad in Seville: Full-Semester Study Abroad Programs

Would you like to embark on a life-changing university experience...

00 reviews

Where There Be Dragons

Morocco & Spain Semester: Culture & Borderlands (Gap)

Experience the westernmost outpost of the Arab world. Travel from...

9.6746 reviews

Absolute Internship

Intern in Madrid with Absolute Internship

Spend a rewarding summer during this award-winning internship opp...

9.4646 reviews

Academic Programs International

API: Experience Granada, Spain (Scholarships Available)

Beautiful Granada is the capital city in the province of Granada....

See All 5 Programs
9.6411 reviews

IES Abroad

IES Abroad - Study Abroad in Spain

Studying abroad in Spain with IES Abroad means immersive cultural...

00 reviews

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Study Abroad at UAB: GAP Semester/Year

Sign up for this gap year program, which provides the opportunity...

9.8513 reviews

Centro MundoLengua

Gap Year Program in Spain

What makes a great gap year in Spain? Adventure, new culture, exp...

9.42163 reviews

Intern Abroad HQ

Affordable Internships in Spain | Intern Abroad HQ

Intern in Spain with Intern Abroad HQ and experience award-winnin...

See All 6 Programs
00 reviews

Soccer Camps International

Youth Summer Soccer Camp with Pro Club in Barcelona, Spain

Soccer Camps International’s selection of Spanish soccer camps (f...

A Guide to Gap Year in Spain

Best Cities

Spain’s geography ranges from mountains to rivers to islands to coasts, but whatever city you’re in, you’re probably just a high-speed train ride or an economical flight away to another stunning place. The best gap year destinations in Spain that offer a variety of programs include Barcelona, Seville, and Madrid. 

Barcelona. Let the seaside city of Barcelona brisk you away with its Mediterranean fresh air, dramatic Gothic architecture, and salivating gastronomical delights. As one of the largest financial capitals of the world, Barcelona offers gappers internships in a variety of fields to get their feet wet in the office while you soak in the sun outside of the office. Experience the whimsical Park Güell, the jaw-dropping sight of the Sagrada Familia, and the succulent paella. 

Seville. Slip into your heels and shimmy on over to this historic city with some of the biggest flamenco dance events in the world. From the Moorish-Renaissance palace Alcazár to the Plaza de España, Seville will overwhelm you with its gorgeous baroque and modern architecture. Seville offers gappers small-group private Spanish classes to help you acquire skills in this romantic language. Cobbled alleys lined with orange trees, tapas ricas, and local museums makes this city a cultural haven.

Madrid. The third largest European city and capital lies in the heart of Spain. With a welcoming atmosphere, hot night scenes, and artistic sights, no day will be like the next. Madrid offers gappers language and art classes, internships, and volunteer opportunities. The royal palaces, legendary cocktail bars, artistic masterpieces, and plazas and parques will sweep you off your feet. Some of most delicious food in Spain is here from huevos rotos to chocolate con churros to orejas a la plancha.

Popular Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! You can take a gap year in Spain. However, if you want to spend an entire 12 months in Spain, you will need to explore which long stay visas you're eligible for, as a typical tourist visa only lasts for 90 days.

It depends on what the focus of your gap year will be and how long you actually intend to stay. For example, Spain offers both an Au Pair Visa and Working Holiday Visa, which have their own stipulations and requirements.

Benefits of taking a gap year in Spain include improved Spanish language skills, broadened horizons, and new perspectives. To enjoy the benefits of a gap year in Spain, be sure to be intentional and set goals for yourself.

The most popular types of gap year programs in Spain are au pair programs, language programs, and English teaching programs. However, in such a big country with so much to explore, you can do almost anything with a gap year in Spain!

Popular destinations for a gap year in Spain are Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, and more. Spain is extremely popular with international students, and as such, there are tons of places that make great gap year destinations in Spain.

Latest Program Reviews

Best of both worlds

July 03, 2025by: Daniela Busse - GermanyProgram: Hybrid Spain by Train x Future Leaders Program
10

My daughter had a blast during her time with the hybrid Spain by Train and Future Leaders program! Extra language classes helped her deepen her Spanish skills, she saw so much of beautiful Spain and got exposed to its culture with hands-on activities. Her internship in Sustainability research & communication was hand-selected and incredibly helpful for her to crystallize a potential career direction. The Entrepreneurship program was a very effective introduction into the world of business and leadership. Arantxa is a gem and the team responsive, super friendly, and always helpful! Loved our experience with them and this amazing program.

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