Accommodation
We offer different types of accommodation for students doing a Spanish course at EIDE:
- Host families. We consider it is the best choice for short term students and for the first weeks in the case of students who come to do a long course.
- Room in a shared appartment. We offer rooms at our own appartment next to the school but also help the student find room in other shared appartments.
Room in Shared Appartment
Students can choose to hire a room in EIDE’s shared apartment. The apartment is 50 metres from the school. The building is modern, and the apartment is made of quality materials and very well preserved. There is a patio, sitting room and a shared kitchen, where students can socialise. There is the possibility of individual bedrooms and shared bedrooms with twin beds.
Once the long-stay students are here, EIDE can also help them find their own apartments or rooms in apartments shared with Spanish students. An average apartment usually has three bedrooms, a living-room, a kitchen and a bathroom. The rent of an apartment is usually between 700€ or 900€ per month. If three students share it, the price per person would be 250 € -300 € per month. Electricity, water supply, cleaning, etc. are not included in the price.
Host families
Host families are the best choice, no matter the age of the student. It is the best way to learn Spanish in Spain, as the students can practice their Spanish each and every day. At the same time, they learn the culture and the way of living. Students living with host families are also the ones who get to know the area better, as the families are usually the best guides.
We take great pride on our host families. They have been been carefully selected and we have visited them all. They will make students feel like a member of the family and help them make the most of their stay here.
We try to find the most suitable family for each student, in terms of age, hobbies, tastes, location and several other criteria.
Spanish Language in Bilbao
Spanish is the common language in Spain but there are other languages spoken in some regional areas. In regions such as Cataluña, Galicia or the Basque Country, both Spanish and the regional language are official languages. Even though the number of bilingual speakers in Bilbao is growing, Spanish is still the most widespread, it is know by everyone and used by the vast majority of the population in everyday life.
As for the variant of Spanish spoken in Bilbao, it is notable that people neatly articulate each vowel of every word, with the only exception of participles ending in – “ado”, which never fail to lose their “d” and lose one syllable: “comprao” instead of “comprado”(bought); “Olvidao” instead of olvidado (forgotten).
At grammatical level, the language in Bilbao meets morpho-syntactic standards and it is free of examples of “laismo” and “loismo”, so prevalent in Castilla and La Mancha. There is only a noticeable misuse of tenses in conditional sentences involving the “pretérito imparefecto del subjutivo” which is replaced with a conditional:
- “Si sabría la respuesta te la diría” (If I would know the answer I would tell you) instead of “Si supiera la respuesta te la diría” (If I knew the answer I would tell you)
This also refers to the “pretérito perfecto”:
- “Si habrían sabido la verdad te lo habrían dicho” (If they would have known the answer they would have told you) instead of “Si hubieran sabido la verdad te lo habrían dicho” (‘If they had known the answer they would have told you…’)
But the highlight of Spanish spoken in Bilbao is the very intonation and rhythm of all oral exchanges, the clarity of diction and superb correction.
At a socio-linguistic level, there are also peculiarities of the speech in Bilbao. The most important (shared by all the Basque Country) is the restricted use of formal ways of addressing involving ‘usted’ (only used in the Tourism and Hospitality industry). The use of ’tu’ is widespread in the whole Basque Country, which makes daily communication easier for foreigners.
Everyday sports and activities
Students who decide to study in EIDE have numerous options to practice sports daily at very affordable prices. Santurtzi, Bilbao and the area of Greater Bilbao boast a wide range of outdoor and outdoor sport facilities to suit the needs of our students. Sport is an important part of life in the Basque Country and although surfing, hiking and mountain are the main sports every town has a municipal sport center that provide every facility students can possibly imagine.
Everyday Sports in Santurtzi
Santurtzi sport center, located within 5 minutes walking distance from EIDE by the sea, has really good facilieties: Indoor and outdoor pools, outdoor heated swimming-pool, athletics track, tennis, padel and squash court, Spa, Pelota court and Gym.
Students who want to study in our school for a long period of time, can do:
- Annual Courses and Activities: September to June
- Quarterly Courses and Activities: autum, winter or spring term.
- 2-Week Summer Courses and activities: first or second fortnight in July.
Santurtzi Sport Center offers a broad program of activities such as:
- Swimming lessons twice a week: 45 € (without subscription) and 29,50 € (subscribers)/per month.
- Aquaerobic, designed swimming lessons: 45 € (without subscription) and 33,50 € (subscribers)/per month.
- Tai Chi, Pilates, Aikido, Body Complet, Yoga and Caribbean/Latin dances: 45 € (without subscription) and 33 € (subscribers)/per month.
- Padel: 55,5o € (without subscription) y 41,50 € (subscribers)/per month.
- Tennis: 55,50 € (without subscription) y 41,40 € (subscribers)/per month.
- Skating: 45 € (without subscription) y 33 € (subscribers)/per month.
Santurtzi Sport Center has plenty more activities to offer: hidrobike,aqua-fitness, synchronized swimming, spinning, body pump, aerobic, body bar, step, sinergy, stretching, multigym.
Everyday Sports in Bilbao
There are numerous sport centers in Bilbao to satisfy the needs of even the most avid sports fan. La Alhondiga is one of the most outstanding one. It was an old wine warehouse which recently opened as a culture and leisure centre.
The new centre includes a swimming pool with a big terrace, library, cinemas, exhibition hall, retail, leisure space and an underground parking garage.
Aqua courses: Aqua Mix, Aquasalud, Aguabox, Aqua Fitness, Cardio-Flippers, Pool Bike, Aquagap, Aquaerobic, Aquasalud, Aquapilates, Aquarunning, Swimming.
- 1 day a week:10, 70 €
- 2 days a week: 21, 40 €
- 3 days a week: 32,10 €
Free access to the Gym: 32.10 E with no limit of attendance.
Other sport centers in Santurtzi, Bilbao and the Greater Bilbao
Moving Around
Most places in Bilbao are within a maximum of 20 minutes walking distance. In Santurtzi, everything is in walking distance and even places such as the famous Transporter Bridge in Portugalete or the nearest Beach in Las Arenas, are at a 20-minutes and 30-minutes walk from Santurtzi respectively.
In addition, both Bilbao and Greater Bilbao are very well connected by train, metro or Bus.
The website http://moveuskadi.com/ advises about the best way to get anywhere by public transport.
Map and Distances:
- Bilbao Casco Viejo-Bilbao San Mamés (Bus Station): 5 minutes
- Bilbao San Mamés (Train Station) – Santurtzi: 22 minutes
- Bilbao San Mamés (Train Station) – Larrabasterra (Sopelana Beach): 29 minutes
- Santurtzi – Larrabasterra (Sopelana Beach): 44 minutes
Precios:
- Single ticket: 1 zona: 1,45 € – 2 zonas:1,60 € – 3 zonas: 1,70 €
- Day ticket: 4,60 €
- Barik: 1 zona: 0,78 € – 2 zonas:0,94 € – 3 zonas: 1,05 €. This ticket can be recharged. The cost is €3
- Other options: monthly ticket, youth ticket, 50 trips-per-month tickets. This options are good for students staying long periods and making a minimum of 2 trips per day
Map and Distances:
- Bilbao San Mamés (Bus Station) – Santurtzi: 16 minutes
- Bilbao Abando (Train Station) – Santurtzi: 22 minutes
Prices:
- Single ticket: 1,81 €
- Creditrans: 1,41 €
- Other options: Monthly pass
- Santurtzi – La Arena Beach : 19 minutes
- Santurtzi – Balmaseda (Medieval Town): 50 minutes
- Bilbao – Gernika-Lumo: 43 minutes
- Bilbao-Laga and Laida Beaches: 1 hour
Living in the greater Bilbao
Bilbao is the capital of Biscay, one of the 3 provinces of the Basque Country. Bilbao is part of Greater Bilbao, a conurbanation of 8 municipalities on both sides of the river Nervion, of which Bilbao is the Capital city. Santurtzi, where EIDE is located, is 14 km downriver, in the Bilbao Abra Bay.
Bilbao and Greater Bilbao are very well connected by frequent metros, buses and trains, everything is reacheable in less than 30 minutes.
The airport of Bilbao, only 10 minutes by car from the city centre, is the most important in the north of Spain: there are frequent flights to most important cities in Spain and many throughout Europe.
Castro Urdiales and Kobaron, a walk by the seaside trough the hsitery of the mines of Biscay
Gernika, where the history of Biscay began, and the impressive coastline
Inner Biscay
Medieval towns to learn the history of the Basque Country and old mine villages.
Bilbao and its area
Bilbao is the capital city of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in the north of Spain. It is also the capital of the Greater Bilbao, a conurbation of different municipalities around the estuary of the river of Bilbao of approximately 15 km long. The Greater Bilbao has a population of 875,552 and Bilbao city 353,187. A conurbation of this size is really like a city itself, and the different municipalities are like suburbs os the city. The city of Bilbao and the greater Bilbao are very well connected by different means of transport.
Bilbao and the Greater Bilbao are an excellent examples of urban regeneration. After the iron and steel industry felt into a crisis, the base of the economy had to be reconsidered. Bilbao and its surroundings experienced a radical change: the city became a city of services and a city for tourism.The economy recovered and the city bloomed, experiencing a physical transformation.
This area is a perfect place for learning Spanish in Spain. Tourist attractions, such as modern architecture, the sea, impressive beaches and the mountains, the gastronomy, the proximity to La Rioja, are one important ingredient. But we also have to consider that Bilbao attracts just the right number or tourists, so that the students will really be in a Spanish speaking environment. It is also very easy and fast to move from one place to another. Distances are short, most places are at walking distance and public transport is very modern. Most spots in the Greater Bilbao can be reached in 20-30 minutes. And last but not least, the Spanish spoken in Bilbao is very good, clear and easy to understand, with no mistakes or strong accent.
The following Video is a perfect summary of Bilbao and Biscay: a cosmopolitan region, with beautiful modern urban areas, sea and natural environment, but still who does not forget history and traditions.
How to arrive at Bilbao
Bilbao is the most well connected city in the north of Spain. Bilbao Airport is the most important airport in the area, and there are direct flights to main cities in Spain and also many in Europe. Important companies such as Iberia, Lufthansa, Air France or British Airways run frequent flights to and from Bilbao, any part of the world is reachable by plane from Bilbao. There are also some low cost airlines, such as Easy Jet y Ryan Air
The airport is only 15 Km from Bilbao city centre or 25 km from EIDE. It takes only 10 minutes by car to Bilbao or 20 to EIDE by car. There is a bus that goes every 30 minutes from Bilbao city centre, and taxis that cost between €20 and €40.
Another good option is Santander airport, about 90 km away and very well connected by bus with Bilbao. Ryan Air operates from this airport.
Direct flights to Bilbao from Europa: Brussels, Dusseldorf, Istambul, Frankfurt, Geneva, Lisbon, London, Manchester, Munich, Paris, Stuttgart.
Direct flights to Bilbao from España: Alicante, Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Málaga, Santiago, Sevilla, Tenerife, Valencia, Vigo.
From the airport to Bilbao city centre:
- Taxi costs €20-€25 and takes about 10 minutes. There are plenty of taxis and hardly any queues.
- Buses leave every 30 minutes from the airport to Bilbao. Tickets costs €1,35.
From the airport to EIDE (Santurtzi):
- Taxis cost €30-€35 and take about 20 minutes. There are plenty of taxis and hardly any queues
- Buses leave every 30 minutes from the airport to Bilbao Temibus (Bus station). Tickets cost €1,35. From Termibus, there is train or metro to Santurce. Train tickets cost less than €2 and the journey takes 15 minutes. Metro is more frequent, trip last 25 minutes and ticket costs €1,60.
From Santander Airport to Bilbao:
- There are 5 buses every day from Santander airport to Bilbao with alsa. Bus stops at Bilbao Termibus (Bilbao Bus Station).
From Santander Airport to EIDE:
- There is a direct bus every day from Santander airport to Santurtzi, where EIDE is located.
- Another option is to take the bus from Santander airport to Bilbao Termibus (Bus Station) and take the metro or train from Bilbao Termibus to Santurtzi. Train tickets cost less than €2 and the trip lasts 15 minutes. Metro is more frequent, though the trip lasts 25 minutes. Tickets are priced at €1,60.
More...
Spanish and Surfing course
This course is ideal to do an immersion into the Spanish language and enjoy surfing in one of the best areas in the world to surf. The Basque country has a lot of ideal beaches with perfect waves not only to learn to surf but also for professional people in this sport. Thanks to that, it is known that the Basque coast is one of the most desired places by surfers from all over the world.
| Course | Level | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week course in La Arena Beach | Beginners | 120€/week |
| Surf lessons in Sopelana and Plencia Beaches (transport to the beach included) | Begginers and experienced people | 50€/clase |
| Surf Inssurance | 15€ | |
Spanish and cooking course
Students studying a Spanish Course at EIDE have the opportunity to attend a cooking course at EIDE Cooking School, where professional cooks have received their training since 1989. Students will learn to prepare the most typical dishes, tapas and pintxos (Basque tapas) of the both worldwide famous Spanish and Basque Cuisine.
The course takes place at the professional kitchen at EIDE and it is held by our own cooking teachers, who have 10 to 20 years experience both as cooks and cooking teachers. The philosophy of our cooking courses is the same as that of all our courses: professional teaching and personal attention.
| Course | level | fee |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking course in July | 12 hours | 300€ |
| Group course | 100€+ lessons |
Intensive Spanish Courses in Spain +5, +10, +20
These courses are ideal for those students who need to take a very intensive course and who have little time and therefore, want to get the most out of it.
The course consists of:
- 20 group lessons of 45 minutes per week.
- 5, 10 or 20 private lessons of 45 minutes per week.
| Number of weeks | Intensive+5 | Intensive+10 | Intensive+20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 week | 265€ | 375€ | 595€ |
| 2 weeks | 510€ | 730€ | 1170€ |
| 3 weeks | 750€ | 1080€ | 1740€ |
| 4 weeks | 985€ | 1425 € | 2035€ |
| Registration fee: 60€ | |||
These courses are recognised by Bilbdungsurlaub. Please, do get in touch with us for further information.
EIDE, Spanish School in Bilbao
you will really learn Spanish in EIDE because...
- we have been teaching languages since 1976
- the quality of our teaching is accredited, among others, by the Instituto Cervantes
- all our teachers are native speakers and language graduates and have extensive experience teaching Spanish
- our groups are small
- we treat people in a very close and personal way and care about every detail
- the families are welcoming, they endeavour for students to enjoy their stay and practice their Spanish
...and discover an amazing land...
- with a green and mountainous landscape
- and stunning beaches
- where you can practice all the sports and activities you can imagine
- where to enjoy a cosmopolitan city like Bilbao
- and visit the Guggenheim museum
- where to try 'pintxos' and delicious dishes, deservedly famous and well-regarded