Nightlife and Student Activities

Nightlife and Student Activities in Castile and Leon
For anyone looking to take a Spanish course, Castile and Leon is a dream location. Home to the highest proportion of students in Spain – and one of the highest in Europe – there are eight renowned universities in the region which offer a wide-range of activities for those studying here. The main universities can be found in the historic cities of Salamanca, Burgos, Valladolid and Leon.

Nightlife and Student Activities in Salamanca
Although Salamanca is only a small city, it has become world famous for its cultural and student scenes. Its university is reportedly the third oldest in Europe, founded in 1218, and remains one of the top-ranked institutions in Spain. Renowned for its language programmes for non-native speakers, it attracts more than 2,000 foreign students every year.

The nightlife in Salamanca is similarly renowned, thanks to an international population of students which can generally be relied upon to keep the historic city buzzing through till dawn. The noisy student joints here are some of the best and liveliest in Spain, although there are also plenty of laid-back pavement cafes where less energetic crowds enjoy an evening out. Many of these venues offer promotional nights and discounts with students in mind.

Salamanca was chosen as a European City of Culture in 2002 and is home to excellent cultural activities in addition to its enthusiastic nightlife. In August, there are a number of local festivals in and around the city, as well as the Salamanca Festival which runs from 8th to 21st September.

Nightlife and Student Activities in Valladolid
The regional capital, Valladolid, also boasts an ancient (and excellent) university which was established in 1346. It offers international students a taste of the ‘real’ Spain and its unique culture. The stunning Spanish Baroque buildings are also a worthy sight in themselves. Although there are few genuinely renowned nightclubs, as such, in Valladolid, students will find that the city is still a lively place after dark. Calle del Paraiso is a hub of student bars, with the action spilling into Plaza del San Miguel later in the evening. For a quieter night, a more sedate scene congregates along Calle de Vincente Meliner.

Nightlife and Student Activities in Leon and Burgos
Students looking for old-fashioned elegance and tradition will be most at home at the University of Leon. This ancient city still offers the mystery and romance of the Middle Ages, although it too has a large contemporary student community. Enjoy conversation and rich culture when darkness falls at Plaza Mayor, where simple cafes and bars jostle for attention.

Another significant university can be found in Burgos, a city similarly packed with history and culture. Separated from the University of Valladolid in 1994, the institution at Burgos is now developing its own reputation and student scene. Bars and tapas joints crowd around the World Heritage Gothic Cathedral, whilst the quarters of La Flora and Las Llanas attract young student crowds to their streets well into the night. With a slightly older crowd, Las Bernardas and Las Calzadas are more formal and glamorous nightlife areas.