Volunteer in Spain: Find amazing programs in hostels, home stays, NGOs, farms, ecovillages and more

The ultimate Spain travel itinerary

Check now the complete Worldpackers Spain travel guide

How to Volunteer in Spain with free accomodation?

Wondering how to volunteer in Spain for free? In a country with four official languages, countless historic and religious sites of significance, beaches and hiking trails of unparalleled beauty, and tapas that are to die for, there’s something in Spain for every traveler to marvel at.

There are tons of volunteer opportunities in Spain that will give you the chance to reach out to the community you’re staying in and make a difference in fields such as education, conservation, human rights, and more. Should you choose to work in hostels for free accommodation or to help sustain Mediterranean sea life? Worldpackers has a variety of laid-back and more active volunteer experiences for you to choose from.

Spain is an amazing place to volunteer not only because of the spectacular location and fun things to do, but because of the warm, welcoming people who call it home. Your particular skills could be used to

• Teach English
• Content creation
• Maintaining a clean hostel
• Restoring a medieval castle
• Helping with animal care or farm work 

If you love people and want to make friends and learn from locals, you could sign up for a reception job, local tour guide, or a position teaching sports. From Zaragoza to Arona you can find volunteer work all over Spain that will provide you with a hostel, camp, or guest house to stay at as you contribute.

The best thing about volunteering in Spain is that you’ll get to do some serious exploring during your free time. When you’re able to assist those who really need a helping hand, you can ask your host about hidden or off-the-beaten-path locations throughout the city to experience for yourself. 

This is often one of the best ways to get to know a city at its core and discover why the locals love living there so much! Finding volunteer work in exchange for free accommodation and food will make your trip to Spain that much more rewarding as you strive to fulfill your travel goals and the goals of your host. Can you imagine:

1. Lend a hand at a peaceful Spanish homestay in the morning and sunbathe at any of Spain’s dazzling beaches in the afternoon.
2. Get your diving license in Spain so you can participate in some awesome ocean conservation volunteer opportunities.
3. Help out a local company with social media marketing while sipping sangria beside a pool with a scenic backdrop.
4. Get an awe-inspiring glimpse of the Pyrenees mountains during a weekend hike before beginning your work week as a volunteer English teacher.

There are so many different, enriching volunteer experiences to have in Spain that will make you want to stay even longer than you had planned to.

How to Teach English in Spain and travel around the country

If you have a desire to gain some experience in education, teaching English abroad might be the volunteer work for you. Spain is an exceptionally diverse country with lots to offer. While you teach, you’ll be able to see the country at a relaxed pace, making it the perfect destination to practice slow travel. 

Spending some time teaching English in Spain is a great way to get involved in a new culture while you help people in Spanish communities learn a necessary skill. Some positions will require you to have a TEFL certification in order to begin teaching, but others do not. 

A quick internet search will provide you with enough online resources to help you receive your certification, if necessary. However, you are sure to find a teaching job in Spain that will suit your current skills if you have this certification or not. As a volunteer in Spain teaching English, you’ll get the opportunity to meet lots of like-minded teachers and students alike who love learning and growing. Become:

• A private tutor
• A lead teacher in the classroom,
• A classroom assistant
• A teacher at a homestay

You can choose to teach college students, children, and sometimes your own host family. It all depends on which opportunity you sign up for, and there are plenty available! If you’re looking for work exchange programs in Europe that will leave a lasting impact, teaching English in Spain is a great way to volunteer.

The Best Cities to Volunteer at in Spain

With so many things to do and see in Spain, you probably want to wander around the country to take it all in. There are exciting volunteer opportunities all throughout Spain that could take you to:

• Bustling cities like Madrid
• Quiet towns in Malaga
• Sunny beaches of Valencia

Everywhere you go in Spain, you will notice an abundance of art, history, and culture that will captivate you and make any city a charming place to live.

The Capital: Madrid

If your goal is to see the capital city, there is certainly no shortage of volunteer opportunities in Madrid to try out! You could always opt to work in hostels for free accommodation, as hostels usually need a lot of extra help! 

Madrid is a must for art lovers and staying here will definitely give you that cultural fix you’ve been craving. 

The Experience: Barcelona

Spain’s second-largest city of Barcelona is another great place to experience all the history and the fun nightlife that comes alive when the sun goes down. This highly photogenic city is perfect if you volunteer in Barcelona and decide to see the sights later in the day.

The Mountains: Grenada

Let’s say you’d like to better connect with the great outdoors during your time in Spain. Grenada is a serene, authentic town near the Sierra Nevada Mountains that can fuel the adventurous side in you. Find a volunteer experience in Granada and you’ll get to take day trips to roam around the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas and breathe in some fresh mountain air.

Keep on traveling 

Cities like Cordoba and Seville are full of cultural significance and rich heritage, so be on the lookout for places to volunteer in Andalusia.

How to Connect with the Local Culture as a Volunteer in Spain

The Iberian nation of Spain is renowned for its fascinating history and cultural customs that the Spanish are very passionate about. It has always been a mixing pot for people of various ethnic backgrounds to come together as one unified country. 

Throughout history, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Moroccans, and many people of other nationalities have made the Land of Sangria their home. With such a large influx of people with unique lifestyles from around the globe, Spain is the ideal place to volunteer if you want to experience local culture like a native.

As one of the biggest symbols of historical tourism in Europe, many flock to Spain to see one of its 46 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Anywhere you decide to volunteer in Spain will likely be near one of these sites, since they are scattered throughout the country.

Wander through the historic center of Cordoba to connect with the country through its gorgeous ancient architecture that dates back to the 8th century. Volunteer in Barcelona to be near the artistic works of architectural genius Antonio Gaudi, or learn about ancient Roman gold mines in Ponferrada at Las Medulas.

As you work in Spain for free accommodation, you will notice there is an abundance of religious sites wherever you go, such as mosques and Gothic cathedrals, that are nothing short of breathtaking. Exploring these and other important pilgrimage sites like the town of Santiago de Compostela will help you understand what the country went through in order to practice Christianity freely in Spain. 

One of the greatest treks in the world takes place here on the Camino de Santiago. If you plan well in advance, you might get the chance to hike the 500-mile, 30-day route that so many pilgrims have walked before you for centuries. It’s a great way to connect with people of different backgrounds and accomplish one of the most profound spiritual experiences in all of Spain.

Another great way to connect with the culture in Spain is to attend festivals. Head to Seville to catch the April Fair, which is one of the city’s most iconic, colorful celebrations, showcasing everything Andalusia is famous for. Volunteering in Spain is the perfect way to immerse yourself in a culturally diverse country that is the epitome of meaningful travel.

The Best Places to Visit and See in Spain

What’s not to love when you see the grandiose palaces stretching towards the sky, talented flamenco dancers tapping their feet into the night, and balmy Mediterranean beaches with the clearest blue waters? Every Spanish city has busy tourist attractions and hidden, more genuine experiences alike. Visiting any one of them will give you the chance to soak up the culture and history so you can connect with the soul of the country on a deeper level.

When you choose a volunteer experience in Barcelona, you should make time to see the elaborate and impressive Sagrada Familia church. In Valencia you’ll get the chance to see Europe’s largest aquarium, L’Oceanografic. 

The building itself was designed to look like a water lily, so it’s quite the spectacle from afar! If you want to get some sun, the Costa del Sol beaches are some of the best in Spain. They have been dubbed Europe’s sunniest place, so you’re sure to get a healthy dose of vitamin D while you’re there.

For more fun in the sun, travel to Parque Nacional del Teide at the center of the beautiful island of Tenerife to see one of Europe’s best natural wonders. The tallest peak, and volcano, in Spain can be found here, where you can hike or ride the cable car to the top for a gorgeous panoramic view of the Canary Islands. Whatever you choose to see in Spain, it’s guaranteed to be something exciting, memorable, and downright stunning to witness. Volunteering in Spain will give you a fresh perspective as you learn about this incredibly diverse country and help the good people who live here.