Questions about spain!?

Question

1. Is it hotter in Malaga or granada? (in july)

2. What is the weather like in Santander / can you tan (in july)

3. If i go to Malaga to learn spanish during july.. will there be too many tourists for me to learn spanish well?

4. Is the Andalusian accent hard to understand?

5. which place would you recommend me to go for 32 days on a language study: Granada, Malaga, Santander, Salamanca.

(if i go to Malaga - i visit granada and sevilla.)

Answer 1

I'm not exactly sure on some of your questions:

but I believe it will be hotter in Málaga than Granada.  Granada is in the mountains, and a bit more tempered than the sea does for Málaga, but they are not far apart, and if you choose one, you can easily visit the other (I would vote for Granada of those two...a much nicer city...Málaga is pretty touristy, and lots of people there speak English.  You would be less forced to practice.

Of course you can tan in Santander.  In fact, to address one of your later questions, it doesn't matter WHERE you go in Spain in the summer (or even in the winter) you will need sunscreen to be sure you don't burn if you are outside much of the day.  Of course, Santander is not the Mediterranean, but the Atlantic, and I'm sure it is more temperate than the south.  I've never been there, only read up on it.  Santander had its big heyday in the 19th century and was a very gracious place where royalty congregated.  It's also where you go to see the cave paintings at Altamira.  One of my friends went there just before we started classes (Sevilla) and she just LOVED it.  (btw, she came back with a tan).

I would say the answer to your question 3 would be: that is a serious consideration.  I don't think it much matters what time of year, but you will be better off in a place with fewer tourists

4.  Yes.  The Andaluz accent is difficult to understand.  If you can understand it, you will be able to understand any other accent, Spanish or Latin.  

5.  Of your choices, I would go to Granada, just because it's one of MY favorite cities.  I love all the Moorish buildings in town, and the Alhambra is to die for.

Salamanca has its advantages, too.  It is the home of the oldest University in Spain, and that, alone is bragging rights.  It is also where they speak Castellano (as an accent), which is the most accepted accent.  That is the accent that newscasters use in Spain.  However, it is fairly isolated, and if you're only there for a month, you may not be able to travel too widely.

I love Andalucía.  It is the most romantic part of the country (maybe even the world).  You must understand, though, I think of it as sort of a second home, so I'm a little prejudiced.

Wherever you decide, and it looks to me like you are agonizing a bit much over this decision, you will think of fondly whenever you think of Spain, and I'm sure you'll have a grand time!  (of course, a month is kind of short.  You might want to consider going another time for a bit longer, to another city...might lighten the load on this decision).