Well I have personally never studied in Spain but this past summer I went to Spain. I was in Murcia but took day trips to Alicante and Valencia. I really like Valencia, very pretty city! Its right by the coast, and its close to Alicante and Murica. So you could do day trips easily. Things are more laid back the further south you go (or so I noticed!) so you could keep that in mind. And there is still plenty to do!