Summer Camps: What to Expect and Where to Find Them

If you’re navigating your first school year here, summer camps can be one of the easiest and most effective ways to help your child settle in.

From when school gets out through July, most schools – public, concertado, and private – offer their own summer camp programs. These are especially valuable for younger children, as they provide a familiar environment, familiar faces, and a gentle transition into a new school community or into the world of summer camp for the first time.

Like camp anywhere, these camps are designed around play, socialization, outdoor time, and non-academic activities. One key thing to note: some school-run camps are only open to enrolled students, while others allow outside children to join. This varies by school, so it’s always important to ask in advance.

Camps run through public and concertado schools range from €40 per week if you register early and generally staying under €100 per week. Private and international school camps tend to be in the €120–150 per week range, but they are more likely to be open to children who are not enrolled at the school. For example, international school camps often offer structured weekly programs with a mix of activities and language exposure.

By August, the landscape shifts. Most school-run camps end, and families who need camp options rely more on third-party options. These range from €50 to several hundreds of euros a week depending on specialty and offerings and are run by gyms, language academies, sports clubs, and dance centers. There are also more formal language and immersion-style camps available during this period, often combining classes with activities and excursions.

How to Find Camps as a Newcomer

Check local school Instagram accounts, many camps are announced there first, sometimes before websites are updated
Ask in local parent or expat community groups (WhatsApp, Facebook, school chats)

Favorite Local Picks for Newcomers
Vals Sport (various locations) — reliable, full-day sports camps with pools, structured activities, and extended hours; one of the easiest and lowest cost options logistically across the city

LAE Kids (Pedregalejo / East Málaga) — small-group Spanish immersion camps with beach time, outings, and a softer landing for kids new to the language