Spanish school in Malaga

Why take a Spanish course in Malaga?

Málaga, a vibrant city on Spain’s renowned Costa del Sol, is an ideal destination for learning Spanish. With its stunning attractions, relaxed coastal vibe, and access to breathtaking natural landscapes, it’s easy to see why. Philosopher Solomon Ibn Gabirol dubbed it the original "paradise city." With 16 beautiful beaches, captivating water fountains, and lively annual festivals, Málaga truly lives up to that name. Studying at our Spanish school in Málaga places you in the heart of this dynamic city, offering excellent opportunities for immersive language learning. With an average of 300 sunny days each year, it’s hard to imagine a better place to be!

Since the mid-20th century, Málaga has attracted international visitors and has become a key destination on Spain’s southern coast. Despite its modern appearance, the city is rich in history. The Phoenicians established the first recorded colony here in 770 BC, trading with other Mediterranean towns and transforming the area into a bustling commercial hub. Over the centuries, Málaga has been ruled by various civilizations, including the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Byzantines, African Arabs, and Iberian Christians. Each of these cultures has left its mark, and many influences are still evident today. A prime example is the partially excavated Roman amphitheater, built in the 1st century BC and now open for free visits. The Málaga Museum offers a deeper insight into the city’s history, showcasing a fascinating collection of relics, sculptures, and paintings from around the world. If you prefer art, don’t miss the Carmen Thyssen Museum, a sister institution to the famous Thyssen complex in Madrid.

One of the best features of Málaga is its car-free city center, where most of the exciting attractions are located. This allows for safe and peaceful exploration without the noise and danger of traffic. Cycling has gained popularity, and visitors can easily rent bikes. With a bike, you can reach sites like La Concepción Botanical Garden, known for its beautiful fountains and whimsical structures, which would otherwise require public transport. If you have a car, consider visiting nearby villages, many of which are traditional whitewashed pueblos typical of Andalusia. For those who prefer to stay close to the city, Muelle Uno, the bustling shopping district at the harbor, offers hours of entertainment. The port is a vibrant hub, featuring numerous restaurants, bars, and high-rise hotels alongside ferries and fishing boats. Here, you can enjoy some of the best chiringuitos in town, where you can savor freshly caught seafood and delicious local dishes. With all this and more at your doorstep, our City Centre school is perfectly situated to provide you with an exciting and immersive Spanish language experience!

About our Spanish school in Malaga

Take language lessons in the centre of this bustling coastal city and experience Andalusian life for yourself! Our Spanish school in Malaga is right in the middle of the city, close to many of the best attractions including the Carmen Thyssen Museum, the 16th-century Fuente de Génova, and the impressive Palacio Zea Salvatierra. A little further away but still within easy walking distance are the Roman amphitheatre and the Moorish Alcazaba that overlooks it, the famous Plaza de la Merced, and the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. To the south you’ll find Playa de la Malagueta, the city’s best-known beach. Lining this beach is Málaga Park, a beautiful green space with sculptures, fountains, and an extensive botanical collection.

This language centre has 8 classrooms, each equipped with audio-visual equipment to support students’ learning. Many of the classrooms have balconies overlooking the street below. The school has student computers, which are available all day, and Wi-Fi access throughout. There are also several comfortable lounge areas with sofas and Spanish magazines; these spots are great for relaxing or socialising in between lessons. Since it’s so centrally located, the school is surrounded by shops and cafés providing a taste of day-to-day Malagueñan life. There is a bus stop just a few minutes’ walk from the front door, giving you easy access to other parts of the city and the surrounding metropolitan areas.

Our City Centre school is accredited by the Cervantes Institute, Spain’s primary organisation responsible for the teaching of the Spanish language. Courses at this facility are also approved by the Universities of Seville and Barcelona, and some programmes are eligible for CSN and Bildungsurlaub (various states). The school is a member of the International Association of Language Centres (IALC), Español en Andalucía, and the Association of Teaching Centres of Languages of Andalusia (ACEIA), all of which commit themselves to ensuring the maximum possible quality of Spanish tuition. These credentials mean you can be sure that your time here will be well-spent!

Location of our school in Malaga (City Centre)

What accommodation is available in Malaga?

Available accommodation

To really benefit from your time in Málaga, you should stay with a local Host Family! Hosts are native Spanish speakers who live within 25 minutes’ walk of the school building. All hosts offer a comfortable and welcoming environment for you during your language programme. You’ll be able to practice Spanish with your hosts, allowing you to continue learning even outside the classroom! Hosts offer single or twin* rooms and 1, 2, or 3 meals per day as part of your accommodation package. As standard you will share the living and bathroom facilities with your hosts and any other students living in the home, though some hosts are able to offer their guests private bathroom access (by request only). Bed linen and towels are included (house towels; you should bring your own beach/pool towels). Wi-Fi access is available in some homes; please let us know prior to making your booking if this is an important requirement for you.

If you’d like to stay with a host but want more independence during your language course, why not select a shared apartment? You’ll stay with local Spaniards on a self-catering basis, which gives you the freedom to cook for yourself or eat in local restaurants as you prefer. Depending on the size of the apartment, you may also be sharing with other international students, making this type of lodging a very social option. Most apartments have Wi-Fi, but some do not - please let us know if this is a requirement for you. Ben linens are provided but towels are not, so you should bring your own. Please note that, whilst you will have some opportunity for language practice with the Spanish person you share the apartment with, this option is much less immersive than staying with a host who provides daily meals.

If you’d rather spend your time in Málaga with other school students, there are two options for you. The first is the school’s mini-residence, a 4-bedroom apartment located just 15 minutes’ walk from the school. There are 3 single bedrooms, 1 twin bedroom, and 2 bathrooms (one of which can be reserved as a private bathroom for the double bedroom). The apartment is bright, modern, and well-decorated. It has a fully equipped kitchen and a communal lounge with a balcony overlooking the many shops, bars, and cafés in the local area. Bed linens and towels are provided, and the apartment has Wi-Fi access. A €150 security deposit is payable on arrival; this will be returned to you at the end of your stay providing the residence is left in suitable condition.

This school also has a larger student residence which offers a selection of single and twin bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom. You can select a twin room even if you are travelling alone; if you do this, you will be partnered with another international student of the same gender and of a similar age. With colourful, modern décor and large communal areas, this residence is ideal for you if you’re aged 18 - 25 and are looking for a highly social travel experience. The residence is located just 10 minutes’ walk from the school, so it’s also perfectly placed to allow you to explore the local area after classes have finished. Bed linens are provided but towels are not, so you should bring your own. The building has Wi-Fi access. A €150 security deposit is payable on arrival; this will be returned to you at the end of your stay providing the residence is left in suitable condition.

If you prefer complete privacy and independence, you can select a studio apartment and have private, self-contained lodging. Each studio has its own fully equipped kitchen (with washing machine, coffee maker, microwave, and hotplate; usually no oven) and a lounge with a television. The apartments have Wi-Fi access guaranteed and are located up to 25 minutes’ walk from the school. Bed linens are provided but towels are not, so you should bring your own. A €150 security deposit and a €40 cleaning fee are payable on arrival; your deposit will be returned to you at the end of your stay providing the residence is left in suitable condition.

All accommodation is available from 16:00 on the Sunday before your course starts until 12:00 on the Saturday after your course finishes. We may be able to arrange extra nights in your accommodation for you if needed - please contact us about this prior to making your booking.

*Twin rooms are only available to students travelling alone when booking residence lodging. If you select homestay, shared apartment, or studio lodging but are travelling alone, you will be swapped to a single room.

Available activities in Malaga

To complement your classroom learning with fun and educational experiences, our school offers a range of social and cultural activities. These activities usually take place in the afternoon or evening and are conducted in Spanish, allowing you to maintain your language immersion.

Many activities are available free of charge, though some may incur an additional fee to cover entrance and/or transportation costs. The exact schedule changes throughout the year but may include:
- Guided walking tours of the city
- Visits to local museums and/or art galleries
- Spanish film screenings
- Tasting local produce such as fritura malagueña or ajoblanco
- Extra language classes covering topics like pronunciation and grammar
- Full-day excursions to nearby locations such as Córdoba and Seville
- Plus seasonal activities available in the city at the time of travel

How to get to our school in Malaga

Málaga Costa del Sol Airport is about a 30-minute drive from the city centre and is easily accessible from many European locations.

From here, you can either take public transport to your accommodation or we can arrange an airport transfer service for you for an additional charge. If you book this service, a driver will be waiting for you when you land and will take you directly to your accommodation. If you select this service on departure as well, you will be collected from your lodging on your last day and taken back to your chosen airport in time for your departing flight.

You should arrange to arrive in Málaga on the Sunday before your course starts and depart on the Saturday after your programme finishes. We may be able to arrange extra nights on arrival and/or departure for you if needed.

Student stories on our blog

Big News: Jo Franco is Heading to Malaga!

We are excited to announce that this April, travel blogger, storyteller, and polyglot extraordinaire Jo Franco will be joining us for a Spanish course at our Malaga City Centre school. Jo is embarking on a unique language immersion project designed to push her Spanish skills to the next level while diving deep into the heart of Andalusian culture. Whether you know her from her popular Netflix show or have come across her inspiring content online, Jo is not an ordinary travel blogger. She loves to immerse herself in local language, culture and history to truly connect with the people she meets, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps. Read more...