Alright. Picture this: you’re sunburnt, slightly dizzy from too many turns on the kamikaze slide, and there’s still chlorine in your ears. Now imagine swapping your afternoon sangria for a Spanish class where you learn how to ask “Where’s the nearest waterslide?” en español. Sounds ridiculous? Maybe. But also maybe kind of genius.
Spain’s coastlines are bursting with water parks, sure—but tucked nearby, often just down the street or a few blocks inland, are language schools that cater to travelers, seasonal residents, and accidental expats. Which means you could very well have a holiday that’s all about fun and vocab.
Here’s how it plays out.
Table of Contents
1. Salou (PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park + Academia Prat)
You know PortAventura, right? Giant wave pools, lazy rivers, and one of the tallest free-fall slides in Europe. Now imagine cooling off there after a morning conjugating irregular verbs at Academia Prat. The school offers crash courses, teen summer programmes, and adult intensives. Salou’s international vibe makes it easy to blend in—even if your Spanish is still limited to menu items and swear words.
2. Benidorm (Aqualandia + Proyecto Español)
Aqualandia is chaos in the best way. Slides that defy gravity. Kids everywhere. Absolute joy. And just a short ride away is Proyecto Español—a school that offers family-friendly summer intensives, adult courses, and cultural excursions that’ll make your Instagram feed look cultured instead of just sunburnt. Bonus: they’re used to people learning Spanish from scratch. Like, full tourist mode.
3. La Pineda (Aquopolis + Tarragona Language School)
Aquopolis has dolphins. I repeat: dolphins. Also, kid zones and more slides than your feet can handle. But over in Tarragona, a bus ride away, you’ve got language schools that offer everything from part-time afternoon classes to full-blown DELE exam prep. Perfect for folks doing a summer-long stay and not wanting their brain to melt completely.
4. Málaga (Aqualand Torremolinos + Malaca Instituto)
Torremolinos is easy: beaches, beer, and Aqualand. But if you’re in Málaga and actually want to sound like you live there, Malaca Instituto is a big deal. Big campus, pool, accommodation, and serious course options. Not the cheapest, but definitely one of the most respected. Ideal if you’re making a longer-term leap.
5. Tenerife (Siam Park + Don Quijote Puerto de la Cruz)
Siam Park is one of the best water parks in the world. Not exaggerating. It’s insane. And once you’ve dried off, you can dive into classes at Don Quijote up north in Puerto de la Cruz. Their focus is immersive, with cultural tours and activities. Yes, it’s a drive—but the combination of world-class slides and serious Spanish immersion is hard to beat.
Want something Barcelona-based?
Barcelona doesn’t have a water park right in the city, but Illa Fantasia is only a short train ride away—and the language school options? Wildly good. If you’re eyeing a Spanish course in Barcelona that actually delivers (and isn’t full of TikTok influencers who bail after day two), check out options like these here. Speakeasy, for example, offers everything from intensive weekly programmes to long-term courses with visa support.
Final thought?
Learn Spanish. Go down a slide. Eat some tortilla. Repeat. There are worse ways to spend a summer.
