Summer Abroad Camp List: Northern Spain Edition
7 summer camps in the moderate temp. region of Spain
Spain has been at the top of my list when I dream about an extended stay over the summer in Europe, mainly because of the language. However, the challenge with most of Spain in the summer is the extreme heat.
While Southern Spain sounds dreamy, once you pair it with hundred-degree temperatures, you quickly realize it is too hot for the beaches to even be enjoyable or even to stand on the sand in the afternoons. You ultimately end up spending your days seeking A/C rather than soaking up the sun.
That is where Northern Spain comes in. The region offers much more moderate temperatures but just as much rich Spanish culture. While San Sebastián gets all the hype (which it certainly deserves), my research today is concentrated on options outside of this charming city.
If you are specifically looking for an elevated, community-driven experience in San Sebastián, Roam Collective is the camp and program to book (I co-founded it). For everything else across the Atlantic coast, here is how to operationalize your summer in Northern Spain.
Logistics: Getting There & Staying There
Ease of Getting There:
Major Airports: Land in Bilbao (BIO) for the Basque Country, or Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) for Galicia.
Flights: From the East Coast, you can find 1-stop connections into Bilbao. From the West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc.), expect 1-2 stops to reach the Northern hubs.
The Commute: Reaching the camp cities is relatively easy, but you will want to rent a car, unless selecting a camp in Bilbao proper, which has an incredible Metro system. The Euskotren (in the Basque Country) is clean, efficient, and a great way to skip the car rental for day trips between Bilbao and San Sebastián.
Stroller & Scooter Realism
Stroller: The sidewalks here are generally excellent and wide. A sturdy “city” stroller works perfectly fine.
Scooters: Unlike cobblestone cities in Greece or Portugal, Northern Spain is perfect for scooters. The promenades are typically flat, paved, and made for wheels.
Housing
A 2-bedroom apartment in a family-friendly area like the Abando district in Bilbao ranges from $2,800–$5,000/month in July.
The “American Reality” Check:
Air Conditioning: Most homes don’t have it because the nights stay so cool. Just open the windows for the sea breeze.
The Siesta: While the big cities don’t fully shut down, smaller boutiques and pharmacies will close from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Laundry: Standalone dryers are rare. Everyone uses the “tendedero” (clothesline or rack).
The Weather: What to Expect in July
The Temperature: Expect daily highs between 72°F and 80°F. You might get a heatwave that hits the 90s, but it’s rare and never lasts long.
The Evening Vibe: Perfectly crisp. You will actually want a light jacket at night.
The Northern Spain Food Scene & Typical Schedule
What to Eat:
Pintxos: The Basque version of tapas. Small bites on bread. It’s perfect for kids because they can see exactly what they are getting before you order.
Empanada Gallega: Savory meat or tuna pies from Galicia. They are the ultimate “easy lunch” for a beach day.
Tortilla de Patatas: The North takes their tortilla seriously (especially in Betanzos). It’s a universal kid-favorite.
Cider & Txakoli: For the parents, the natural cider of Asturias and the effervescent white Txakoli wine of the Basque Country are non-negotiable summer staples.
Typical Eating Schedule:
Lunch: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. The most important meal.
The Merienda: 5:30 p.m. snack time. Grab a Churro or a pastry to bridge the gap.
Dinner: 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. You won’t find many restaurants open any earlier.
Things to Do With Kids
San Sebastián: Spend every afternoon at La Concha Beach. The water is calm, and there is a classic carousel right on the promenade.
Mount Igueldo Amusement Park: Take the vintage funicular up the mountain in San Sebastián for old-school rides with the best view in the city.
Bilbao: Head to the Guggenheim playground. The slides are world-class and you get to look at the “Puppy” flower sculpture.
Cabárceno Natural Park (near Santander): A massive safari-style park where animals live in semi-liberty in a stunning karst landscape.
Cíes Islands (Vigo): Take the ferry for a day trip. It’s restricted to a certain number of visitors per day, so it never feels crowded.
Aquarium Donostia: One of the best in Spain, with a 360-degree tunnel that kids go crazy for.
The Itsasmuseum (Maritime Museum): Located right on the Bilbao river, kids can climb on vintage boats and play in the massive outdoor crane-themed area.
Things to Do Without Kids
Wine Tours: Take a day trip south to La Rioja (only 90 mins from Bilbao) for world-class winery architecture and tastings.
Boat Days: Charter a boat in the Ría de Vigo to see the mussel farms and anchor at a hidden beach for a seafood lunch.
The Guggenheim: Actually go inside the museum without a toddler and take your time with the Serra sculptures.
Azkuna Zentroa (Bilbao): Visit this Philippe Starck-designed cultural center. Grab a glass of wine and look up through the glass-bottomed rooftop pool.
The Chillida Leku Museum: An open-air sculpture park dedicated to Eduardo Chillida. It is incredibly peaceful and a “must” for art lovers.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: Hike the 241 steps to this island hermitage (famously a Game of Thrones filming site). It is a workout best done without kids in tow.
Local Support
Sitly: A very popular app in Spain for finding local babysitters and nannies.
Nannyfy: Vetted, professional childcare that often caters to international travelers.
Average Rates: Expect to pay €10–€18/hour for a quality, often bilingual, sitter.
The Northern Spain Summer Camp List
Here are 7 day summer camps for kids ages 2 to 18 years old including dates, hours, pricing, activities and more!
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