The Costa del Sol is a popular vacation spot for families. With its mild climate, stunning beaches, and plethora of family-friendly activities, it's no wonder it's a go-to destination for parents looking to escape the daily grind with their little ones.
Whether your children are budding marine scientists, adventurous zip-liners, or animal lovers, or want to spend all day splashing in the pool there's an adventure suitable for everyone here.
If you're seeking some adrenaline-pumping fun, Aventura Amazonia, located in the heart of Elviria, Marbella's east, is the perfect spot. Nestled among the pine forests, Aventura Amazonia features zip-lining courses for all skill levels, as well as a delightful adventure park for the little ones under six.
Plan your visit in advance as availability can be impacted by weather or events. You can also grab a meal or drink at the nearby pedestrian square or explore the adjacent pine forest or rugged beach.
https://aventura-amazonia.com/parques-amazonia/marbella-eng
For animal lovers, Bioparc Fuengirola is a unique animal park that values the importance of respecting nature and preserving its diverse species. This approach has earned the park recognition as a leading benchmark throughout Europe.
At Bioparc Fuengirola, visitors experience a distinctive concept where animals coexist in a recreation of their natural habitats. It's like stepping into a captivating documentary exploring the depths of tropical forests in Madagascar, Equatorial Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indo-Pacific islands.
The defining feature of this incredible attraction is its zoo-immersion architectural design, which envelops visitors in the animal's environment. The entire park is designed to replicate the natural habitats where the animals originate from.
There's a seamless connection between the visitor's space and the animal's space, aiming to convey the magic of walking through a forest and discovering its inhabitants.
You can expect to be fully immersed in a one-of-a-kind experience that will leave you feeling inspired by the wonders of the natural world.
It's ideal for a short visit with young children and features a picnic area and a cafe overlooking the playground. Don't miss the opportunity to grab an annual pass for multiple visits.
After your visit, head to nearby Parque España, which has a spacious playground, a cafe, and an array of play areas, or take a stroll along the Fuengirola Paseo Maritimo beach.
https://www.bioparcfuengirola.es/
AquaMijas is a fun-filled aquatic park situated in Fuengirola that provides a wide range of water slides and activities for families with children of all ages. It comes with numerous sun loungers, changing rooms, washrooms, picnic spots, restaurants, and bars.
AquaMijas boasts two dedicated children's zones designed to cater to kids aged below five, allowing them to have fun, slide, and splash around. The park offers six thrilling slides for adrenaline lovers, two slow-moving river rides with ring slides, a wave pool, a Jacuzzi, and a vast pool area.
This water park is an excellent choice for a family day out due to its manageable size. You can set up camp near the kids' areas, youwhere can watch your children play while relaxing on the sun loungers.
AquaMijas is open between April and September, making it an ideal summer activity for children. Visitors can spend the entire day at the park, and they are welcome to take away food and drinks. However, it is important to note that glass bottles are prohibited on the premises. A helpful tip for visitors is that there is free parking available outside the park. However, parking spaces can be limited, so it's advisable to arrive early to secure a spot and minimize wait times to enter the park and slides. Visitors are also recommended to bring plenty of sun cream and water, and wear rubber or beach shoes since the floor can get scorching hot in the summer heat.
The cost of tickets to AquaMijas is €25 for adults and children above 12 years, €19 for children aged 8-12, €14 for kids aged 3-7 years, and children under 3 are admitted for free. Family tickets are available, making it a perfect deal for families with multiple children. Purchasing tickets online allows visitors to enjoy discounts. It is also worth doing an online search before you travel to check for any cheap deals, discounts and offers.
Sun loungers, are at an additional cost. Visitors should select their preferred sun lounger and wait for a staff member to charge them for the service. Aqua parks are an exciting activity for families during summer vacations in Costa del Sol.
If you’re staying a bit far from Fuengirola, there are other water parks in Algeciras and Torremolinos that provide similar excellent services.
Happy splashy fun for the whole family guaranteed!
https://aquamijas.com/en/
For a truly hands-on experience with marine life, Sea Life in Benalmadena Puerto Marina is a must-visit destination. Sea Life Benalmádena is an aquarium and marine biology research which features a vast array of sea creatures, and visitors can walk through the aquarium under sharks and other marine life. You can discover all the wonders of the deep and check out their daily feedings and the touch and feel and interactive sections.
End your visit with a meal, stroll, or shop at Puerto Marina or head to the nearby beach.
https://www.visitsealife.com/benalmadena/en/
The Mariposario de Benalmadena is a delightful stop for all ages. Located in Benalmadena, next to the Thai temple, this Butterfly Park is home to more than 1,500 exotic butterflies from around the world, flying freely in a tropical paradise between waterfalls and flowers.
You can see and learn about the whole life cycle of a butterfly, from eggs to caterpillars, to chrysalis and then their final metamorphosis into a butterfly and observe behaviours such as their courtship flights and mating. You also have the unique opportunity to see how they hatch from the chrysalis and spread their wings, then witness their first flight after the metamorphosis.
Although the butterfly species live in the same space around the world there is no conflict or competition between them.
The environmental conditions in the garden are the same as in their original habitats with 80% humidity and a temperature of between 24-29ºC.
Get a fantastic up-close view of stunning butterflies and birds, observe how they are born, how they reproduce and enjoy learning many things about these wonderful insects - and if you're lucky, you might even witness a butterfly leaving its cocoon.
https://www.mariposariodebenalmadena.com/en/
Selwo Aventura in Estepona is perfect for families. A large, open plain-type zoo, it features spacious displays showcasing animals from around the world.
Selwo Aventura offers nn opportunity to experience ecosystems from all over the world and learn from them... without getting on a plane. You will discover species of fauna and flora from all over the world in their four territories: Lakes Reserve, Central Village, Bird Canyon and Nature’s Gateway.
There's also a suspension bridge and zip line over the lake, and you can finish your visit with their Serengeti Safari and get up close to hippos, zebras, rhinos, antelopes and more.
They also offer a VIP experience, a chance to discover Selwo Aventura on a private guided tour just for your family: access areas restricted to other visitors, tour the entire park and learn about their species conservation work.
https://www.selwo.es/en
Selwo Marina, Benalmadena is an outdoor marine life park that offers a truly unforgettable experience. From the moment you enter, you'll be amazed by the variety of animals on display, including dolphins, birds, reptiles, flamingos and penguins. And if you want to get even closer to these magnificent creatures, you can purchase a VIP experience that allows you to interact with dolphins, penguins and sea lions.
But the real highlight of Selwo Marina is the program of animal presentations. With dolphin, bird and penguin shows throughout the day, you'll want to allow at least half a day to enjoy these captivating performances. And when you need a break, head to the restaurant overlooking the playground for a delicious meal.
https://www.selwomarina.es/en
Experience the beauty of the Costa del Sol from a whole new perspective with Teleférico Benalmádena. This cable car ride is part of the Selwo Pack that also gives you access to two other zoos, and it's an experience you won't want to miss.
As the cable car ascends, you'll be treated to stunning views of the rocky mountains of Arroyo del Miel, which translates to "honey creek." And when you reach the high rocky cliffs, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Costa del Sol and the Mediterranean. Don't forget to bring your camera for some truly breathtaking photo opportunities.
At the top, you can enjoy a little café and take short walks up the rocky cliffs, with handrails to keep you safe.
If you time it right, you can catch the bird show where eagles take flight in a breathtaking display. Make sure to call ahead to plan your visit and enjoy the whole experience.
https://www.telefericobenalmadena.com/en
You can purchase a “Selwo Pack” that gives you access to Selwo Aventura and the Teleférico in Benalmadena.
Funny Hill Karting – Ojen
Are you ready for some high-octane fun? Then head up the mountain from Marbella Bus Station to Funny Hill Karting in Ojen. Here, you'll find an adult and child karting circuit, arcade and virtual reality games, and a café to keep you fuelled up.
Whether you spend a few hours or make it a whole day, you're guaranteed to have a blast at Funny Hill. And when you're done, continue up the mountain for a nature walk or a picnic in Juanar National Park.
For a unique and educational experience, visit one of the many wildlife sanctuaries in the area. At the Eco Reserva in Ojen you can have a unique experience surrounded by the rich biodiversity of the stunning Mediterranean mountains which sirround the Costa del Sol.
In 2015 an ecological collective PINSAPO in collaboration with MONTEAVENTURA succeeded in converting this former hunting Park into an Ecological Reserve, which is now part of a Special Conservation Area (SCA). At this unique nature reserve you can encounter several animals native to Andalucia, such as deer and warthogs. They offer a range of events and options, but make sure to book in advance.
Every month the Eco Reserva of Ojen offer guided tours for families to discover the different places of the Reserve in a privileged way. Their experienced guides will show you the best places for an incomparable experience. These guided tours include optical equipment such as binoculars and telescopes.
They also offer tailored Eco Experiences: birthdays, wine tastings in the middle of nature, workshop to make shelters for birds and games.
Or head to Donkey Dreamland in Mijas, a sanctuary which provides a home for rescued donkeys, in a beautiful, calm and tranquil setting, where visitors can interact with these gentle creatures and support an amazing charity.
Donkey Dream land offer a choice of very special and unique experiences and events. They offer various guided tours and experiences with interactions with the donkeys, including opportunities to learn how to handle the donkeys and walks with the donkeys in the hills behind La Cala de Mijas.
Tours and experiences are available most Saturdays and Sundays. Included in their VIP experience, after your walk you can enjoy a traditional Andalucian brunch and the opportunity to experience looking after the donkeys. This includes feeding, cleaning stables and paddocks, grooming these wonderful creatures. A winner with all ages and a great way to support the sanctuary.
Be sure to wear sturdy footwear for this unforgettable visit.
https://donkeydreamland.com/experiences/
For a fun-filled day out with the kids Parque de Bolas, also known as Mundo Mania, is a must-visit attraction in the Costa del Sol. While indoor play areas are quite common in Spain, this one stands out for its size and range of outdoor activities. Located up in the hills past Estepona, this park boasts trampolines, a soccer court, water play, and of course, a giant ball pit.
But it's not just the kids who have all the fun on this family day out. Mundo Mania has plenty of tables and chairs for parents to sit back and relax with a drink or a meal, all while enjoying stunning views of Estepona. Though it's particularly popular with younger children, visitors of all ages are sure to have a blast at this unique attraction.
Pirates Park on Marbella’s Paseo Maritimo is another great choice, especially for its excellent outdoor location. Pirates Park is located in the centre of Marbella down on the boardwalk close to the harbour.
It's a play park for children of all ages where they can run around, climb, swing, bounce scream as much as they like with plenty of unusual and interesting activities, walks, climbs, bridges and more.
Another top tip to spend the maximum amount of your family holiday time enjoying fun days out and adventures with the little ones is Hello Costa. A shopping service with free delivery or combined with a transfer from the airport with your shopping already on board. A great way to avoid those boring shopping trips with kids to the supermarket and an essential service if you are arriving late with tired children and no time to shop . You can do all your holiday shopping in advance, including stocking up on the family’s favourite snacks and drinks to sustain you on your adventure filled days on the Costa del Sol.
There are so many options for days out for children of all ages and interests on the Costa del Sol. Book in advance if travelling during school holidays to avoid disappointment and don’t forget plenty of water, sunscreen and hats are advisable for the youngsters.