Family holidays in the Costa del Sol

Why should I choose the Costa del Sol for a family trip?

The Costa del Sol is one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations, and it's easy to see why. With over 300 days of sunshine, this coastal paradise is ideal if you're looking for a sunny getaway. Your family trip to the Costa del Sol offers more than just beaches. You'll find zoos, aquariums, water parks and more, so every day can be a new adventure.

What are the best areas in the Costa del Sol for families?

Start planning your trip by looking for family-friendly holiday lettings in the Costa del Sol. Nerja is one of the most popular towns in the Costa del Sol for families. It's great if you have slightly older kids who love exploring, as there are lots of options for adventure. Kayaking is very popular here, with unusual rock formations, waterfalls and even sea caves to discover. Another good choice for a kid-friendly town in the Costa del Sol is Estepona. The sea here is one of the best areas for dolphin-watching, and you're just 50 km from Gibraltar if you'd like to go and see the famous monkeys.

Spend a day at the zoo

Do your kids love animals? Consider a visit to Biopark Zoo in Fuengirola, where you can see tigers, crocodiles and silverback gorillas. If you prefer to focus on sealife, go to the Selwo Marina. This aquarium is particularly known for its playful dolphins, which perform in daily shows. It also has sea lions, penguins and more. Want an insider's tip? On a hot day, cool off by hanging out beside the penguin enclosure.

Splash around at a water park

The biggest and most famous water park in the Costa del Sol is Aqualand in Torremolinos. It's one of the best family destinations in the Costa del Sol, thanks to its wide range of rides and attractions. The grown-ups can enjoy the stomach-churning Kamikaze, the tallest water slide in Europe, while there are smaller slides and gentler splash pools so the little ones can join in the fun. You can bring your own food and drink into the park, which is handy for a budget family holiday.

Let young thrillseekers go wild at an adventure park

There are options for adventure at every turn in this part of Spain. In Marbella, the Aventura Amazonia park lets you explore the treetops, with six separate courses and a massive zipline. There's also a separate zone for younger children, aged 4 to 7. Older children and fun-loving grown-ups will enjoy the more challenging courses. If you're visiting Málaga city, try the Altitude Trampoline Park. You'll get dizzy just watching the kids as they bounce around. If they get sick of the trampolines, the park also has ball pits, slides and mini-parkour courses. There are also several options for go karting around the coast, making it easy for families to keep boredom at bay.

Have fun on the water

The sea is your playground while you're in the Costa del Sol. One of the advantages of taking the whole extended family for a group holiday in the Costa del Sol is that renting a boat can be more affordable. Go out on the water for a fun day trip, or try a number of different watersports. Stand-up paddleboarding, jet skis, banana boats and snorkelling are all popular activities that even young kids will enjoy. You can also join an organised boat trip. Dolphin-watching tours are a fun family activity. You can spot these playful creatures at any time of year, but they are most common between May and October.