Tourist Information - FAMILY TRAVEL

Practical advice | Golf | Sun & sand | Picasso | Family travel | Active travel | Cuisine | Shopping

The Costa del Sol has become one of the top favourite destinations for family holidays, mainly because of its mild weather. However, geography has provided Málaga with natural settings that open up endless possibilities for children and their parents to have fun. What’s more, fantasy and imagination run free in the province’s theme parks, nature tours, sports schools, mountaineering adventures, educational programmes, and clubs for the little ones.

A jungle experience, coming face to face with beasts in wild nature, is an adventure nobody wants to miss. This dream can come true on the Costa del Sol, as it’s home to the two largest leisure parks dedicated to nature in Spain: the Fuengirola Zoo and Selwo Aventura, in Estepona. The zoo, in the heart of Fuengirola, features 900 animals of 100 different species, while Selwo Aventura houses 2,000 of 200 different species in a surface area of 100 hectares.

Tropical and subtropical vegetation has been recreated in Senda El Retiro, a botanical garden and bird park in Churriana, inhabited by 6,000 specimens (400 species). El Retiro is a must-visit for those who want to be in contact with nature at its wildest.

Learning can be fun in Málaga. The project known as “Aula del Mar” (Ocean Classroom) being carried out in Benalmádena helps understand the geography, vegetation and fauna of the coastline, while encouraging eco-friendly, conservationist behaviour. Other aquariums in the province are Sea Life, working with endangered species such as sharks, penguins, or seals, and Selwo Marina. Both are in Benalmádena.

Quite a different picture of nature is the one you can get at Lobo Park, in Antequera, or at Crocodile Park, in Torremolinos. Both parks are equally concerned with the protection of species in danger. Crocodile Park houses 300 crocodile specimens, classified into fourteen different species. 

The amusement park Tivoli World, in Benalmádena, has been around for forty years. Despite its long history, it can still dazzle new generations of boys and girls with its thrilling attractions.

For mountain goats, Málaga is full of beautiful landscapes and settings for outdoor sports. Most areas have well signposted trekking trails to be used by grown-ups and children alike. There’re also resting places and circuits that help discover the secrets of every ecosystem.

Málaga Province has five nature parks where families can go hiking and take a close look at the Mediterranean forest. They’re quiet places, ideal to strengthen family bonds or engage in deep reflections. If you’re the type of person who likes this kind of setting, you’ll have a hard time choosing your park!

Beaches are the flagship product of Málaga’s travel offer. Adjustments have been made for children’s safety on them. They’re watched by the Red Cross, and many have children’s areas on the shore.

If your children can’t get enough of water along the 160-kilometre natural coastline, there’re several water parks in Málaga. Adventure rivers, water slides, and wave pools for children and their parents to have fun together. The fifteen-year-old Mijas Water Park, Aqualand (the largest park of its kind on the Costa del Sol), or Axarquía-based Aquavelis (featuring an 80-metre-high free fall attraction) are all sure bets.

RESOURCE LIST

Fuengirola Zoo
Fuengirola
Telephone: (+34) 952 666 301
Website: www.zoofuengirola.com

Senda el Retiro
Churriana
Telephone: (+34) 952 623 540
Website: www.sendaelretiro.com

Lobopark
Antequera
Telephone: (+34) 952 031 107
Website: www.lobopark.com

Parque Selwo Aventura de Estepona
Estepona
Telephone: (+34) 902 190 482
Website: www.selwo.es

Crocodile Park
Torremolinos
Telephone: (+34) 952 051 782
Website: www.crocodile-park.com

Aula del mar
Málaga
Telephone: (+34) 952 229 287
Website: www.auladelmar.info

Sea Life
Benalmádena Costa
Telephone: (+34) 952 560 150
Website: www.sealife.es

Parque Acuático de Mijas
Mijas Costa
Telephone: (+34) 952 460 404
Website: www.aquamijas.com

Aqualand
Torremolinos
Telephone: (+34) 952 388 888
Website: www.aqualand.es

Aquavelis
Vélez  Málaga
Telephone: (+34) 952 542 758
Website: www.aquavelis.com

Tivoli World
Benalmádena.
Telephone: (+34) 952 577 016
Website: www.tivoli.es

Back to top