The Costa del Sol offers an extensive range of attractions and activities that make it one of Spain’s premier family holiday destinations. From water parks and wildlife centres to adventure parks and natural wonders, this comprehensive guide explores the best things to do on the Costa del Sol, helping families plan an unforgettable Mediterranean experience.
Aqualand in Torremolinos
Aqualand Torremolinos stands as the Costa del Sol’s largest water park, spanning over 70,000 square metres of aquatic attractions. Located just 10 minutes from the centre of Torremolinos, this park features more than 30 slides and attractions suitable for all age groups. The park is divided into distinct zones, including a dedicated children’s area with shallow pools and gentle slides, whilst thrill-seekers can enjoy high-speed attractions like the Boomerang and Speed Racers.
The park maintains high safety standards with numerous lifeguards stationed throughout the facility. Visitors will find clean changing rooms, lockers and several dining options. The park typically operates from May to September, with peak season during July and August when pre-booking is essential. Free parking is available, and the park is easily accessible by public transport from major Costa del Sol resorts.
Aquamijas in Fuengirola
Aquamijas offers a more compact and family-focused water park experience compared to its larger counterpart in Torremolinos. Located in Fuengirola, this park particularly suits families with younger children, featuring a good balance of gentle attractions and moderately thrilling slides. There are frequent buses to Aquamijas from Fuengirola bus station or alternatively you can walk from either the bus or train station in less than 20 minutes.
Selwo Adventure Park in Estepona
Selwo Adventure presents an African safari experience on the Costa del Sol, spread across more than 100 hectares of natural territory. The park houses over 2,000 animals from 200 species in semi-wild conditions, including lions, giraffes, elephants and numerous African antelope species.
Visitors can choose between guided safari tours in all-terrain vehicles or walking routes that offer different perspectives of the wildlife. The park features several adventure activities including zip lines and hanging bridges, adding an extra dimension to the wildlife experience. Educational presentations focus on conservation issues and animal behaviour, whilst the restaurant areas provide panoramic views over the park’s territories.
Selwo Marina, focused on marine mammals and exotic birds, offers a different experience from traditional marine parks. The facility houses the only dolphinarium in Andalucía, providing educational demonstrations that focus on natural behaviours rather than entertainment tricks.
The park’s penguin habitat recreates Antarctic conditions, housing several species including Humboldt penguins. The tropical bird exhibit allows visitors to interact with various species in a controlled environment. Educational programs emphasise marine conservation, with special attention to the impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems. The park’s size allows for comfortable viewing of all attractions within 3-4 hours.
Bioparc in Fuengirola
The park’s main highlights include the Adventure River, Family Slides and the Children’s Paradise area. Unlike larger water parks, Aquamijas rarely feels overcrowded, even during peak season, making it easier for parents to keep track of their children. The park provides good value for money with reasonable food prices and free sunbed usage. Opening from June to September, the park offers various ticket options including afternoon-only passes at reduced rates.
Bioparc Fuengirola represents a modern approach to zoological parks, focusing on conservation and education whilst providing immersive wildlife experiences. The park recreates various ecosystems including Southeast Asian tropical forests, African savannah and Madagascar environments, housing over 200 species in naturalistic habitats.
The park’s design eliminates traditional cages, instead using innovative barriers that create the illusion of proximity to the animals whilst maintaining safety. Educational programs run throughout the day, with specially designed children’s activities and feeding demonstrations. The night visits during summer months offer a unique perspective on nocturnal animals. The park maintains strong conservation credentials through participation in European breeding programmes for endangered species.
Selwo Marina in Benalmádena
Interactive experiences include touch pools where children can safely handle starfish and learn about marine life from experienced staff. The centre maintains a strong educational focus with regular talks and feeding demonstrations, particularly during peak season. The turtle rescue centre provides insight into marine conservation efforts, whilst the behind-the-scenes tours offer additional learning opportunities. The facility is entirely indoors, making it an excellent option on a rainy day.
Sea Life Benalmádena
Sea Life Benalmádena provides an educational journey through marine ecosystems, featuring more than 30 displays that showcase local Mediterranean species alongside tropical marine life. The centre’s main attraction is the ocean tunnel, offering close encounters with sharks, rays and various fish species.
Butterfly Park in Benalmádena
The Butterfly Park (Mariposario) in Benalmádena houses over 1,500 exotic butterflies within a Thai-themed tropical garden. The carefully controlled environment maintains optimal conditions for butterflies, with temperatures between 24-29°C and humidity levels above 80%.
Visitors can observe the complete butterfly life cycle, from eggs to emerging adults. The facility includes educational displays explaining butterfly biology and conservation. The architectural design, featuring Thai styling and waterfalls, creates an atmospheric setting for butterfly observation. Professional photographers will find excellent macro photography opportunities, with staff available to advise on best practices for butterfly photography.
Adventure Park “Amazonia” in Marbella
Amazonia Adventure Park offers six treetop circuits of varying difficulty levels, making it suitable for children from age four through to adults. The park uses a continuous security line system, ensuring participants remain safely attached throughout their experience.
The circuits include various challenges such as Tibetan bridges, zip lines and suspended tunnels. Professional instructors provide thorough safety briefings and remain available to assist throughout the course. The park’s location within a pine forest provides natural shade and pleasant conditions even during summer months. Course completion times vary from 1-3 hours depending on chosen circuits and skill levels.
Fuengirola Adventure Golf
Fuengirola Adventure Golf is a popular mini-golf course which offers 19 holes set amidst tropical landscapes, featuring lush greenery, cascading waterfalls and a scenic lake. Each hole presents a unique challenge, with strategically placed obstacles and varied elevations that test players of all skill levels.
Designed for all ages, Fuengirola Adventure Golf is ideal for families looking for a fun thing to do on the Costa del Sol. After a round, visitors can unwind at the on-site café, which serves a selection of snacks, drinks, and ice creams, making it easy to cool off under the Mediterranean sun. In addition to casual play, Fuengirola Adventure Golf hosts events, parties, and tournaments, providing a lively venue for celebrations and friendly competition.
Benalmádena Cablecar to Monte Calamorro
The Teleférico Benalmádena provides a 15-minute journey to the summit of Monte Calamorro, rising from sea level to 769 metres. Modern cable cars offer 360-degree views during the ascent, with each car accommodating four passengers.
At the summit, visitors find various viewing platforms offering panoramic views across the Costa del Sol, Gibraltar and, on clear days, the North African coastline. The mountain hosts birds of prey demonstrations and maintains several hiking trails of varying difficulty. The facility includes a restaurant with spectacular views, though many visitors choose to bring picnics to enjoy at designated areas.
Go Shopping at the Costa del Sol Street Markets
The street markets of the Costa del Sol give visitors a genuine taste of local Andalucían life, where friendly haggling with stallholders is all part of the experience. Most markets run from 9am to 2pm, with each town having its own dedicated day. There’s always something to discover, from fresh local produce to handmade crafts and unique souvenirs. Beyond shopping, these weekly ‘mercadillos’ are a social gathering spot. Locals and tourists come together to chat, people-watch and enjoy the casual, lively atmosphere. Whether you’re after a bargain or just want enjoy the atmosphere, spending a morning at one of these Costa del Sol markets is well worthwhile.
Explore the Caves of Nerja
A visit to the Caves of Nerja is one of the most popular excursions from the Costa del Sol. This vast cave structure is one of the region’s most significant natural attractions which includes the world’s largest natural column, measuring 32 metres in height, amongst its numerous stalactites and stalagmites. Archaeological findings indicate human habitation within the caves dating back over 25,000 years with rock paintings still visible in restricted areas. The caves maintain a constant temperature of around 19°C, providing comfortable conditions for visiting year-round.
Take a Dolphin Watching Boat Trip
Dolphin watching excursions operate from various ports along the Costa del Sol, with common and bottlenose dolphins frequently spotted in these waters. Trips typically last between 1-2 hours, operated by experienced crews who understand dolphin behaviour patterns.
Most operators maintain high standards of responsible wildlife viewing, following established guidelines to avoid disturbing the dolphins. Many boats include underwater viewing windows or hydrophones to enhance the experience. Success rates for dolphin sightings remain high throughout the year, though sea conditions tend to be most favourable during summer months.
Walk the Caminito del Rey
Originally built as a workers’ access path in the early 20th century, the Caminito del Rey has been transformed into a safe but thrilling walkway through spectacular gorges. The restored pathway runs for 7.7 kilometres, including 4.8 kilometres of access ways and 2.9 kilometres of boardwalks.
The route requires advance booking and takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete. whilst no special physical preparation is needed, the walk involves several kilometres of steady walking and some stairs. The minimum age for participation is 8 years, and children must be accompanied by adults. The path includes numerous viewpoints and information panels explaining the local geology and history.
The Costa del Sol continues to evolve its tourist offerings whilst maintaining its position as one of Europe’s premier family holiday destinations. The range of activities available ensures that families can create varied itineraries regardless of their children’s ages or interests. From marine life encounters to adventure sports and natural wonders, the region provides countless opportunities for family entertainment and education.
