Enjoy the Spanish sunshine on a family holiday to 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.

What are the best things to do for families on the Costa del Sol?

The Costa del Sol is one of the most popular parts of Spain for a family getaway, and it's easy to see why. It's not just the great weather and the lovely beaches - although you could spend the entire holiday lounging on the sand if you want! There are also stunning natural places to explore on your family trip to the Costa del Sol, like the Nerja sea caves. The region is also a brilliant introduction to a hiking holiday on the Costa del Sol, with family-friendly trails along the coast and through the white-washed villages of the Axarquía. Other top attractions include water parks like Aqualand in Torremolinos, which boasts water slides and wave pools for a top day out. Want something a little more educational on your holiday? The city of Málaga has an impressive Roman theatre which the kids will love to explore as part of a family holiday on the Costa del Sol. Don't forget about all the fun things you can do by the sea, either; many beaches in the area's resorts let you hire sporting equipment, including kayaks, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards.

Where are the best family holiday destinations on the Costa del Sol?

The entire Costa del Sol is around 150 km long, and each town has its own unique character. That can make it hard to know where to begin looking for holiday lettings in the Costa del Sol. The good news is that no matter where you stay, you're bound to find plenty of great things to see and do. For traditional family fun, consider villas in Benalmádena, Torremolinos, or Fuengirola; these lively resorts have long, white sand beaches and attractions like water parks. The streets are generally wide and flat, so handling a stroller is a breeze. If you want something more adventurous during your holiday with kids on the Costa del Sol, try a villa in Nerja. This town is known for its superb natural beauty, and curious kids will have a whale of a time exploring its intriguing caves. Villas in Marbella centre are great if you fancy a posh break; Marbella is renowned as the most exclusive resort on the Costa del Sol, and you might well find yourself rubbing shoulders with some Spanish celebrities.