Family Attractions near Marbella

Beach destination Marbella and the town's immediate surroundings offer families a wealth of attractions. Blessed with more than 16 miles of gorgeous coastline and 14 golden, sandy beaches that boast an amazing range of leisure and water sports facilities between them, this part of the Costa del Sol offers families everything they could possibly wish for and more. 

Far from being a "high-rise hell", Marbella is an elegant town. Spend a little time in the lovely Orange Square in Old Town or at the Blue Flag beaches of San Pedro Alcántara and Puerto Banus, La Fontanilla Beach, Las Chapas, Cabopino, Venus or El Faro and you'll soon start dreaming of owning a holiday home here!

Offering theme parks, water parks, fairgrounds, zoos and adventure parks in the immediate neighbourhood, Marbella can certainly keep tourists busy. Funny Beach, which is located near Marbella centre, is the first port of call for most families with children. It's a great place to come and spend a whole day; boasting electric cars and go-kart circuits, children's rides and a video game arcade, Funny Beach is also brimming with water sports facilities, from banana rides and water skiing to windsurfing and paddle boarding, sailing to sea kayaking.

Fun-packed Torremolinos Aqualand

Located ca. 47 km distance from Marbella, Torremolinos Aqualand opens for the months of May, June and September from 11.00 to 6.00 pm every day, but during the peak season in July and August, Torremolinos Aqualand opens its doors from 11.00 am to 7.00 pm. 

Specially designed areas for younger children can keep your little ones occupied all day - take them to the colourful Aquatic Mushroom, Laguna Tropical and Children's Paradise areas and they won't want to leave again! 

For older children, teenagers and grown-ups alike the park offers a multitude of thrilling rides, slides and different types of pools - including a Jacuzzi. Mysteriously named Twister, 

Boomerang, Anaconda, Crazy Cones, Kamikaze, Super Slalom, Rapids and Black Hole - to name but a few of the many water-based rides - these slides and rides are guaranteed to provide families with a fun-packed day full of happy squeals, shrieks and smiling faces.

At Surf Beach families can safely plunge into waves measuring a meter in height, something that would be quite risky at a conventional beach due to the strong under-currents such a surf entails. At Torremolinos Aqualand's 1,440 square meter pool, however, mermaids and water babies of all ages can hurl themselves into oncoming waves without fear. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the day and keep a beady eye on everybody's safety.

Marbella's own Water Parks

Costa Water Park is present at Marbella itself and at Puerto Banus. There are a few more Costa Water Parks, located in neighbouring resorts Fuengirola, Benalmadena and Sotogrande. 

Floating in the sea, they offer families a great range of water-based activities right by the beach. Strangely, the parks don't accept credit cards, but that's the only drawback. Take out a day pass (35.00 euros per person frm 15th July to 15th August) and explore every attraction at your leisure.

The park is open from June onwards and closes at the end of September (opening times 11.00 am to 8.00 pm). The park's inflatable attractions include surfboards, platforms, bouncy castles and balancing bridges.

Parque Acuatico Mijas

This amazing park offers families ten very different attractions, including Kiddies Slides, Kamikaze, Adventure River, Wild River, Lizard Island and Blue Lake slides for everyone. There are also a shop, restaurant and bar, a picnic area and a Jacuzzi to make a visit more enjoyable. The park is located at A7 Main road, Km 209 Mijas Costa. Bus 220 runs from Marbella regularly to Mijas Costas. 

Sea Life Centre Benalmadena

From immersing oneself in water to watching fellow creatures enjoying themselves, Marbella has it all on offer. In neighbouring resort Benalmadena the Sea Life Centre at Puerto Marina s/n offers inquisitive young natural historians and marine biologists around 5,000 sea-based critters, including barracudas, rays, piranhas and colourful jellyfish, cheeky Asian otters and a rockpool experience where kids can touch starfish, creepy crawlie crabs and watch sharks being fed. 

A children's soft play area, walk-through tunnel offering panoramic views of toothy sharks swimming past (licking their chops!) and various demonstrations, shop and cafe make this an unforgettable visit. Adult tickets cost €16.25 and children aged three to 11 and seniors pay €14 per person.

These are just a few of the manifold attractions Marbella has to offer for fabulous family holidays. Has the above whetted your appetite for more? Consider purchasing a holiday home in Puerto Banus, Elviria or Calahondo, Cabopino or San Pedro and your family can have this much fun every summer!