The Costa del Sol, a picturesque region located in southern Spain, has made a name for itself as one of the most attractive holiday destinations in Europe. Indeed, with its long, golden beaches, it is a real paradise for sun worshippers. However, the Costa del Sol is not just about beaches. The variety of tourist attractions makes it a destination that offers much more than just a classic seaside holiday.
The city of Marbella, known as the pearl of the Costa del Sol, boasts not only picturesque beaches and luxurious resorts, but also fantastic water parks – located close to the resort and guaranteeing an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Whether you are looking for a place of relaxation and leisure or one full of fun and activity, the Costa del Sol is sure to meet your expectations.
Excellent beach offer on the Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is a real eldorado for beach lovers. Marbella boasts several beautiful beaches that offer a relaxing environment for everyone – whether they fancy sunbathing on the hot sand or enjoying water sports. They stretch for some 26 km, and each of the beaches along the coast can attract different qualities.
The first one that can be recommended with a clear conscience is Real de Zaragoza, considered one of the most beautiful beaches and 13 km from the city centre. It is the longest beach in Marbella, with a length of over 1,700 m and a width of as much as 30 m! Even in high season, you can find a quiet place to relax there. But it is not the only place where you can enjoy the sun, as the beaches around Elviria and Bahia de Marbella are also lovely.
If you’re planning a family day at the beach, check out Playa Hermosa (meaning Beautiful), located just 10 minutes from the centre of Marbella. It’s famous for its incredible views – the sea on one side and the mountainous landscape on the other! If you are looking for peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city, visit Playa de Capobino, located near the dune reserve. Los Nagüeles is another great beach, especially for families, with its golden sand and gentle sea – perfect for playing.
Puerto Banús beach, on the other hand, is a place that attracts crowds of tourists thanks to its luxury beach clubs and restaurants serving local delicacies. It is the ideal place for those looking for comfort and elegance. Playa de la Fontanilla, on the other hand, with its gentle entrance to the sea and wide range of facilities – such as sun loungers, umbrellas and water attractions – is perfect for families with children. El Faro beach, on the other hand, located close to the centre of Marbella, enjoys stunning views of the Mediterranean and is ideal for romantic walks during sunsets.
Water parks a great alternative to relaxing on the beach
As well as great beaches, Marbella and the Costa del Sol offer many other attractions for tourists. Water parks are a great alternative to relaxing on the beach – especially for families with children. Packed with slides, pools and attractions for the little ones, these places are ideal for a family outing. Children love playing in the water, while adults can enjoy the sun, relax on a sun lounger or join in the fun. If, when spending your holiday on the Costa del Sol, you decide to plan a day at one of these places, we recommend it:
Aqualand (Torremolinos)
This is the largest water park on the Costa del Sol, offering endless fun for the whole family. This impressive facility attracts tourists and locals alike, thanks to its diverse range of attractions. The park offers a wide range of slides, from the adrenaline-packed ones – such as Kamikaze or Black Hole, to the more sedate ones – ideal for younger children or those looking for more relaxed fun. In addition, Aqualand offers extensive swimming pools, hot tubs and wave pools where you can almost feel like you’re in the ocean.
This year saw a grand opening to celebrate the renovation of the facility and the construction of new attractions such as Tsunami, Tutakame, Hurricane and Waterfall Bay.
The facility is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 (until the end of August). Attractions are available until 30 minutes before the entire park closes.
Location: Calle Cuba 10, 29620 Torremolinos, Malaga, Spain
Ticket prices: Prices start from €13.50 to €36, but due to discounts it is advisable to purchase tickets through the website.
Aquamijas (Mijas)
Located on the AutoVia del Mediterráneo, Aquamijas is the perfect place for a fun-filled family day out on the Costa del Sol. This water park provides plenty of activities for visitors of all ages. For thrill seekers, Aquamijas offers several unique slides. Labyrinth Slides is a complex network of slides that provide plenty of excitement, while Adventure River offers a calmer but equally interesting experience.
For the youngest visitors, the park offers special zones with plenty of safe water attractions. Aquamijas also hosts regular animation and themed events that make every visit special. The park also provides many facilities such as restaurants, souvenir shops and picnic areas, making it the perfect place to spend the day. For more information, visit the facility’ s website.
Location: Calle Autovía del Mediterráneo, 29651, Mijas Costa, Málaga.
Ticket prices: Prices range from €18 to €31, but we can save money when buying tickets online (from €16.50 to €29.90).
Aquavelis (Malaga)
Located in Torre del Mar, Aquavelis is one of the most visited water parks on the Costa del Sol. It’s a place that provides a wide range of attractions to suit different age groups and levels of courage. One of the most exhilarating experiences to be had here is going down the Kamikaze slide – one of the highest and steepest in the entire park. For those looking for less intense thrills, Aquavelis offers attractions such as the wave pools and Lazy River, where you can relax and drift lazily on an inflatable tyre.
For the youngest guests, Aquavelis has special zones such as the Mini Park, which offers pools and slides designed especially for children. A great attraction for older guests can be the newly opened spa area. The park also offers various amenities, including restaurants, cafés and gift shops. It is certainly a place that will provide an unforgettable experience for the whole family during a visit to the Costa del Sol. Additional information about the attractions can be found on the park’ s website.
Location: Calle Ruta del Pomelo S/N, Urbanización El Tomillar, Torre del Mar, Málaga, Spain
Ticket prices: During the months of July and August, the water park is open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and in the other months from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Prices start from €14.50 to €28.50. With discounted online ticket purchases, you will pay me – from €12.50 to €26.50.
Hotel Polynesia Benalmadena (Benalmadena)
Location: Rotonda de los Elefantes, Av. del Sol, 195, 29630 Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
Ticket prices: This hotel offers the purchase of admission for the whole day (10:00 to 18:00) with use of the pools and the water park for children. The ticket cost for an adult is €79 and for a child €49. Everything is included: food, drink and soft and alcoholic drinks.
Alcazaba Lagoon Estepona (Estepona)
Discover Europe’s largest artificial lagoon at 14,000 square metres. Have a great water sports adventure or relax on the sun loungers while enjoying the tranquil views. Here you will find peace and serenity amidst the scenic beauty of the lagoon. Water activities such as kayaks, pedal boats, paddle boards and electric surfboards await you. You can pass the time in the sauna or the jacuzzi or simply by walking along the paths specially designated for this purpose. You can enrich your experience with Mediterranean cuisine in one of the two restaurants located on the premises or cool down with your favourite drink at the pool bar. A new adults-only area with a swimming pool was opened this year. It is a great place for families, but there is something for everyone here.
Location: Calle Cortijo del Beneficiario, 29690 Casares, Málaga, Spain
Ticket prices: The lagoon is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. All-day admission for a child is €25 and for an adult €50.
A climate conducive to holidays
The Costa del Sol is extremely popular with tourists, and one of the main reasons is undoubtedly its climate. The region offers more than 320 days of sunshine a year and mild, warm winters. This makes Marbella an ideal holiday destination virtually all year round. In summer, the average temperature is around 25-30 degrees Celsius, which, combined with the warm, azure Mediterranean Sea, provides the perfect conditions for swimming and blissful relaxation on the beach.
As an alternative to the water parks on the Costa del Sol, there are also theme parks where you can have a sensational day out with your families. You can read more here.
