What are the top things to do on the Costa Del Sol as a family?

• Cueva de Nerja
• Parque De La Paloma
• Teleferico Benalmadena (Benalmadena Cable Car)
• Butterfly Park of Benalmadena
• Water parks on the Costa del Sol
• Dolphin and whale watching
• Bioparc Fuengirola

The Cueva de Nerja is one of the most spectacular caves in Spain, dating back to prehistoric times. The cave showcases stunning stalactites and stalagmites and has now been designated as an Asset of Cultural Interest.

Joanna, the writer of the Andalucia In My Pocket blog, spoke about the caves and why they are one of the top things to do on the Costa Del Sol for a family: “‘Visiting La Cueva de Nerja is one of the top things to do in Nerja. And no wonder, with 5 kilometres of galleries and the largest stalactite in the world inside measuring 32 meters high, with a base of 13 X 7 meters. The caves were discovered in 1959 by a group of local teens who were on a walk searching for bats.

“Inside the caves, there are three galleries, only one being opened to the general public. The Nerja caves have many signs of prehistoric human habitation, going back to 30,000 years ago. There are over 500 prehistoric paintings inside the cave, the most famous one being used as the logo for the cave and the Nerja museum.”

There are guided tours of Cueva de Nerja, and you will learn about the history of the caves and why they are so important.

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Parque De La Paloma is one of the best nature parks on the Costa del Sol, and with it being located in the centre of Benalmádena, it has become a popular place for families and others to enjoy a green space.

The park is renowned for being home to many free-roaming animals, such as chickens, ducks, parrots, rabbits and others. During the summer months, it is a perfect place to explore as there are plenty of bars and terraces, picnic areas, a beautiful lake to explore, and bike hire services so you can cycle around the park.

There are two children’s play areas and around 200,000 square metres of green spaces, so there is plenty of space to keep the kids occupied during your visit.

The Benalmadena Cable Car, or Teleferico Benalmadena as it is also known, will transport you through the skies for over 5,000 metres from Arroyo de la Miel to the peak of Calamorro.

When you visit the summit of the mountain, you will be greeted with stunning views over the Costa del Sol and the province of Malaga, and you will be able to see Africa on a clear day.

The cable car opened in 2000, and it has since become a hugely popular attraction for families as the region is home to a network of cycling and hiking trails that take you deep into picturesque landscapes.

At the top of Monte Calamorro, you can discover the world of falconry with the Flight of Prey Birds Presentation performed by the Valle de las Águilas Foundation. You and the family can watch as birds of prey soar through the skies with the Malaga coastline as a backdrop.

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The Butterfly Park is located in the heart of the Costa del Sol at Benalmadena, just 20 minutes from Malaga. The park is located inside a dramatic Thai temple, and if you visit, you can walk amongst over 1,500 exotic butterflies that can fly freely in this tropical paradise that features waterfalls and flowers.

The butterflies come from all over the world, and during your visit, you can learn about these iconic insects as well as observe how they are born and how they reproduce.

Speaking about her experience of visiting the park, lifestyle blogger Henriikka, who runs the blog By Henriikka, says: “The Butterfly Park, also known as Mariposario de Benalmadena, houses thousands of butterflies from all over the world, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to witness these beautiful creatures up close in a tropical paradise setting.

“It’s a delightful and educational experience for people of all ages!”

There are other insects and animals living inside the park, including caterpillars, wallabies, Red-footed Tortoises, and Gouldian finch.

Water parks cater to all ages, and the Costa del Sol is home to some of the best water parks in the world. There are water slides for thrill-seekers, Lazy Rivers for those looking for a relaxing experience, and group slides where the whole family can race against each other.

Here, we take you through some of the best water parks you can visit in the region.

• Aqualand Torremolinos: Aqualand Torremolinos is the largest water park on the Costa del Sol, and it features a variety of water slides and pools suitable for both children and adults, including the 22-meter-high Kamikaze slide for thrill-seekers.
• Aquamijas Waterpark: This waterpark has more than 10 different waterslides and swimming pools to explore, and alongside these, there are shops, bars, and restaurants.
• Aquavelis Waterpark: It might be one of the oldest water parks in Costa del Sol, but there is a wide range of water slides, children’s play areas, and swimming pools that the whole family can enjoy. The Super Niagara and the Kamikaze slides are perfect for thrill-seekers.
• Costa Water Park: This might not be an official water park, but this inflatable, floating obstacle course in Fuengirola offers a great family day out for people of all ages. You can move from one obstacle to another via floating doughnuts.

ALSO READ: Must-visit historical sites on the Costa del Sol

From water parks to ancient caves, the Costa del Sol is full of amazing attractions and experiences for the whole family. It is no wonder that the region is a popular family holiday destination.

If you want to go on a family holiday and experience what the Costa del Sol has to offer, then take a look at our Resorts in Spain and book your trip today!

For more tips, guides and advice, visit our blog.