Sun Sea and Smiles…the best family friendly holidays in Southern Spain
You know what they say, happy kids, happy Mum and Dad and this is especially true of our summer holidays. If the kids are entertained then they won’t be moping around moaning about being bored. Family time is so precious and we work so hard all year round to afford the all-important fun filled fortnight away from it all.
Sun, sea, and sand… it’s what thousands of tourists flock to the Spanish Costas for, year in, year out. No more so than on the famous Costa del Sol whose golden sands run along the beautiful coastline of southern Spain. Although, splashing around on the beach is great fun, as parents of young kids or maybe even teens, we need to find the best activities and entertainment to keep them happy and sometimes a bucket and spade just isn’t enough!
We’ve found some of the best family friendly resorts along the Costa del Sol and beyond to the Costa de la Luz which are ideal for summer holidays when multiple generations are involved.
Bringing Gran and Grandad? No problem, there’s something for everyone – from the very young to the young at heart, ticking all the boxes for the perfect family break.
A hot favourite on the Costa del Sol is the Cortijo Blanco in San Pedro de Alcantara – top value all-inclusive hotel in typically Andalusian style with pretty grounds and courtyards and offers a brilliant programme of daytime activities and entertainment as well as a playground, tennis courts, evening cabaret and mini disco. It’s also within easy reach of famous Puerto Banus if you fancy getting the glad rags on for a night on the town. Here you can rub shoulders with the rich and famous and enjoy some people watching in this exclusive and elegant marina.
There are plenty of designer boutiques and atmospheric bars and restaurants to while away the day but the port really comes to life in the evenings when the beautiful people come out to play. Often referred to as the St Tropez of Spain, the glitzy marina of Puerto Banus is jam packed with super yachts so don’t forget to spend an evening or two in this millionaires’ playground by the sea. It’s all very glam and grown up but there are plenty of family friendly bars and restaurants in the marina where you can still enjoy a taste of the high life even if you have the kids in tow.
Some cracking eateries also offer children’s menus for the under 10s such as:
This impressive 4* complex is an enviable location, close to the beach, bars and restaurants as well as the coast’s major attractions and theme parks, although it would be easy to stay put on site as there is so much going on. Younger holidaymakers can enjoy the use of children’s club, playground and mini disco while Mum and dad can take advantage of a fabulous choice of activities on offer day and night, including a luxury spa where you can treat yourself to a massage or a beauty treatment.
Holiday Village, Costa del Sol
Another corker if you are looking for plenty of action on site and you don’t want to venture too far is the Holiday Village Costa del Sol. For kids there’s swim, stage and football academies as well as the First Choice kids’ club offering a wide range of fun activities. There’s also child-friendly buffets, sure to keep even the hungriest – or fussiest of little mouths happy. The hotel offers all-inclusive packages and this usually works out a good economic strategy, saving you plenty of cash in the long run. You know how all those cold drinks and ice creams can add up every day! – not to mention Mum and Dad’s evening tipples!
Sol Principe, Torremolinos
The newly refurbished Sol Principe might also suit families heading for the Costa del Sol this summer. The hotel is close to the Playamar area and boasts a kids club and regular entertainment as well as lively atmosphere. There’s a huge lagoon style pool for splashing around in the sunshine and the hotel enjoys direct access to the sandy beach.
TUI Family Life, Islantilla, Costa de la Luz
Further along the coast in the western part of the Andalusian coastline, facing out to the Atlantic is the Costa del Sol’s beautiful neighbour, the Costa de la Luz. Thomson have a fabulous hotel complex here – TUI Family Life Islantilla hotel, which features all-inclusive packages in elegant accommodation. There’s a full entertainment programme at the hotel all set in delightful surroundings where everyone can enjoy those precious moments that make for the perfect family holiday.
If you do fancy getting out and about for some fun in the sun, here’s some of the best theme parks in southern Spain, where you can enjoy some thrills and spills with the kids.
Don’t forget, on the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz, you’re also perfectly placed for visiting the surrounding towns and cities if you feel you need an injection of culture. Excursions to Malaga, Ronda, Granada, Gibraltar and Seville city breaks are readily available from your base on the coast, although we think you’ll behaving way too much fun for all that but it’s nearby if you want it. Just saying!