Planning a family holiday on the Costa del Sol? Malaga and the surrounding area are an ideal destination, sunny weather most of the year, sandy beaches, amusement parks for all ages, and on top of that, child-friendly infrastructure. In this article I'll show you the best attractions for kids, the beaches where little ones can safely swim, and practical tips that work on the ground (as of 2026).
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Malaga attracts families for several reasons. First, the weather. Sunny days throughout the season, sea temperature above 18°C from April, reaching 26°C in July and August. Second, getting around. From Malaga airport to most attractions it's 20-60 km, and everything is well connected. Third, infrastructure. Beaches with lifeguards, parks with play areas for kids, restaurants set up for family visits.
But to fully enjoy a holiday with kids, you need a car. Without one, you wait for buses in the heat with a stroller, pay €40 for a taxi to the zoo, and lose half the day getting around. Renting a car on the Costa del Sol isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. Here's why. For bigger families, renting a family car in Malaga is a good fit, more trunk space and child seats.
Sea Life is an aquarium located in Puerto Marina in Benalmádena, about 20 km from Malaga. Kids can see sharks, sea turtles, seahorses, and hundreds of other sea creatures. Interactive exhibits, 360° glass tunnels, touch pools. It's one of the most popular spots for families with kids on the Costa del Sol.
ℹ️ Practical information:
◉ Location: Puerto Marina, Benalmádena (approx. 20 km from Malaga)
⏱ Travel time: approx. 20-25 minutes
⏱ Visit duration: 2-3 hours
★ Price: €15-20 adult, €10-15 child
⏰ Hours: 10:00-19:00 (longer seasonally)
Tip: Buy tickets online the day before, you'll save €2-3 per person and avoid queues.
If you want to see lions, giraffes, and elephants, Bioparc Fuengirola is waiting 30 km from Malaga. It's not an ordinary zoo, it's an open zoological park where animals live in conditions close to natural. Many interactive zones, animal feeding, educational shows.
ℹ️ Practical information:
◉ Location: Fuengirola (30 km west of Malaga)
⏱ Travel time: approx. 40 minutes
⏱ Visit duration: 3-4 hours
★ Price: €25-30 adult, €15-20 child (3-11 years)
⏰ Hours: 10:00-18:00 (winter until 17:00)
Tip: Remember a hat and sunscreen, Bioparc is mostly open-air zones. Arrive early morning (9:30), before most groups arrive.
If your little ones love water and slides, Aqualand Torremolinos is the ideal choice for a hot day. Slides for all ages, from gentle wave pools for the youngest to the extreme "Kamikaze" for older kids. The park also has picnic areas, food stands, and a large parking lot.
ℹ️ Practical information:
◉ Location: Torremolinos (approx. 10 km from Malaga)
⏱ Travel time: approx. 10 minutes
⏱ Visit duration: 4-6 hours
★ Price: €25-35 adult, €18-25 child
⏰ Hours: 11:00-19:00 (summer season, June-September)
Our tip: Arrive at opening, 11:00, in the first hour the slide queues are minimal. Bring waterproof SPF 50+ sunscreen and flip-flops, the ground around the pools gets very hot. Food in the park is expensive (drink €5, burger €12), you can bring your own snacks.
If you're looking for a free attraction, Parque de la Paloma in Benalmádena is an oasis for families. The park spans 290,000 m², with a playground with slides, swings, a games room, a small lake with swans, and gardens. Perfect for an afternoon outing.
ℹ️ Practical information:
◉ Location: Benalmádena Costa (close to the beach and Selwo Marina)
◉ Distance from Malaga: approx. 20 km
⏱ Travel time: approx. 20 minutes, depending on traffic
✔ Admission: free
Ⓟ Parking: usually a few euros depending on the zone and time
✔️ Best for: kids around 2-10 years old
Selwo Marina is a marine animal park located in Benalmádena, right next to Parque de la Paloma, not in Estepona.
It's a great attraction for families, especially if kids are interested in dolphins and marine animals.
On site you'll find:
✔️ dolphin shows and their training
✔️ penguins (one of the bigger attractions)
✔️ aquariums and educational zones
✔️ interactive presentations about animals
Special experiences are also available:
✨ • dolphin encounters (for an extra fee)
✨ • educational programs with trainers
ℹ️ Practical information:
◉ Location: Benalmádena (next to Parque de la Paloma)
◉ Distance from Malaga: approx. 25 km
⏱ Travel time: approx. 20-30 minutes
⏳ Visit duration: 2-3 hours
★ Price: approx. €25-35 adult, €18-25 child
✔ Shows: several daily (times change seasonally)
Remember! Book online if you want to swim with the dolphins. The extra fee is around €100-150 per person, but it's an amazing experience for a child.
Selwo Aventura is a large safari park and zoo located in Estepona. It's a completely different attraction from Selwo Marina.
Over 100 hectares are home to more than 2000 animals from different continents, mostly African.
✔️ What you'll see on site:
✔️ lions, cheetahs, hyenas
✔️ giraffes, elephants, rhinos
✔️ hippos, zebras
✔️ lemurs and other exotic species
On top of that:
✔️ safari (e.g. Serengeti in a 4x4)
✔️ rope bridges and adventure trails
✔️ camel rides
✔️ shows and educational activities
ℹ️ Practical information:
◉ Location: Estepona (by the A-7 motorway)
◉ Distance from Malaga: approx. 75-80 km
⏱ Travel time: approx. 1-1:15 h (a bit longer in season)
⏳ Visit duration: 4-6 hours (often a full day)
★ Price: approx. €20-30 adult, €15-20 child
⏰ Hours: 10:00-18:00 (extended summer hours)
Tip: It's worth combining Selwo Aventura with a visit to Estepona, a charming old town, white houses, fresh fish for lunch. Bring binoculars, kids love spotting animals themselves.
Mariposario de Benalmádena (also known as Butterfly Park) is one of the most unique nature attractions on the Costa del Sol.
It's located in the upper part of town (Benalmádena Pueblo), right next to the Buddhist stupa, not by the beach itself.
Inside you enter a tropical jungle:
✔️ over 1500 butterflies from around the world flying freely
✔️ exotic plants (orchids, palms, waterfalls)
✔️ the chance to see the full butterfly life cycle (cocoon → butterfly)
✔️ plus: turtles, birds, and small animals
The whole thing is housed in a distinctive building styled like a Thai temple.
ℹ️ Practical information:
◉ Location: Benalmádena Pueblo (by the Buddhist stupa)
◉ Distance from Malaga: approx. 20 km
⏱ Travel time: 20 minutes
⏳ Visit duration: 1-2 hours
★ Price: approx. €10-13 adult, €8-9 child
• ⏰ Hours: usually 10:00-18:30/19:00 (longer seasonally)
❗ Good to know:
⚠️ It's hot and humid inside (approx. 25-29°C), that's the intentional tropical climate
✔️ Butterflies fly freely, they may land on you
✔️ Watch your step (butterflies often sit on the paths)
✔️ Great spot for photos
✔️ Who is it best for?
✔ kids 3-10 years old
✔ a calm attraction (no noise or crowds)
✔ perfect as a "lighter day" between bigger parks
If the kids like a thrill, Cocodrilo Park is a spectacular park with the biggest crocodiles in Europe. Feeding shows, terrariums, educational displays. A smaller park than Bioparc, but focused only on reptiles, perfect for 2-3 hours.
ℹ️ Practical information:
◉ Location: Torremolinos (15 km from Malaga)
⏱ Travel time: approx. 15 minutes
★ Price: €15-20 adult, €10-15 child
✔ Shows: 10:00-18:00 (summer extension to 19:00)
Tip: Holding a snake for an extra €5, kids love it. Dress accordingly, the park can be hot and humid (heating for the reptiles).
Malagueta is the easiest option for families without a car, but if you have one, it's still worth it. Sandy beach, shallow, right by central Malaga. Lifeguards, restrooms, beachside cafes.
ℹ️ Practical information:
✔ Length: 500 m
✔ Depth: shallow, ideal for small kids
Ⓟ Parking: beachside, €1.50-2.50 per hour
☂️ Sunbeds and umbrellas: approx. €10-15 per set
✔️ Beach in season: crowded, but safe
Pedregalejo is a favorite spot for local families. A comfortable beach, right next to characteristic wooden breakwater posts, remnants of traditional fishing. Many tapas bars, a cozy atmosphere.
ℹ️ Practical information:
✔ Length: 800 m
✔ Depth: shallow, safe
Ⓟ Parking: free (can be hard to find in season)
☂️ Sunbeds and umbrellas: €12-18 per set
✔️ Best for: families looking for authenticity
Tip: Arrive at 17:00 for the sand, and at 20:00 for dinner at a beach bar. The restaurants here make excellent grilled fish (€17-25 a dish).
Benalmádena has 3 km of beaches, divided into zones. Part near the port (family-friendly), part by the promenade (touristy), a further part (quieter). Clean sand everywhere, lifeguards.
ℹ️ Practical information:
✔ Length: 3 km
✔ Depth: variable, mostly shallow
Ⓟ Parking: multi-level (€2-3 per hour)
☂️ Sunbeds: €10-15 per set
✔ Extra attractions: promenade with toys for kids, water park
Our tip: Instead of the main beach, try El Pulguerino, a smaller, quieter beach near Benalmádena, ideal for little ones.
A beach on the east side of Marbella (10 km from the city), less crowded than the center, but well equipped. Sand, lifeguards, restaurants right nearby.
ℹ️ Practical information:
✔ Length: 600 m
✔ Depth: shallow, safe
Ⓟ Parking: free (can be hard to find in season)
✨ Cleanliness: very good
The sun over the Mediterranean is strong, very strong. Even in March and October, UVB levels are close to the middle of summer in Poland.
Remember!
The difference: In Poland, shops are open non-stop, often until 21:00-22:00. In Andalusia, many small shops and local service points close for a few hours in the middle of the day, usually between 14:00 and 18:00.
⚠️ Note: this doesn't apply to supermarkets and shopping malls, they operate non-stop all day.
A similar rhythm applies to dining. Restaurants open early serving breakfast and close after lunch, usually between 13:30 and 16:00. Dinner restaurants only open around 20:00-21:00. For people used to earlier hours this can be a surprise, but it quickly turns out this system makes sense, it's adapted to the high temperatures and lifestyle of southern Spain.
This isn't an inconvenience, it's an opportunity. During siesta:
Plan your outings for early morning (8:00-11:00) or evening (18:00-21:00).
Tip: If the kids sleep in the car, you can plan longer drives for 14:00-16:00. All the tourist traffic drops then, and the roads are empty.
Our tip: Come for dinner at 20:00 or 20:30, that's when locals come in, not tourists. Same prices, completely different atmosphere.
Beaches have public showers, usually available. Restrooms may close at 18:00. Plan to be back before dusk.
Safety at sea:
Remember! The sea temperature in May-June and September-October is around 19-23°C. Kids under 5 can get cold, a wetsuit may be needed at the beach.
A car in the sun heats up to 60-70°C in 30 minutes. Never leave kids alone in the car, it's illegal and dangerous.
Tip:
| Item | Cost per day | Notes |
| ✨ Car rental | 30–60 € | Small hatchback for 4 people with car seats |
| ⛽ Fuel (200 km) | 20–25 € | 95-octane petrol approx. €1.45/l |
| ⛱️ Parking (at the beach) | 2–3 € | Blue zone approx. €1.50/h |
| ☕ Breakfast | 8–12 € | For 4 people at a local bar |
| ★ Lunch (menu del día) | 40–60 € | For 4 people at a local restaurant |
| ★ Dinner | 50–80 € | For 4 people at a nicer restaurant |
| ✨ Sea Life admission | 50–70 € | For 2 adults + 2 kids |
| ✨ Bioparc admission | 80–100 € | For 2 adults + 2 kids |
| ⛱️ Sunbeds + umbrellas | 30–40 € | For 2 people, all day |
| ★ Ice cream, drinks | 10–15 € | For the whole family |
| ★ TOTAL (3 days) | 600–850 € | For a family of 4 |
Without a rental car, add €150-200 for taxis and transfer services.
With a rental car, you're independent. Want to leave the beach at 15:00 because the kids have had enough? You get in the car. Want to find a restaurant 5 km away because it's better there? You drive. Without a car, you wait for the bus, haggle with a taxi driver, lose 30 minutes.
Spanish law requires car seats for children under 135 cm tall. Car4Rent Malaga provides a car seat for a one-time fee of €15, just ask when booking. Companies like Europcar or Hertz may charge extra fees (€30-50 per week for a seat).
Tip: Book the car seat when you make your reservation, you won't be hunting for one last minute at the airport.
In July-August temperatures on the Costa del Sol reach 38-40°C. A car without air conditioning is torture for the whole family, especially small kids. All cars at Car4Rent Malaga have air conditioning, at a rental price of around €30-60 a day, no hidden costs.
With three or four kids you have a mountain of stuff: strollers, car seats, suitcases, sleeping bags, a sandbox for little ones. A car gives you space, a small hatchback is about 350 liters, an SUV is 500+.
If the kids are tired or sick, they can rest in the car. If the weather turns bad, you get in the car. If something happens, you're right there with your kids, not on a bus with 40 strangers.
Tip: At Car4Rent Malaga you can rent a car with delivery to your hotel or the airport, saving you 30 minutes and a €30 taxi.
If you're planning a family holiday on the Costa del Sol, renting a car is an investment in comfort. Choosing Car4Rent Malaga saves you money and stress.
What sets us apart:
Renting a car with us costs around €30-60 a day for a small hatchback with air conditioning. That's the same as renting one sunbed on the beach, and you gain flexibility, safety, and peace of mind for the whole holiday.
Yes, but with caveats. Sea temperature: March-May 16-19°C, June-September 22-26°C, October 20°C, November-February 14-17°C. For kids under 6, a wetsuit is recommended in March, November, and December. In the summer months, swimming is ideal.
A small hatchback (Peugeot 208, Renault Clio) is plenty for a family of four. An SUV is bigger and more comfortable, but more expensive (€60-80 a day). If you have a lot of luggage, an SUV pays off. If you're just planning beaches and hotels, a hatchback is fine.
Malaga airport to Fuengirola (Bioparc) is about 30 km, roughly 25-40 minutes on the motorway (depending on traffic). We recommend renting a car right after landing, you'll save time and money on taxis.
Yes. El Pulguerino is the unofficial name of a beach in Benalmádena, east of the main port. There are fewer beach vendors, fewer tourists, more space. Ideal for families with small kids.
Every major beach has chiringuitos, kiosks where you can rent gear. An umbrella + 2 sunbeds is about €12-20 a day. A deposit usually isn't needed, you pay at the end of the day. You can also buy an umbrella at Mercadona for €15-20 and bring it with you.
Most beaches have WiFi, best at chiringuitos and restaurants. The Free WiFi Malaga network covers parts of the center and beaches. However, you can't always count on it, bring a mobile data plan.
At most parks, kids under 1 meter tall get free admission, under 1.2 meters, 50% off. Sea Life, Bioparc, kids under 3 get free admission. Always ask at the ticket counter, there may be seasonal promotions.
Yes. Kids under 135 cm tall or under 12 years old, a car seat is mandatory. No car seat means a €600 fine. Car4Rent Malaga provides a car seat for a one-time fee of €15.
Available models for families:
Check also:
Your family is waiting for sun, sand, dolphins, and peace of mind on the Costa del Sol. Renting a car with us guarantees flexibility, safety, and savings. You don't have to worry about a deposit, a credit card, or hidden fees, you pay only for the rental. A child car seat? Just €15. Service in Polish? 24/7. Delivery to your hotel? Sure.
➤ Check availability and prices
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