Aqua Arena

New to the Costa Del Sol and proving to be extremely popular, Aqua Arena is something the children will enjoy immensely, and “Big Kid” parents will equally love. This sea-based inflatable activity centre is an 800 sq.m. floating island including climbing, jumping, sliding, running and swimming. It is physically challenging and suitable for anyone upwards of 8 years old. Under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult. There are 2 lifeguards on constant duty and everyone is required to wear a specially adapted buoyancy jacket. The strict safety code makes it great for parents wishing to relax on the beach or in the bar whilst the children burn off some excess energy. Open every day from June 1st to September 30th, all-day passes or hourly tickets are available.
www.aquaarena.com Distance from villa : 7.5 km / 10 mins


  Aventura Amazonia

Close by to Aqua Arena, this is the biggest tree-top Adventure Park in Andalucia, with tree-top circuits, zip-lines and other aerial challenges…83 aerial runways plus 20 zip-lines including longest zip-line in Andalucia (240 m). C.E. approved equipment. Suitable for all ages (children from 6yrs and height of 1.15m) plus a “mini-kids circuit” available for children of 4-6 years old. Adults are invited to challenge their own personal daring for up to 3 hours. Bar and restaurant. Open all year
www.aventura-amazonia.com Distance from villa : 5.6 km / 10 mins


  Bike Tours / Hire

Join a group of cycling enthusiasts for a group tour or go off mountain biking on your own…..Mijas Big Wheels is located in Alhaurin El Grande (25 km / 40 min drive) – an ideal location for mountain tours, however, they also offer a delivery and collection service to your holiday accommodation. Tours are tailored to your ability level, but probably unsuitable for young children or unfit adults! www.mijasbigwheels.com

Take a guided tour by push bike. Various options available in Marbella and Malaga city. Suitable for families with younger children. Cycles and mountain bikes also available for hire for use during your holiday. www.biketoursmalaga.com/en


  Butterfly World

Located in Benalmadena. Walk through a tropical environment in a replica Thai palace amongst more than 1,500 freely flying butterflies from around the world, and discover all there is to know about their life-cycle etc. At more than 2,000 sq.m.,this is the largest climate controlled space dedicated to butterflies in Europe, and well worth the visit for families and nature enthusiasts alike.
www.mariposariodebenalmadena.com/en Distance from villa : 22.5 km / 25 mins


  Cable Car

Take the 15 minute ride in a four-seater cabin from the coast to the summit of the Calamorro mountain which at almost 800m is the highest point in Benalmadena. At the top station there is a number of well signed paths covering a total of 2,750m suitable for walking and mountain biking. Several panoramic views can be seen of the coast, and on a really clear day you can see Africa. There is also an exhibition of birds of prey which includes eagles, vultures, falcons and owls flying freely around the summit. Refreshments are available at the café/bar, but please note it is quite pricey. The cable-car is open from March to December, but is closed on windy days.
www.telerificobenalmadena.com Distance from villa : 27 km / 35 mins


  Crazy Golf

Great fun for adults and children of all ages and abilities. This mini golf course is located in Fuengirola on the side of the river and is close to the beach and also a large shopping centre and cinema complex, so ideal for days when you are tired of the beach, or the sun! Run by a British couple, it is very friendly and caters for all, including (with advance booking) children’s birthday parties. 19 holes which take about an hour to complete in groups of up to 6 max. “Golfshak” bar-restaurant. Open all year except Christmas and bad weather days.
www.fuengirolaadventuregolf.com Distance from villa : 13 km / 15 mins


  Crocodile Park

Theme park with over 200 crocodiles ranging from babies up to the gigantic Nile crocodile at 5m long and weighing 500kg. Demonstrations throughout the day where you stand at only 2 metres’ distance from these impressive and pre-historic reptiles and can observe and wonder at the secrets of these fascinating creatures. There is also the opportunity to hold, and have your picture taken with a baby croc. The park is open all year, and is situated next door to Aqualand in Torremolinos.
www.cocodrilospark.com Distance from villa : 32 km / 30 mins


  Dolphin Safari

It is not uncommon to see a pod of dolphins playing off the coast of the Costa Del Sol. Sadly, the population of these lovely creatures is not what it used to be, but the stretch of coast from Gibraltar to the Costa Blanca is lucky enough for the greatest number of remaining dolphins living in the Mediterranean Sea to frequent. You will see numerous “dolphin safari” excursions advertised. They are all, obviously, subject to weather and seasonal changes, and none of them can 100% guarantee a sighting. However, if you would like to take your chances, we would recommend booking through the tourist information centre in Calahonda (Davenport Estates, located in “The Strip”) – they use a tour guide operating out of Gibraltar, and claim a 99% success rate. For those of you wishing not to travel quite so far, there is a charter operating out of Benalmadena Port: www.costasolcruceros.com/en. Thursdays only, this is a 2 hour cruise out to sea (can be quite rough!) and offers a 72% chance of a sighting. Pre-booking required. If you are lucky enough to encounter dolphins up close and in the wild, it truly is an experience you will never forget.


  Donkey Taxi

Originating from the 1960’s when tourists would ask the local workers returning home from their labours “for a photo” or “a ride”, the donkey taxi business is now a substantial part of the locals’ income; thanks to the tips the foreigners paid being more than the workers’ salaries. Now a thriving business, very touristy, and not particularly worth the money, it is, nonetheless, lovely to trot through the streets in this time-honoured fashion, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the town at a leisurely pace. You are, after all, on holiday! Animal lovers should note that this activity supports the work of donkey preservation and maintenance.

Closest to the villa are the “Burro-Taxi” ranks in Marbella (19km / 20 mins) and Mijas Pueblo (21km / 25 mins).




  Feria

The Spanish feria is a sight and experience to truly behold. If you are visiting the Costa Del Sol and have the opportunity of going to the local Feria, then you really should make the effort….you will see the townsfolk turn out in their finest traditional dress, and by day witness wonderful, natural, spur-of-the moment Flamenco dancing and horsemanship. The “day feria” is traditionally held in the streets of the town – the streets are closed to traffic, and businesses close for the duration. Street bars spring up and music plays from every one of them and the locals sing and dance. The festivities then move to the “night feria”, which is more for the younger generation of the town. This is generally held on the outskirts of town, where you will find a more traditional amusement park with fairground rides to suit all ages, plus more pop-up bars and tents with live entertainment or just plain loud local music. Fireworks also feature at the start and end of the festivities. Please note : probably not suitable for very young children un-used to large crowd sizes and high decibel levels.


  Go Karting

There are 3 circuits within a 15 minute drive of the villa:

Karting Miramar is on the roof terrace of the large shopping/cinema complex in Fuengirola, close to the Crazy Golf. A small track, this is more suited to younger children and families. Karting Mijas is the big brother and is a much longer circuit with faster karts, suitable for older children and adults from novice upwards.
Open all year. www.kartingexperience.com

Karting Funny Beach is on the outskirts of Marbella, and as the name would suggest, is beach-side and therefore seasonal. Adult and junior karts available. www.funnybeach.com/en


  Safari

Selwo Safari Park in Estepona is an African styled animal, nature and adventure park featuring more than 2,000 species of animals from around the world living in more than 100 hectares of land in semi-wild conditions. You will see lions, tigers, rhinos, elephants, giraffes and bears, to name but a few, and get up as close as possible to these creatures via a tour which is part on foot and partly in all-terrain vehicles, through wonderful scenery, and with fully experienced and informative tour guides. You can also take a beautiful walk through magnificent botanical gardens, and visit the large reptile house and fantastic bird canyon. Other amenities include numerous refreshment outlets, plus walks (including crossing a rope bridge over a canyon), and children’s nature classes. There is also a lodge for those wishing to spend a night in this little piece of the wild. A good day out for all the family, the children will remember it for a long time, and sleep well afterwards!
www.selwo.es/en Distance from villa : 39 km / 40 mins


  Sealife

As the name suggests, this a large aquarium showcasing more than 5,000 sea creatures from jelly fish to sharks. They have a walk-through tunnel for an underwater view of the fish, and a small rock pool for smaller children to play with some of the creatures, plus feeding demonstrations all day (shark feeding Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday). There is also a soft play area for the very young. Open all year.
www.visitsealife.com/benalmadena Distance from villa : 28 km / 35 mins


  Selwo Marina

Promoted as a dolphinarium, but there are also sea-lions, penguins, baby crocodiles, monkeys, creepy-crawlies, parrots and flamingos….shows throughout the day. Part of the same company operating the cable car and safari park, this theme park is highly commended for its treatment of the animals, and overall excellence. You can book a slot to meet and stroke the dolphins and swim with the sea-lions. This park offers lots of fun for all ages. Open all year.
www.selwomarina.es Distance from villa : 27 km / 35 mins


  Tennis

Right on the doorstep , in Calahonda, is Club Del Sol. Open every day, this club comprises 12 tennis courts for hire by the hour (9 clay, plus 3 plexi-cushion). Lessons and coaching are available by prior booking. There are also 4 squash courts, 4 padel courts and a 450sq.m gymnasium, all set within a 29,000 sq.m. complex right in the heart of Calahonda. With a very large terrace, plus large bar/café inside, this is a very friendly and well run establishment, ideal for one or two hours’ entertainment away from the beach or poolside.
www.tenniscostadelsol.com Distance from villa : 1.5 km / 20 min walk


  Ten-Pin Bowling

QUE-BOWLING is a new indoor 10-pin bowling and amusement/leisure centre offering entertainment for all the family….. bowling lanes, table football, billiards/pool 8, live sports t.v, plus bar and snacks. There are also various live music events, and they can cater for childrens’ birthday parties. Open every day from 5pm to midnight.
www.quebowlingmijas.com Distance from villa : 15 km / 18 mins


  Theme Park

Tivoli World (next to the cable car) is the largest and most frequented theme/amusement park in the surrounding area. Slightly dated, it is nevertheless hugely popular with children, and offers a good selection of suitable rides, roller-coasters, carousels, a water ride, horror tunnel, etc., and even a 60 metre free-fall drop for the more daring parent! With numerous food outlets, shows and live entertainment, it is well worth an afternoon or evening visit if you have younger children whom you wish to tire out!
www.tivoli.es/_english Distance from villa : 29 km / 30 mins


  Tuk Tuk

Discover the hidden gems of the typical “Andalucian Pueblo” of Mijas. This is a 35 minute, 8km, panoramic tour in eco-friendly electric buggies. Enjoy stunning panoramic views, visit lesser known and less touristy parts of the village, and stop at one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the Costa Del Sol. This tour is ideal for families or parties with younger children, senior citizens, or those who find it difficult to walk around steep streets. Open all year.
www.tuktukspain.en Distance from villa : 25 km / 35 mins


  Water Park - Torremolinos

“Aqualand Torremolinos” is the largest and best water park in the Costa Del Sol. Suitable for all the family, groups of friends, or couples alone, it really is a great day out if you are seeking fun, entertainment, and a good selection of water rides/shutes. You will go home exhausted, but having had a fantastic day full of laughs and thrills. There are 19 water slides for adults, 15 children’s slides, a wave pool, and an 18 hole mini golf course. Lockers are plentiful to keep your valuables safe in, and large grass areas with sunbeds and parasols allow you to take a rest, or to chill out with a beer or sangria whilst the children entertain themselves. There are refreshment booths, but you can also take your own picnic (recommended). We would also suggest that you spend the extra euros, and hire the “fast-trak” inflatables as these more than halve the queuing times for the slides.

www.aqualand.es/torremolinos/en Distance from villa : 33 km / 30 mins


  Water Park - Parque Acuatico de Mijas

Much smaller, but closer to the villa is “Parque Acuatico de Mijas”. This is near to the crazy golf and junior karting track in Fuengirola. It offers 5 major slides/shutes, a wave pool, junior slides and play area, plus a mini golf course. More suited to those who just want to sample going to a water park, and younger children.
www.aquamijas.com Distance from villa : 14 km / 16 mins


  Water Sports

As you would imagine, there is a number of water-sport concessions along the coast. The imposition of strict safety guidelines by the Government has reduced the number of licenses being issued, but the businesses with an operating license are consequently legitimate with insurance policies that must be signed by patrons. Closest to the villa is Royal Beach (1.5 km / 4 mins), but this only offers pedaloes and canoes. The nearest motor water-sports to the villa can be found at “Andy’s Beach” at Cabopino (3km / 6 mins). www.andysbeachmarbella.com

There is also a comprehensive choice of jet-ski, flyboard, hoverboard, parasailing, banana and donuts etc. further down the road towards Marbella, at Funny Beach (14 km / 15 mins) www.funnybeach.com/en


  Zoo

The Bioparc in Fuengirola is an animal-friendly zoo. You walk through a simulated tropical forest with rivers and waterfalls and witness a diverse range of animals including Sumatran tigers, lowland gorillas, pygmy hippos and Borneo orang-utans. This is a pioneer bio-parc, and the only barrier between you and the wonderful collection of creatures is natural, in the form of rivers or waterfalls, and where necessary, bullet-proof glass so you can get right up close to the sharper-toothed inhabitants! . There is a large play area with a miniature farm for the younger children, plus a range of themed food and drink outlets. In July and August the park stays open until 1.00am and offers a “moonlight visit” where the paths are illuminated by artificial moonlight and you can experience the nocturnal activities of leopards, flying foxes, porcupines and other night time animals. The park is open all year and is wheelchair friendly.
www.bioparcfuengirola Distance from villa : 13.5 km / 20 mins