What to do on the Costa del Sol with children this summer: 15 family activities

Organising a holiday on the Costa del Sol with children is easy thanks to the wide variety of activities available. Beyond its beaches, Málaga province offers water parks, caves, interactive museums, coastal routes and natural spaces where the whole family can enjoy their time together.

The best approach is to combine outdoor activities during the cooler early hours of the day with indoor or water-based plans when temperatures rise. It is also advisable to check recommended ages, height restrictions and booking requirements in advance.

Here are 15 ideas for enjoying the Costa del Sol with children during summer 2026.

1. Take a boat trip to look for dolphins in the wild

Boat excursions depart from ports such as Benalmádena and Fuengirola, offering passengers the chance to observe dolphins in their natural habitat.

The trip provides a different view of the coastline and introduces children to the marine ecosystem of the Alboran Sea. Sightings can never be guaranteed because the dolphins are wild animals, but the boat journey itself remains an enjoyable family experience.

It is advisable to choose authorised operators that maintain a respectful distance and follow the regulations established to protect cetaceans.

Best for: children interested in the sea and wildlife.

Tip: bring sun protection, a hat and a light layer for the sea breeze.

2. Spend the day at AquaMijas or Aqualand Torremolinos

Water parks are among the most popular family activities during July and August.

AquaMijas celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026 and offers swimming pools, slides and children’s areas adapted to different age groups. Aqualand Torremolinos also has family attractions, areas for younger children and more intense rides for older visitors.

At both parks, families should check the height restrictions for each attraction and consider purchasing tickets in advance.

Best for: spending a full day as a family.

Tip: use water-resistant sun cream, wear suitable footwear and agree on a meeting point inside the park.

3. Ride the Benalmádena Cable Car to Mount Calamorro

The Benalmádena Cable Car connects Arroyo de la Miel with the summit of Mount Calamorro.

The journey is particularly exciting for children, as they travel in a suspended cabin above the mountainside. At the top, visitors can access viewpoints and walking routes with views over the Costa del Sol, Sierra Nevada and, on clear days, Gibraltar and the African coastline.

From 21 July to 31 August, the attraction hosts its Cable Car Nights, remaining open until 11:00 pm and offering outdoor planetarium sessions.

Best for: families looking for nature and panoramic views.

Tip: check the weather forecast before travelling, as services may be affected by wind or other adverse conditions.

4. Discover the Colomares Castle Monument

Colomares Castle is one of the most unusual buildings in Benalmádena Pueblo.

Although it resembles a medieval fortress, it was built as a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus’s voyage and the encounter between Europe and the Americas. Its towers, arches, sculptures and ship-shaped elements make it easy to turn the visit into an observation game for children.

Most of the route is outdoors, so it is best visited in the morning or late afternoon.

Best for: families interested in castles, architecture and history.

Tip: during the summer, the monument closes during the hottest hours of the day and on Mondays.

5. Walk among butterflies in Benalmádena

Close to Colomares Castle is Monowa, the Benalmádena Butterfly Park.

Butterflies from different parts of the world fly freely inside its tropical garden. The visit allows children to observe their behaviour, colours and the various stages of their life cycle.

The space is home to between 1,500 and 2,000 butterflies, although the number and species may vary throughout the year.

Best for: younger children and families interested in nature.

Tip: combining it with Colomares Castle makes for a complete morning in Benalmádena Pueblo.

6. Explore the Nerja Cave

The Nerja Cave is one of Málaga’s most important natural monuments. Its galleries, columns and geological formations turn the visit into a genuine underground adventure.

The tour usually takes between 45 minutes and one hour. During summer 2026, the cave opens from 9:15 am to 5:30 pm, with final admission at 4:30 pm.

The experience can be combined with a visit to the Nerja Museum and the virtual reality room dedicated to galleries and prehistoric paintings that cannot be included in the conventional tour.

Best for: families with children able to walk up and down stairs.

Tip: the route includes many steps and is not fully accessible with pushchairs.

7. Search for legends inside the Treasure Cave

The Treasure Cave in Rincón de la Victoria is one of the few visitable caves of marine origin in the world.

In addition to its geological and archaeological value, the cave is surrounded by a legend claiming that treasure remains hidden inside. This story makes it possible to present the visit as a small family expedition.

The route includes an audio guide. During the summer, visiting times are from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm and from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

Best for: young explorers and families looking for something different.

Tip: advance booking is required to guarantee admission.

8. Try the zip lines in Marbella and Alhaurín de la Torre

Families looking for more adrenaline can choose from several adventure parks.

Aventura Amazonia Marbella, located in Elviria, offers six circuits, more than 100 tree-top challenges and 24 zip lines. Its routes are divided by age and difficulty, ranging from children’s courses to more demanding sports circuits.

In Alhaurín de la Torre, Sunview Park has a 1,350-metre super zip line that can reach high speeds while offering views between the mountains and the sea.

Best for: older children, teenagers and active families.

Tip: check age, height and weight requirements before booking.

9. Play and learn in Málaga’s interactive museums

Málaga city offers several indoor alternatives for escaping the heat during the middle of the day.

OXO Video Game Museum explores the past, present and future of gaming through consoles, arcade machines and playable experiences.

The Interactive Music Museum allows visitors to discover and play instruments, while the Museum of Imagination features optical illusions and scenes designed for experimenting and taking photographs.

Best for: particularly hot days or combining with a visit to Málaga’s historic centre.

Tip: check the museums’ family workshop schedules before visiting.

10. Have a picnic in Parque de la Paloma

Parque de la Paloma is one of the largest green spaces in Benalmádena Costa.

Its paths, gardens, lake, play areas and cactus garden provide enough activities to spend several hours outdoors. It also has large grassy areas suitable for resting or enjoying a picnic.

Its proximity to the promenade makes it easy to combine the park with an afternoon at the beach.

Best for: families with younger children.

Tip: respect the animals living in the park and do not feed them unless permitted by municipal guidance.

11. Take a boat ride in Parque de la Batería

Parque de la Batería in Torremolinos occupies a former military site that has been transformed into an urban green space.

It includes walking paths, children’s play areas, a viewing tower and a large artificial lake where small boats operate at certain times of the year.

The former cannons and defensive structures also add a historical element to the visit.

Best for: a relaxed afternoon after the beach.

Tip: check in advance whether the boat service is operating on the day of your visit.

12. Cool down at the new Splash Park in Gran Parque de Mijas

One of the main new family attractions for summer 2026 can be found in Gran Parque de Mijas.

Its new Splash Park covers 430 square metres and includes 41 games and interactive water features divided into three areas for different age groups. The aquatic area opens daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.

The park also has children’s areas, sports facilities, walking paths, green spaces and a skate park.

Best for: a free and refreshing activity in Las Lagunas de Mijas.

Tip: bring swimwear, a towel, water shoes and dry clothes for the children.

13. Walk along the Mijas Coastal Path at sunset

The Coastal Path allows families to walk beside the Mediterranean along boardwalks and promenades connecting different beaches in Mijas Costa.

The route can be adapted to the children’s age and stamina, as there is no need to complete a long section. Viewpoints and information panels about local plants, wildlife and coastal ecosystems appear along the way.

Some sections can also be covered by bicycle, skates or scooter, provided users respect pedestrians and local rules.

Best for: families looking for an easy walk beside the sea.

Tip: avoid the middle of the day and begin the walk in the late afternoon.

14. Choose a family-friendly beach on the Costa del Sol

Málaga province has many beaches offering services, promenades and nearby restaurants.

Some of the most convenient choices for families include Burriana in Nerja, Torre del Mar, La Malagueta in Málaga, La Carihuela and Playamar in Torremolinos, Malapesquera in Benalmádena and La Cala de Mijas.

The best option will depend on the children’s ages, the type of sand, accessibility and sea conditions.

Best for: enjoying a classic summer day by the Mediterranean.

Tip: check the beach flag, remain within supervised areas and never lose sight of children, even when the sea appears calm.

15. Turn a visit to a white village into a game

Mijas Pueblo, Frigiliana, Benalmádena Pueblo, Casares, Ojén and Monda are good choices for introducing children to Málaga’s history and traditional architecture.

To make the walk more entertaining, families can set small challenges such as counting flowerpots of a particular colour, finding fountains, spotting coats of arms on buildings or photographing old doors.

The visit can end with an ice cream, an early dinner or a stop at one of the viewpoints.

Best for: combining culture, walking and gastronomy.

Tip: choose a short route and visit these villages early in the morning or around sunset.

How to organise family activities during the summer

Temperatures can become very high in Málaga during July and August. Outdoor activities should be planned for the morning or late afternoon, leaving museums, caves and water attractions for the hotter part of the day.

Families should also carry water, sun protection, a hat, comfortable footwear and dry clothing for water-based activities.

Advance booking is recommended for paid attractions, as parks, caves and boat excursions may reach capacity during the high season.

The information in this guide has been checked against the official Costa del Sol Tourism website, the official websites of the Benalmádena Cable Car, the Nerja Cave, Rincón de la Victoria Tourism, Mijas Tourism and the official channels of the attractions mentioned.