Nine Plans to Do with Children in Málaga Beyond the Beach in August

There isn't always a budget for long family trips during the summer, but the province of Málaga, one of the best destinations for the summer season, offers many spots and plans to enjoy in August without leaving the area. There are accessible caves, water and theme parks, and ponds and pools inland that are relatively easy to access. The beach shouldn't be forgotten either, but with proposals that go beyond spending a day playing on the shore. These are some of the options for making summer plans in Málaga with children.

It's the most refreshing plan every summer. On the coast of Málaga, there are three major options for children to enjoy with slides, wave pools, and lots of adrenaline. These include Aquavelis, between Vélez and Torre del Mar; Aqualand, in Torremolinos; and Aquamijas, in Mijas, but very close to Fuengirola. To these, other alternatives must be added, such as the various floating parks that are set up each year on the coast or even in the Chorro reservoir. Another option is the Alhaurín El Grande Water Park, which is open only to children up to 12 years old. The entry price, which must be purchased online in advance, is 4 euros.

Although the heat is intense, there are those who take the time for high-adrenaline activities not necessarily related to water. Thus, these days there are several multi-adventure parks designed for children and still open to the public. Among them are Amazonia, in Marbella; Jungle Family, next to Plaza Mayor; or Sunview Park, among others. To these physically demanding spaces, there is another alternative which are amusement parks, like the two that Sould Park has in Fuengirola (in the marina and, smaller, in the Miramar shopping center). Precisely, this company is planning another larger one next to Plaza Mayor.

Another plan for children to enjoy in the summer are the various spaces related to fauna and flora in the province of Málaga. Among them, this summer on the coast are Selwo (Cable Car and Selwo Marina, in Benalmádena; and Selwo Aventura, in Estepona), the Butterfly Park and Sea Life, in Benalmádena, Cocrodile Park, in Torremolinos, Bioparc, in Fuengirola, or the Orchidarium in Estepona, among other options.

Night visits to the Torcal, family scavenger hunts with Marco Topo, or light shows are some of the activities that can be enjoyed in the cultural and leisure cycle organized every summer by the Antequera City Council. All these proposals are made at dusk or at night, but many of them can be done with younger children, at a time of day when temperatures drop and make it especially pleasant to walk through the streets of the city of Torcal and the Dolmens.

Málaga is rightfully among the best destinations to understand cave art. Perhaps the youngest children may find it harder to understand its importance, but they can also enjoy underground tours - often cooler than outside - through the main accessible caves in the province. The most famous is the Nerja cave, both for its size and the number of visitors it records each year, but others must be added such as the Treasure cave in Rincón de la Victoria, or the Ardales cave, where, however, you must book the visit well in advance. Likewise, for children over ten years old, a guided tour of the La Pileta cave can be a very interesting immersion.

Although summer is inevitably associated with the beach, there are also other ways to enjoy the water, but this time, in a more natural way, thanks to the various pools and ponds in the interior of the province of Málaga. Some of them, like those of the Hermitage and La Llana, in Jimera de Líbar, are easily accessible by vehicle. To these must be added others such as those of the Viñas, in Ojén, those of the San Juan bridge, in the Genal Valley, or the Cueva del Gato, in Benaoján, although the latter has very cold temperatures.

Summer also provides a good opportunity for the little ones to learn or practice some water sports. Kayaking, paddle surfing, or introductory scuba diving are some of these possibilities. There are several companies on the coast of Málaga that teach the little ones to handle themselves on boards, kayaks, or underwater. There is also the option of doing guided or free family excursions to places like the natural site of the Cliffs of Maro or the Chorro reservoir, in Ardales, among other options.

It can be an exciting activity both for children and their parents, to make a maritime incursion from the coast to try to spot the friendly dolphins that move in this Mediterranean strip. It's never easy to know for sure if they will be seen, but there are many chances to do so when done through experienced tourist companies. There are several boats that depart daily from the sports ports of Málaga and the Western Costa del Sol, to which must be added the catamaran Zostera in La Caleta de Vélez.

Throughout the months of July and August, there are many opportunities to enjoy fairs in different municipalities of the province. In addition to the one in Málaga, others such as those in Antequera, Archidona, Campillos, or Rincón de la Victoria must be added, where children's attractions will not be lacking. Another option is to go to some of the history-related festivals that take place in the summer in several towns, such as the American Independence Day in Macharaviaya, the Moors and Christians in Benadalid and Benalauría, or Douglas' Days in Teba.