The Costa del Sol, literally translated as the Coast of the Sun, lies in Andalusia, along the coastline of Malaga. Guaranteeing great weather and long stretches of beautiful beach, it is the perfect coastal area for families looking to relax.  The choice of accommodation is wide and something suitable is available for everyone, from basic camping through to luxury hotels.

Some of the most popular tourist attractions

Between April and October, there are two water parks that prove extremely popular with visitors. The larger of the two at 72,000 square metres, Aqualand Torremolinos, has plenty of rides and entertainments for the whole family, with slides, pools, and Jacuzzis. The second, Parque Acuatico Mijas, is more compact with a wide variety of rides, and is most suitable for children aged between six and 14 years.

For those who love animals, Selwo Aventura offers plenty to see. It is a large safari and adventure park near Estepona, which has truck rides for visitors through the animal enclosures. Expect to see plenty of lions, giraffes and monkeys.

Its associate attraction is Selwo Marina, smaller and only showcasing marine life. Sited in Benalmadena, it has live dolphin shows, penguins and sea lions. A larger marine attraction is Sea Life Benalmadena, which has a giant octopus as its main attraction, several species of shark, turtles and plenty of other animals.

Tivoli World is a standard theme park with some exciting rides, and is designed for children aged 13 and under.

For those looking for something a little more cerebral, there is the Museum of Glass and Crystal of Malaga. The building houses a collection of over 3,000 pieces that are displayed on a continual rotation.

The Museo Automovilistico Malaga is a small museum that will not only interest those who love cars. Displaying an extensive selection of vehicles from the golden era, they are set alongside pieces of art and furniture relevant to their decade.

For those seeking an active holiday, there is the Riding in the Sun experience. Here, visitors are given a horse to ride through the Andalusian countryside and along the coastal beaches. They have horses suited to all levels of riders and use both English and Spanish style saddles.

Andalusian Cycling Experience day trips are also very popular. They have in fact been ranked as the number one attraction in the area. Visitors can choose from guided group excursions to self-led tours, and trips can last just the one day or for as long as two weeks.

Solbuggys in Estepona offer guided tours of the area’s countryside on self-drive buggies, both two and four-seaters. Tours last from two to six hours and are led by qualified tour guides.

If your interest is local history visit the Alcazaba in Malaga. Built between 1057 and 1063, it is the most important military fortification remaining in the area from the Hispanic-Arabic period. From there move on to visit Malaga Cathedral, which is made up of three different architectural styles, with a Gothic interior, a Renaissance nave and a Baroque tower.

Holidaying in the Costa del Sol

With so many things to do and places to see, this is a really fabulous holiday destination for a family and there are plenty of very good hotels in Costa del Sol to suit any budget.