Family
holidays in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain
Photo
courtesy and copyright Anne Sewell
Taking
a break with the whole family can be challenging, as the chosen destination
must have something to keep everyone happy and entertained. Fuengirola
on the Costa del Sol has all that and then some. Whether it’s lounging
on the golden sands, browsing the shops or visiting the many attractions
along the coast, everyone in the family is guaranteed a good time.
Having
moved into your ideal child
friendly accommodation on the Spanish coast and dug out your beach
gear, the following are some recommended locations and activities for the
whole family.
The Beach
and Promenade
With seven
kilometres of clean, well-kept beaches on offer, there's always a spot
to park your beach chair or rent a comfortable sunbed with parasol.
All
along the Paseo de Maritimo - or beach promenade in English - is a selection
of beach bars and restaurants with facilities for sunbathers, along with
showers on the beach, playgrounds for the children, exercise facilities
and - most important in the busy summer months - lifeguards keeping a careful
eye on the situation.
Lining
the beachfront are several shops selling beach gear, buckets and spades,
beach balls and clothing, along with cooling drinks and snacks. Various
restaurants serving international and Spanish cuisine and catering for
the whole family are also available.
For
the older kids and teenagers, and dotted along in various spots on the
beachfront, Costa Water Park is a lot of fun. These are the equivalent
of jumping castles on dry land, with climbing, bouncing and sliding and
other opportunities for fun out on the waves. All the necessary safety
gear is available for both adults and children.
Photo
courtesy and copyright Anne Sewell
Costa
Water Park, Fuengirola
Bioparc
Fuengirola
Photo
courtesy and copyright Anne Sewell
Fuengirola
is one of the most popular seaside resorts along the coast and right in
the heart of town is a magical place to spend a few hours.
Bioparc
Fuengirola used to be a normal (and not particularly pleasant) zoo
in the past, but in recent years has been redesigned and upgraded into
an lush and beautiful oasis. Instead of cages, there are natural and spacious
environments for the animals, many of which are members of endangered species.
As
the Bioparc is actively involved in conservation and preservation of endangered
species, the accent has been on breeding those same species successfully
in captivity. Chimps, who were previously miserable in their caged environment
are now happily fathering families. The buff cheeked gibbons, while maybe
a little more shy, have also produced young. There have been baby Borneo
orangutans, Colobus monkeys, lemurs and even tiny tigers. All are living
proof of the success of the Bioparc’s programme.
For
humans visiting the Bioparc, the tree-lined and shady paths take you to
the various exhibits in the Asian and African sections, with realistic
jungle sounds as you stroll. Highly recommended is a visit to the Madagascan
lemur enclosure where you can get up close and personal with these remarkable
creatures.
Throughout
the summer months, a variety of educational and fun exhibitions are held
at the zoo, including African dancing. Visit just some of the residents
at Bioparc Fuengirola in the video below.
Renfe
Train Station Fuengirola
For those
wishing to travel further afield, the Renfe train runs between Fuengirola
and Malaga city, stopping along the way in Torremolinos, Benalmadena Costa
and other seaside locations along the way.
Should
you wish to head further down the coast to Marbella, Estepona and other
locations a regular bus service is on offer.
