Best family destinations in Spain: Calpe, Malaga, Alicante, Valencia

If you’re looking to plan a family holiday in Spain, then you may be interested to hear about the most appealing destinations. The reality is that many Spanish cities and resorts offer entertainment for people of all ages, but there are 4 locations that really stand out from the crowd.

Calpe, Spain (Creative Commons)
Calpe, Spain (Creative Commons)

Calpe

The town of Calpe, located on the Costa Blanca, boasts beautiful beaches and a bustling atmosphere. Whether you are looking to relax on the beach, or spend your days walking around the narrow streets of the town centre, you’ll discover that Calpe has much to offer.
The two local beaches have both been awarded Blue Flag status, recognising that they are clean and safe. There are cafes and shops located close to the beach, providing lunch opportunities and enabling you to buy a variety of beach accessories.

If children ever get bored of spending time on the beach, then there are plenty of other attractions available, including a number of local theme parks.

Malaga

The city of Malaga is located in southern Spain and is often viewed as being a gateway to the country. Boasting an international airport, this is a location where many visitors will start a holiday.

You shouldn’t, however, be in too much of a hurry to leave the city. With a coastal location and the vibrant nightlife that would be expected in a coastal resort, Malaga has everything that’s needed to keep the family entertained.

Larger than Calpe, Malaga has a number of interesting museums, together with designer shops, water parks and appealing beaches.

The popular Picasso Museum has more than 200 works of art. If you are looking to save a little money, then it’s worth remembering that access to the museum is free of charge on the last Sunday of every month. When travelling with a family, it can be particularly useful to avoid the usual admission charges.

If you are planning on flying direct to Malaga Airport why not consider options for car hire in Spain? This will ensure that you will then have suitable transport to explore the surrounding area.

Alicante

The resort of Alicante is easily reached from the UK, with direct flights available from a number of London and regional airports. You may well be attracted to the thought of spending hours on one of Alicante’s beaches, the largest of which is more than a kilometre in length.

Away from the beach, you’ll discover that Alicante is a resort with a significant number of historic buildings, including the fortifications that have long helped to guard the city from invaders. Today, you’ll find that the ramparts of Santa Barbara, an enormous medieval castle, are certainly rather more welcoming.

Children will enjoy visiting the city’s parks and taking a ride on the coastal tram train, which makes it so easy to explore other nearby resorts.

Modern architecture in Valencia by Ka13 (Creative Commons)
Modern architecture in Valencia by Ka13 (Creative Commons)

Valencia

As the third largest city in Spain, Valencia offers visitors a wealth of entertainment, attractions and sites of interest. Boasting L’Oceanografic, one of the most significant aquariums to be found in Europe, Valencia is the ideal location for a family holiday.

Other attractions include the famous Science Museum and the nearby natural park at Albufera, where adults and children alike can explore the sand dunes, as well as looking out for local wildlife.

Back in the cosmopolitan city, there is no shortage of wonderful restaurants, highlighting the very best of local and international cuisine.

Children can be entertained with a visit to the IMAX cinema, a visit to Mercado Market, or by spending time at El Cabanyal beach.

For those looking for a more active holiday, there are paintballing centres, quad bike experiences and karting circuits.

One of the very best elements of Valencia is the fact that there is so much variety available to visitors of all ages. Whether you have a main aim of exploring the city and its surroundings, or simply to relax, Valencia has something to offer.