Best Things to Do with Kids on Your Trip to Fuengirola, Spain

Best Things to Do with Kids on Your Trip to Fuengirola, Spain

Coming for a holiday in Fuengirola? That’s great news!

You are probably wondering how to entertain kids while you’re staying here, beyond the obvious time at the hotel pool and the beach.

I put together this guide after spending over 2 years exploring what Fuengirola has to offer for kids, and tested all of these places myself (unless indicated otherwise).

With that in mind, I hope you find this selection useful – let’s dive in!

Things to Do in Fuengirola with Kids

Here is a selection of different activities for kids of all ages – I have included also some which are a short drive out of town as most people would consider renting a car.

Even without a car, to visit most of these places you can take a local train (Benalmadena) or a cheap uber drive.

1. Beach Day

Starting with the obvious choice for any holidaymakers, a day at the beach is the easiest way to entertain your kids on holiday in Fuengirola.

Fuengirola has 7km long sandy beaches, all equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, in some of the playas you also get the option to order drinks to your sun chairs directly from the chiringuito.

For older kids, there are water sports available at some of the playas.

If you’re coming in summer, be warned: it gets VERY busy.

To get the most out of the beach day, get there early around 9 am and get sunbeds on the first line. Lots of people start to arrive usually around lunchtime, and locals are known to gather with whole families under the tent to spend the whole day at the beach.

From my experience the beaches around Los Boliches tend to get more crowded, the ones near Torreblanca or towards Mijas / the castle area are usually not that bad.

El Gecko Beach Shack

2. Visit Butterly Park

Ok, technically this is not in Fuengirola, but it’s just a short ride just outside of Fuengirola, in the hills of Benalmadena.

If you look up towards Benalmadena direction, you will see a golden roof of the Stupa – the Buddhist temple on the hills over the horizon. The butterfly park – Mariposario – is located right next to it.

If you’re not renting a car, you can also get there with an uber, the journey costs around 10-15 euros, depending on the time of day and the availability of cars.

Mariposario de Benalmadena is the largest space in Europe dedicated solely to butterflies and it is truly impressive.

The sheer number of butterflies you will see as soon as you enter is breathtaking. They buzz around looking like they just hit the rush hour on the highway and you are not sure where to look first – admire the plants, try to see one land on a flower or follow the sound of the waterfalls coming from the back of the greenhouse.

I highly recommend buying tickets online as its saves you quite a bit of money, especially if you’re visiting as a family.

Tickets are 10 euro for adults and 8.50 euro for kids (only under 2 go free) and you can buy them cheaper online here.

You can read more about it in my other article here.

Location:

Mariposario de Benalmadena (Butterly Park)
butterfly park benalmadena 4

3. Sould Amusement Park

Sould Park is located by the entrance to the Fuengirola Marina, and you can’t miss it – they have a big flashy sign towering over it and usually fairly loud music coming from there.

Don’t expect anything big, it’s a small park in the middle of the city but offers plenty of entertainment for kids of all ages – they have rides for smaller and bigger kids, trampolines, a section with games and pinball machines and plenty more.

By the entrance to the park, you get a card that you top up with credit – they give you bonuses for more money spent, so if you top up 30 euros, you get 60 to spend at the park (you don’t have to spend it all at the same time). There is an auto top-up machine by the ticket office if you don’t want to wait in line for tickets and already have your card.

For each game you play at the entertainment centre, you get paper tokens that can be then exchanged for small prizes – these are really nothing to be desired, the cheapest quality Chinese plastic you can buy.

The park normally opens up in the late afternoon hours in the summer, to avoid the summer heat.

Opening times: weekdays 5pm to 9pm, weekends 11.30am to 9pm

Location:

fuengirola spain 1 of 1 2 1

4. Visit Bioparc

A traditional ZOO is not usually the first place I would recommend for a family trip.

Normally, most of the animals are a very sore sight and I always feel sad seeing the animals in the small enclosures bored out of their mind.

Bioparc is very different and if you wouldn’t see the glass barrier, you wouldn’t know you’ve just entered a ZOO.

This place really stands out from everything I’ve seen before because of its dedication to nature & animal conservation and creating a natural habitat for animals that live here.

They have a nature and environment conservation foundation, and dedicate resources to biodiversity conservation projects, like the preservation of fauna in Madagascar and programs for breeding endangered species.

The whole park is a lush green jungle in the middle of the city, a welcome oasis of peace and a source of shade in the summer.

They have a lovely big restaurant from where you can watch the monkeys climb the trees, and a schedule of visits to the Lemur enclosure (included in your ticket).

If I had to say only one negative thing – it would be the price – it’s around 20 euros per adult to enter.

Check the full blog post on my visit here.

  • Opening hours: 10am to 8pm all year
  • Tickets: 21.10 eur for adults, 16.10 eur for 3-9 years old (under 3 is free)
  • Annual Pass: 50 eur for adults, 38 eur for 3 – 9 year old
  • Bonus tip: if you buy an annual pass on your visit, they will refund the cost of your ticket from your visit!
  • Map of the park: check here
  • Good to know: its forbidden to bring your own food or drinks to the park. Prams or small scooters can be stored by the entrance.

Location:

Fuengirola bioparc, Fuengirola Spain
Fuengirola bioparc, Fuengirola Spain

5. Kiddo Family Lounge

A recent discovery of mine, Kiddo Family Lounge is an indoor playground and event venue for kids of all ages.

They have a lovely cafeteria with lots of delicious food and drink options, which is separated by a glass wall from the indoor playground, so you see your kids play while you sit there with your coffee.

I normally don’t like going to such venues as they tend to be very chaotic, loud and full of kids high on sugar, but this one is actually a pleasant place to spend your time while kids play.

The soft play area is well padded, and they also have a dedicated room for smaller kids. My son loves going there to burn up some energy.

It’s a great option even in the summer, if you want to take a break from the midday heat and take some well-deserved break while your kids play.

They charge a couple of euros for kids to access the play area. Check their Facebook page for more details (also check that the place is not closed for private events before going there).

Location:

6. A Trip to Sohail Castle

Plan an adventure and take the kids to see the Sohail Castle!

The castle was built as part of the city defence system in AD 956. While much of it is long gone, the core structure with the large courtyard still remains and since the year 2000, it serves its duty as one of the main attractions in the city.

There are no museums or information boards, and not much remains from the original structure of the courtyard.

What it does offer are stunning views of the coastline, and a real-life castle playground for kids – it’s perfect for kids to explore, crawl and run around.

The entry is now free and you can visit any day – just make sure to check the opening times so you don’t venture there when they close for siesta.

Check the full blog post from the castle here.

  • Opening hours: WINTER OPENING HOURS: From Tuesday to Friday: 10 am – 2 pm. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 10 am – 2 pm // 3:30 pm – 6 pm. SUMMER OPENING HOURS: From Tuesday to Friday: 10 am – 2 pm. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 10 am – 2 pm // 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm.
  • Entry: free
  • Parking: behind the castle area, marked on the map here (parking area called ‘Parking Castillo Fuengirola’).
  • Best time to visit: anytime in winter, in the summer avoid mid-day and visit early in the morning or late afternoon.

Location:

sohail castle in Fuengirola, Spain
sohail castle in Fuengirola, Spain

7. Fuengirola Adventure Golf

I only discovered this mini-golf place last year and have been planning to return ever since.

It’s very close to the Miramar Shopping Center.

The course has 18 holes, and unlike other ones I’ve visited before, this one is actually in really good shape, well maintained and it doesn’t look run down. It’s set in nice surroundings with lots of trees providing shade in the summer (the only negative is the busy road next to it).

There is a small bar where you can get drinks (to take with you while you play) and some simple food options (mostly fast food).

If there are a lot of people playing, it can take a while till you complete the whole course, so I would say this is suitable for a bit older kids, not the best place for toddlers.

  • Opening times: 12.00 to 19.00 every day
  • Tickets: 9.50 euro for adults, childern under 17 – 7 euro. Family ticket (2 adults + 2 kids) is 26 euro. They also have some bundle offer that include tickets and food, check them here.

Location:

8. Sea Life Benalmadena

Another place that’s a bit out of town, but worth the short drive if your kids love animals.

The Sea Life is heavily advertised in all hotels and tourist brochures, and it does feel a bit like a tourist trap, but I will let you be the judge of that.

This indoor aquarium features the usual highlights like stingrays, sharks and an underwater tunnel. They have scheduled daily feeding for different animals and some interactive activities for younger kids. It’s not big by any means, and not nearly as impressive if you’ve visited aquariums in bigger cities before.

  • Opening hours: every day from 11am to 7pm
  • Tickets: tickets start from 15 euros and you can also buy combined tickets for entry to the Bioparc in Fuengirola. Buy them cheaper online here.

Location:

Benalmadena Bil Bil Castle
Benalmadena Bil Bil Castle

9. Family Bike Ride

How about exploring the city on a bike?

Fuengirola has a decent network of biking routes that go along the full length of the main coastal road (Paseo Maritimo) and also alongside the train tracks in the city.

You can easily get as far as Benalmadena without much of a physical effort (apart from one hill climb just after Fuengirola).

If you fancy a bit more challenging, there are some cycling routes highlighted on this website.

There are a few places in Fuengirola where you can rent a bike for a ride around the city – these usually also offer bikes with seats for kids. I don’t have any personal experience with these, but they come highly recommended in google reviews.

Bike Rental Shops:

10. Skate Park by Miramar Shopping Mall

The Skate Park by the Miramar Shopping centre, also known as Skate Plaza Ignacio Echeverría, is considered the best skatepark in Spain.

The entrance is free to anyone and it usually gets busy over the weekends and in the mornings.

There is a small cafeteria right next to it, with seating outside overlooking the skate park, so you can watch the kids while your sip your coffee. The food is the cafeteria is, as you would expect, pretty basic, but does the job of filling you and your kids up.

From the park, it’s only a short walk to the coastline or Sohail castle, so a great option to combine a few things in one day.

Location:

11. Take a Boat Trip

Wander off to Fuengirola Marina and choose one of the many boat trip options from the harbour. They do short cruises, sunset cruises, private charters, dolphin watching and much more.

I don’t have personal experience with the recommended trip providers, but they are very popular in the summer months.

Boat Trip Providers in Fuengirola Marina:

Location:

12. Day Trip to Mijas Pueblo

If you want to escape the crowds in Fuengirola in summer, taking a one-day road trip to Mijas Pueblo is the perfect option.

This picturesque village north of Fuengirola maintains its old village charm while catering to tourists with plenty of restaurants, a beautiful park with stunning coastline views, a small old bullring and a maze of cobbled village streets to get lost in.

Grab a seat by the Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña chapel in a small park to enjoy the best views (there is a small restaurant with tables distributed throughout the small park too).

Check my other articles about Mijas Pueblo:

10 Things to Do in Mijas Pueblo

A Day in Mijas Pueblo

Location:

mijas pueblo, spain
Mijas Pueblo Gardens

13. Costa Water Park

This temporary water park build directly on the sea has three different locations in Fuengirola and features inflated slides and climbing structures.

I haven’t visited myself, but have been watching the park all summer and it is very popular!

For more information visit their website.

Opening hours: 11am to 8pm

Open: from the middle of June to middle of September, closed in bad weather

Prices: 12.50 euro per hour, for an adult or child, 25 euro for a day pass.

Tickets: you can get them at the beach from the small shack

Location:

14. Go Karting in Miramar Shopping Center

On top of the Miramar Shopping Center, you will find a small Go Karting place. It’s the perfect escape for older kids and adults alike – still on my list of places to visit in person!

They have a small outdoor seating area with a cafe and a bar.

Tickets: prices start from 10 euro per person, check all options on their website.

Opening hours: from noon to 9pm during the week, on Saturdays open till 10pm

Location:

Fuengirola: Recommended Day Trips & Experiences

  • Caminito del Rey Day Trip with Guide – explore the world-famous pathway of the king, and admire the stunning views from the gorge El Chorro. Includes pick up in Fuengirola, entrance to Caminito del Rey and helmets.
  • Day Trip to Gibraltar with pick up from Fuengirola with a minibus, with free time in Gibraltar for shopping and an optional tour of the nature reserve.
  • Gibraltar Sightseeing Day Tour – a more structured day trip with a full tour of the nature reserve, showing you all the highlights, with free time for shopping. Pick up from Fuengirola.
  • Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas Day Trip – see the famous Puente Nuevo bridge in Ronda, with one of the oldest bullrings in the country, and admire the homes and restaurants built into caves in Setenil. Pick-up in Fuengirola – includes a walking tour of Ronda and a complimentary glass of wine in Ronda.
  • Day Trip to Granada with Alhambra Tour – see one of the architectural wonders of Spain, the Moorish Palace complex of Alhambra, with free time to explore Granada. Includes pick-up from Fuengirola, tickets to Alhambra and a guide.

Explore More In Fuengirola:

Local Guide to Fuengirola Supermarkets

Eating Healthy at Go Green Cafe, Fuengirola

Picoteo Restaurant, Fuengirola: A Review

How to Spend a Day in Fuengirola

7+ Exciting Day Trips from Fuengirola, Spain

El Higueron Restaurante, Fuengirola

Sohail Castle (Castillo de Sohail), Fuengirola

10 Cool Things to Do in Fuengirola, Spain

Best Restaurants in Fuengirola: A Guide by a Local

Lost in the Jungle at Bioparc Fuengirola, Spain

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links - if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.

Hi, I'm Lucia

At Viva La Vita, I will help you to discover Southern Spain like a local!

I've been living on Costa del Sol since 2020, and fill these pages with first-hand insights, personal experience and practical tips that will help you plan a wonderful trip to Spain.

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