Marbella is a great place for families. It truly has everything. Irrelevant of age or interests, as a holiday destination Marbella is able to cater to all ages.

Of course, should the visit be in the summer, most families will head to the beach or the pool, and rightly so, with temperatures up to high 30°C most days. There are floating water parks scattered along the coast, perfect for the older kids and often beachfront entertainment. Promenades that go on for miles with bicycle, and electric car hires being common.

The beach isn’t the easiest place for babies. However, as most beaches offer sunbeds and parasols, it can be doable!

The Costa del Sol has a variety of water parks which are full, from day one to the last day. Unfortunately, they open only over the high season, albeit a lot of the time, the months on either side of summer are worthy of a waterpark trip.

There are soft play areas, kids’ amusement parks, trampoline parks, zoo trips, boat trips, and bus tours to name a few.

Depending on where you stay in Marbella, renting a car may well be the best option. However, having the possibility of the train from Fuengirola is a huge convenience. The end of the line (Fuengirola) is only a short 20-minute drive from Marbella Centre and takes you right into the centre of Malaga, passing attractions such as the Bio Park and the Designer Outlet Centre with a fabulous park for kids.

The beauty of Spain? The culture is hugely family-oriented, and so any bar or restaurant expects children to be present, to be loud, and to be having fun. There are highchairs in every restaurant, and the Spanish way of life means that kids are playing out on the streets or close by, often late into the night especially in the summer months. It is typical for Spanish children to not go to bed until at least 21:00 / 22:00, mainly due to the afternoon siesta, which isn’t a bad idea in the summer and the perfect way to avoid the hottest hours of the day.

Spain in general is more than accommodating to families. The Andalucían character and attitude are one of love and kindness, especially towards children. Don’t be surprised if a bar owner comes over with extra sweets for children, the shop assistant holds your baby for you while you try on a dress, or if a passing grandmother ruffles a young boy’s blonde hair.

Marbella is a popular tourist destination; it is both a perfect place to holiday with children and as a family both in culture and in amenities. It’s a place you will want to return to for sure.