Ancraa Donkey Sanctuary, Estepona
Recommended by Hannah Davies
Ancraa is the National Association of Breeders of the Andaluz Donkey in Spain whose purpose is to ensure that this breed of donkeys does not become extinct. The project´s mission is to breed and re-populate the Andaluz Donkey.
At Km 164, Carr de Cadiz, Estepona, Spain www.ancraa.org
Comments
"It is nice to teach children about the donkeys and teach them about conservation and the dangers facing animals on our planet. It is also possible to sponsor a donkey at only 50 Euros a year." (HD, Jan 2010)
Aqualand, Torremolinos
Recommended by Jenny Rigby
Just outside Torremolinos, this is a huge Aquapark with fabulous rides for kids of all ages. There is even a 'mini park' for the little ones.
C/ Cuba, 10 29620 TORREMOLINOS (MALAGA) Tel: 95 238 88 88
www.aqualand.es/torremolinos/index.php
Comments:
"I went here on holiday with the kids and they had such an amazing time we went back there the following year" (JR, July 10)
Arcadia, Cadiz
Recommended by Hannah Davies
This indoor play centre offers two seperate play areas for your kids to run wild divided into a senior park for 3 years plus and a junior park for 18 months to 3 years. Available for birthday party hire.
Urb. El Rosario, Ctra, Cadiz, Km 18 (+34) 952838834 arcadia@marbellaweb.com
Bahia Aqua Park, Algeciras
Recommended by Ruth Bishop
This large water park offers rides, intertubes, cafes, children`s pool, wave pool, activity pool and picnic area. The main attractions include rides such as the "Kamikaze", "Grand Niagra" and "Adventure River".
Take N340 towards Algeciras. Exit 106A and follow signposts. (Avenida Virgen de la Palma, Algeciras)
Crocodile Park, Torremolinos
Recommended by Jenny Rigby
Situated in Torremolinos, the heart of the Costa del Sol. Get up close and personla with these prehistoric creatures which have survived 200 million years of evolution . You can gaze at the gigantic crocodiles by silently walking beside them, observing the secrets of one of the most fascinating creatures in the world.
Timetables and prices vary according to season so check the website
C/ Cuba, 14 29620 Torremolinos (MÁLAGA)
Telf: 952051782 E-mail: info@cocodrilospark.com
www.crocodile-park.com
Comments:
"This is great for kids. Mine absolutely love this place, and there is much more to it than just crocs!" (JR, July 10)
"A little different from the normal zoo - little boys especially love seeing the crocodiles up close and personal. Also educational elements" (Mary Roulston, June 09)
Ciudad de los niños, Córdoba
Recommended by Helen Harstein
Slightly further afiield but this is an excellent play park for children from toddlers to teenagers. if you happen to be in Cordoba. it is open every day (apart from Mondays) from 10am until 9pm
Parque Cruz Conde, Córdoba
Comments:
"Beautifully kept and well supervised. We took a picnic and had a great day out last week. Was voted the best play park we had visited by the boys and much better than the nearby zoo." (HH)
El Chorro. Málaga
Recommended by Mary Roulston
12 km west of Alora, along the river Guadalhorce, El Chorro is a breathtaking gorge formed by the river. Over 200 meters high with a narrow opening leading to the reservoir now formed by the dam, it is an amazing site.
Ardales, Malaga
Comments:
"Lovely campsite where you can pick a pitch in the trees overlooking the lake - feels like rough camping. There are pedalos for hire and BBQ areas" (MR)
Lobo Park, Antequera
Recommended by Mary Roulston
This wolf reserve park is opened daily from 10am until 6pm with daily guided tours.
Ctra. Antequera-Alora (A343), 16 km Apartado de correos 244 29200 Antequera, Tel 34 952 03 11 07 info@lobopark.com www.lobopark.com
Comments:
"Fantastic seeing different types of wolves in a near-wild state. Also petting enclosures for younger children to enjoy. Very educational, conservationist message." (MR)
NMAC - outdoor sculpture park, Vejer
Recommended by Dr Alice Byram
The NMAC Foundation invites artists from all corners of the world to undertake site-specific projects in the form of installations, sculptures, photography, video, performances and architectural projects within nature.
Dehesa Montenmedio. Véjer de la Frontera. Cádiz. Tel: +34 956 455 13 email: nmac@fundacionnmac.org
http://www.fundacionnmac.org/english/home.php
Comments:
"It's a classic for us to take visitors there and both adults and children enjoy being able to see some art in sucha lovely park" (AB, June 2011)
Parque Aquatico Mijas
Recommended by Michael Byass
Water Park. Times vary throughout summer - check the website
Carretera Nacional 340km 209, Mijas, Costa 29.649, Malaga 952460404
Just off the Coin exit on the Fueguirola by-pass. www.aquamijas.com
Comments:
"A bit pricey especially as they charge you for sunbeds, lockers, rubber rings etc once you're in. But there's a 40% discount if you go after 3pm. Great fun and the kids were sound asleep by 8 that evening!" (MB)
Sea Life, Malaga
Recommended by Mary Roulston
Sea life Aquarium open all year round from 10am
Benalmadena, Puerto Marina, Malaga ( 34) 952560150 www.sealifeeurope.com
Comments:
"Large aquariums. Boys especially will love the shark feeding times. Plenty for all ages" (MR)
Selwo Aventura, Estepona
Recommended by Hannah Davies
Selwo is a large safari park, which you go round on a safari truck.
Autovia del Mediterraneo KM 162,500 Estepona. ( 34) 902190482 www.selwo.es
Comments:
"This is probably one of the better animal parks in Europe and we were literally there from the moment it opened until the moment it closed as there was so much to see and do. It looks small from the outside but its huge inside and the animals have loads of space to roam around. It is expensive but for us worth every penny. As well as sitting in the trucks there are areas you can walk through with hanging bridges and paths. Excellent but pricey day out" (HD, Nov 09)
Selwo Marina, Benalmadena
Recommended by Vicky Earl
The Selwo Marina site is compact but well laid out, making it very child-friendly. On show are Dolphins, Sea Lions, Penguins, and exotic birds, and there are well presented shows featuring these animals. Visit the web site for opening and show times, as well as prices at the restaurants.
Parque de la Paloma, 29631 Benelmadena (+34) 902190482 www.selwomarina.com
Comments;
"Although this was quite a pricey day out, the children really loved everything they saw, especially as they could get so close to the animals, and even touch the stingrays. We were pleased that we had planned our visit around the feeding times and show times, otherwise there would have been a lot of waiting around.
As no food can be taken into the site, we made do with just buying drinks, and then went across the road to Parque de la Paloma, where we had our picnic, and enjoyed seeing the animals there too. For days after our visit the children entertained us with dolphin sounds, and made many requests to return to see the dolphins do their tricks again, so all in all, a good family day out!" (VE Nov 10)
Sierra Nevada
Recommended by Jess Lawton
Sierra Nevada is the most southerly of all the ski resorts in Europe with a season from December through until March. There are a 75 pistes in total with ski schools for kids. For those who dont want to ski there are various snow activities on offer such as snow driving, sledging, iceskating and spas
www.sierranevadaski.com
Comments:
"It is quite a small resort so I think expert skiers would be bored but the facilities and activities are fab and its great for kids. Unlike most other resorts the creche takes babies from 4 months old" (JL, Dec 09)
Teleferico Benalmadena
Recommended by Vicky Earl
The Benalmadena Cable Car, which holds four people, takes 15 minutes to rise about 800 metres from the coast to the top of Mount Calamorro, where, on a clear day, unique views of Gibraltar, the African Coast and the Sierra Nevada mountain Range can be enjoyed. The cost of the ticket includes flying exhibitions by birds of prey and Andalucian Horse Riding displays. See the web site for opening times, prices and times of exhibitions.
(+34) 902190482 Esplanade Tivoli, Arroyo de la Miel, 29631 (Exit 222 of AP-7) www.telefericobenalmadena.es
Comments
"To my relief the children were not at all frightened as we soared above the motorway and houses, and were absolutely thrilled with the entertainment at the top of the mountain. It was a lovely day when we went, but I can well imagine that jackets will be needed in the cooler months. There are well signposted trails that I’ve promised we’ll tackle when the children are older! Of interest to star gazers … in the summer months an astronomer is there with his telescope to give information about the night sky." (VE Nov 10)
Tivoli World, Benalmadena
Recommended by Emma Tremlett
The Costa del Sol's main attraction park, entry: 7€ Open 12 til 7pm at weekends.
Avenida Tivoli, Benalmadena, Costa del Sol, 952577016, www.tivoliworld.es
Comments:
"Nice gardens as well as rides for all ages. A pleasant day out" (ET)
