Thousands of tourists enjoy their holidays in Malaga in summer, where apart from on the beaches they can also have great fun in the water parks or visiting natural environments. Continue reading to know some of our recommended things to do in Malaga.
A holiday on the Costa del Sol is a lot more than just a sun and beach destination. Therefore, both the coastal and the inland municipalities offer several activities and leisure areas to enjoy with the whole family or with a group of friends; and spend an unforgettable August.
From zoos to refreshing water parks, without forgetting the charm of some of the privileged natural environments as well contemplating some of the monuments and museums in the villages.
Below you will find some of the things you can do in summer, but not all of them.
Amusement Parks
In Benalmadena, a visit that’s a synonym of fun assured, for both adults and children, is the one to the emblematic Tivoli World, where there’s more than 40 rides for all ages, although specially for the little kids, like the Tivoli Dragon, the Giant Wheel, the Rollercoaster, the bumper cars, the bumper boats, the mysterious boat, the little train, the Passage of Terror, the Go-Karts or the Free-fall.
In this amusement park there are also many live shows in summer; from concerts of famous and well-known artists to funny shows for kids and even stand-up comedy.
By the mid of August there is also the Malaga Fair, a popular event with many amusement attractions. Check our dedicated article for more information.
On the other hand, in Marbella there’s the famous Funny Beach Karting. These facilities, apart from kart racing in different categories like adult, kids, two-seats, etc., also offer trampolines, bumper boats and a zip wire. They also offer water activities such as pedaloes or jet skis.
- Tivoli World: https://g.page/tivoli-world-malaga?share
- Malaga August Fair: https://goo.gl/maps/rGjPrgioUxFyJCY47
Water Parks
The water parks are also an interesting option to spend an unforgettable day, like Aqualand in Torremolinos; or Aquamijas, the water park in Mijas; or maybe Aquavelis, the one in Velez-Malaga.
In those waterparks there are slides, rapids with rubber dinghies and the popular wave pool among many other water attractions. Both children and adults will enjoy the wide variety of slides and pools.
The waterparks open from April until October approximately.
- Aqualand: https://goo.gl/maps/G4JwGnFdDyRdG3V2A
- Aquamijas: https://g.page/parqueaquamijas?share
- Aquavelis: https://goo.gl/maps/wEHaoY4x3tmc7gMu7
Zoos
Situated right in the centre of Fuengirola, is one of the most important zoos, not only in Malaga, but in Andalusia: Bioparc Zoo, which is home to many different species from a white tiger to lemurs, crocodiles, gorillas and many more.
In summer, the park extends its opening hours until midnight. This way, at 10pm every night, except on Mondays, Bioparc Fuengirola offer a very interesting African dance show, as well as an unforgettable experience with some of the animals that live there.
In Estepona we’ll find Selwo Adventure, a natural of around 800.000 square meters with over 2.000 animals of 600 different species that live there in semi-freedom. Visitors can go for a ride on a dromedary or walk across the three suspension bridges. There is also a 116-metre long zip wire and you can practice your accuracy with a bow and arrow, amongst so many other activities to choose from. There is also an accommodation option, for those who want to spend a few days close to the animals in this natural environment; something that children will surely love.
- Fuengirola zoo: https://goo.gl/maps/ujwVpP4wbwpiucTh6
- Estepona zoo: https://goo.gl/maps/cucFXwZx1LJ39Naq8
Aquariums
The tourists and the locals have the chance to contemplate so many different sea species in Sea Life Benalmadena. It’s a fascinating interactive aquarium, unique on the Costa del Sol, surrounded by 500.000 litres of water. There is over 3.000 creatures from the Mediterranean sea, the Atlantic ocean, the tropical areas of the Indian ocean, the Pacific ocean, the Red sea and the most representative species that live in the Amazon.
They do exhibition shows and activities for kids. Amongst the animals in the aquarium there are tropical turtles sharks, tropical fishes and a wide variety of jellyfishes.
Sea Life location: https://goo.gl/maps/Lr5JqnqBdTf3u3xc7
There are even more animals in Selwo Marina Benalmadena, including a dolphinarium and penguinarium. It is near Paloma Park, a recommended open park with some free animals and a big pond with ducks, turtles and swans.
One of the most popular attractions in summer is the encounter with the dolphins. There you can get to meet them up-close, participate in a training session or feel the caress of these animals. In summer they offer a spectacular dolphin exhibition accompanied by a selection of classical and contemporary melodies in the show ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Selwo Marina location: https://goo.gl/maps/tKYpxgaSBLr8wTm5A
Natural Environments
In Benalmadena, a cable car trip up to the Calamorro mountain is well worth it. It allows the visitor ascend up to 800 metres in barely fifteen minutes; there you can enjoy the the natural environment and the amazing views. Benalmadena Cable Car offers an exceptional leisure alternative right in the middle of nature; there you will find falconry exhibitions and trekking routes leading to viewpoints with breath-taking views over the Costa del Sol. On a clear day you can spot Sierra Nevada, Gibraltar and even the African coast.
Amongst its activities you can enjoy the falconry exhibitions, the art of hunting with birds of prey; declared Patrimony of Humanity by Unesco. These exhibitions show emblematic species of the birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, owls and vultures.
Benalmadena Cablecar: https://goo.gl/maps/j7NVmKcZwaDmeT2z9
Inland tourism is becoming more an more an alternative for a holiday. The railway tracks or canyoneering, amongst other activities, allow the adventurer to enjoy the scenery and the environment of the Ronda mountains, that transform into a natural amusement park. Some of the most demanded destinations are: the Ronda gorge; the Devil’s Pit, in Juzcar; the Green Throat, in Grazalema; the Cat’s Cave, in Benaoján; or the Vulture’s Canyon, near Cortes de la Frontera.
For these kind of activities it’s important to do them with companies that specialise in adventure sports; they require safety protocols and different route levels so that anyone with a minimum level of fitness can join in.
Other activities to do in Malaga in summer
Spiritual meditation for the relaxation of the body and mind
Another way of spending a holiday in the province of Malaga, is dedicating it to relax the body and mind. If you are looking for a spiritual vacation, there is a meditation centre like the one in Alhaurin El Grande; this centre offer during one week the chance to escape on organised day trips to different parts of the province. Another option is the budhist temple in Benalmadena, with a batterfly park near also and an amazing viewpoint of the Costa del Sol.
Budhist temple and viewpoint: https://goo.gl/maps/dwQZ6KUbWLtV2Xc59
Those who need to escape from the daily routine can find in these type of vacations the perfect combination between resting, relaxing, tourism and meditation, guided by the centre’s resident master.
In case what you’re searching for is a more archaeological experience, the Axarquia offers two of the most important caves one must visit: the Nerja cave, famous for its enormous and impressive stalactites; and the Treasure Cave in Rincon de la Victoria, the only sea cave that can be visited in Europe.
Nerja Cave: https://g.page/CuevaDeNerja?share
More attractions can be found at:
https://www.malagacar.co.uk/malaga-guide/malaga-leisure/attractions
Recommendation for summer in Malaga
Using a vehicle is a must when we want to get the most from our visit; for this we recommend to check our prices for Malaga car hire and book early, take advantage of our online reservation without credit card nor cancellation fees.
"We hope you enjoy our Malaga car hire tips, road routes and recommended tours from Malaga within the Costa del Sol. Malagacar.co.uk is not a broker service, we manage our own fleet of cars, one of the reasons we can offer the cheapest prices for car rental in Malaga; if you are planning a visit check our prices and our travel guides.".