There's only one drawback to holidays with children in the Costa del Sol — the chilly water in the sea. It's challenging to dissuade your child from swimming, so move the water fun to a water park. For example, Fuengirola has a small water park, AquaMijas, where you can sunbathe, swim in the warm water of the pools and ride some slides.
The Parque Acuatico Mijas pays particular attention to families with children. This is evident in the two play areas set up for children and that almost all the slopes in the water park are accessible to children aged 6-7. The playgrounds are designed differently for children of different ages.
Toddler rides can be found in the Piscina Infantil pool, and the Isla Lagartos ("Lizard Island") pool does look like a rocky island with a pipe of unknown origin. Water gushes out of the pipes, much to the delight of the little bathers.
Three more pools are suitable for family swimming. Sit on the beach next to Piscina de Olas and wait for the artificial wave to turn on — let it give you a nice wiggle. The bathers get a wave at the Lago pool as they practise Zumba. In the Jacuzzi, you can just relax.
By the way, the waters of the Lago can be accessed by launching an inflatable raft down the winding Rio Aventura slide. Similar adventures await you in the looped Rio Bravo. This small water park in the Costa del Sol also offers classic slides: Pistas Blandas — parallel tracks for speedy descents; Laberinto Toboganes — four twisting tunnels; Kamikaze — two steep drop-down slides for the more adventurous.
Of course, this is not enough for extreme riders. A more considerable nerve-racking experience is provided by Aqualand Aqualand Torremolinos, whose Kamikaze slide is the second highest in Europe.
Mijas Waterpark offers plenty of room for guests wishing to soak up the sun. You can sit on the sun loungers or the grass on your towel. There is also a picnic area. If you want, you can eat in the cafes, where the menu is primarily fast food.
The Fuengirola Biopark is 1 km from the water park and features animals from Africa and Asia.
