Choosing the ideal family holiday is often difficult as parents are never entirely sure which resorts will provide all the activities and facilities which will make their family holiday enjoyable for everyone. Of course everyone thinks lots of sun, sea and sand is important, but parents also need to look for other activities too to make their annual family holiday special. When it comes to European holidays, the Costa del Sol is one of the best destinations for family holidays, providing all the best attractions and facilities that encourage families to return year after year. Below, are 3 popular, fun filled resorts for family holidays on the Costa del Sol.

Malaga, the capital of the Costa del Sol, is an excellent example of a family resort, providing a combination of great weather, superb beaches, vibrant entertainment and night life mixed with plenty of history and culture. Having a wonderful Mediterranean climate, this is a great escape from the cold miserable weather at home and provides the family with the opportunity to have some fun on one of the numerous sun- kissed beaches.

The beaches in Malaga boast some of the calmest, clearest waters and softest sands you will find within the Costa del Sol, and with a multitude of activities and facilities to keep both you and the children occupied from day one. Swimming in the crystal clear sea is a perfect way to keep cool and have some fun, and most beaches have facilities such as kayaks, banana boat rides and pedaloes. There are also many cafes or beach bars (chiringuitos) where you can cool off and enjoy tapas, sea food, snacks, and coffee or ice cold drinks.

If you feel like a break from the beach, Malaga has a wide range of shops, a bustling port, and many historical monuments. If shopping or sight seeing does not appeal, particularly with young children, there is also the Aquavelis Water Park which, with its water slides, pools, and flumes will provide hours of fun for all age groups. Malaga also has a wide range of evening entertainment ranging from live music to family orientated bars which admit and are suitable for children. You will also find a wide range of dining options from fast food outlets, tapas bars, seafood restaurants, typical Andalucian restaurants, as well as Chinese, Indian, Lebanese, and Italiana cuisine to cater for all budgets and tastes.

Located a mere 7km west of Malaga airport is the Costa del Sol’s first holiday resort, Torremolinos. Although once seen as quite a budget, unattractive resort, it has recently undergone extensive re-development which has boosted its popularity as an excellent resort for families. The resort of Torremolinos boasts a great mix of historical heritage and modern conveniences which make for a superb holiday with plenty of places to explore. There is a large aqua park with lots of water slides and pools with areas suited for even the very young children for a fun filled day out. El Bajondillo beach area is home to many of the hotels and self-catering apartments in the resort, making it an ideal choice for beach loving families. The paseo ( promenade) stretches all the way to Benalmadena Marina and beyond and makes for a lovely evening stroll as the sun goes down. There are numerous shops, arcades, restaurants, icecream parlours, and bars lining the paseo, particularly in the area of the nearby beaches of La Carihuela and Montimar where you will be able to dine or enjoy a refreshing sangria alfresco.

You will also find an abundance of water sport facilities along this stretch of coastline to keep the youngsters entertained. The area of El Calvario is a quieter area of the resort as it is less frequented by tourists, but here you will find numerous small bars and cafes which are perfect when you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the main tourist areas. There are also a wide range of fish restaurants and other eateries on offer, but due to the relaxed nature of this resort, it is better suited to older families.

Situated about 19 kilometers east of Malaga airport is the stunning resort of Benalmadena. This is a first class family resort as it is split into three areas which provide plenty of variety and choice for all of your family needs: Benalmadena Pueblo which is the old village, Arroyo de le Miel which is the commercial town centre; and Benalmadena Costa which is the main tourist resort area. Benalmadena Costa is where you will find the vast majority of self-catering apartments, and hotels as well as the resorts stunningly beautiful, award-winning marina, which, combined with the Plaza Solymar area makes up the resorts lively nightlife scene.

For plenty of day time activities, Benalmadena takes some beating. The resort has a Sea Life Centre in the Benalmadena marina, Tivoli World theme park in Arroyo De La Miel, The Selwo Marina which performs daily shows with dolphins, seals and penguins, and last but not least the cable car ride to the top of Colomorro where the Jardin de Las Aguilas (garden of eagles) houses numerous owls, eagles, kestrels and buzzards which are shown flying and feeding at various times of the day. There are also nature trails, and from here you can see right along the coast in both directions and even across to the African coast and the Atlas Mountains. At Benalmadena Pueblo there is also a butterfly farm which you can enter and walk among the beautiful examples of these delicate creatures. Due to the enormous quantity of activities available, families have plenty to choose from for a fun day out or simply lounge by the pool or on the beach. During the evenings, families will find a wide variety of entertainment ranging from family pubs with live music, karaoke bars, to simply sitting outside in one of the many plazas with pool tables and childrens rides and relaxing after the heat of the day. Most of the café bars and restaurants offer a childrens menu which usually inlcudes a dessert and often a drink too. There are also the usual fast food outlets and pizzerias so there will be something to appeal to even the most picky child.

There are plenty of appealing holiday resorts on the Costa Del Sol offering something to suit families of all ages and it is not surprising that this is one of the most popular holiday destinations. Another thing that attracts families to this area of southern Spain is the short flight time and the short transfer from the airport to the resort which is appealing to families with young children.