Andalucía is a region with a surprising number and variety of natural caves. Some of these are well-known and open to the public, such as those situated in Nerja, La Pileta and Ardales, but there are many more than these hidden away in the rugged mountains and back country. All that is needed is a spirit of adventure.
Today many four and five-star hotels in Andalucia, especially on the coast, have spas for guests to use, offering hydrotherapy circuit and beauty treatments and therapies for ultimate pampering and relaxation, as well as treating muscular ailments and offering help with stress, digestive problems and weight loss. You will feel the effects immediately, your energy levels restored, your body and mind relaxed and revitalised, ready to face the world.
Shopping in Andalucia is a mixture of small, often family-run, independent shops in the narrow charming streets of small towns, resorts and cities. In addition to this there are hyper-markets and shopping centres both in the city centre and out of town malls.
The three main professional cycle races in the Andalucia cycling calendar are the Tour of Spain, known as La Vuelta; the Tour of Andalucia, also known as the Vuelta a Andalucia or Ruta Ciclista del Sol; and the one-day Clasíca de Almería. On a more local level, there is La Sufrida.
The Telecabina takes you on an amazing 15-minute journey in a four-person cable car right up to the highest point on the Málaga coast at an altitude of almost 800m above sea level. From this superb vantage point, you not only have the most magnificent views of the Costa del Sol, but also the awesome panoramic vistas of the Sierra Nevada mountains (white with snow in the winter months), the Guadalhorce Valley and on a clear day you can see Gibraltar and the coast of Africa.
Some companies offer luxury yacht and boat hire, a luxury sailing concierge, who can arrange almost everything from sunset cruises with fine dining to trips to Morocco and Portugal. All in all it's great to see Andalucia from the sea.
Selwo Marina offers a new concept in family entertainment, bringing together sea life and the Amazon in an unusual but happy combination. The Marina is a complement to Selwo Adventure wildlife park in Estepona.
Benalmádena's Sea Life Centre is a walk-through underwater park in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol, which takes you on an stroll along the seabed in a glass tunnel. You pass aquatic species from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Red Sea. It is an interesting and entertaining voyage of discovery for the whole family.
Selwo is a fascinating adventure in contact with nature. The park covers 100 hectares and is home to more than 2,000 animals from the five continents. The animals live in liberty, recreating their natural habitat - you can see lions, rhinos and giraffes; gnus, cheetahs, red pandas, meekats, and the endangered Iberian lynx; also birds such as hornbill, ibis, stork and crane. Visitors are taken on a four-hour tour, on foot and in four-wheel drive trucks.
In this fabulous zoological garden overlooking the Mediterranean at 250m above sea level, you can see the majestic raptors spread their wings in flight under the supervision of multi-lingual expert handlers. There are displays throughout the day, giving each of the 160+ birds a turn.
The park counts over 300 crocs among its inhabitants, including the massive Gran Paco (known as Big Daddy in English), the biggest crocodile in Europe, measuring five metres and weighing over 600kg.
As well as the kamikaze, black hole, and rio bravo, this water park has a wave pool, and a new children's attraction for 2014 called Lizard Island, with small pools and showers, connected by paths and bridges. Mini-golf and live entertainment shows. Shady picnic area.
The parks have a variety of zones: high-adrenalin water slides including Kamikaze (very steep, almost vertical) and Black Hole (covered tube); multi-lane slides where you can race against your friends; children's areas with shallow pools featuring mini-slides and fun activities; and, increasingly, parks also feature more relaxing wave pools with beaches, lagoons, and even jacuzzis.
Tivoli World was the largest family entertainment theme park on the Costa del Sol. It is currenly closed. It is located in the heart of Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena.
Ideal for families with young children who want a gentler up-close-with-nature experience, the Butterfly Park has over 1500 of the colourful little winged insects. The park is inside a Thai temple-style building; the blue tiles were actually made in Thailand.
Guided tours are an excellent way to see Andalucia. Depending on which tour you choose you can learn more about specific aspects of the flora, fauna, gastronomy, culture, etc... Here we have listed a selection of interesting, guided tours in your area.
If you’re looking for activities to do with your children in Andalucia this summer, and you want a break from the beach, or you’re staying inland and you’re looking for some more ideas for outings, you’ll be amazed at the variety of places you can have a great day out.
If you want a break from the clamour and crowds on the Costa then explore Mijas, Alhaurin, Coin, Monda, Ojen and also Istan. The scenery is quite spectacular and the roads are well-travelled, yet perfectly good.
This is the longest of the Mijas Costa beaches at over 4,500 meters long and 25 meters wide. Since it is right at the foot of the large Sitio de Calahonda urbanization, it is a very popular beach, with ramp access, many beach bars and lots of activity, but it also has some quieter corners for those who prefer a bit of piece and quiet.
In the up-market areas of Andalucia, a growing trend has evolved for a beach life quite different from the simple pleasures of buckets and spades, cool boxes and fold-away deck chairs. Many simple, traditional "chiringuitos" or beach bars still exist dotted along the coast where you can enjoy local cuisine and get an ice cream.
