Can anyone advise on low key holiday Malaga coastline?

[chocos]

I'd love to start getting familiar with the Malaga coastline over the next few years, with a view to spending months at a time there once my kids have flown the nest. I don't know it at all, but the year round mild weather and short flight is very appealing. Trouble is, I have an ASD (high functioning) young teen and holidays have to be carefully thought out...

Hotels and buffets are not good, but big hotel pools are. Are there any decent hotel pools (perhaps with a few slides) in any of the resorts down that coast where you can get a day pass to access? That way we could get an Airbnb on our own, but still get the pool experience?? An Airbnb with own pool wouldn't be enough as she does like big pools with slides.

Which of the resorts would best suit tweens and young teens? I'm thinking perhaps a short boat trip, good shopping, a bit of history, things to look at, places to visit and definitely need good food!!

Malaga city itself is good for shopping, history and food, there's also a big outdoor shopping mall near the airport.

There's a couple of waterparks in the area, which are probably accessible by public transport. There's also 'inflatable in the sea' type along the coast in the summer. There's a train line that runs between the city and as far as Fuengirola with various stop offs, buses are also good and very cheap, especially if you get a payment card.

I'd avoid Benalmadena and Torremolinos, which seem to be more where British people go for drinking holidays but if you're going to scout out the area, you could stay in the city as it will make easy to get around on public transport and just get exploring.

That's really helpful, thanks!!

I've been to Benalmadena a few times and found it very nice. Clean beaches and a nice Marina. Convenient, clean and not too Brits Abroad, a mix of Spanish and other nationalities, mainly families. I certainly didn't see any groups of party goers.

Yes, I heard it's quite nice and chilled. Thanks for the insight!

We absolutely loved Estepona and found it to be very chilled. lots of Air BnBs some apartment complexes have pools.

It's definitely a nice and chilled out place.

Sure it's a holiday town and it's definitely not glitzy but fits the bill in terms of cleanliness and convenience. There are lots of families of different nationalities and just enough for DC to keep occupied. We took the dolphin boat tour which was great and nearby there is a large park which was nice.

Good luck planning your trip, wherever you decide😊

^ I thought the dolphin boat tour sounded good when I researched! Glad you enjoyed. Sure my kids would love that experience.