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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Which part of Costa Del Sol with a 2 year old April/May please?

31 replies

PrinnyPree · 03/02/2022 16:17

Hello all I was wondering if anyone can recommend which area of Costa Del Sol would be best to visit for a week with my toddler please? I've chosen Costa Del Sol due to hopefully better weather in spring since my LB loves the beach paired with a relatively short plane journey. We had a lovely week long holiday in Cala Galdana Menorca last September.

Preferably not too Blackpool abroad (not that there's anything wrong with Blackpool) will probably get a hire car but would be nice if beach, cafe's and restaurants are in walking distance.

Any hotel recommendations would be greatly received too (although Ikos Andalusia is probably out of our price range)

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:

MrsAvocet · 03/02/2022 16:21

I like Estepona. It's a longer transfer from the airport which may be a disadvantage with a toddler, but it's quieter than some of the other resorts and the beaches are good.

Original poster

PrinnyPree · 03/02/2022 16:31

@MrsAvocet

I like Estepona. It's a longer transfer from the airport which may be a disadvantage with a toddler, but it's quieter than some of the other resorts and the beaches are good.

Thankyou @MrsAvocet I guess I could fly to Gibralter instead of Malaga to make the transfer journey shorter?

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MrsAvocet · 03/02/2022 16:56

Yes, if you can get a flight to Gibraltar from your local airport it would be nearer. I'm nit sure what the logistics of hiring a car in Gibraltar when you are staying in Spain would be, but it must be possible.

StrawberryPi · 03/02/2022 16:59

What about Malaga city itself? Or one of the areas just outside such as El Limonar or Pedregallejo. It's a lovely city and the beaches nearby are very nice. Means you could combine some beach-ing with lots of nice bars and restaurants, and a bit of culture if you wanted (e.g. the Alcazaba, which is like a mini Alhambra).

ZenNudist · 03/02/2022 17:02

Highly recommend flying to Gibraltar and then staying on the Costa da luz they have a baby play area in lovely quiet airport. Its a pain to go between Spanish and UK side but the area is great and you can do day trips to jerez (sherry!) and cadiz. Tariff is a great town. Very Spanish

Fivemoreminutes1 · 03/02/2022 17:04

PP’s suggestion of Estepona is a good idea if you’re hiring a car. It’s fairly quiet and definitely has a Spanish vibe. The public transport is not as good here as in other resorts, and it’s further away from some of the main attractions. There’s quite a bit of urban sprawl so check locations carefully before booking.
Personally I’d go for Nerja. The town has an "upmarket" feel but isn't over-priced. It’s got large, sandy beaches within easy walking distance of the centre, a pretty old town area with narrow streets lined with tourist shops and a large choice of reasonably priced bars, restaurants and accommodation. The area around Playa Torrecillla and Playa la Caletilla is best for both beaches and access to town for the evenings.

ZenNudist · 03/02/2022 18:41

My favourite Spanish Town is flying to Reus and 90 minute drive. Place called Peniscola. It has a lovely double strip of sand on a promotory with shallow warm waters perfect for toddlers. Touristy Town area with plenty of buckets and spades and ice cream plus kids play area. Then an atmospheric old Town that's lovely. Still touristy but Spanish. Love it.

Original poster

PrinnyPree · 03/02/2022 19:28

Thankyou for the suggestions so far everyone! I will start researching them. They sound perfect although the long transfers might be a bit much so any suggestions within 30mins drive of an airport might be preferable. X

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CeeceeBloomingdale · 03/02/2022 19:34

The water will be pretty cold at that time of year so bathing in the pool,or sea might be out. For a similar climate but imo nicer try the Algarve. Honestly thought, I’d head to the canaries instead. The flight isn’t that much longer but the weather will be more favourable and more will be open.

goodnightgrumble · 03/02/2022 19:40

We were really surprised with Fuengirola. Some beautiful parts to it.

Original poster

PrinnyPree · 05/02/2022 15:59

@goodnightgrumble Oh thats good to know it looked quite built up from the pictures but maybe there's more to it. Thankyou for the suggestion.

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Cheermonger · 05/02/2022 16:02

We’ve been to Benalmádena twice in the last 4months and loved it. I was so sniffy about it before we went but it was lovely. Great old town in Arroyo, lovely marina, plenty of places to visit I loved it

CottonSock · 05/02/2022 16:02

We went to Nerja. It was OK. But not very much to do really. Malaga was a nice day trip though.

We did really enjoy the algarve.

CottonSock · 05/02/2022 16:12

Oh and yes the pool and sea were too cold. This is probably why we were a bit bored. It also rained. Can you stretch to the canaries instead?

HopeLa · 05/02/2022 16:23

Love Arroyo De La Miel as a working small town ( not coastal) and Benalmadena Pueblo as a small village in the hills. Both used to have public outdoor swimming pools which were fabulous- not sure now though?

Original poster

PrinnyPree · 05/02/2022 20:03

@CeeceeBloomingdale @CottonSock hmm maybe I should extend my search, are there any areas of the Algarve and Canaries you'd recommend please? :)

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CeeceeBloomingdale · 05/02/2022 21:34

I like the Oura Bay area of Albufeira in the Algarve. My favourite Island in the Canaries is Gran Canaria. My favourite resort is Arguineguin but we like things quiet so it may not be for you.

FredBair · 05/02/2022 21:40

I love the Algarve but it's on the Atlantic coast and somewhat cooler than Spain even in high season.
The weather in April in Portugal or Costa del Sol might be warm but certainly not hot enough for pools or sea.
The canaries are much more reliable beach weather at that time.

thisdayistoolong · 06/02/2022 10:40

@Cheermonger

Can I ask do you get a flight and accommodation separate and how do you take the transfer from the airport?

Twilightstarbright · 06/02/2022 22:10

Another recommendation for Benalmadena. We’ve been to Sol House a couple of times and really enjoyed it with a baby/toddler.

Original poster

PrinnyPree · 07/02/2022 15:16

@Twilightstarbright

Another recommendation for Benalmadena. We’ve been to Sol House a couple of times and really enjoyed it with a baby/toddler.

Ooh thankyou, just looking at this hotel on jet2holidays now, any room tips? :)

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Twilightstarbright · 07/02/2022 15:36

@PrinnyPree we had some sort of suite and had DS in the living area which could be shut off so DS was in the dark and we could watch tv and chill out.

MissNowt · 10/02/2022 18:27

Torre del Mar is lovely. It's in the the other direction to Marbella & Estepona - but still just 30mins from the airport. Beautiful beach & lovely cafes, restaurants & ice cream parlours. A really nice chilled Spanish vibe to it. I was there today & it was so fab even out of season. Plus IMHO it's really good value.

www.visitcostadelsol.com/malaga-costa-del-sol/the-best-beaches-on-the-costa-del-sol/torre-del-mar-beach-p21361

GiantKitten · 10/02/2022 18:43

We rented an apt on a really nice complex in Calahonda once - beachside (what they call front line?) so no roads to cross. There was a small sandy beach plus pools and other facilities.

30 mins from Malaga airport & handy for the main road for buses to visit further afield (eg the zoo at Fuengirola)

Can’t remember what it was called though, I’ll see if I can find out.

GiantKitten · 10/02/2022 18:48

Found it - Dona Lola. We didn’t rent from the resort though, it was a private rental.
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/dona-lola

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