12 Things to do in Malaga with Kids

Visiting Malaga with the youngest members of the family can be a challenge, but I assure you that the city offers a great number of family plans that you'll love. Discover them!

Andressa García

Andressa García

12 min read

12 Things to do in Malaga with Kids

Malaga Cathedral | ©Emilio

Take a bike tour, discover the interior of the palaces or visit the most beautiful monuments of Malaga Al Andalus. The Andalusian city offers you an endless number of plans that children will love.

Here are some ideas for you to choose from so that you realise that going with the youngest members of the family is definitely an unforgettable plan. Especially if you want to take photos to remember.

1. Put your creativity to the test at the Museum of the Imagination

Museum of Imagination| ©Joaquín Montaño - Midjourney
Museum of Imagination| ©Joaquín Montaño - Midjourney

Booking tickets for the Museum of Imagination is a must if you go to Malaga with children, as they will put their creativity to the test in a place full of magic.

Don't hesitate, live an unforgettable experience while you go through the different themed rooms. What's more, you'll get unique photographs full of illusionism for your photo album in a unique and different museum that combines art and technology. Immerse yourself in a world of fantasy and boost your imagination.

Interesting details

  • Price: 10 € children from 15 years and adults and 5 € under 14 years.
  • How to get there: It is located in Martínez Campos street, in the centre of Malaga, so you can get there easily and comfortably.
  • Opening hours: Open from 11am to 9pm.

Book tickets for the Museum of Imagination

2. Visit the Parque de la Batería and Crocodile Park in Torremolinos

Battery Park in Torremolinos| ©Santiago Abella
Battery Park in Torremolinos| ©Santiago Abella

This is a good park for the little ones in the house and, in fact, for the whole family. One of the things I like most about this place is that it has different spaces for children of all ages in the open air and with the necessary safety measures to avoid accidents.

On the other hand, the Parque de la Batería has different places to have picnics, go cycling or even enjoy an artificial lake where you can rent boats on weekends to sail. A good place to visit with the family in summer.

But this is not the only option, as you can also book tickets for Crocodile Park, a place that will impress the little ones, as it has more than 300 crocodiles.

Interesting details

  • Price: Admission to the park is free.
  • How to get there: One of the best ways to get there is by train, as there is a stop right next to the park called Montemar Alto. If you go by car, either hire or your own, you can park in the places provided for this purpose.
  • Opening hours: It is open every day from 8:00 to 15:30.

Book tickets for Crocodile Park in Torremolinos

3. Don't miss the wild animals in the aquariums and zoos of Malaga

Gorilla in Bioparc Fuengirola| ©Joaquín Montaño - Midjourney
Gorilla in Bioparc Fuengirola| ©Joaquín Montaño - Midjourney

And without a doubt, the ideal plan to go with the youngest members of the family is to visit the main amusement parks and aquariums in the province of Malaga such as Bioparc Fuengirola, the Mariposario in Benalmadena, Selwo Marina also in Benalmadena or Sea Life Benalmadena.

As you can see, there are options for all tastes: both for those who are lovers of the marine and terrestrial animal world. So, the difficult thing in this case will be to agree on which one to go to.

  • Malaga Sea Life Benalmadena Tickets
  • From £20
  • Discounts in Puerto Marina
  • Recommended if... You love the underwater world and are fascinated by sharks.
  • Book now
  • Benalmadena Selwo Marina Tickets
  • From £14
  • Includes skip the line access
  • Recommended if... You don't want to miss one of the best zoos in Spain.
  • Book now
  • Benalmadena Mariposario Butterfly Park Tickets
  • From £11.
  • Includes skip the line access
  • Recommended if... You want to see a real tropical butterfly paradise
  • Book now
  • Fuengirola Bioparc Tickets
  • From £24
  • Includes skip the line access
  • Recommended if... You like to enjoy the wildlife at a stone's throw from Malaga.
  • Book now

4. Discover the Alcazaba, the Cathedral and the Roman Theatre with kids

View of the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre| ©Johannes Schwanbeck
View of the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre| ©Johannes Schwanbeck

The Alcazaba, the Cathedral and the Roman Theatre are three of the most interesting monuments to visit in the city of Malaga, especially if you are visiting with children. They are three incredible places that they will love. What's more, you can combine your visit with a staged tour for children.

You can also do the visit on your own, but my recommendation is to book a guided tour of the Alcazaba, the Cathedral and the Roman Theatre, which will take you around each of the monuments and allow you to learn about the history and culture hidden inside.

If you want to visit these magical places with your little ones, I recommend you to do it during the days when the lift to the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro Castle are in operation.

Interesting details

  • Price: the guided tour is priced from 34 € for adults, 19 € for young people aged 10 to 14 and 9 € for younger children, but I recommend you check the prices to enter the Alcazaba in case you opt for the free visit.
  • How to get there: by public transport or by car or rental car. You can then take the lift or a bus route that takes you very close to the Alcazaba.
  • Opening hours: from 9am to 6pm or 8pm, depending on the time of year. For more information, I recommend you read more about the opening hours of the Alcazaba.

Book your visit to the Alcazaba

5. Tour Malaga comfortably by tourist bus

Tourist Bus| ©City Sightseeing
Tourist Bus| ©City Sightseeing

The tourist bus of Malaga is one of those activities that you cannot miss if you go with children. A very fun and economical way to get to know the city of Malaga. On this tour you will have the opportunity to move comfortably between the most interesting points of the city.

You have to take into account that the tour does not include tickets to any of the attractions, but what is advantageous is that it gives you the possibility to get on and off the route as many times as you want, paying only one ticket.

Kids love this tour because they can see all the sights from the top of the bus, and it also includes an audio guide with narration especially for the little ones.

Interesting details

  • Price: booking your 24-hour sightseeing bus tour of Malaga costs €13 for the little ones and €26 for adults.
  • How to get there: you can get on the bus at any of the stations to do the whole tour.
  • Timetable: it usually has a route that runs from 11am to 6pm, although it depends on the company and the time of year.

Book your tourist bus tour of Malaga

6. Take a trip to Nerja

Nerja, Malaga| ©lhourahane
Nerja, Malaga| ©lhourahane

If you were a lover of the legendary series Verano Azul, you can't miss a visit to the town of Nerja and tell your children about the adventures of this group of friends who travelled on bicycles. In addition, this coastal town is full of beaches and interesting places to visit such as the Balcón de Europa or the caves of Nerja.

My recommendation is to book an excursion to Nerja because it is located about 55 kilometres east of Malaga. Once there you have the option to go up the river Chillar, although I recommend you to do this activity if you go with children over 6 years old to enjoy the walk and the panoramic views.

In addition, you can do many other activities in this town near Malaga, from visiting the beaches to kayaking.

Interesting details

  • Price: the price to visit this area depends on whether you do it on your own or if you travel on a guided tour, which costs around 48 € for adults and 36 € for children.
  • How to get there: You can travel by bus, train or rental car. The tour takes place by bus.
  • Timetable: If you go on your own, I recommend leaving for Nerja early in the morning. If you go on a guided tour, the start time is usually 9.40am.

Book an excursion to Nerja

7. Walk along the Caminito del Rey

Caminito del Rey, Malaga| ©Frayle
Caminito del Rey, Malaga| ©Frayle

It used to be considered the most dangerous hiking route in the world, but nowadays it is one of the most visited routes by tourists from all over Europe. It is reinforced with security measures and you can book an excursion to the Caminito del Rey.

Without a doubt, it is one of the best options to have fun with children who love extreme adventures. Although it is a fairly safe route, children like to feel the adrenaline of completing the trail to the end. I recommend this walk if you are travelling with children over 6 years old.

Once you start the Caminito del Rey you must finish it and you can't go back. I recommend you to bring some snacks because completing this trail route can take between 3 and 4 hours, so it is important to bring enough water and snacks for the little ones of the house.

Details of interest

  • Price: you can book an excursion from Malaga which costs from 74 € for adults and 54 € for children and don't worry about how to get there.
  • How to get there: one of the best ways to get to the Caminito del Rey is by train from Malaga, which takes you to El Chorro station, very close to the entrance to the Caminito del Rey.
  • Opening times: it usually opens at 9am and closes at 3.30pm or 5.20pm, depending on the time of year. The excursion from Malaga starts at around 9am.

Book an excursion to the Caminito del Rey

8. Play an instrument at the Museum of Music

Music Museum in Malaga| ©IES Profesor Juan Bautista
Music Museum in Malaga| ©IES Profesor Juan Bautista

The Music Museum is one of those places that children will love to visit because it is an interactive place where they will have the opportunity to get to know each of the instruments and, above all, they can interact, as they can play each of the instruments in the museum.

An interactive place where there are spaces for the whole family and where you can let your imagination run wild and find out if you or the children have musical abilities. You can learn about the different musical notes and, of course, you can't leave without learning some musical history inside the museum.

Interesting details

  • Price: children can enter for free, while tickets for adults cost between 3 and 5 euros per person.
  • How to get there: if you are travelling by car you can park near La Alcazaba. If you are travelling by public transport, get off at Paseo del Parque or Calle Victoria stations on the EMT. If you are travelling by train, the nearest stop is Malaga Centro Alameda. And finally, you have the option of taking the tourist bus (Plaza La Merced stop).
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 to 18:30.

Book your tourist bus tour of Malaga

9. Visit the Botanic Garden of La Concepción

La Concepción Botanical Garden| ©Isa Ruiz
La Concepción Botanical Garden| ©Isa Ruiz

The Botanical Garden of La Concepcion is one of the best things to see and do in Malaga. It brings together a large number of species whose natural habitats are located in different parts of the world. It offers different activities also at night, making it one of the best things to do in Malaga at night.

In case you travel to Malaga in December, I recommend you to go to the Botanical Garden and don't miss the light show every night. Within the grounds, the plants are arranged according to the climate they belong to, so it's a truly nourishing experience for children and adults alike.

Interesting details

  • Price: Tickets are priced at €5.20, while reduced tickets can be purchased for around €3.40.
  • How to get there: you can get there by public transport, using the EMT line 2; by private car, or by the tourist bus which leaves you very close by if you get on the green line.
  • Opening hours: from April to September it is open from 9.30 am to 8.30 pm and from October to March between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm. On 24 and 31 December it is open from 9.30am to 3pm.

Book your tourist bus tour of Malaga

10. Enter the Aeronautical Museum

Aeronautical Museum| ©Rafa Sánchez
Aeronautical Museum| ©Rafa Sánchez

If you are looking for an interactive and participatory activity for the kids to have fun from the moment they arrive until they leave, then the place to visit is the Aeronautical Museum which is located right next to the Airport. An advantage in case you don't have time to visit the museum during your holiday, you can do so before your flight home.

It is ranked as one of the top 10 museums in Malaga and that is because it is an open and interactive space where children can learn a lot about aeroplanes and their history.

Inside the museum you will have the chance to find out what boarding was like in the time of your grandparents. They will also be able to board a historic aircraft. They will also be able to move the propellers and many other fun things. A place where you can find different outdoor spaces to share a picnic.

Interesting details

  • Price: tickets are free for all the public.
  • How to get there: you can go by train and get off at the airport station, where you will have to walk for about 10 minutes to get to the museum. You can also get there by bus using line A of the EMT, in which case you will have to stop at the last stop.
  • Opening hours: from 10am to 8pm on Tuesdays and from 10am to 2pm from Wednesday to Saturday.

11. Visit the Treasure Cave

Beach in El Rincón de La Victoria| ©Cayetano
Beach in El Rincón de La Victoria| ©Cayetano

About 15 kilometres from the city of Malaga is a picturesque village called El Rincón de la Victoria where you will find one of the three most famous sea caves in the world. The other two caves are located in Asia and Central America.

This cave is a must for anyone visiting Malaga, especially if you are travelling with children. One of the things I like to mention most about this place is its interesting contrast between history, culture and popular legends, since it is said that a hidden treasure is kept inside. The perfect story for the little ones of the house so it is, without a doubt, one of the best activities in Malaga to do with children.

On the one hand, they will have the opportunity to know an interesting archaeological site and they will also live an incredible adventure walking through the narrowness of the cave and seeing the shapes that water has made through the millennia. Its interior has different paths, lakes and corridors that will take you from the widest to the smallest spaces of the cave. Definitely an experience for the whole family.

Details of interest

  • Price: up to 3 years old, children enter for free. From 4 to 14 years old pay approximately 2,75 euros, as well as pensioners and people over 65 years old. Adults from 15 to 64 years pay around 4.65 euros for admission.
  • How to get there: Located on Avenida Picasso in Rincón de la Victoria.
  • Opening hours: In winter it is open in the morning from 10:00 to 13:00 and in the afternoon from 15:00 to 17:00. In summer, the opening hours are from 10:30 to 13:00 and in the afternoon from 16:30 to 19:00.

12. Visit the village Acebuchal

Excursion in Acebuchal| ©El Coleccionista de Instantes
Excursion in Acebuchal| ©El Coleccionista de Instantes

I like to include this place among the activities to do with children, but it is also one of the best excursions from Malaga because it is a tour where you will get to know a village that was abandoned for about 50 years. Nowadays it has been restored and is functioning as an incredible tourist place.

It is a kind of ghost town ideal to visit with children because although it is a secluded place with few houses, most of them are for rent during the holiday seasons. But no matter when you go, it's always an interesting place to visit.

Children like to learn about the legends of the village and, above all, they love to see how the different houses are so close to each other, just like in other white houses villages in Europe.

Interesting details

  • Price: admission is free, but if you want to stay in some of the rented houses, you will have to contact the owners of the property directly to find out the rental price.
  • How to get there: it is located in the town of Cómpeta and is actually not very easy to get to. In fact, as it is located between mountains, it can be a bit difficult to find it at first sight. The best way to get there is by rental car.
  • Opening hours: the village is open at all hours, but I recommend you to visit this area during the day, and if you can get there in the morning, all the better.