Family Andalusian Day Trips

Andalusia is a wonderful place to live, a great place to take a holiday, and an incredibly beautiful location, with so much for families to see and do. Whether you’re staying in the region for a week or a year, it would be almost impossible to enjoy everything that Andalusia has to offer. But the good news is that it is possible to explore the highlights of this incredible region with a selection of well-placed and carefully chosen day trips.

From animal encounters to beautiful beaches and historical villages and towns, here is our breakdown of the best family Andalusian day trips:

Go Surfing in Tarifa

There’s no better way to appreciate the sheer beauty of Andalucia’s coastline than by taking to the water, and much of the coast here is a surfer's paradise. Whilst the larger beaches of Marbella and Puerto Banus are more famous, and attract thousands of visitors every year thanks to their vast sandy expanses and glamorous bars and restaurants, Tarifa is a comparatively untouched paradise. It’s laid back attitude and high-quality surf make it a wonderful destination for families with kids.

The best thing about Tarifa is that, even when the sun is at its hottest, it is almost always windy. This makes it the perfect location not only for surfing but also for kite surfing and wind surfing, no matter what the weather. When the kids have exhausted themselves in the crystal blue sea, head into the Old Quarter of Tarifa, where the whole family can enjoy wonderful bohemian restaurants, small independent art galleries, and artisan shops.

What’s more, the local population of artists, writers, hippies and surfers makes it the perfect place to people watch whilst the kids are learning to take to the waves.

Ride Around Mountains in Ronda

Ronda is a small town that is located high in the mountains, but it is the journey to Ronda that is just as exciting for kids as actually being there. The Ronda road winds around the side of the mountain, clinging to it and affording road passengers vertiginous views straight down the side of the mountain pass. It’s both awe inspiring and invigorating, showcasing the wonder of nature at its very best. But it’s certainly not the adventure for you if you have children that are afraid of heights!

Once your journey is over and you finally reach Ronda, the town itself is a wonderful reward. Ronda is nicknamed ‘the eagles perch’ thanks to its location on the very edge of the mountain and the incredible views that affords. Both Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles have been charmed by Ronda, so when you take your kids to explore this picturesque town they’ll be in good company!

Take a Stroll Along El Caminito del Rey

Are your children dare devils looking for a day trip that’s full of adventure? Then a walk across El Caminito del Rey is the perfect day out for you! This is no simple walk in the park: El Caminito Del Rey (also known as the King’s Walkway) was once regarded as the most dangerous path in the world, and isn’t for anyone without a head for heights!

The caminito is a wooden walkway that winds its way along the side of a narrow and plunging gorge, offering incredible and exciting views. The pathway was originally built for construction workers in 1905 and it has claimed several victims over the years. Because of this, it was shut to the public in 2000.

Don’t worry though, we’re not recommending a walk along a death trap! In recent years renovation and investment has completely transformed El Caminito Del Rey, making the once-precarious footpath a safe and secure attraction for the whole family, and a great way to see some of Andalucía's natural beauty.

Trek Above Marbella

Marbella is a popular, bustling town famed for its glamorous visitors, beautiful beaches, and luxurious shops and restaurants. A wonderful place for celeb-spotting and a spot of retail therapy: but unlikely to excite young children. Head to the paths above Marbella though and you can enjoy a rigorous trek that the whole family would enjoy. Refugio de Juanar, which is located just past Marbella, is the starting point for a huge variety of different trekking routes, with a wide variety of lengths and difficulty levels available. If you’re feeling particularly energetic then head to the La Concha peak where you can enjoy unrivalled views across the water to Africa: a wonderful site sure to excite children of all ages.

Bird Watching and Wildlife Spotting

Most kids love animals and spending time outside, and if your children are counted amongst this number then they will absolutely love a day trip to Piedra de Fuente lagoon, which is located in the north of Andalusia, just 20 km from Antequera. This area of outstanding natural beauty is home to a wide range of animals, including thousands of pink flamingos that visit the lake to nest and flock every spring.

The lagoon is the largest in Andalusia and visitors of all ages are welcome to enjoy the area and spend time in its visitor centre. The lagoon is surrounded by lush vegetation, and it is truly picturesque: it’s a wonderful place to visit if you want to get closer to nature, slow down the pace of your busy life, and spend some quality time with your family.

 Are you thinking of moving to Spain, and making your dream of Spanish home ownership a reality? Imagine spending quality time with your family underneath the Spanish sun? Why not get in touch with our locally based property experts today? We have the skills and knowledge you need to make the relocation process as simple and easy as possible.