Family Holidays: Andalucia family holidays

Take the Family holiday rating 4 stars out of 5

Why

Southern Spain's Andalucia is Britain's favourite family holiday destination abroad. And while most families descend on the infamous Costa del Sol there is so much more to this region than the high rise developments of Fuengirola and Torremolinos! If you're set on the beach then consider basing yourselves in Estepona or Marbella. Alternatively seek out a villa within an easy drive of the coast. Andalucia is also blessed with the wonderful cities of Granada, Seville and Cordoba. Plus you and the kids will love Granada's amazing Alhambra Palace, the mountains, the countryside and the weather.

Above left: A house in Andalucia
Above right: Mountain biking in Andalucia

When

Andalucia is at its best Apr-Jun and mid Sep-Oct. In summer it can be hot with daytime temperatures averaging 30°C. The days are usually hot and sunny, but it can get cool – even cold – particularly in early spring and autumn!

How

Malaga, Seville, Granada and Jerez are all served from numerous airports in the UK. Expect to pay between £35 and over 200 return depending on when you book and with whom you fly. Scheduled air options include flying to Seville or Malaga on British Airways or Iberia. Ryanair flies to Granada, Jerez and Malaga. Easyjet serves Malaga from Gatwick, Luton and Liverpool. Our preferred partners Clickair offer a daily service to Seville, in addition to many more Spanish destinations. There are also numerous charter flight options. These can work out inexpensive, though departure and arrival times are not always ideal.

From the airports you can hire cars relatively inexpensively (be careful to check whether car seats are included in the cost) or join a coach transfer if one's included in a package. Find some great family car hire deals from our car hire page.

Stay

There is, of course, a very broad range of hotel and villa accommodation in Andalucia. If you are travelling independently on a low budget consider an apartment or stay in one of Andalucia's hostales. Otherwise villas, apartments and hotels can be found to suit every conceivable budget, with some offering childcare programmes. Location wise Marbella is certainly a more pleasant base than Fuengirola if you wish to spend your holiday on the coast. But do also consider a break or holiday in the Sierra Nevada mountains or foothills. Amazing scenery, relatively easy access to the coast and Granada, good value accommodation and far fewer tourists.

If you are considering our recommended escorted family adventure holiday you'll spend six nights in a comfortable hotel in Vejer de la Frontera, unless it's July or August. In the summer the small, coastal, fishing village of Zahara de los Atunes situated on an 11km long expanse of white sand beach is the base for this holiday.

Do

The beach - Whether you're staying on the coast or inland, some time at the beach is likely to feature in any family holiday (unless you've come here for the skiing!). Most beaches get crowded in the summer but there are also plenty of more secluded, and beautiful coves to explore.

Granada and the Alhambra Palace - the Rough Guide aptly describes the Alhambra Palace as the 'most exciting, sensual and romantic of all European monuments'. And while your kids are unlikely to want to spend a couple of days exploring the complex and its magnificent grounds, even they are likely to be happily occupied there for a visit. Do buy tickets in advance as they are restricted. Granada itself enjoys an amazing setting surrounded by often snow capped mountains. Check out the Albaicin Moorish quarter.

Skiing - although you wouldn't associate the South of Spain with skiing, the Solynieve resort is hoping to host the winter Olympics and boasts a fine snow record through April.

The Alpujarras - valleys and seventy or so whitewashed villages with intricate terracing that may date back as much as 2,000 years. Populated by Moorish communities until their expulsion the villages, as well as the surrounding countryside, can either be a worthwhile excursion or even a base for your family's stay. Popular year round, especially with hikers. No child focused 'attractions'.

Cadiz, Sevilla, Ronda and Cordoba - depending on where you are staying a visit to one or more of these cities is also highly recommended. Cadiz has thrived as a port since Roman times and is famous for its February Carnival. Sevilla is the vibrant capital, gets extremely hot and is the city of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro. Ronda is most famous for being split in half by a spectacular 130m. deep gorge with each side linked by an amazing eighteenth century arched bridge. And Cordoba is home to the awe inspiring Moorish Mosque, the Mezquita.

Water and nature parks - having dragged the kids round a Palace or Mosque it's now their turn to drag you to one of many water and nature parks, both on the coast and inland. Options include Torremolinos and Mijas Aqua Parks, Tivoli Amsument Park and Selwo Aventura nature park in Estepona.

Eat

Andalucia is the home of the traditional tapa or bar snack. The selection of tapas is generally varied and regionally biased – but there are some universal classics: tortilla española – omelette stuffed with potato; patatas bravas – fried potatoes with a piquant tomato sauce; sardinas – a deep fried sardine or two; boquerones – a little pile of deep-fried anchovies; calamares en su tinta – slices of cuttlefish braised in its black ink; chorizo en vino – spicy pork sausage stewed in wine; pincho – a veal or pork kebab; albóndigas – how inadequate the word ‘meatball’ is to describe the Spanish version; setas en ajo – mushrooms baked with garlic.

Cost

Flight inclusive 7 night packages start from £200 and rise to over a grand per adult depending on time of year and when you book. Flight only varies from £35 to over £200 per person. Book far in advance to get the best deals on Ryanair or Easy Jet. Carhire is available for less than £100 per week if you shop around. Accommodation prices vary enormously and apartments or villas generally offer better value for money. Hotels may be less exensive when booked as part of a tour operator package. If you are considering a flight inclusive activity trip prices start at £719 for adults (£669 for children).