A Dad’s Favourite Child-Friendly Beaches in Andalusia

It’s a rare child that doesn’t love the beach. Between splashing about in clear blue waters and constructing mighty sand empires, the magic combination of sun, sea and sand is a favourite of kids and grown-ups alike. However, not all beaches are equally suitable to bring the whole family. That’s why I’ve pulled together a list of my favourite beaches to visit with the little ones.

1. La Herradura

La Herradura is shaped like its namesake (herradura is the Spanish word for horseshoe), with a wide, picturesque bay that’s perfect for water sports. What really makes the place worthwhile, however, is its wildlife. La Herradura is a nature reserve and fishing is banned, meaning that the aquatic biodiversity is immense. Strap on a snorkel and investigate these waters for yourself: nature-loving adults as well as children will be captivated by the fantastic marine display. What’s more, you could spend days exploring all the little nooks in the coastline and their secret beaches and habitats.

La Herradura is a natural park, and as such access is restricted during summer. Be sure to check in advance to make sure that you’ll be able to get in if you plan on visiting this gem during your holiday. It’s a decent-length drive from the airport: one of Shuttle’s pre-booked taxis from Málaga airport will run you around £40 each way for an hour’s journey, but it’s well worth the drive.

2. Playa el Playazo

This beach is perfect for a low-key, relaxed holiday. Its calm, shallow clear waters are perfect for all the family, especially younger members, and the beach is guarded by mountains, ensuring that the winds stay low, the air balmy and the waters calm. The lack of wind also makes playing in the lovely, soft sand even more fun for the little ones.

Another thing that’s great about this beach is just how easy it is to get down to the water. You can get out of the car and step almost straight onto the beach, making it perfect for small children who aren’t able to walk for extended periods, as well as any members of the family who might have mobility issues.

Playa el Playazo is a little east of Roquetas de Mar. It’s around a 3-hour drive, and Shuttle’s pre-booked taxis from Málaga airport will run you around £150.

3. Playa Capobino

Capobino stands out because there’s just so much to do on and around the beach: a quick walk will take you past a wealth of bars, shops and cafes, and it’s a perfect spot to sit and have a cool drink while the sun goes down. Perfect for families who like a little more than sand and the ocean in a beach visit.

Playa Capobino is only a 30-minute drive from the airport, situated between Fuengirola and Marbella. Taxis from Málaga airport will run you around £15.

4. Playa El Cañuelo

El Cañuelo rounds off this list as the perfect back-to-nature beach. The azure waters are beautifully clear and the coastline is just rugged enough to enchant the kids’ imaginations and engage them in frenzied exploration without making the beach inhospitable. Much like La Herradura, El Cañuelo offers excellent snorkelling and diving.

If you get tired of the water, the beach is surrounded by a number of thrilling and scenic walks. These are perhaps best undertaken with older kids, however, as younger ones may find it hard to maintain interest in a hike with the draw of water nearby.

Playa El Cañuelo is easily accessed from the road, with a shuttle bus taking visitors down to the beach. It’s a little to the east of Nerja, and one of Shuttle Direct’s pre-booked taxis from Málaga airport will have you there in around an hour at a cost of around £20.

I hope you can find your perfect beach with the help of this list! Feel free to explore the region: with plenty of protected natural areas, there are a huge number of unspoiled little beaches nestled in the coastline.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for affordable taxis from Malaga airport, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.