Northern part of the Costa del Sol with kids: top things to do

Looking for a destination that works well for a family trip? The northern part of the Costa del Sol is a great choice when traveling with children. From lively towns and beaches to nature, caves, and charming villages, there are plenty of things to do in Nerja and beyond. The nearby Costa Tropical adds a more laid-back feel and unique experiences, such as tropical fruit farms. In this blog, we share our honest experiences and practical tips for exploring the northern part of the Costa del Sol with kids.

Things to do in the Northern part of Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical with kids

Things to do in Nerja

Nerja is the best-known and most touristy town in the northern part of the Costa del Sol. It is a seaside resort with plenty of hotels, (touristy) shops, and restaurants. In the evenings, the town centre can get quite busy, but we actually enjoyed the lively atmosphere. Streets are nicely lit, terraces are full, small souvenir stalls pop up everywhere, and people gather along the promenade. We also visited Nerja’s most famous landmark: the Balcony of Europe. This large viewpoint is set on one of the coastal cliffs and offers stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea and the coastline. It’s a great spot to stop for a moment and take it all in.

Nerja has several beaches, most of them small and tucked into coves between the cliffs. The two best-known beaches are Playa Calahonda and Playa La Caletilla, both located right next to the Balcony of Europe. Nerja also has a larger city beach, Playa de Burriana. It’s a bit of a walk from the town centre, but it’s very lively. The long promenade is lined with restaurants, there are playgrounds for children, and you’ll find several beach clubs as well.

Nerja Caves with kids

The Nerja Caves are the most famous attraction in the northern part of the Costa del Sol. They are known for their enormous stalactites and stalagmites, which are impressive to see up close. Inside the caves, you can also spot prehistoric tools and cave paintings.

The walking route through the caves takes about 45 minutes to an hour. There are uneven paths and quite a few stairs, so the caves are not suitable for strollers. If you’re visiting with young children, a baby carrier is highly recommended. In summer, the caves are very popular, so booking tickets and a time slot in advance is a good idea.

Visit La Herradura on the Costa Tropical

For a relaxed day at a city beach on the Costa Tropical, La Herradura is a great choice. This small town lies right on the border between the Costa del Sol and the Costa Tropical.

La Herradura has a slightly hippie, laid-back vibe. There’s no harbour, no real centre full of souvenir shops, and no long boulevard like you see in many Spanish seaside towns. What it does have is a lovely beach with bohemian-style beach clubs, a small playground for kids, and several places where you can rent kayaks or other watersports equipment. Compared to other city beaches in Spain, we found La Herradura wonderfully calm.

Beaches to visit in the northern part of the Costa del Sol

If you’re holidaying in the northern part of the Costa del Sol, you definitely shouldn’t skip the beaches. This part of the coastline is rocky, with beaches located in small bays. The stretch between Nerja and La Herradura is especially beautiful.

We recommend driving along the coast here and stopping regularly to enjoy the views. One of the most beautiful beaches in this area is Cala del Cañuelo. This small beach is hidden in a bay, a bit away from the main road. You’ll need to walk for about 15–20 minutes, or take a shuttle bus.

Because Cala del Cañuelo is a little harder to reach than a typical city beach, it stays pleasantly quiet. The bay keeps the water calm and relatively warm, which is great with children. There are good facilities too: sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, and two restaurants. It is a pebble beach, but that’s common in the north of the Costa del Sol. We had a very relaxed day here.

Things to do near Nerja: Frigiliana

Frigiliana is a beautiful white mountain village close to Nerja. It’s full of narrow streets with lots of detail: colourful flower pots, bright doors, and stone-paved streets forming patterns. Because it’s so picturesque, it is quite touristy. There are plenty of restaurants and small shops selling local and handmade products.

Its location, being the closest and most accessible mountain village from Nerja, definitely adds to its popularity. Still, it’s well worth a visit. We enjoyed wandering around, having lunch at one of the many nice restaurants, and taking in the mountain views.

Frigiliana is a great short trip with children. It’s not too big, so you won’t be walking for hours. We spent about an hour exploring the village.

Mountain village to visit: Cómpeta

Cómpeta is another mountain village with the typical white Andalusian houses. It’s less busy than Frigiliana, mainly because it’s further inland and the centre is less pedestrian-friendly. Unlike Frigiliana, many streets here are open to traffic, which gives the village a slightly less authentic feel.

That said, Cómpeta has its own charm. The square around the church is especially nice to visit. Even though it’s less touristy, you won’t hear much Spanish. Many Dutch and British expats live in the village and the surrounding area.

Cómpeta is about 15 km from the coast, and the drive takes at least 20 minutes along winding mountain roads. In return, you get beautiful views over both the mountains and the sea. Cómpeta is also a popular base for hiking routes in the surrounding mountains.

Day trip Costa del Sol: Malaga

Malaga is the largest city on the Costa del Sol and a great option for a day trip with children. We really liked the city: it felt lively, terraces were full, but without an overly touristy atmosphere. Málaga is home to several impressive sights, such as the historic cathedral and the Moorish fortress Alcazaba. It’s also easy to combine sightseeing with a visit to one of the city’s parks or beaches, which works well when travelling with kids.

Do you want to discover more about Malaga? Find here the best things to do for families when visiting Malaga with children.

Things to do Costa Tropical: visiting tropical fruit plantations

The Costa Tropical is known for its tropical fruit plantations, especially mangoes and avocados. Several plantations can be visited on guided tours, where you learn about how the fruit is grown—and of course, you get to taste it.

You can choose full-day tours that combine plantation visits with nearby towns and lunch at a restaurant, or shorter 2–3 hour tours focused solely on the plantations. When travelling with children, we opted for the shorter tour, which worked perfectly.

Tips for eating out in the northern part of the Costa del Sol with kids

There’s no shortage of child-friendly restaurants in the north of the Costa del Sol. Some of our personal favourites are:

• La Cabana Beach Club in La Herradura, with a relaxed bohemian vibe and surprisingly good food
• Chiringuito Las Piedras near Cala del Cañuelo, perfect for an easy beach lunch
• Restaurante Siddhartha on the Rock and Restaurante El Pilón in Cómpeta, both offering local dishes and stunning views

We liked that all of these places are child-friendly, with spacious terraces or outdoor areas where kids can move around. Only El Pilón doesn’t have a large outdoor space.

Family-friendly accommodation in the north of the Costa del Sol

For a family holiday in the north of the Costa del Sol, we recommend renting an apartment. There’s a wide range available, and many apartments come with a swimming pool, which is ideal for unwinding after a day of exploring. You can choose to stay near the coast, close to beaches and lively towns like Nerja, or in the mountains around Frigiliana or Cómpeta, where you’ll enjoy more peace, quiet, and beautiful views.

FAQ – Northern part of the Costa del Sol with kids

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