7 Best Family Resorts on the Costa del Sol with Waterparks (2026)

The Costa del Sol sells itself as a family destination — but not every resort with a "pool complex" actually has waterslides worth talking about. Some have genuine on-site waterparks with kamikaze slides and wave pools. Others have a single plastic chute in the toddler area that gets called a "splash zone" in the brochure.

This guide is honest about the difference. Every resort below has been checked for what the waterpark actually consists of, the real kids club age range, and verified 2026 pricing for a family of four in peak summer. No filler, no fluff.

Quick Decision Table

Honest waterpark grades: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = full waterpark with real slides | ⭐⭐⭐ = themed splash area with slides | ⭐⭐ = small splash zone | ⭐ = standard pools only

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1. Holiday World Benalmádena (ex Holiday Village) Best Full Waterpark on the Coast

Location: Benalmádena (Torreblanca/Carvajal area)
Waterpark: Holiday World Beach Club — ON-SITE, 30,000m²
Stars: 4★ Aparthotel | Score: 7.9/10 Booking.com (3,800+ reviews)
Price: €550–€750/night all-inclusive (family of 4, peak summer 2026)
Property type: Aparthotel — apartments with kitchenettes

If you want the real thing, this is it. The Holiday World Beach Club attached to Holiday World Resort Benalmádena (formerly Holiday Village Costa del Sol) is one of the largest hotel waterpark complexes in southern Spain — multi-lane racing slides, a wave pool, a giant pirate ship water structure, and 9 pools total across the complex. The TUI Kids Club covers ages 3–12 split into age groups, and there is a separate "Hangout" zone for teens. All included.

The resort itself is an aparthotel, so rooms come with kitchenette facilities — useful for families trying to keep breakfast costs down on a long stay.

One honest caveat: the review score of 7.9 reflects a large resort where quality can vary by room block. Book a recently renovated unit and request pool view if possible.

Choose if: You want the biggest waterpark experience without leaving the resort. Best for kids 5–14 who want genuine slides.

Avoid if: You want boutique service, quiet evenings, or a beach directly at the door — Benalmádena beach is a short walk but not on-site.

Check availability on Booking.com →

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2. Globales Playa Estepona — Best All-Inclusive Waterpark Resort

Location: Estepona, Casasola area (between Estepona and San Pedro de Alcántara) Waterpark: Globales Splash World — ON-SITE, high-speed slides Stars: 4★ Hotel | Score: 7.7/10 Booking.com (2,900+ reviews) Price: €450–€650/night all-inclusive (family of 4, peak summer 2026) Property type: Hotel — standard rooms + family rooms

The Splash World at Globales Playa Estepona is the real deal for thrill-seekers: kamikaze slides, tornado bowls, and multi-lane racing slides — not plastic chutes painted to look exciting. Five pools total, including three large outdoor pools plus the dedicated waterpark complex.

The all-inclusive format works well here. Kids club runs daily for ages 4–12 with mini-disco in the evening, included in the all-inclusive rate. Direct beach access makes this the best combination of full-scale waterpark and seafront location on the coast.

For families based in Marbella or Estepona, this is the obvious first choice — you get slides comparable to a standalone waterpark without leaving the hotel. If you're also considering villas in the area, our beachfront villas Estepona guide covers self-catering alternatives.

Choose if: You want the biggest slides west of Malaga, all-inclusive convenience, and direct beach access in one package.

Avoid if: You're expecting five-star service — this is solid 4-star value, not luxury.

Check availability on Booking.com →

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3. Sol Principe — Best Themed Waterpark Experience (Torremolinos)

Location: Playamar, Torremolinos Waterpark: Katmandu Adventures Splash Park — ON-SITE + Aqualand 5 min away Stars: 4★ Hotel | Score: 8.2/10 Booking.com (5,200+ reviews) Price: €400–€550/night (family of 4, peak summer 2026) Property type: Hotel — rooms and family suites

Sol Principe has the highest review score among the waterpark resorts in this guide — 8.2 from over 5,000 reviews is genuinely impressive for a large family resort. The Katmandu Adventures themed splash area has multiple slides and a giant water bucket, and the main pool is a Caribbean-style lagoon stretching 1,500m². It is not a full waterpark, but the themed entertainment package (evening shows, animation team, family suites with partitions) makes this the most complete all-round family resort in Torremolinos.

The bonus: Aqualand Torremolinos — the largest standalone waterpark on the Costa del Sol — is five minutes by car. The resort often has discounted entry packages available at reception.

Choose if: You want a high-quality entertainment resort where the evening programme is as important as the pool slides. Best for mixed ages — toddlers and teenagers both catered for.

Avoid if: You specifically want kamikaze-grade slides on-site. For that, see Holiday Village or Globales Estepona.

Check availability on Booking.com →

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4. AluaSun Costa Park — Best Value Waterpark + Aqualand Combo

Location: El Pinillo, Torremolinos Waterpark: On-site Splash Park with slides + Aqualand Torremolinos (5 min drive, shuttle available) Stars: 4★ Hotel | Score: 7.8/10 Booking.com (2,100+ reviews) Price: €280–€420/night (family of 4, peak summer 2026) Property type: Hotel — 3 pools including dedicated slide pool

At €280–€420 per night peak summer, AluaSun Costa Park is the best-value entry in this guide for families who want real waterslides without the all-inclusive price tag. The on-site splash park has a pirate-themed zone and multiple slides — genuinely fun for kids under 12 — and the resort runs a shuttle to Aqualand for when the kids want bigger thrills.

The Astro Kids Club covers ages 4–12 and is included. Three pools including a dedicated slide pool means there is usually room even at peak times.

Choose if: You want the lowest nightly rate among waterpark resorts, plus the option to upgrade to Aqualand for a day.

Avoid if: You want everything on-site without leaving the resort — the big slides require the trip to Aqualand.

Check availability on Booking.com →

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5. Marriott's Marbella Beach Resort — Best Luxury Family Resort (No Waterpark)

Location: Elviria, Marbella Waterpark: NO WATERPARK — Splash Zone with one small waterslide Stars: 4★ Luxury Vacation Club | Score: 8.9/10 Booking.com (1,200+ reviews) Price: €700–€1,100/night (luxury apartments/villas, peak summer 2026) Property type: Apartment-Villa — full kitchens, laundry, multiple bedrooms

Highest review score in this guide at 8.9, and the only five-figure-per-week option. Being transparent: this is not a waterpark resort. The "Splash Zone" has one small waterslide in the kids' pool area — it is included here because it is the best family resort in Marbella and many families combine a stay here with a day trip to Aqualand or the beach clubs.

What you are paying for is Marriott service standards applied to proper multi-bedroom villas with full kitchens, laundry, and daily housekeeping. The MAZZY Kids Club runs structured daily activities for ages 4–12. Five pools including two indoor heated pools. Direct beach access near the Nikki Beach area of Elviria.

For families where the adults want beach club days and the kids want pool time in a calm, well-maintained environment, this is the best option in Marbella.

Choose if: Luxury, service, and apartment-style space matter more than waterslides. Best for families with under-5s who do not need big slides.

Avoid if: Your kids specifically want kamikaze slides — they will be disappointed by the splash zone here.

Check availability on Expedia.com →

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6. ILUNION Miramar Fuengirola (formerly Hotel Myramar) — Best Budget Option Near Bioparc

Location: Fuengirola, Miramar area
Waterpark: Small splash zone with slides (Isla Myramar kids area)
Stars: 3★ Superior Aparthotel | Score: 8.3/10 Booking.com (4,200+ reviews)
Price: €250–€380/night (family of 4, peak summer 2026)
Property type: Aparthotel — apartments with kitchenettes

At €250–€380/night, ILUNION Miramar (formerly Hotel Myramar) is the budget entry in this guide and earns it with an 8.3 review score from over 4,200 guests. The "Isla Myramar" splash zone has small slides designed for younger children — toddlers to about age 9. Three pools total including a large indoor heated pool.

The real selling point is location: 10 minutes on foot to Bioparc Fuengirola (one of the best zoos in Spain), next to the Miramar shopping centre for rainy-day indoor play, and Fuengirola's long sandy beach is walkable. The seasonal animation team covers ages 4–12 with daily activities during peak summer.

Choose if: You have younger kids (under 8), you are budget-conscious, and you want the Bioparc experience as part of the holiday.

Avoid if: You have older kids who want proper waterslides — the splash zone here is minor.

Check availability on Booking.com →

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7. Sol Torremolinos Don Pablo — Best Pool-Hopping Resort (No Slides)

Location: Bajondillo, Torremolinos Waterpark: NO WATERPARK — but access to 8 pools across three sister hotels Stars: 4★ Hotel | Score: 8.6/10 Booking.com (3,100+ reviews) Price: €350–€550/night (family of 4, peak summer 2026) Property type: Hotel — standard rooms and family suites

Another honest inclusion: Sol Don Pablo has no waterslides. The reason it is in this guide is the unique "resort hopping" setup — guests staying at Don Pablo have access to the pools at the adjacent Sol Don Marco and Sol Don Pedro, giving 8 different pools to explore across the three-hotel complex.

The Mini Club (ages 5–12) has professional staff and runs daily themed activities. Evening entertainment is the highlight — the animation team puts on proper shows, not just a mini-disco. The Bajondillo location is one of the best in Torremolinos for beach access, and the review score of 8.6 from 3,100 guests reflects consistently good service.

Choose if: You want a high-quality, well-run family hotel with excellent beach access and strong evening entertainment, and you plan to take the kids to Aqualand for slides separately.

Avoid if: You want slides on-site. Aqualand is about 25 minutes on foot, 5 minutes by taxi.

Check availability on Expedia →

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On-Site Waterpark vs Nearby Waterpark — What to Know Before Booking

This is the most common confusion when booking a "waterpark hotel." Here is the practical difference:

On-site waterpark means slides are inside the resort fence. You walk out of your room in flip-flops, no transfers, no entry fee, no queuing at a theme park entrance. Best for: families with young kids who need flexibility, nap schedules, and the ability to pop back to the room easily.

Nearby waterpark (like Aqualand next to Sol Principe and AluaSun) means a dedicated theme park with bigger slides — often better for older kids and teens who want a full day experience. Budget €30–€45 per person for entry, and plan transport.

The best of both worlds: Sol Principe or AluaSun Costa Park — on-site slides for daily use, Aqualand nearby for the big day out.

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Best Areas for Families: Torremolinos vs Fuengirola vs Marbella

Torremolinos is the family capital of the coast. Most of the waterpark resorts are here, it is flat and walkable, beach promenade is long and wide, and Aqualand is local. Budget to mid-range.

Fuengirola is quieter than Torremolinos with a longer beach, Bioparc, and good transport links. Better for families who want a town feel rather than a pure resort experience.

Marbella is for families where the adults want luxury and are happy to drive or transfer to waterparks. No on-site waterpark resorts, but the beach clubs, restaurants and general quality of experience are a level above. See our beach clubs Marbella guide and luxury villas Marbella if this fits your brief.

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FAQ

Which Costa del Sol resort has the best waterpark on-site? Holiday Village Costa del Sol in Benalmádena has the largest on-site waterpark — the Holiday World Beach Club covers 30,000m² with wave pools, multi-lane racing slides, and a pirate ship structure. For the best all-inclusive waterpark, Globales Playa Estepona has serious slides including kamikaze and tornado bowls.

What is the best family resort near Aqualand Torremolinos? Sol Principe and AluaSun Costa Park are both 5 minutes from Aqualand and have their own on-site splash areas. Both offer kids clubs included in the stay.

Are kids clubs included or do you pay extra? All seven resorts in this guide include the kids club in the room rate during peak season (June–September). Off-peak availability varies — always confirm at booking for shoulder season trips.

Which resort is best for toddlers (under 3)? Marriott's Marbella Beach Resort and Hotel Myramar have the best toddler facilities — calm environments, shallow pools, and well-staffed kids areas. Holiday Village's pirate ship and wave pool is better suited to ages 5 and up.

Which is the cheapest family resort with a real waterpark? AluaSun Costa Park starts from €280/night peak summer and has on-site slides plus a shuttle to Aqualand. Globales Playa Estepona starts from €450/night all-inclusive with the most serious slides of any hotel on the coast.

Do any resorts have waterparks open in April or October? Outdoor waterpark facilities at these resorts typically operate June–September only. Indoor heated pools (Marriott, Myramar, Sol Don Pablo) are available year-round. For shoulder season family holidays, Marriott's Marbella is the best choice.