Why

When

Costa Calida gets a good deal of sunshine and it is a great option for a family holiday most of the year. In summer it can be very hot. Travelling outside the school holidays where possible will mean you can avail of better deals and special offers. The days are usually hot and sunny but it can get cold in the evening particularly in early spring and autumn. May, June and September are best.

A particularly good time to go if you are looking to experience some of Spain's festival culture is around Easter when there are religious parades which will fascinate adults and children alike.

How

You can fly to Alicante which is served from numerous airports in Ireland the UK. You can check a special offers and deals under flights here.

To do some exploring we would definitely recommend you hire a car and it is relatively inexpensive. You can check prices for car hire here and remember to book your car seats if you have young children.

Family friendly accommodation

You can choose from a vast range of accommodation from family hotels to luxury resort and villas, apartments, farm stays and holiday villages. Camping is a great option for the budget conscious and look at Keycamp and Eurocamp. If you would like to book an independent holiday you can look at the range of hotels and apartments with booking.com.

A family favourite with great facilities is the luxurious Hyatt Regency La Manga which lies at the heart of a 1400-acre sporting paradise. Families can stay in the hotel in rooms and suites or in villas or apartments in various parts of the resort. It is a big resort though so do hire a car. The landscaped resort boasts a huge variety of other activities for all the family and plus an excellent spa for those wishing to unwind. There are plenty of beaches to choose from: a quiet cove by the resort, another a short drive away with water sports and endless beaches outside the resort on the Mar Menor or the Mediterranean. On Wednesday 19th November 2008, La Manga Club S.L.  entered into a "Concurso Voluntario de Acreedores". A Concurso Voluntario De Acreedores (CVA) is a corporate status specific to the Spanish legal system that ensures that businesses are able to continue trading whilst their financial difficulties are resolved. Under the terms of the CVA, all La Manga Club creditors, as at 19th November 2008, are deferred and no financial charges are payable until at least 2010. At the end of this initial period, on request, the CVA can be further extended.

According to La Manga it is business as usual and they say that they are starting with a marketing relaunch this winter to increase core markets in golf, other sports, incentive groups and families during school holidays. Families should research this themselves armed with this knowledge.

Families will appreciate the excellent accommodation at Hyatt Las Lomas Village which provides great freedom and space for families, with a fully equipped kitchen and a separate living room. Guests can take advantage of the wealth of sporting activities that the hotel’s magnificent setting affords, most notably the three 18-hole golf courses that are amongst the best in Europe. Further facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and babies’ pool, an indoor lap pool and children’s pool, and a tennis centre and academy.

Babies and children will be endlessly occupied and entertained at the Junior’s Club which runs all year round and offers everything from arts and crafts to nature walks. In summer, older children and teenagers will enjoy the sporting academies giving them the opportunity to learn new skills or improve their ability in football, golf, tennis, cricket and dance. You can book here with La Manga and check out their summer specials and late availability special offers and deals.

What to do with the kids

The most important festival in Alicante is the Bonfires of Saint John, which takes place around the summer solstice each year. The tradition is celebrated throughout Valencia, but Alicante’s festivities are exceptional. During this celebration, people burn old furniture as firewood, hold bullfights and sports matches, and set off firecrackers.

Castillo de Santa Barbara is a historic historic 16th-century castle and fortress which overlooks the town of Alicante and this may be worth a trip. The fortress is massive, encompassing moats, drawbridges, tunnels, cisterns and dungeons, not to mention a stately tower and keep. From the top of the castle there is a wonderful view of the bay and city. The castle can be accessed in an elevator from the Explanada d'Espanya but we have read that the lift can be out of order so watch for that if your kids are young.

For a change from beaches, just 12 miles inland west of Alicante is Europe's only palm forest, forming a lush oasis around the city of Elche. The city boasts several beautiful parks and public gardens. The Parque Municipal is one of the most popular, festooned with palm trees, grassy promenades and children's playgrounds. Most beautiful is the Hort del Cura, filled with shade trees and bright flowerbeds. 

The tiny islet of Tabarca is a popular day trip destination from Alicante, with its quiet fishing village offering an old fort, several very reasonably priced fresh seafood restaurants, a rocky beach with clear turquoise water, and several coves and tidal pools ideal for bathing. The island lies 10 miles  south of Alicante and can be reached in an hour by ferry from the dock on Explanada d'Espanyayoung in the city.

Go for a splash. At Torrevieja there is a water park open during the summer. A little further afield, in Elche there is a River Safari Park which is open all year round.

At Lorca the medieval castle has been fully restored and includes a host of themed and interactive exhibits that are both fun and educational.

Visit the nearby fishing villages and explore some off resort beaches.

You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday. 

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