As a mum myself, I am well aware of how important family holidays are and how difficult they can be to get just right, but for any family with young kids Benidorm is one of the best destinations in my book. Very much set up for family fun, this resort has plenty of attractions, including 3 fantastic theme parks that will keep you and your little ones occupied for hours.
Recommended read: Top Benidorm Attractions
With combination tickets for two or all three parks on offer, you can make a great saving. Prices are given here.
Terra Mítica
If you appreciate a theme park that has the added bonus of an educational slant, head to Terra Mítica, where you and the gang can jump into the past and experience the times of the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. A fabulous combination of exciting shows that feature gladiators and acrobats, and adrenaline pumping rides, this theme park will have the kids buzzing for days afterwards.
At the bargain price of €39 for adults and €28 for children between 4 and 12, this fantasy world of adventure, only a short tram or bus ride from Benidorm, is a very reasonable family day out. You can cut costs by picnicking at the park, but there are plenty of snack bar and restaurant options too.
For information on opening times, see the website.
Aqualandia
I don’t know many kids today who wouldn’t jump at the chance to spend some time enjoying a water themed play park. Aqualandia in Benidorm is ideally suited to children of all ages and has different rides classified depending on what your family are looking for. With fifteen water rides in total, there is more than enough action for everyone.
No need to worry about refreshments, as there are plenty of snack bars, cafes and food stands so even the fussiest littlies will be catered for.
For mums and dads, a chance to go on Europe’s highest standing slide and the world’s highest capsule slide should not be missed. Open from 10am-7pm, you can easily spend a whole day here and, with tickets starting at just €24 for kids and €31 for adults, everyone is a winner! You can also get reduced price afternoon tickets if you think half a day will be enough for your smaller children.
For tips on planning your visit, follow this link.
You can take the tram, train or bus to Aqualandia. Bus Lines 1 and 11 run direct buses every 20 minutes during the week and every 40 on weekends.
MundoMar
In the resort of Benidorm itself, MundoMar is a wonderful park home to some of the most incredible animals that live on our planet. This park is no ordinary zoo, however, and packed with opportunities for animal interaction, it makes for a very memorable experience. Imagine giving your kids the chance to swim with dolphins or sea lions, or have their photo taken with Lemurs or Kinkajou. At MundoMar you can do all this and more. One of the best shows to see is the wonderful Free Flight Show, featuring the colourful birds that originate from the tropics.
Costing just €30 for adults and €24 for children from the age of 4, the park is very reasonably priced. There is a great picnic area too, which means you can save on buying lunch out and enjoy a picnic instead.
How To Get To Benidorm
Alicante airport is the arrival place of choice for visitors to Benidorm primarily because it’s served by so many airlines, so you have plenty of choice amongst the budget carriers as well as the charter airlines. For around £100 each way, you can travel the 4 ½ hour journey with easyJet from London Gatwick, and for a little more you can choose to travel from Stansted with Thomas Cook Airlines or from London Luton with Monarch.
After the flight, you will no doubt want to reach Benidorm as soon as possible, so choose to travel with Shuttle Direct and you will not be disappointed. The 45 minute journey can be enjoyed on a shared shuttle bus that costs around €6 per person, or on a private service that costs around €17 per person. Decide on a private transfer and you and your family will be met at arrivals and whisked straight to Benidorm in your own spacious, private vehicle. Definitely the best way to start your holiday!
Where to Stay:
Apartamentos Lido – When travelling with little ones, having your own space is a real bonus and Apartamentos Lido provide plenty of that. A short hop from the beach means that, should one of the kids forget their sunhat, for example, you haven’t got far to pop back for it. The shared outdoor pool offers the ideal place to relax for an afternoon or two and each apartment has its own furnished terrace, so when the kids are in bed the parents can enjoy an al fresco drink without leaving the room! Modern kitchens make self catering easy and there is even a washing machine, which is a life saver when you are travelling with littlies.
Hotel Presidente – Another good family option is the Hotel Presidente, only a 6 minute walk from the sea. Every room has its own private terrace so the kids can play outside without roaming off, and the hotel’s hot tubs are great news for mums and dads. Wi-Fi is available in the common areas and the restaurant serves buffet meals, which is perfect if any of the kids can be a bit fussy with their food.
Camping Armanello – Despite its name, Camping Armanello is far from a campsite. Within 20 minutes walking distance from the beach, the site is the home of several modern bungalows, each one with free Wi-Fi and TV. When the kids need some down time, these facilities come in very handy! Air conditioning is an added bonus, especially with little ones, and the kitchenette facilities that include a microwave and coffee-maker mean that you don’t need to head out to eat at every meal. The campsite has a restaurant and a supermarket, and with all of the theme parks featured here only a 10-minute drive away, you have everything you need within easy reach.
About Shuttle Direct:
Providing efficient and reliable airport, train station, port and hotel transfers throughout Europe and North Africa, Shuttle Direct are the number one choice for families. Offering a personal greeting on arrival and a comfortable journey to your final destination, Shuttle Direct has a range of child-friendly, private and shared services. With advance booking options, you can have everything organised before you even arrive.
