There’s something to be said for planning – point in case, the Spanish resort town of El Albir, on the sun-drenched Costa Blanca. While existing since the 13th century, it was developed in 1995 specifically to cater to the region’s burgeoning tourism industry. Because of this, it’s one of the best-facilitated resorts on the Costa Blanca – which is great news for your family holiday!
If you need some more convincing, check out just how family friendly it is.
Beach Fun
This almost goes without saying (it’s the Costa Blanca, after all) but we’ll say it anyhow: the resort’s main beach – the blue flag Playa de Racó de l’Albir – is nothing short of spectacular. Over 600 metres long and with stunning views over the nearby cape, there are two dedicated safe play areas for the kids and plenty of space to spread out on the smooth, pebbly beach. You can hire a sun bed for around €3 a day (parasol €2.50 extra) and keep an eye on the children if they want to take part in any of the water sports – which include windsurfing and parasailing for the older ones, and pedalos and donut rides for the littlies.
Prices for windsurfing start at €15 an hour, parasailing at €50, and donut rides at around €22 per person for 15 minutes.
Theme Parks
Within easy access of El Albir there are a number of dedicated (and super fun) theme parks, including the two most popular, Aqualandia and Terra Mítica.
Aqualandia is a truly massive water park, filled with water chutes of varying designs in a range of themes. It’s a real one-size-fits-all park, with something for children of all ages and plenty of shady space for parents to relax. One day is probably not enough…
Open every day from 10-6. Entry €31 for adults and €27 for children. Kids under a metre tall are free!
Terra Mítica is a theme park with a lot of history – ancient history! The amazing hi-tech rides in the park are all based on the lost civilisations of Greece, Egypt and Rome, and include such intriguingly named attractions as ‘The Labyrinth of the Minotaur’ and the ‘Fury of Triton’. A history lesson has never been more fun!
Terra Mítica is open from 10.30 am until 8-12pm, depending on season. Entry is €38 for adults, €28 for children and special prices for groups.
Fiesta Time!
If you’ve never experienced the unbridled fun of a Spanish fiesta, your family holiday to El Albir is the perfect time to start. Taking part in the celebrations is fantastic safe fun for the entire family, with plenty of activities, games, music, eating, and dancing in the streets and on the beach. In typical Spanish style, children are encouraged to get involved, and during a fiesta is the most exciting time to be in the resort.
There are a number of festivals on the annual calendar: March, the Fiesta de San Jose; May, Fiesta de la Creuta; July is dedicated to the Alfaz Film Festival (keep an eye out for celebrities); August sees the town celebrating the huge summer fiesta; and in November and December you can join in the fun of the Honor del Santisomo Cristo and El Buen Acierto y la Purisma. Surely one of these fits in with your holiday plans? If it doesn’t, consider changing your plans!
There are plenty of other family friendly activities in Albir as well, including go-karting, sailing, exploring an ancient castle and visiting a safari park – just to name a few. One thing’s for certain – you’ll never hear anybody say ‘I’m bored’…
How to Get to El Albir
At just under an hour away by road, Alicante is the most convenient airport to El Albir, with numerous budget carriers servicing direct flights to and from the UK. You can get the rest of the distance to the resort on public transport by catching a bus from the airport to Benidorm (they run about every 45 minutes) and then a municipal bus to resort.
If you want to reduce the stress of travelling with children and arrive in El Albir the fastest and most convenient way, you can pre-book one of Shuttle Direct’s shared or private Alicante airport transfers. Our driver will meet your flight and drive you straight to the door of your accommodation.
If you’re planning on driving from the UK for your holiday, while you can go via the Channel Tunnel and down through France, another popular option is to take an overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao or Santander, then down to the Costa Blanca.
Where to Stay:
Hotel La Riviera – With a beachfront location within walking distance of shops and restaurants, the Hotel La Riviera affords you a million Euro view for a family-friendly budget price. With bright, ocean facing rooms, lovely gardens, a sun terrace and a great buffet breakfast, the Hotel La Riviera feels like much more than your money’s worth.
Sol Pelicanos Ocas – Treat your family to the fun-filled surrounds of the Sol Pelicanos Ocas. Your holiday starts here, with spacious modern family rooms, a choice of five fabulous pools, and an entertainment programme to put a smile on everyone’s face. Just 300 metres from the beach and complete with a Flintstones play area for the little ones, the Sol Pelicanos is a palm-fringed oasis in the heart of Albir.
Albir Playa Hotel & Spa – Close to the beach and town for the kids and with an onsite spa and wellness centre to please parents, the Albir Playa Hotel & Spa is the ideal upmarket accommodation for a family break. Relax around the huge lagoon style pool, dine on local seafood in the acclaimed onsite restaurant, and lap up the luxury of the light filled contemporary rooms and suites with views out to the horizon.
