Cádiz’s shoreline is one of the most fascinating places to take children, thanks to its fantastic beaches, its impressive natural attractions, and all the activities that you can enjoy with the youngest children that end up being fun for the whole family. This is a guide to everything you can do to ensure you have a unique holiday in Costa Ballena and Chipiona.
- Water-based activities with children: the sea as a playground
- Adventure activities with children: in search of the chameleon
- Amusement parks, water parks, and airbeds on the water
- Recommended excursions for children: a trip to Doñana
- Family activities at Barceló Hotels: a paradise for the youngest children
Water-based activities with children: the sea as a playground
The sea can be an endless source of enjoyment for the youngest children. Apart from the essential paddling and splashing, they can also enjoy other water-based activities on the beaches of Costa Ballena and Chipiona, such as windsurfing, paddle boarding or kayaking.
In addition, there are several sailing schools in the area, one of which is in Costa Ballena, where young children can play at being the captain of a catamaran or a mini catamaran, depending on their age.
Another of the most enjoyable activities is snorkelling, and you can even hire an expert guide for a family diving trip to discover what is hidden in the depths of the Atlantic.
Adventure activities with children: in search of the chameleon
Very few people know that in this part of Cádiz, there are wetlands surrounded by dunes inhabited by chameleons. Examples are the Camarón and La Laguna beaches, and an interpretation centre has been built nearby where you can learn how to find this incredible animal. Be warned: you need to wait for the sun to come out, and you have to keep very quiet.
Another family adventure that you could consider is a tour of the area on an all-terrain electric scooter. This excursion takes several hours, and passes very close to where the chameleons live (near the fishing weir) before finishing at the Faro Blanco [White Lighthouse].
You can also cycle routes like this, as there is a Vía Verde [former rail track converted for walking or cycling] that crosses the pine forest from Chipiona to Costa Ballena, and which is perfect for all ages.
Or, if you like horses, you could book an excursion to the beach at sunset at one of the local riding schools.
If you are looking for an adventure park equipped with zip wires and so on, you will need to get in the car and drive for about 50 minutes to Roches. Here you will find Entre Ramas, which offers a circuit of the trees with hanging bridges, Tarzan-style lianas and spiders’ webs suitable for all heights — all great fun.
Amusement parks, water parks, and airbeds on the water
On nearby Regla beach, the biggest beach water park has been set up, with slides, trampolines, catwalks and catapults. This is a heaven on Earth for younger children, as there are up to 23 different modules suitable for different ages and heights.
There is another smaller fun park of the same type at Cruz de Mar beach.
Another possibility is Aquafun Costa Ballena, a complex with two swimming pools and seven slides, one of which is almost nine metres tall. The complex also has a children’s playground in the water and a restaurant where you can take a break for lunch. It is small, but perfect for a family day out.
If yo are looking for more classic activities on dry land, the Los Amarillos park offers bumper cars, trampolines, air hockey, table football, and other amusements for children and teenagers.
Recommended excursions for children: a trip to Doñana
One excursion that can certainly be enjoyed with children is a trip to Doñana Park, although it requires getting up early and some driving. A tour of this natural reserve in all-terrain vehicles to see the animals and the scenery of this national treasure is one of the finest adventures you can go on with the youngest members of the family, but one that will prove exciting for the whole family.
You could also visit nearby Rota, tour some of Jerez’s historic vineyards, or simply hire a horse and go on a tour of Chipiona’s natural areas.
Family activities at Barceló Hotels: a paradise for the youngest children
Golf Barceló Costa Ballena is a hotel that offers fun for all members of the family. Like many Barceló hotels, this complex has the Barcy Club, for guests between four and twelve years old, and the Maxi Club, for teenagers between 13 and 17. This a specialised programme run by instructors, which includes craft activities, workshops, music, sport, and even cinema and theatre.
The hotel also has several swimming pools, one reserved for young children, and entertainment during the summer with shows and games for all the family.
Sporting activities you could consider include hiring bicycles to follow one of the area’s green trails over 15 kilometres, a football match, a padel tennis or tennis match or a beach volley game to get your feet on the sand.
But if there’s one thing that sets this hotel apart, it is its direct access to the golf course with its 27 competition holes and nine practice holes. There are special classes for the youngest guests, and also an area where they can start practising handling a club.
