Marbella Magala Spain
 

Hello all,

I am thinking of visiting this area in the last week of may.
We are two adults and twin 6 year olds.
Are the beaches good for swimming this time of the year.
What day trips might we expect from this area?
Looking for cool people, unique architecture, good food.

Thanks for your help!

oops i forgot to mention the ares Marbella Magala

The Málaga area sounds like a good idea. May is well into the beach season. Daily highs about 80F based on past 15 years statistics. Beaches start to fill up in April. Expect sea temperatures about 65F.

I think you should take a look at small Nerja (pop 22 000) just East of Málaga city. Nine small and large beaches between the cliffs. Has got everything that makes it popular with tourists, but it has also kept much of its small-town charm. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg

Calahonda beach - which you can see on the photo above - is probably the kids' favourite. http://www.nerjatoday.com/nerjabeachguide/calahonda/

Nerja is close to wonderful big cities with great sights and genuine Andalusian atmosphere such as Málaga (35 miles) and Granada with the world famous Alhambra (70 miles). Buses all the time to and from Nerja, and very doable as day-trips.

Granada: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/gran...hamhistory.htm
Málaga: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ci...-treasure.html

Just outside town you'll find the spectacular Nerja caves, inhabited from 25000 BC until the Bronze Age. Rediscovered in 1959 by some local boys, and today one of the major tourist attractions in Andalucía: http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en

... and if you're looking for the freshest fish and seafood, Nerja is a paradise. Children are very welcome everywhere, and many places have outdoor terraces. No fuzz Marisquería La Marina on Plaza la Marina (with a small playground) is extremely popular with both locals and tourists. As good as you get a seafood freiduría in all of the South of Spain. Have splurged here on numerous occations:
http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu.../marina_en.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur...Andalucia.html

Other excellent seafood options in Nerja:
Puerta del Mar with excellent views: http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gutierrez/pmar_en.htm
Genuine La Puntilla up in the beautiful Old town. The best atmosphere:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html
http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...s/la-puntilla/
Fabulous fish and seafood tapas grilled on the spot at El Pulguilla. Free to choose with every drink of whatever in the bar area (as in most places in Nerja. Here a drink and a tapa would be 1.60€). Also full meals in the restaurant part or out in the terrace in the back:
http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres.../el-pulguilla/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html

Always updated info about Nerja: http://www.nerjatoday.com/

On your other post I suggested daytrips to Gibraltar, driving to a "Puebla Blanca", maybe the Alhambra and possibly Tangiers. There are alot of resorts near Marbela, maybe even some with heated pools - the beach is very nice there.

you are so much help thank you my friend

thanks again!
we are sold on marbella with side trips to seville and granada maybe even take the boat across
next i will need t o choose a resort hotel to base out of in marbella
any suggestion would be appreciated

have a great day all

Where are you coming from?

I wouldn't suggesst visiting Tangiers as a daytrip for anyone especially a family with 2 children. There are so many other great places you could visit from Marbella. I'd have Sevilla and Granada at the top of my list (though you could easily spend a week just in those cities) and also the white villages including Ronda. Antequera in addition is a nice visit.