Marbella in August: the best family activities for hot days

From shaded kids’ clubs and indoor aquariums to mornings on the Mediterranean, these family activities make Marbella’s hottest month easier to enjoy.

August is one of Marbella’s hottest months, with average daytime highs of around 29°C and temperatures often reaching 30°C or more. UV levels are strongest from late morning into the afternoon, with solar noon falling between approximately 2.20pm and 2.25pm during August.

Plan beach, pool and water activities for the morning, move indoors or into proper shade during the hottest hours, and save walks and sightseeing for after 6pm.

Nagüeles and Casablanca beaches are convenient family options on the Golden Mile, with chiringuitos, showers and direct access to the Paseo Marítimo. Guests staying at Puente Romano can also enjoy the resort’s garden pools and dedicated beach loungers.

La Casita Kids Club provides a protected base for younger guests within the grounds of Puente Romano Marbella.

Its private garden villa has a treehouse and dedicated children’s pool, with a seasonal programme that includes swimming, tennis, crafts, cooking, games, films and treasure hunts. The programme runs throughout the year, although some activities must be booked in advance.

Children under four must be accompanied by a nanny or dedicated caregiver. Teenagers from 13 to 18 have their own Teen Spirit Lounge, with pool, chess, backgammon and table football.

A morning on the Mediterranean is an easy way to keep active without spending hours walking in the heat.

Puente Romano Water Sports offers electric paddleboards, hydro-pedalos with slides, parasailing, jet skis and activities for different ages and confidence levels. The service operates daily from 11am to 6pm, so choose the earliest suitable session and check age restrictions when booking.

For a longer experience, families can charter Puente Romano’s sailing boat, Revolution. Trips last between four and eight hours and can include swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding for groups of up to ten guests.

Whichever option you choose, remember that a sea breeze can make the strength of the sun less noticeable.

For something more spur of the moment, The Fly Blue ferry is a simple alternative to driving or walking between central Marbella and Puerto Banús.

The journey takes approximately 30 minutes, with hourly departures throughout the day. The catamarans have seating, toilets and a hard-covered section of the upper deck offering shade.

The service is confirmed to operate daily through 30 November 2026, with departures from Marbella from 11am and Puerto Banús from 11.30am.

It is still an outdoor boat journey, so choose a shaded seat and consider travelling later in the afternoon rather than at peak UV time.

A private dolphin-watching trip combines time at sea with the chance to discover the wildlife of the Alboran Sea. Common, bottlenose and striped dolphins are among the species found along the Málaga coast, and like to appear in groups beside or ahead of the boat. 

Marbella Boat Charter offers two to four-hour trips from Puerto Banús throughout the year. Morning departures are usually the most comfortable choice for families and allow time to return before the strongest afternoon heat.

Marbella Old Town is far more enjoyable once the strongest heat begins to pass after 6pm. It’s also lovely right before it picks up, in the morning before 11am, to enjoy some traditional Churros con Chocolate.

Its compact streets offer frequent shade, with small squares, fountains and plenty of places to stop for ice cream, or a cold drink. Explore Plaza de los Naranjos, choose a new restaurant for dinner and see the old castle walls. From here you can also walk down towards Avenida del Mar and access the Paseo Marítimo right by Marbella’s Marina, without committing to a long excursion.

Aqualand Torremolinos

40 minutes from Marbella, Aqualand Torremolinos has water slides, pools and attractions for different ages. Younger children have dedicated Kidzworld areas, including Children’s Paradise and Aquatic Mushroom, while many of the larger slides require a minimum height of 1.20 metres.

Arrive when the park opens, establish a shaded meeting point and take protective swimwear, hats and plenty of sunscreen.

Sunbeds, lockers, Balinese cabanas and a limited Fast Pass service are available, which can provide a more comfortable base and reduce waiting times during busy August days. These are best reserved in advance where possible.

SEA LIFE Benalmádena

SEA LIFE Benalmádena is one of the most dependable options for the hottest part of the day. Its mainly indoor, air-conditioned route takes around an hour and leads families through themed underwater habitats.

Children can walk through the Jurassic Tunnel beneath sharks and sea turtles, see rays, seahorses and otters, and take part in supervised rock-pool encounters with starfish and crabs. Daily feeding sessions and short animal talks add more to the visit.

Located at Puerto Marina, the aquarium is open daily, with extended hours during summer.

BIOPARC Fuengirola in the evening

Around 30 minutes from Marbella, BIOPARC Fuengirola recreates tropical habitats for more than 200 animal species. Its dense tree cover, extensive shade and water-filled environments can make the park feel around two to three degrees cooler than the surrounding city or beach.

During July and August, BIOPARC remains open until 11pm, allowing families to visit during the cooler evening hours. The summer programme includes keeper encounters, bird and mammal activities and guided visits to the Island of Madagascar, where visitors can walk among free-roaming lemurs. They also house species such as Sumatran tigers, leopards and tapirs.