Suggestions welcome ref. top Spanish holiday spot for family with young kids, flying via Malaga, e.g. Nerja?

Hi, we are looking for a high quality villa holiday (or accomodation with 3 bedrooms) in easy distance by car from Malaga airport. Must have clean, safe beach for children and good selection of restaurants but not too touristy. Haven't been to area before so looking for advise of possible locations - going end of October.

Hello,

I would definitely recommend Nerja. It has everything you ask for. I would particularly recommend the Torrecilla beach area as it is very close to Nerja centre. There are also many pretty typical "white villages" to visit inland. Most estate agents in Nerja deal with property rentals - do an internet search and you can view properties online. Good Luck. For general info log onto www.nerjatoday.com

The biggest hotel is Monica and Nerja is ok for the children but its not too busy a market once week and evening time its very dull if you should be wanting to snatch a night out, I wasn't impressed but that was a few years back so it might be different now and it might be just the place for you! about 2 hours from airport Have a nice holiday

Just got back from my second holiday to the Malaga area and have no doubts in saying that unless you can afford the Superstar strip, the place is a total dump. I would rate it as the worst place I have ever had a holiday!!!
However, if you are willing to drive a relatively small mileage, I would say that Javea is the BEST place I have holidayed in Spain. I say again. Drive a few miles and enjoy the best Spain has to offer

Almunecar is very nice, it is just a little bit further on from Nerja (Approx. an hour drive from Malaga airport) and it is VERY untouristy, it has a nice long beach (pebbly). You will find the odd "Foreign" tourist there but mostly Spanish tourist. It is an easy drive from Malaga and you could then visit Nerja (Nerja will be more touristy than Almunecar!) and many other great destinations on day excursions. Almunecar has a veriety of restaurants along the beach as well as in the town. You can have a look on the Internet for Hotels / Villas. We have been out there twice now and would deffinately go back again. There are a lot of places to see in that part. For day trips I would suggest
1. Guadix, which is a town of Cave houses, it is approx 60kms past Granada,
2. The Alhambra in Granada
3. Ronda, town on a large cliff with lots to see.

There is also a Water Park with water slides for kids (and adults!) in Almunecar and great views.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like one can upload photos onto this site otherwise I would have attached a couple to show you!

I hope that this helps you decide and am sure you would have a great time.

Enjoy........

Nerja and Almunecar are both good as Martin says, also, further west of Malaga , La Cala offers a pleasant alternative. It's a small resort, but not too commercialised and has a variety of restaurants etc. and a sandy beach. It is situated between Fuengerola and Calahonda.