A water sports school and rental in Alicante, based at the Blue Valley Beach complex on Playa de San Juan. It rents out surfboards, stand-up paddle boards, sea kayaks and pedal boats, and runs beginner courses in surfing, paddle surfing, sea kayaking, wing surfing and windsurfing. Besides the school on Playa de San Juan, it also runs a centre on Postiguet beach. For children and teenagers there are summer and spring surf camps and birthday parties built around water activities. The Google profile has only a handful of reviews; one of them praises the service and the fun.
Jet ski rental and water activities operator in Alicante harbour, based in the Marmarela area by the Muelle de Levante. No licence is needed to ride; an instructor gives a briefing before you head out, and sessions last from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The fleet consists of Sea-Doo and Yamaha jet skis, life jackets come in all sizes, and photos of your ride are part of the service. Towed inflatables such as the banana sofa and flyfish are also on offer. Reviewers praise the friendly staff, and one of them points out that the instructor explains clearly how to handle the jet ski.
A water-sports company departing from Alicante port, near Postiguet beach, offering parasailing, banana boat rides, flyboarding and jet-ski tours. A parasailing flight lasts about 15 minutes, while the whole boat trip takes from around 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the activity. Other towed rides include the Crazy Sofa (for all ages) and the Flyfish (16+), and no licence is needed for jet-ski trips, for example towards Tabarca. Visitors praise the friendly staff, some also mention the views of the city, and one family writes that their four-year-old son really enjoyed the parasailing. According to reviews, the crew can pick guests up from the beach by boat and drop them back.
A quiet flood-retention park by Playa de San Juan in Alicante: ponds with bird islands, a waterfall and a playground. Opened in March 2015, it can hold up to 45,000 m³ of water during heavy rain, protecting the surrounding urban area from flooding, and doubles as a leisure space the rest of the time. Its design is based on the way Mediterranean marshes (marjales) work naturally, with two ponds, a viewpoint, a small hill, a boardwalk and carefully selected planting. More than 100 bird species have been recorded here since 2018, including protected and migratory ones. Visitors praise the calm, the well-kept paths and the benches, although one reviewer says the planting, paths and ponds could be better maintained.
A museum of fossils, minerals and shells in Elche's Raval district, opposite the church of Sant Joan — the only palaeontology museum in the province of Alicante, run by the Cidaris Foundation. The display holds around 1,200 fossils and replicas from the Palaeozoic era to the present, including the sauropod Spinophosaurus nigerensis, a reconstructed T. rex skull and one of the oldest pieces of amber in Europe. The museum also has a mineral collection and a room with around 350 shells, and it runs workshops and family activities such as “A Night at the Museum”. According to reviews it is a good place for children, and one visitor spent about 40 minutes there. One reviewer points out that the labels are only in Spanish and that there is a small shop selling minerals and shark teeth.
A marine and exotic animal park in Benidorm, right next to the Aqualandia water park. Open since 1996, it is home to over 30 species, including dolphins, sea lions, penguins, parrots, lemurs, coatis, tortoises and reptiles. The highlights of the day are the dolphin, sea lion and parrot shows, which also aim to teach about protecting the environment. The park runs a breeding programme for ring-tailed lemurs and offers extras such as swimming with sea lions, dolphin encounters and a keeper-for-a-day experience. Visitors praise the well-kept animals and the plentiful shade and greenery, and according to reviews you can bring your own food, and there is a restaurant and a playground on site.
A chocolate museum at the Valor factory in Villajoyosa, opened in 1998 and recognised in 2008 by the Generalitat Valenciana as the Valencian Chocolate Museum. Valor was founded in 1881 by Valeriano López, and five generations of master chocolatiers have run it since. The guided tour lasts about 45 minutes and covers a collection of chocolate-making machinery — from grinding cocoa on stone to modern equipment — a cocoa sensory room, a film screening and a view into the factory. The visit ends in the company shop with a tasting. Visitors praise the guides and the story of the brand, although one notes that you see little of the actual factory floor.
Alicante's oldest park, running alongside the marina to the Explanada de España promenade — century-old ficus trees shade the playgrounds. It was designed in 1886 by the architect José González Altés and named after José Canalejas, a member of parliament for Alicante and Prime Minister of Spain. The park has stone pairs of lions and dogs, brought here in the 1940s from the Buenavista estate in San Juan, the 'El Niño Flautista' fountain and a monument to the playwright Carlos Arniches. Visitors praise the deep shade and the huge ficus roots, which make the park a good option on hot days. The Kiosco La Silva 1886 café-restaurant operates inside the park.
One of Alicante's largest city parks, by the sea on Avenida de Elche, with more than 7,000 palms, ponds and playgrounds. It opened in 1997 on the site of an old palm grove that had been damaged from the late 19th century onwards by the railway, the port and industry. An artificial stream fed with water pumped from the sea runs through it, and there is a boating lake, a waterfall, wooden paths and footbridges. Children have swings, trampolines, musical and interactive play equipment and a pump track for bikes, skates and skateboards, while families can use picnic areas with pergolas. Reviews mention the waterfall, the sports pitches and courts, and one visitor points out the large car park next to the park.
The Ocean Race Museum stands on the Muelle de Levante in Alicante harbour, in the former maritime station (Estación Marítima), and is devoted to The Ocean Race round-the-world sailing race — according to the organisers, the only museum of its kind in the world. Alicante has been the race's start port since 2008, and the interactive exhibition covers more than 50 years of race history, advances in sailing technology and ocean protection. You can go on deck and inside Brasil 1, a Volvo Open 70 from the 2005–06 edition, and try The Ride simulator and a virtual-reality experience with the 11th Hour Racing Team. Outside, on Plaza Puerta del Mar, is the Piratas del Caribe yacht, retired from the first leg of the 2005–06 race with a broken bulkhead and a leaking hull. Visitors praise the interactive displays and the friendly staff, and one reviewer writes that the exhibition holds the interest of adults and children alike.
A bowling alley with an arcade and food outlets in Parque Comercial Vistahermosa in Alicante, on the ground floor of Alcampo City. The complex also houses the FastZone indoor e-karting track, so everything takes place under one roof. According to reviews, the venue is clean and well organised and the lanes run smoothly. One visitor writes that it was not crowded early on a Saturday, while another had to go to other lanes to find balls of the right weight. According to one review, lane bumpers are only provided for children under six.
A bowling alley with an arcade in The Outlet Stores Alicante shopping centre in San Vicente del Raspeig, all indoors. Besides the lanes there are ticket-prize arcade machines, air hockey, pool and table tennis, reviews also mention trampolines, and there is a children's play area. There is a bar with counter service, and restaurants are right next door in the shopping centre. Visitors praise the friendly staff, and according to one review the venue hosts children's birthday parties with two games of bowling and food. One regular bowler points out that the pins hang on strings, which is fine for children but less so for serious bowling.
Terra Natura is an animal park in Benidorm which, according to Visit Benidorm, houses over 1,500 animals from 200 species in enclosures with almost invisible barriers. The grounds are divided into themed areas recreating natural ecosystems: Pangea, America, Asia and Europe; the Pangea area has an exhibit of venomous animals. Animals include elephants, lions, tigers, rhinos, jaguars and crocodiles, and the daily programme features bird-of-prey displays and animal feedings. The park is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), and according to Spanish Wikipedia about 50 of its species are endangered. Reviews often mention the well-cared-for animals, the bird show and the picnic areas, and one visitor praises the walk-through aviary; another, however, says some enclosures and facilities are showing their age.
A large water park at the foot of the Sierra Helada in Benidorm, open since 1985 and one of the biggest in Europe. Its signature ride is Verti-Go, a 33 m capsule slide described as the tallest of its kind in the world. Alongside slides such as Cyclón, Black Hole and Rápidos there is a wave pool, the large Iguazu jacuzzi and rides for little ones like Mini Zig-Zag. The park has picnic areas where you can eat your own food (no glass), and Mundomar, run by the same group, is right next door. One visitor recommends arriving before opening, when there are no queues yet, while another reports average waits of 30–45 minutes in August.
Pola Park is a small family amusement park in Santa Pola, with direct views over the salt flats. According to the Comunitat Valenciana tourism portal it has up to 25 attractions, including a carousel, bouncy castles, trampolines, go-karts, a roller coaster, a haunted house and a pendulum ride, and Google also lists mini golf and water rides. There are burger, pizza and ice-cream outlets, live shows, and seasonal themed events for Halloween and Christmas. Visitors describe it as an older park with classic fairground rides, aimed mainly at children up to about 10, and praise the friendly staff. Reviews mention long queues at the height of summer; the park offers a Popi Express pass that cuts waiting times.
Río Safari Elche is an animal park opened in 1983 on the CV-865 road between Elche and Santa Pola, 9 km from Elche and 4 km from Santa Pola. It covers 12 hectares of a century-old grove of about 4,000 palm trees, and its official animal list includes African lions, zebras, giraffes, pygmy hippos, sea lions, lemurs, meerkats and alligators. A guided train runs around the park, and the programme includes sea lion and macaw shows. In summer the Splash Park water area opens, with around 20 slides, seven pools and a lazy river. Visitors praise the well-kept animals, the train ride and the sea lion show, although one visitor notes that parts of the park look a little worn.
A mid-size water park in Ciudad Quesada (Rojales municipality), covering about 21,000 m² with lawns, parasols and picnic spots. Attractions include the Río Yukatán rapids, the Zig-Zag, Kamikaze and Alfombra Mágica slides, the Cataratas Iguazú ride, soft sliding lanes and a large pool. You may bring your own food and drinks (no glass), and there is a restaurant and lockers on site. Visitors praise the plentiful shade, the family feel and smaller crowds than at bigger parks, though some reviews find the facilities a little dated. Most slides have a minimum height (113–123 cm according to the park's website), and the youngest children have the shallow Lago Infantil and the Amazonia area with its small slide.
Family water park in Benidorm, inside the Terra Natura zoo grounds, with a wave pool, slides and toddlers' areas. It opened in 2009, covers more than 40,000 m² and has over a kilometre of slides, including Black Hole, Kamikaze and Aqua Snake. Beyond the pools there are educational sea lion demonstrations and in-water sea lion encounters, and for children a mermaid school and several shallow splash zones. Visitors praise the sea lion show and say the park works well with small children. According to reviews, some slides have weight limits, which are clearly signposted around the park.
Terra Mítica is a theme park in Benidorm, opened in 2000 and devoted to the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean. It is divided into five areas: Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia and the Islands. Its best-known rides include the inverted roller coaster Titánide, the Inferno coaster, the 54-metre El Vuelo del Fénix drop tower and the Synkope pendulum. Alongside the thrill rides there are family and water attractions and live shows, including gladiator fights. According to several reviews, queues for most rides can be short and the water rides have the longest waits; one visitor mentions that part of the park was closed.
A family water park in Torrevieja with slides and pools for all ages, plus picnic and relaxation areas. Rides include the Kamikaze slide (20 m high with a 45° incline), Black Hole, Hydro Racer and Boomerang. Children up to 8 have Charmed Lake, an area with a castle-style entrance, a dragon whose back they can slide down, soft mini slides and shallow pools. Visitors also mention a wave pool, jacuzzi, restaurants and lockers, as well as the Speedy Pass option to cut queues. Queues for the slides are the most common topic in reviews, and several visitors warn that the ground gets very hot, so flip-flops are worth bringing.