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24 Jun 2019
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The Best Water Parks in Spain (For Kids & Adults)
27 Feb 2019
By Adele Grant
From the Balearics to the Canaries and the Mainland, Spain is a firm favourite among British holidaymakers with a stunning climate, glorious beaches and endless attractions all playing a part in its popularity. There are endless things to do in this sunny hotspot, but nothing comes close to its array of waterparks.
Filled with all kinds of splashes, it’s home to some of Europe’s best aqua adventures. From lengthy lazy rivers to steep drops and rubber dinghy rides ideal for the whole family – join us as we list the best waterparks in Spain for kids and adults.
PortAventura Costa Caribe Aquatic Park
Location: You’ll find this waterpark in the resort of Salou, which is situated in Spain’s Costa Dorada region.
Why Visit: Forming part of the PortAventura family, one of Spain’s biggest theme parks, this aqua adventure offers 50,000 square metres of attractions. There’s so much fun to be had here – little ones will love Cayo Cookie, an area filled with water jets and older kids will appreciate Rapid Race and its multiple slides providing intense speeds.
Adults and teenagers have their fair share of thrills too. King Khajuna isn’t for the faint-hearted! Measuring 31 metres in height with a 55 degree drop, it’s one of the highest free falls in Europe – do you have what it takes to stomach the plunge?
Away from the rides, the park also comes with a relaxing area, known as Bahama Beach. Living up to its name, sample a taste of the Caribbean with tropical palms surrounding you and reggae music on repeat.
Top attractions:
- Rapid Race
- El Tifón
- King Khajuna
- Mambo Limbo
- El Galeón Pirata
- El Gran Caribe – Zona Indoor
- Cayo Cookie
Best for: All ages
Opening times:
Season: June – September.
Hours: 10.30am – 6.30pm everyday, and 7.30pm on its busiest days.
Top tip: If you’re travelling during peak season, you’re bound to see lengthy locker queues. To avoid the long wait, buy a locker from one of the kiosks just outside the entrance. This is perfect for anyone itching to get on the rides.
Hotels close to PortAventura Costa Caribe Aquatic Park
- PortAventura El Paso: This Mexican-themed hotel comes on an All Inclusive basis, so that’s all of your meals and drinks taken care of. But most importantly it includes free access to PortAventura Costa Caribe Aquatic Park!
- Ohtels Villa Romana: Just a short drive to the waterpark and even closer to the beach, Villa Romana is fantastic choice with its feature pool area and free Wi-Fi zones.
- 4R Salou Park Resort: Complete with beautiful sea views, this family-friendly hotel is an ideal base for visiting Costa Caribe Aquatic Park. Kids can benefit from a playground and games room, while adults take advantage of the spa.
Siam Park
Location: You’ll find this famous park in the popular resort of Costa Adeje on the Canary Island of Tenerife.
Why Visit: With a Thai theme and over 30 wet rides, Siam Park is a kingdom of pulse-racing fun. Named the best waterpark in the world according to TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards – get ready for a splash experience like no other.
Some of Siam’s biggest attractions are also its most thrilling. Reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour and plummeting 28 metres into a shark-filled aquarium, Tower of Power is the biggest lure for many. The hair-raising Kinnaree is also worth a mention with its staggering 200-metre length.
There’s also a choice of tamer rides including a pool with the highest artificial wave in the world, a children’s area where towers, slides and bridges provide hours of fun and a lazy river surrounded by the island’s tropics. But Siam Beach is where the real relaxation takes place. Resembling the shores of Thailand thanks to its exotic-looking sand and giant pool, it’s easy to forget you’re in Spain.
Top attractions:
- Tower of Power
- Kinnaree
- Singha
- Dragon
- The Volcano
- Mai Thai River
- Jungle Snakes
- Mekong Rapids
- The Giant
Best for: Families with older kids
Opening times:
Season: All year round
Hours: During the summer months (May – October) the park opens at 10am and closes at 6pm, while in the winter (November – April) it opens at 10am and closes at 5pm.
Need to know: Wondering how to get to there? A free double decker bus runs every 30 minutes, transporting holidaymakers to and from the park. Pick-ups and drop-offs take place in Los Cristianos, Las Américas and Costa Adeje.
Top tip: Plan your visit ahead of your arrival and check out this amazing interactive map. Split into rides and areas, this is a great way to get a feel for the park before you get there. You can also work out which rides you want to try first, or which ones you could happily miss.
Aqualandia
Location: Forming part of Spain’s Costa Blanca region in the bustling resort of Benidorm.
Why Visit: As one of the largest waterparks in the world you certainly won’t run out of things to do when you head for Benidorm’s Aqualandia. It’s also Spain’s oldest water-filled attraction and has been welcoming holidaymakers since 1985.
There’s something to suit all age ranges here, but it’s best known for its adrenaline-fuelled fun. Home to Big-Bang, Europe’s highest waterslide standing at an incredible 100 metres, daring riders will get to see what it feels like to free fall.
Verti-Go, one of the park’s newer additions is just as thrilling! Picking up speeds of 100 kilometres per hour and placing you on a trap door – this is definitely one for hardcore park-goers.
With 15 rides in total, small guests won’t feel left out either with Adventureland, an area featuring a shallow pool, miniature slides and splash zones. The Grand Jacuzzi is also on hand when adults want to treat themselves to a hydromassage. While, its landscaped grounds offer picnic areas and a huge choice of sunloungers.
Top attractions:
- Big-Bang
- Verti-Go
- Zig-Zag
- Black Hole
- The Amazon
- Splash
Best for: Thrill-seekers
Opening times:
Season: May – September
Hours: 10am – 7pm everyday.
Need to know: The park is split into three different zones – Family Route, Friends Route and Extreme Route. This is a great way to distinguish which rides will best suit you.
Hotels close to Aqualandia
- Mediterraneo Hotel: In a prime position, just a short stroll away from Aqualandia, this family-friendly stay comes with a giant pool and plenty of activities.
- Melia Benidorm: Set away from resort’s bright light and within walking distance to the waterpark, Melia Benidorm lives up to its 4 star rating with its tropical garden setting, beautifully decorated rooms and lagoon style pool.
- Sol Pelicanos Ocas: Not only is this a great pick when you want to try out Aqualandia’s biggest slides, but it’s also one of the resort’s most famed stays, after it featured in the hit TV series Benidorm. This duo of hotels has a first-class pool scene with three to choose from and a kids’ club perfect for families.
Don’t miss out: we have a complete list of amazing attractions, things to see and do in Spain with the entire family, in our Spain travel guide.
Western Park
Location: Western Park is situated on the Balearic Island of Majorca, in the Spanish hotspot Magaluf.
Why Visit: Although not the biggest park in Majorca, it’s certainly one of the most popular. Dishing out its fair share of thrills with a fun wild west theme throughout, there’s no better way to stay cool on those toasty island days.
Everyone is catered for here with an area dedicated to mini swimmers. From cowboy inspired splash zones ideal for toddlers to small racer slides perfect for bigger kids as well as numerous tipping buckets in between, it’s a children’s delight.
Alongside its kids areas, the park also has a number of star attractions. Boomerang tends to receive the most attention with its 15-metre-tall half-pipe, while The Beast is the park’s Kamikaze. Its 30-metre drop is enough to unnerve anyone.
When you’ve tested every ride in the park, you can always watch a show. Whether you want to experience one of Europe’s best cowboy performances or you’d prefer to witness professional divers making a huge splash – one thing’s for sure, you’re in for an unforgettable time.
Top attractions:
- Boomerang
- The Beast
- Crazy Horses
- Big Hole
- Tam Tam Splash
- Wild River
Best for: All ages
Opening times:
Season: May – September
Hours: Everyday 10am – 5pm, and 6pm during July and August
Did you know? The park is also home to a well-known event, known as Freestyle Mallorca. Running every Monday between June and August, this music-filled affair is perfect for young guests.
You’ll spend the first six hours enjoying the rides as normal, then when the park closes at 6pm, watch in awe as it transforms into a pool party. Guests will get to enjoy everything from free drinks, a fantastic DJ set and exclusive access to the waterslides – now, that’s what we call a Spanish soiree!
Aqualand Maspalomas
Location: In southern Gran Canaria in the resort of Maspalomas.
Why Visit: With a staggering 40 rides to choose from, Aqualand Maspalomas is a must-visit on family holidays. As the island’s largest waterpark, this vast area has been split into sections. These are – Adrenaline Fun, Chill Out & Play, Family Fun, and Kidzworld. This way, you can navigate your way around the park based on your preferences.
If you’re a self-professed speed demon, get that adrenaline fix you’ve been craving. Fly past your friends as you race them on the Kamikaze, plummet down one of the biggest shoots in Europe on Racer Twin Turbolance or take on a vertical drop from an inflatable dinghy, alone or as a pair – the choice is yours.
There’s also safe, shallow waters ideal for small children with splash buckets and waterfall palm trees adding some fun to the mix. To make your experience extra special, you can always take advantage of the park’s unique marine life with a chance to swim with sea lions. This comes at an additional cost, but the photos will be worth every penny.
Top attractions:
- Tornado
- Snake Falls
- Water Labyrinth
- Mamut
- Kamikaze
- Rapids
- Racer Twin Turbolance
- Boomerang
- Adrenaline
- Anaconda
Best for: Thrill-seekers
Opening times:
Season: All year round
Hours: From June to September 10am – 5pm, and 6pm in July and August.
Top tip: Looking to save some money? There are plenty of discounts to be had when it comes to ticket prices, from booking in advance online to picking up a leaflet from the airport.
Hotels close to Aqualand Maspalomas
- Bungalows Canary Garden Club: When you choose this first-class accommodation, Aqualand Maspalomas is just minutes down the road. Relax in your very own bungalow, each offering a living area and kitchenette.
- Cordial Green Golf Bungalows: With two pools to choose from and an 18-hole golf course at your fingertips, guests can benefit from a buffet restaurant and pool bar when they’re not making use of their kitchen area.
- H10 Playa Meloneras Palace: Just a short drive from Aqualand Maspalomas and the resort’s famous sand dunes, you’re in a prime position when it comes to exploring your surroundings. But when you’re not out and about, you’ve got five bars, three pools and three restaurants to choose from.
Illa Fantasia Water Park
Location: Near Barcelona, just 30 minutes on the train.
Why Visit: This fantastic park is home to 22 slides, three pools, nine restaurants and a fantastic picnic area. There are attractions to suit every generation here, but it’s worth pointing out the park’s fantastic choice of toddler-friendly experiences. With a whole host of ‘Splash and Slide’ activities on offer, parents can clearly determine which rides are suitable for their little ones.
From a pirate adventure, where you’ll find all kinds of water games to slides dropping into shallow, safe water and multiple paddle pools, your children are in safe hands. The park also has some fast-paced rides ideal for daredevils.
Race down an 18-metre-high Kamikaze, choose from three slides on Zig-Zag or make your way down a watery enclosed tube on Torpedo, picking up speed before you hit the water at the bottom.
Changing rooms, 800 picnic tables and tasty snack options everywhere you look, there are plenty of opportunities to refuel when you need an energy boost after taking on every ride in the park.
Top attractions:
- Torpedo
- Zig-Zag
- Rapids
- Spiral
- Kamikazes
- Wave Pool
- Pirate Labrinth
Best for: Families with little ones
Opening times:
Season: June – September
Hours: 10am – 6pm everyday, and 7pm during July and August
Need to know: If you’re travelling with children it’s good to know that kids under 0.90 metres in height can enter the park for free. However, if you’re children are taller than 1.20 meters you’ll need to pay the adult ticket price. A supplement will be added if you have purchased the wrong ticket.
Now you have the low-down on the best waterparks in Spain – where will you be making a splash this summer?
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