- Blue Flag 2026
- Calm water
El Puerto, Torre de la Horadada
The beach next to the marina, sheltered and usually calm. Sailing courses in summer. Amphibious chairs and adapted toilets.
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The area
Pilar de la Horadada with children
Calm, shallow beaches, flamingos around the corner, and animal and water parks within an hour. And at home, a shared pool and a roof terrace to relax on.
A great place for families
The penthouse has three bedrooms and room for six guests. A cot and a high chair are available on request, and there are games and beach toys. The complex has a shared pool in its garden.
The Mar Menor is ideal for young children: the water is shallow, warm and usually calm. On the Mediterranean there are calm beaches too, such as the harbour beach at Torre de la Horadada.
Beaches
Beaches for young children
Las Villas, with a rocky stretch where children catch little crabs, and Mil Palmeras, with a children’s area, are popular with families too.
- Blue Flag 2026
- Play areas
Las Higuericas
Pilar’s longest beach (966 metres), with dunes, play areas and a wooden boardwalk lined with palms. Large car park and lifeguards in summer.
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- Shallow
- Warm water
Mar Menor at Lo Pagán
Villananitos and La Puntica have a gently sloping seabed and calm, warm water. In the official 2026 samplings both were rated ‘excellent’.
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Nature
Flamingos and mud
In the San Pedro del Pinatar salt pans, about 20 minutes by bike, you can see flamingos all year. The visitor centre is free, shows films with English subtitles and is closed on Mondays.
By the Molino de Quintín, children (and parents) cover themselves in mud from the salt pond, let it dry in the sun and rinse it off in the same pond. See Las Salinas.
Days out
Days out within an hour
For a day off the beach, or if it rains for once.
| Day out | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| S-61 Delfín submarine | Torrevieja, ± 25 minutes | €2; closed on rainy days and public holidays |
| Parque de las Naciones | Torrevieja, ± 25 minutes | Free park with a big playground and a dragon slide |
| Aquópolis | Torrevieja, ± 25 minutes | Water park, open in summer only |
| Boat to Tabarca | Torrevieja, ± 25 minutes | Marítimas Torrevieja; about an hour each way, with underwater viewing. Check the timetable online |
| Kayak and paddleboarding | Playa de la Mota, Lo Pagán | A beginners’ paddleboard route on the Mar Menor, from age 6 |
| Panoramic lift and castle | Cartagena, ± 35 minutes | A 45-metre glass lift; under-3s go free |
| Terra Natura and Aqua Natura | Murcia, ± 50 minutes | Zoo open all year; the water park in summer only |
| Río Safari Elche | Between Elche and Santa Pola, ± 50 minutes | Animal park with a Splash Park that opens in summer |
| Pola Park | Santa Pola, ± 50 minutes | Amusement park, open at weekends and on public holidays |
Travel times are estimates. Opening hours, seasons and prices change: check the park’s or operator’s website before you go.
Back home
After a day out
Cool off in the pool in the garden, then have dinner on the roof terrace as the sun goes down.
Tips
Good to know with children
- In summer the sun is strong between 12:00 and 16:00: go to the beach in the morning or late afternoon.
- Higuericas, Las Villas, El Puerto, El Conde, Los Jesuitas and Mil Palmeras have lifeguards in summer.
- Higuericas, El Puerto, El Conde and Mil Palmeras have adapted access or boardwalks: handy with a pushchair.
- Before swimming in the Mar Menor, check the current water quality on canalmarmenor.carm.es.
- Spaniards eat late: lunch between 13:00 and 16:00, dinner from 20:00. A snack for the children comes in handy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pilar de la Horadada good for children?
Yes. There are calm beaches with lifeguards in summer, the shallow Mar Menor is ten minutes away, and within an hour there are animal parks, water parks and an amusement park.
Is there a cot and a high chair?
Yes, on request. Let us know when you book and they will be ready for you.
Which beach is best for toddlers?
The Mar Menor at Lo Pagán (Villananitos, La Puntica): shallow, warm and calm water. On the Mediterranean, El Puerto harbour beach in Torre de la Horadada usually has calm water.
Where is the nearest water park?
Aquópolis in Torrevieja, about a 25-minute drive. It is open in summer only.
Your base on the Costa Blanca
After a day out, the roof terrace is waiting. See when the penthouse is available.