Rainy Day & Indoor Activities – Almuñécar & La Herrada

This is a good 1/2 day activity from Almuñécar and you are in for a sweet treat, all about sugar in Spanish.  Just a little to the east within Costa Tropical,  you can experience the sugarcane past of Motril.  You will experience an old Spanish sugar mill, take a tour of a rum distillery and for the adults, taste some Spanish rum.  Let’s talk sugar (Azucar).

The Archaeological Museum Cueva de Siete Palacios, also known as the Cave of 7 Palaces, is surprisingly not located within a cave.  Instead, it represents the largest section of the former Roman Palace.  The museum is located in what was once the basement of this Roman Palace.  Inside, there are remains of the historic past of Almuñécar.  Including remains found at the necropolis of Puente de Noy, Laurita, and the fish salting factory of El Majuelo.

The Granada Science Park is huge and a wonderful science center and museum, one of the best indoor activities.  It is just a 1 hour drive from the coast and is located just off of the highway, parking is available as well.  It is one of the most visited museums in Andalusia and a perfect option for one of those bad weather days.  The activities and exhibits are fun for people of all ages, so even if you don’t have kids it’s worth a visit.  Read more about the Granada Science Park.

Technically this isn’t in town, but it is great fun for the kids!  There are a series of huge beautifully lit caverns stretching for almost five kilometres and boasts the world’s largest stalagmite.  Now that’s something to tell the other kids about when they get back to school!  Not all of the caves are open to the public, so you won’t need to walk the 5 km, but do be prepared for navigating some stairs.  Check out Wagoners Abroad tips for exploring the Nerja Caves.

Jumping parks in Granada! Let the kids run wild and Jump on trampolines!

Let the kids run wild and jump in Malaga!  You will find a jumping park called Altitude Trampoline Park Málaga.  It is near the airport and in a central shopping area.
There is also one called Sould in El Ingenio shopping center in Velez Malaga.

Parque Infantil Bolaventura is perfect for the young kids in the family, to play or have their birthday party!  They are located along Calle Pintor Manuel Rivera in Edificio Mediterraneo S/N.  If you would like their contact info or prices for birthday parties, check our directory listing for more information.

This is a great educational and fun activity for everyone!  All of your senses will be dazzled with the amazing selection of olive oils in Andalucia. Learn about the production of oil, wine and cheese!  There is a tasting tour too!  They show off and sell some of the bes products of Andalucia.  The museum is on the old road to Granada in Vélez de Benaudalla and is about a 20 minute drive from Almunecar.  You can stop and see some of the villages along the way.

If playing video games is your thing, there are a few places around town with some games.  None of them are huge, but you can still have a good time.  The locations are in the lobby of Hotel Playa Senator, at the New Royal Pool, Hotel Best Alcazar in bowling alley.  During the summer months, you will find pool tables, foosball and other games at Aqua Tropic water park.  There may be a few more random machines around town, but these offer the most.

CLOSED until further notice!
Step out of your comfort zone and taste new produce and speak with the vendors at the Almuñécar Municipal Market.   This traditional market will fulfill all of your daily shopping needs.   It isn’t huge, but if you are sampling food along the way it can fill up some of your time.  Inside, you will find the various butchers, deli counters, produce, bakers, honey, fresh eggs, tea, ecological store, coffee beans and a wealth of fish stands too.  This is a great place to practice using your Spanish conversation too!  On a rainy day there won’t be as many locals, so it is a perfect place for you to go.  It’s located just across the street from the Aquarium, so why not do both!

If you want to enjoy a special treat, then head on over to the Best Alcazar Hotel on Punta de la Mona.  They offer several bowling lanes, pool tables, arcade games and they can also host parties.  This is perfect for that rainy day and of course is one of the best indoor activities. They usually have great prices for “happy hour” each day.  They sometimes have limited hours in the winter months, so check with them for current hours.

McDonald’s renovated their restaurant and terrace winter 2018.  Now the terrace has some shade and the playground has changed.  We just need to get a new photo up for you.  They don’t open up early, except for Friday.  The little ones will still have fun, as the playground is outside and available at any time.  Enjoy a cup of coffee or an ice cream too.

For the bigger kids, the youth center (La Casa de la Juventud) is a place for meeting friends, and seek guidance from the Youth Information Office.  There are also leisure activities, indoor activities, and workshops, spaces for associations, groups and creative expression spaces, as well as free internet stations, computer classes and more.  Located at Plaza Teatro, just in from the Paseo del Altillo.  They are open Monday – Saturday 17:00-22:00.

While there isn’t a traditional movie theater in town, we still find ways to see the movies!  There are often movies in Spanish year-round at the Cultural Center.  This is a great Spanish immersion activity for the entire family.  During the summer months there are outdoor theaters in town, showing films in Spanish.  If you want a film in English, from September – June, it is offered once a week at the Cultural Center.  Please see our full Almuñécar Movie Guide for more info.

For a day with indoor activities and a complete shopping experience, sometimes you need to visit a big city.  We will describe how to get to the new Centro Comercial Nevada shopping Granada from Almuñécar.  The Nevada shopping center [Centro Comercial Nevada] is located in Granada and is on the southeast side of the city, so that means easy access from Costa Tropical.  With approximately 120,000 square meters of commercial area, and with 200+ stores, numerous restaurants, and an 8-cinema cineplex, there is plenty to see, do, and eat.

Are you getting cabin fever staying in the small coastal city of Almuñécar or is the weather bad?  Are you dreaming of a day out at a big and modern shopping mall?  Well, let us share with you how to get to Larios Mall, Vialia Mall, IKEA Malaga, Plaza Mayor, from Almuñécar to Málaga and back.  We provide you with instructions via the public bus, in addition to directions for driving a car.

This museum has a vast area for visitors to enjoy everything about honey!  It boasts four main areas to explore, The impressive wax winery , the gardens, the Hive Collection  and the Honey Museum.  The main building is equipped with a series of dynamic and interactive modules designed to meet the wide world of the bee, in an entertaining way.  Everything is in Spanish, so it is a great way to immerse yourself into the culture.  This is located just outside of Lanjarón, which is about midway to Granada city.

Take your favorite board games or deck of cards to a local cafe and make your own indoor activities!  Stay social with the locals and have a bit of fun too.  Some places have games for you to choose from as well, but it is easiest to bring what you are familiar with.  We always have a deck of UNO cards handy!

The public library is located in the Casa de la Cultura (cultural center) upstairs.  You don’t need a library card to go in an read a few books.  This is a great way to practice or introduce yourself to Spanish reading.  You do need to be quiet inside, but there are books for all ages.

While this isn’t a stay warm and dry activity, it sure is fun.  We found the best location to do a bit of storm watching is along the Paseo de Cotobro and Cotobro beach.  It is also very exciting down by the Marina del Este to see the waves crash over the sea wall.  Stay safe and don’t go on the beach near the waves, sometimes big waves come and can just grab you.  Stay along the paseo and get a big splash!