Fun Day Trips for Kids into Murcia from Costa Blanca

Introduction

Although the primary focus of this website is places to go and things to do with kids in Spain’s Costa Blanca region, for anyone living or holidaying near to the edges of the area, it is sometimes worth looking across the borders to find even more fun family activities waiting to be discovered.

Bordering Costa Blanca to the south and west is the region of Murcia, with its associated stretch of coastline sometimes referred to as the Costa Calida. Like Costa Blanca, this family-friendly part of Spain also welcomes millions of visitors each year to its beaches and cultural attractions.

Living in the south of Costa Blanca ourselves, we have often crossed over into Murcia to find new things to do with our children. Here is a list of some of our favourite day trips that you can make with kids into Murcia from Costa Blanca. It is a list that I hope to keep expanding upon as we continue to visit new places and unearth more hidden treasures.

Of course, if you would rather stay within Costa Blanca itself, be sure to check out our best adventure activities for kids in Costa Blanca or our best water parks for kids in Costa Blanca. If you’re still stuck for inspiration and are looking for something interesting or a bit different to do, also take a look at our summer bucket list of activities for kids in Costa Blanca.

Here though, we are looking at some of the best day trips for kids into Murcia from Costa Blanca.

Day Trips into Murcia from Costa Blanca

#1 Rafael de la Cerda Park, Cartagena

Located close to the major coastal city of Cartagena is the Rafael de la Cerda park. The park houses several different visitor attractions and there is a fee to enter (€6 for adults and €4 for children). There are children’s playgrounds, barbecue and picnic areas and a labyrinth maze.

In summer, there are also several outdoor swimming pools, known as the Piscinas Tentegorra, that are included in the cost of park entry. Some of the pools are intended more for sensible swimming, some more for children, such as the largest pool with a pirate ship and water slides. It’s great fun for kids, although they are a little over-strict over their height requirements for the slides.

Also in the park there are high ropes courses and laser paintball, both for an additional cost.

#2 Marea Narejos Splash Pad, Los Alcázares

For when kids fancy some water play but either it’s too cold or they don’t want to go swimming, then a splash pad is a great idea.

Located in Los Alcázares, just south of Costa Blanca, is the Marea Narejos splash pad. A selection of different water jets and sprays come out of different colourful obstacles on the splash pad, as well as a bucket that fills before emptying onto the heads of unsuspecting children below.

The splash pad has its own cafe/bar on site with shaded seating for those looking on, as well as a mini golf course. Entrance to the splash pad is €2.50 per child and the mini golf is €7 for adults and €5 for children.

#3 Hot Springs at Los Baños de Fortuna, Fortuna

Located further inland from the city of Orihuela sits the town of Fortuna. Positioned to take advantage of natural hot springs in the area, the town has been welcoming visitors to its hot pools since Roman times.

Nowadays, Fortuna’s campsite, Camping La Fuente, is the major player in town. The campsite is home to 2 decent sized outdoor swimming pools, both with covered sections containing bubbles and spa jets. The water is heated naturally and maintained at a warm and pleasant 36°C all year-round. Day tickets are available for visitors who are not using the campsite (€12 for adults and €6 for children).

The warm water makes this a great day trip option for anyone living in or visiting Costa Blanca outside of the peak summer season, when most outdoor pools can otherwise be too cold to comfortably swim in.

For more from our own trip to Los Baños de Fortuna, see our review of camping with kids at hot spring heated swimming pool.

#4 Hugo’s Home Farm, Torre Guil

As featured on TV, Hugo’s Home Farm is a charitable organisation located just outside of the city of Murcia. Setup as a horse rescue sanctuary, the farm now has many other animals as well, such as chickens, ducks, pigs, goats, alpacas and donkeys. Entrance is by donation to the charity.

There is a chance for children to pet some of the animals, as well as carriage rides, alpaca photos, football play and picnic areas. There is enough to fill a day trip. The farm also hosts special events throughout the year, such as a chance to see Santa at Christmas.

The farm is staffed by volunteers and drinks and snacks are available to purchase, again by donation to the charity.

For an enjoyable day for younger kids by getting up close with animals in a relaxed and friendly environment, Hugo’s Home Farm is definitely one of the best places around. It is also nice to know that any financial donation made when visiting is going to a good cause.

#5 Running of the wine horses, Caravaca de la Cruz

Taking place in the holy Catholic city of Caravaca de la Cruz every year at the very beginning of May, the running of the wine horses (Los Caballos del Vino) is a UNESCO cultural event not to be missed.

The festival comes to life as local groups parade around the old town, each with a marching band and a highly decorated horse. The individual designs on the horses are beautiful.

The excitement then builds to the final race where, in turn, the horses with 4 accompanying runners on foot race up the castle hill right through a bustling crowd of onlookers. It is a great spectacle to see up close and definitely one of the best events for a day trip with kids into Murcia from Costa Blanca.

In Summary

While Costa Blanca is an area full of fun, family activities for kids, you should not forget to also look just over the borders into surrounding areas for even more options for things to do. For anyone staying or living in the south of Costa Blanca, crossing into Murcia region is easiest.

Personally, we enjoy exploring when we can to try and keep discovering new things to keep our children entertained. In addition to the places on this list, I’m sure you could also find plenty more fun day trips for kids into Murcia from Costa Blanca.