Family things to do in Águilas — beaches, parks, attractions and days out that actually work with children.
The Cabo Cope y Puntas de Calnegre regional park — a dramatic headland of cliffs, scrub and empty coves rising sheer from the sea, laced with walking trails and prized by divers. Águilas' great wild landscape.
Águilas' emblem — a 1579 fortress on the headland between the town's two great beaches, built against Barbary pirates. Climb up for a sweeping panorama over the port, the bay and the Mediterranean.
A striking 1903 iron ore-loading pier built by the British Lorca–Baza–Águilas railway, jutting into a clear-water bay with the Isla del Fraile beyond — one of the most photographed corners of the southeast.
The islet off El Hornillo that shapes Águilas' coastline — a rich archaeological site (Roman and earlier) and a landmark backdrop for the beach, best seen from the Embarcadero or on a boat trip.
The beach of the little village of Calabardina, east of town beneath Cabo Cope — clear, calm water in a beautiful setting, a relaxed base for swimming, kayaking and diving.
A small, crystal-clear cove tucked below the castle and protected by jetties on almost every side — calm, safe water with barely a wave, a favourite for families.
The town beach on the eastern side of the castle, backed by the Paseo de Levante and its restaurants — sandy, central and sheltered, the natural spot for a seafront stroll at sunset.
The main urban beach on the western side of the castle headland — a long, palm-lined promenade of sand right in town, with calm water and every amenity a step away. Blue Flag.
A sheltered, clear-water beach beneath the historic Hornillo pier, with the Isla del Fraile framing the view — a quieter, characterful alternative just east of the centre.
The palm-shaded main square and beating heart of Águilas, ringed by cafés and the town hall — the place to watch local life go by over a coffee, and the hub of the Carnaval.
Águilas' marina below the castle — moorings, a sailing club and dive bases, with a waterfront of seafood restaurants and bars looking out over the bay.
A restored 16th-century coastal watchtower at the foot of Cabo Cope, a silent witness to centuries of sea raids — the anchor of one of the coast's wildest, most scenic corners.
Kayaking and paddleboarding around the coves, sailing and boat hire from the marina, and coastal trips out to the Isla del Fraile — an easy, beautiful stretch of coast to get out on the water.