As the weather hots up, it is time to turn to the coast for a refreshing dip in the Med or the Atlantic, to try out water sports or to disappear into a cool museum.

There’s no need to travel to the coast to find a great beach! This long, gently shelving sandy beach with clear reservoir water (no motor boats allowed) provides safe swimming as well as watersports such as canoeing and windsurfing. Fish for trout, carp and bass, walk the herding trails around the lake or take refreshments at the beach bars and restaurants.

The pretty town of Nerja not only has some nice beaches and coves, but also has a cave, a couple of kilometres outside. Open from 10am to 2, 4 to 8pm 7E, it makes a pleasant visit, ambling through the enormous caverns where you’ll find the largest column in the world and see the devastation caused by an earthquake. It is possible to explore other parts with the caving group. No special skills required. Sit in the gardens or take a local walk. Leaflets on walks are available from the Tourist Office on Calle Pintada near the Balcon de Europa overlooking the sea.

This is not only an aquarium for the marine flora and fauna of the Alboran Sea but also recreates maritime life with models and artefacts. It is the only centre dedicated to the rescue of endangered species such as dolphins and sea turtles. Open Mon to Sun 10 to 2.30 on Calle Manuel Agustin Heredia, Malaga. Tel No: 952219761

Forget the Cathedral and the Roman remains! For a superb visit, go to the Alcazar, next to the Cathedral. It has some of the best surviving remains of Mudejar architecture and the huge apartments of Carlos V. The Alcazar Gardens are delightful and extensive with trees, flowers and fountains where you can rest in the shade. Open Tues to Sat 9.30am to 7pm and Sun 9.30am to 5pm. Entry is on the Plaza del Triunfo.

For something different, explore this open-air Science Park with its 270 interactive activities plus Planetarium, Butterfly House, Observation Tower and Astronomy Garden. Open Tues to Sat 10 to 7 Sun 10 to 3 Museum 5E Planetarium 2E the Science Park is on Avenida del Mediterraneo, Exit 131 or 132 from the Motril – Jaen motorway.

Escape to one of the finest beaches in the south with golden sand and the clean, clear water of the Atlantic. A variety of watersports are on hand, such as windsurfing, and cosy restaurants and bars to enjoy great food. Take a walk by the estuary through Los Embrales to see junipers, broom and pine trees. The Lagoon is home to a large colony of chameleons.

After lazing on the quiet, shell-encrusted river beach with its warm waters, take a trip into town to visit the Bodega Antonio Barbadillo, Calle Eguilaz 11 Tel 956385500, to learn how sherry is made and to taste the fine Manzanilla wine they produce here. Amble around the old quarter, Barrio Alta to see the Medina Sidonia Palace, the 13th C church and the Castle of Santiago. Sanlucar is the setting for some exciting horse races on the beach in late August!

Take the Cable Car ride in Benalmadena to the highest point on the Malaga Coast and you’ll find a whole new world. With amazing views of the coast, the Sierras and the Valley of Guadalahorce, you can walk back down the special path, or cycle, after visiting the Calamorro Mountaintop Sanctuary to see birds of prey (Demo at 1pm and 8pm). Why not take a donkey ride through the area, including an exhibition of Spanish dressage horses. Access via Arroyo de la Miel, entry opposisite Tivoli World. Cable Ride open from 10am to 11.30pm.

Want to learn more about the history of urban and rural life in Malaga Province? Then visit this highly recommended Museum, in the heart of the historic centre of Malaga City. Housed in a beautiful 17th C former monastery, with a delightful tiled central patio, you can explore numerous rooms full of artefacts from traditional cooking utensils to old costumes and ceramics. Open Tues to Sat 11-2 6-9 Pasillo de Santa Isabel near the Public Library. Tel 952217137

Be amazed by the Royal School of Equestrian Art where you can watch horses being trained or see the Show (Tues & Thurs), tour the stables, saddlery and interactive Museum. Price includes the excellent carriage museum nearby. Open 11am to 2pm on Avda Duque de Abrantes. Afterwards tour one of the many bodegas to learn about the history of sherry and taste some great sherry.

For a perfect Summer evening’s entertainment for the whole family, visit Tivoli World in Arroya de la Miel. The theme park has beautiful tropical gardens, pretty squares, fountains, exciting fairground rides and shows in the theatre. Be a cowboy and try a bucking bronco. There are rides for tiny tots too. Open from 6pm to 2.30am. Access is by exit 222 from the A7.

It’s great to be on the ocean when the weather’s hot so check out the tours run by the Foundation for Information and Research on Marine Mammals (www.firmm.org) . Excursions run out of Tarifa for sightings of dolphins and pilot whales. The Straits of Gibraltar with its rich diversity of marine life is an under-water park. Whalewatch Espana (Tel 956627013) also run similar tours.

It is worth travelling to find the best seafood restaurant in Algeciras. Highly recommended is the Meson El Copo in Los Barrios beach district. Providing 50 species of fish, they serve such delights as Monkfish Pate, Crispy Fritters, Tortillas with tiny shrimps, ortigas de mar and sea anemonies. Food is grilled, fried or simmered and you can view the tanks of fresh fish! Open 1.30 to 3.30 then 8 til late daily except Sunday.