The best zoos, playgrounds & water parks around Murcia & Cartagena

Murcia and Cartagena may not be the first destinations that come to mind for a family holiday… But let yourself be surprised. This sun-drenched region is bursting with fun trips for children of all ages. From adventurous playgrounds to cool water parks and charming zoos, you can combine relaxation with real quality time here.

In this blog, we share our favourite outings with children around Murcia & Cartagena – tested and approved by our son Noah.

Location: Murcia City · Perfect for: kids of all ages

Terra Natura is and remains one of our favorite family trips in the region. What makes it so much fun? The unique combination of a zoo and a water park in one location. The park is home to more than 300 animals from about 50 different species, divided into two themed zones: the African savannah (think lions, giraffes, white rhinos) and the Iberian Peninsula (Iberian wolf, otters, brown bear). The concept is called “zoo-immersion”: viewing animals in habitats without visible fences in between.

Our experience: pure fun for young and old

What we love about it:

• You have a whole day of fun, without it becoming monotonous
• The Lazy River is wonderful to float in (although you do have to pay for a tire – not obliged to use, that feels a bit like a money grab)
• There are crazy fun slides for older children and safe water zones for little ones
• Sometimes there is even entertainment such as aqua gym – nice if you participate, but the park is large enough to find peace and quiet elsewhere
• There is a lot of natural shade, so you don’t have to carry a parasol with you
• There are food stands and a shop with swimming gear if you have forgotten something

Noah’s favorite moments?

Our son Noah especially loved the slide with the double strap – you can go down it with two people at the same time. Lots of laughter, lots of splashing, and totally his thing. He also got to feed the bears once, and he really thought that was one of the coolest things ever. The closer the bears got, the bigger his eyes became.

Noah’s top 3 animals?

1. The lions – mighty, impressive and always cool to see
2. The bears – especially because he was allowed to feed them
3. The hippos – “Do you know what they did? Poop!!” (well, some things you really never forget as a child)

Location: ±50 minutes from Murcia (Alicante province) · Age: from 3 years

Aquopolis is a classic for hot summer days. You will find:

• Child-friendly splash zones
• Family slides
• Spectacular slides for older children

Bring your own picnic or relax in one of the many shaded areas.

Location: outskirts of Cartagena · Age: from ±5 years

Tentegorra is the place to be for children who love climbing, clambering and romping around in nature.
You will find:

• Treetop adventure course
• Cable cars & survival courses
• Paintball, mini golf & a swimming pool
• And… A gigantic maze

Our experience: we have been here ourselves and found it absolutely worth it. It was quite busy, so if you like to sit a bit quieter, choose a morning visit or a weekday. The maze was a real hit with Noah – exciting and fun to do together.

🎟️ More info via tentegorraventura.com

Sometimes a good playground is all children need. Here are our favorites:

Parque de las Tres Culturas

• Large playground with slides, water fountain, bouncy castles (summer)
• Nice local atmosphere
• Ideal to combine with an ice cream or terrace

Parque Infantil

• Wooden climbing structures & lots of space
• Quiet location
• Just outside the city

The lagoon of Mar Menor is perfect for toddlers and young children: shallow water, warm temperature, no waves. At Los Alcázares and Santiago de la Ribera you have safe beaches, playgrounds and ice cream stands. We love to just explore here for a few hours with a net, bucket and shells.