Aquavelis waterpark in Torre del Mar has established itself as a fantastic choice for families looking for a little relief from the blazing summer sun. Just 20 minutes from Malaga and 15 from Nerja, this exceptional attraction features an array of pools and slides designed to entertain every generation. Running its summer season until September 8, it is the ideal destination to chill out and enjoy quality time together.

Endless fun with twenty thrilling water rides

Thrill-seekers can test their courage on some really exhilarating attractions. Speed lovers will enjoy the massive 80-metre drop on the Kamikaze or race friends on the Multi-Pistas. Water lovers can also experience the Super Niagara on a double inflatable ring or brave the dark twists of the Magic Hole, which features exciting light effects. Other popular choices include the Espiral, Tirabuzon, and Pistas Blancas, ensuring non-stop action throughout the day.

Safe and spacious layout built for parents

Parents love the clever layout of the grounds, which allows them to easily keep an eye on their children as they move between attractions. Plenty of space across the park makes sure that crowds and queues never feel overwhelming, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Shaded family areas provide excellent spots to rest away from the strong rays of the sun, making it highly comfortable for people who want a slower pace.

New attractions for younger adventurers

Younger children have access to a special realm of fun, including the brand-new Isla de la Aventura zone introduced for this year. This new space is packed with interactive games and water features tailored perfectly for smaller splashers. Families can also explore the Tobogan Colina labyrinth, coast down the Rio Rapido on a double ring, or let toddlers paddle safely in the AquaSplash and Mini Foam areas. There’s even a wave pool to simulate the Mediterranean beach experience, while a relaxing spa zone gives parents a chance to unwind.

Excellent dining options and budget-friendly tickets

Visitors can choose from various onsite restaurants, cafeterias, and ice cream parlours when hunger strikes. Anyone wishing to bring their own refreshments can access the spacious picnic area completely free of charge. Comfort upgrades are readily available too, with sunbeds, umbrellas, and private VIP zones open for rental.

Booking tickets online in advance is highly recommended, as web purchases grant an automatic two-euro discount per ticket. Standard adult entry for individuals over 1.40 metres costs €28, while junior tickets cost €22 and mini tickets cost €14. Reduced afternoon rates are available directly at the ticket office, making this cool sanctuary an affordable escape for everyone this summer.

Fine Aquavelis on Calle Ruta del Pomelo, Urb. El Tomillar, Torre del Mar. Web: web.aquavelis.es/en

Our local Costa del Sol-living expat pro, Steve, has contacted us with some more priceless advice from his years of extensive experience living here. He too has been feeling the oppressive heat of the last few days and watching the news of how the current extreme heatwave has been taking its toll, not least on the elderly community in Malaga Province.

Steve says, “Hot weather makes it far too simple to skip proper meals. Once you hit your seventies, the body often fails to flag thirst as quickly as it should, so sip fluids steadily throughout the day even when you feel fine and you’re not even dry.”

From his years of experience, he already knows that cans of fizzy pop do little good. “Years ago Spanish tap water was best avoided, yet these days it is the sensible everyday choice.”

Keep water handy round the clock

He recommends, “Fill several bottles from the tap and park them in the fridge. Top them up every evening and leave a full glass by the bed because sleep steals moisture without you noticing.

Away from home, the local supply may taste different thanks to higher mineral levels. Switch to supermarket bottles if needed, he says. A splash of squash improves the flavour for anyone who finds plain water dull.”

Load up on juicy fruit and light dishes

He continues, “Watermelon, peaches and oranges plus simple tomato and cucumber salads deliver hydration without effort. Skip heavy dinners and reach instead for grilled fish, chicken, eggs or beans piled with vegetables. Ready meals for one are best left on the shelf; they pack too much salt and processing.”

Also, he recommends, “Seeded bread, a portion of pasta or a jacket potato adds slow-release energy and quiets the urge for sweet snacks. A modest amount of salt helps in the heat provided you keep it measured. Always chill leftovers promptly so nothing spoils and money is wasted.”

Shop smart and get the bags home early

One habit Steve has down-pat is heading out in the cooler morning hours when shelves still look full. “A cheap wheeled trolley saves strain, and splitting the trip into smaller runs works better than one marathon session.”

He continues, “Carrying shopping alone can prove awkward. Ask a friend or neighbour, or contact an English-speaking charity that offers lifts for a small donation. Your local town hall’s foreigners department can point you in the right direction if you need contacts. Stick to light food, steady fluids and shade and you will sail through summer feeling better, stronger and safer.”

Spanish ministers gave the green light this week to Plan Auto+, a new round of direct grants that puts real cash back in the pockets of anyone buying a cleaner-smelling car. Up to €4,500 is now available for many pure electric cars, with the scheme running from 1 January 2026 and a total pot of €400 million, so the discount can be backdated for anyone who’s just bought one. It picks up where the old Moves III scheme left off and hopes to push more European-made models onto Spanish roads, while Spanish ports fill up with imported Chinese ones.

Industry and Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu spelt out the goal clearly after the cabinet meeting. He wants people to choose electric cars that are affordable and built in Europe or Spain. Pure electric models under €35,000 (price on the invoice before tax and after any dealer discounts) sit at the top of the priority list.

Those buyers who fit the rules can claim one grant per person. Self-employed workers and small firms get a bit more flexibility, with companies able to apply for up to ten vehicles. Applications will open on a government online platform. Dealers and leasing firms can handle the paperwork for you if you prefer, so ask at your local showroom.

Sales of electrified vehicles already climbed 39 per cent in the first half of the year, reaching more than 154,000 units across Spain. Passenger cars with electric power made up 23 per cent of new registrations in the latest month. Politicians expect that new cash influx to keep that momentum going.

How much cash can you actually get?

The full maximum of €4,500 lands only on pure, pure, pure electric cars that tick every box. The government has set a simple three-part score called EEE – “Electric, Economic and European”.

Pure battery-electric cars score 50 per cent of the top figure. Models priced under €35,000 before tax pick up another 25 per cent. Final assembly in the European Union plus some battery work done inside the EU adds the last 25 per cent. Hit all three and the full €4,500 arrives.

Plug-in hybrids or range-extender models with the official zero-emission label drop to a maximum of €3,375 if they still meet the price and European-build rules. Cars costing between €35,000 and €45,000 before tax receive a smaller share. Anything above €45,000 gets nothing.

Light vans and small trucks under 3.5 tonnes can claim up to €5,000 with no price cap. Dealers must knock at least €1,000 off the sticker price on top of the government grant for both cars and vans.

Which cars qualify for the full €4,500?

Only models carrying the DGT “zero-emission” sticker make the cut. Pure electric versions under the €35,000 threshold and assembled in Europe stand the best chance of the top payout. Battery packs that are also put together inside the EU push the score higher still.

Chinese-built cars can still qualify for part of the money if they meet the price and emission rules, but they miss the European manufacturing bonus. Shop around for Spanish or wider EU production if you want every euro available.

Electric motorbikes with a top speed above 45 km/h, at least 3 kW of power and 70 km of range can claim up to €1,100 provided the bike costs no more than €10,000. Light and heavy quads pick up as much as €1,500.

Step-by-step guide to claiming your subsidy

• First, pick a qualifying vehicle and get a firm quote from a registered dealer. Make sure the invoice price before tax and after discounts stays inside the limits.
• Next, either fill in the online form yourself once the platform goes live or ask the dealer to submit the application for you. Most big brands already plan to handle the process and often deduct the grant from the amount you pay on the day.
• Keep the vehicle registered in your name and hold on to it for the minimum period set in the final rules – usually two years or more. Individuals can claim only once. Self-employed people may apply for up to three vehicles and companies up to ten.
• Permanent residents (expats too) with a valid NIE stand in the same queue as Spanish nationals.
• Proof of address and tax status will be needed, but nationality itself is not a barrier.
• Money is paid as a direct grant after approval. Dealers often advance the cash so you see the discount immediately. Keep every invoice and registration document; checks can happen later.

Will the money run out?

Industry groups worry the €400 million will dry up by September or October. Minister Hereu pushed back, saying the government believes the budget will cover the full year. Still, popular models could sell out of subsidy allocations first. Acting early improves the odds of locking in the full amount.

Final rules will appear in the Official State “Boletín de Estado” shortly. Once published, purchases made from the start of 2026 become eligible.

Common questions answered

• Who can apply? Private individuals, self-employed people and companies registered for tax in Spain. One grant per private buyer.
• Does the car have to be brand new? New or recently registered models (first registered in Spain on or after 1 January 2025) bought through a dealer both qualify.
• Can I claim if I live in Spain on a permanent residency card? Yes. NIE holders who meet the normal residency and tax checks are eligible.
• Is renting or leasing allowed? Private buyers usually need to buy outright. Self-employed people and companies can use renting in many cases.
• What happens if the car costs €36,000 before tax? You still receive a reduced grant provided it stays under €45,000 and meets the other rules.
• Do Chinese-made electric cars get the full €4,500? Only if they somehow meet the European manufacturing criteria. Most will receive a lower figure.
• When do applications open? As soon as the detailed call is published in the Official State Gazette. Purchases from 1 January 2026 already count.
• Can I combine this with other help? Plan Auto+ works with some tax deductions and energy certificates, but not with certain fleet schemes.

Shop around, check the European origin of the model you like, and get the dealer to run the numbers. The difference between a full €4,500 grant and a smaller one often comes down to the price tag and where the car was put together.

Happy car shopping!