Salou Travel Guide

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
Comment this article

80km west of Barcelona lies sun-soaked Salou. This popular resort sits in the heart of the Costa Dorada and attracts families looking for hassle-free fun in the sun from all over Europe. Together with neighbouring resorts La Pineda and Cambrils, it shares several miles of pristine, clean golden beaches. Plus inland there are mountains to climb and theme parks to visit.

Families will love this place. Hotels cater well to children will numerous kids'' clubs offering all kinds of activities from sailing to painting. Adults too will be amused for hour''s windsurfing, banana boating or go-karting. There is also an aqua park, which is fun for everyone.

But Port Aventura Park is the ultimate in family fun. This is one of Europe''s biggest theme parks and takes inspiration from the ever-popular Busch Gardens in Florida. This sprawling park has five ''worlds'' including the Far West, Mediterrania, Mexico, China and Polynesia. The most popular attractions include the Sea Odyssey underwater adventure, the Stampida roller coaster and the Grand Canyon rapids. One day just won''t be enough. Four day passes are around ?66 for ...
... children and ?83 for adults.

Hire a car and drive into the Catalunyan Mountains that skirt the coast. Montsant is a picturesque region of wilderness filled with rugged mountains, plunging waterfalls and hidden emerald green rock pools. It is also one of Spain''s best wine-growing regions, so pick up a bottle for the evening.

Tarragona is the Costa Dorada''s main city. The centre is medieval, but the city can trace its roots back to 218 BC. It was originally built on a rocky bluff when it was founded by the Romans who used it as a legionnaires military base.

You can still remnants of this ancient past mainly along Paseo Arqueologico. Here you can find among other buildings, an amphitheatre, aqueduct and Roman forum. There is also an archaeological museum devoted to Roman antiquities and a Diocesan Museum displayed Gothic paintings, sculptures and tapestries. The city also boasts the best beach on the Catalonian coast, Playa Llarga.

Barcelona is one of Europe''s greatest cities with world-class architecture, shopping and culture. So if you can spare a day away from the beach, it is well worth a visit.

Barcelona is most famous for its modernist architectural pieces from Gaudi but the Gothic quarter, full of bars and tapas restaurants is also beautiful as are the modern glass structures at the Olympic port development. If you do miss the beach, the city has a fantastic one right at the end of La Rambla, the main pedestrianised street. Bonny Kominek is a freelance writer with over 5 years travel experience. They recommend Octopus Travel for Salou hotels.