Costa Dorada holidays

Things to do

Explore your destination

Here's a little taste of what's on offer: for more excursion ideas, speak to your Rep.

Barcelona Day and Night
Footie fans will love Nou Camp Stadium, shopaholics can shop till they drop and sightseers can explore the Gothic Quarter; Barcelona is home to Gaudí's Sagrada Familia and the Magic Fountain of Montjuic.

Montserrat
Take an unforgettable journey to the magical and mystical Montserrat mountain, to visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary and the Benedictine Monastery and see famous art at the museum.

Jeep Adventure
From high in the mountains, you can enjoy superb panoramic views, then cool off with a refreshing swim. Take in the outstanding scenery of Costa Dorada on this adventure-filled day out.

Highlights

• Hitting a hole in one on Costa Dorada’s golf courses, including Bonmont Terres Noves’s 18-hole championship course with its views of the Mediterranean Sea
• Floating in the wave pool at Aquopolis waterpark in La Pineda, full of fast waterslides, river rapids and dolphin and sea lion shows
• Braving the rides and rollercoasters at the famous PortAventura theme park in Salou, where you can take a fun-packed trip around the world from Mexico to Polynesia
• Visiting the Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres, home to some of the surrealist artist's many odd creations, including Rainy Taxi - a black Cadillac sprayed by a fountain
• Birdwatching in the lakes, beaches and saltpans of Ebro Delta Natural Park, with the chance to spot herons, kingfishers and even flamingos
• Strolling along Barcelona’s most famous street, Las Ramblas, lined with colourful flower stalls and street cafes, as well as noisy parrots and funny street entertainers
• Exploring the Roman ruins of Tarragona, where the empire began its conquest of the peninsula, and see the World Heritage Site’s crumbling amphitheatre and aqueducts
• Enjoying the spectacular views from Montserrat where a Benedictine monastery nestles high up in the mountain
• Imagining your football heroes at the Nou Camp, home of Barcelona Football Club, or at Barcelona’s Olympic stadium, which hosted the 1996 games
• Finding out about Spain’s most famous architect at The Gaudi Centre in Reus, where you can also see the town’s many modernist buildings on the Reus Modernism Trail

Food and drink

Being so close to the sea, you have to try the local fish and shellfish along the Costa Dorada. The seafood restaurants in the little town of Cambrils are particularly good. Locals love their fish covered in Romesco sauce, a tasty blend of dried red peppers, tomatoes and almonds.

Try the Costa Dorada’s tasty Paella; the famous rice dish is typically made with seafood in this region. For a laid-back evening meal, share tasty tapas such as chorizo sausage, battered squid and spicy potatoes.

If you’re craving something else, Salou, Cambrils and La Pineda also have a choice of international, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, American and fast food restaurants.

Evening Flavour

In Salou, head to Paseo de Les Palmeres for terrace bars, international restaurants and discos, while the area around Murillo and Carles Buigas Streets is known as the Slammers, because of its multitude of bustling music bars.

La Pineda’s lively pubs and bars can be found around the area called Pineda Drink, while Cambrils’ nightspots are scattered all around town and Tarragona’s best nightlife can be found on Rambla Nova, its main street.

Barcelona’s vibrant evening scene is worth the extra journey, with an almost overwhelming choice of bars, clubs and restaurants to see and be seen in.

Shopping

Wander around the traditional shops in Salou’s Old Town where you’ll find goodies including Spanish leather goods and beautiful ceramics. Lined with palm trees, Jaume I Promenade and Major Street have plenty of places selling clothes, jewellery and souvenirs to nose around. On Monday mornings, the weekly Municipal Market market spreads out along the Via Roma.

Sitges is a fabulous choice for shopaholics too, but for some real retail therapy, head to Barcelona, a shopper’s paradise where you’ll find something for every budget.

Dates for the Diary

The Golden Nights Summer festival takes place from 20 July to 15 August, with traditional dance and fishermen’s songs every weekend.

For the Family

• The whole family’s going to fall head over heels for the tropical PortAventura Aquatic Park – there’s a wave pool, crazy river and tonnes of speedy slides to get your teeth into.
  
• There’s always the option of a soaking on Tutuki Splash’s log flume. Or have an adventure with the dolphins on Sea Odyssey’s underwater simulator at PortAventura.
  
• For some beach-based fun, cling on tight on an exciting banana boat ride close to shore. Question is, do you dare wave to mum?
  
• To really explore Costa Dorada’s lovely scenery, hop on board for a 4x4 jeep adventure. You’ll rumble along the coastal roads and get really rugged as you head inland.

Local weather

Information

Language: Spanish. Currency: Euro. Standard GMT: +1hr. Spanish Tourist Office: 2nd Floor, 79 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6XB. Tel: 020 7486 8077. www.spain.info

Travel money

Euro

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.