Salou

Holidays to Salou get you white sand beaches and up-all-night partying on the doorstep of the biggest themepark in Europe. And Barcelona is waiting in the wings just 90 minutes away.

Best in show

As resorts go, Salou hasn’t really put a foot wrong. Set on Spain’s Costa Dorada between Cambrils and La Pineda, it’s the liveliest of the trio with a full-on nightlife and plenty of eating places. It’s cleverly got Europe’s biggest theme park right on its doorstep, too. But it’s the golden-sand beach that really sets this resort up for success.

A beach of 2 halves

Salou’s main beach comes in 2 parts either side of the port. There’s Playa Llevant on one side, and to the west is Playa Ponent, which stretches its way to next-door Cambrils. Both are fine, sandy numbers backed up by a palm-fringed prom, and come with pedalos and jet-skis. The jam-packed Levant side even serves up a gym, volleyball and kids’ play areas.

Family fun

Salou is a sucker for families. In the resort you’ve got Adrenaline Park – which true to its word deals up a bungee rocket along with a 900-metre go-kart track. Then there’s Aquapolis waterpark between the resort and La Pineda. And just down the road you’ve got PortAventura – a mega theme park that throws in another waterpark on the side. Local buses or the resort’s mini-train get you there in about 20 minutes.

Day trips to Tarragona and Barcelona

Ten minutes by car gets you to Tarragona. What you’ve got here is a Medieval citadel, an ampitheatre and a big cathedral. Or you can get on a train at Salou’s station and be in Barcelona in 90 minutes. This is real Gaudi territory and his must-see sights include the Sagrada Familia and Guell Park. Barcelona’s big on tapas, and there’s a swanky waterfront with haute-cuisine places if you’re staying for dinner.