Sol Costa Daurada
The Costa Dorada, or Costa Daurada in Catalan, is the name of the coastline in the province of Tarragona and owes its name to the characteristic beaches of fine, golden sand that stretch for more than 80 kilometres from Sitges to the Ebro delta. The coast is characterised by shallow, sloping waters that make it particularly suitable for families with children.
Salou is its tourist heart, with the famous PortAventura amusement park, while Cambrils has established itself as the gastronomic capital of the region. The coastline alternates between long, well-equipped urban beaches, such as those of La Pineda and Calafell, and wilder areas and secluded coves. The mild temperatures and calm sea allow for a bathing season that extends from May to October.
The hinterland is no less impressive and offers a rich cultural heritage, with the monastery of Poblet and the Roman city of Tarragona, while the vineyards of Penedès produce the excellent Catalan cava. Prices are generally lower than on the Costa Brava, with tourist offerings ranging from large all-inclusive resorts to small family hotels.
The Costa Dorada runs through renowned seaside resorts such as Salou with its amusement parks, elegant Sitges, gastronomic Cambrils, family-friendly La Pineda, tranquil Calafell and Comarruga, to naturalistic Torredembarra.
Salou is considered the capital of the Costa Dorada, being its most important tourist destination. The 1.2 km long main beach Llevant is the beating heart of Salou, characterised by golden sand and shallow waters ideal for families. Platja de Ponent and Platja dels Capellans offer quieter alternatives, while the coves of Llenguadets and Penya Tallada are perfect for those seeking privacy. The resort is famous for its PortAventura park and lively nightlife.
Salou is home to numerous hotels, tourist complexes and all kinds of services such as bars, restaurants, ice-cream parlours and numerous shops. It is a destination that satisfies both families with children, thanks to the beautiful beaches and the tranquillity of some of the areas around the centre, and young people who want to have fun, thanks to the numerous nightclubs and opportunities to stay up late.
As many as seventeen beaches of different character line the coastline of Sitges, the artistic pearl of the Costa Dorada. Urban beaches such as Sant Sebastià and La Fragata are lively and well-equipped, while coves such as Cala Morisca offer wilder scenery. The city is renowned for its lively cultural and nightlife, with a quality hotel offer ranging from boutique hotels in the historic centre to modern seaside resorts.
An authentic seafaring spirit pervades Cambrils, where the tradition of a fishing village blends with 9 km of high-quality sandy beaches. Platja del Regueral and Platja d’Horta de Santa Maria are the most popular, with shallow waters perfect for children. The fishing harbour is the heart of the town, famous for its excellent gastronomic tradition with numerous starred restaurants. Accommodation is of superior quality, with boutique hotels and well-maintained flats.
A 2.5 km long ribbon of golden sand characterises La Pineda, which boasts one of the largest beaches on the Costa Dorada, awarded the Blue Flag every year. The fine sand and calm sea make it an ideal destination for families with children. The seafront promenade features modern hotels and all-inclusive resorts, while the Aquopolis water park is an additional attraction for children. Prices are competitive and the atmosphere is quiet compared to neighbouring Salou.
Amidst wild dunes and Mediterranean vegetation is the Els Muntanyans natural beach in Torredembarra, a unique protected ecosystem on the coast. The Platja de la Paella offers full services and a family atmosphere, while the small coves towards Altafulla provide privacy and unspoilt nature. The old town retains an authentic Catalan atmosphere with moderate prices and an accommodation offer based on tourist flats and small hotels.
Fine golden sand characterises Calafell‘s three kilometres of uninterrupted coastline, divided between the areas of Calafell Platja, La Platja de l’Estany and Segur de Calafell. The sloping seabed and clean sand make it perfect for families. The resort offers a balance of tourist services and a quiet atmosphere, with a wide choice of reasonably priced hotels and flats. The pedestrian promenade is bustling with restaurants and bars serving excellent local cuisine.
A unique system of seven beaches separated by small breakwaters characterises the Cunit coastline, creating sheltered bays ideal for safe bathing. Platja de Cunit is the largest and best equipped, while the others offer quieter settings. The resort maintains a familiar and reserved atmosphere, with low prices and an accommodation offer based mainly on tourist flats and quality camping. The seaside promenade connects all the beaches and is perfect for evening strolls.
Thermal waters that flow directly into the sea make the Comarruga beach, which stretches for 2 km and is known for the healing properties of its waters, unique. The coastline is ideal for water sports, with an area dedicated to windsurfing. The resort offers quality tourism at affordable prices, with recently renovated historical hotels and modern residential complexes. The promenade is lively but not chaotic, with numerous restaurants offering fresh fish and Mediterranean cuisine.
PortAventura World is an amusement park located in the municipality of Salou, and is one of the most popular destinations for holidaymakers on the Costa Dorada. With almost 3.5 million visitors per year, it is the most visited park in Spain and the sixth in Europe.
The complex has been expanded several times since its opening, and today consists of an amusement park, a water park, a golf course and five theme hotels. The park was opened on 1 May 1995 and was initially conceived essentially as an amusement park, whose main attraction was the Dragon Khan roller coaster, which at the time held the world record with its eight laps of death.
Today PortAventura has six themed areas: Mediterranean, Polynesia, China, Mexico, Far West and Sesamo Aventura, and within each of them there are numerous games, themed areas for the whole family, relaxation areas, outdoor show areas and much more.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
The Costa Dorada is a real surprise from the accommodation point of view. There are plenty of excellent accommodations, on average, at fair prices and with all comforts. It all depends on the type of holiday you want to take: if you are looking for a city atmosphere and sea life, head without hesitation for Tarragona and its immediate surroundings, where you will find hotels, flats, bed and breakfasts and hostels, while if you prefer smaller villages, devote your search for accommodation to Salou, Cambris or Calafat. Also of interest is Torredembarra, north of Tarragona, which is well served by public transport and has a beautiful sandy beach.
To get to the Costa Dorada you might initially think about taking a flight to Reus airport, but unfortunately this airport has no direct connections with almost any European country. Therefore, you will have to use Barcelona El Prat airport, located a hundred kilometres to the north-east, and continue to your final destination byhire car or public transport.
In this case, you will first have to reach Tarragona, and you can do so by train or bus. From Tarragona, buses of the BusPlana company will take you to your destination. They all leave from the Tarragona bus station, located just behind Plaça de la Imperial Tàrraco practically in the city centre.
The Costa Dorada is the Spanish coastal stretch covering the province of Tarragona, about 100 kilometres south of Barcelona, reaching as far as the border with the Comunidad Valenciana.
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