Salou is the Costa Dorada ‘s seaside resort where boredom is impossible. Famous for its beautiful beaches, wild nightlife that attracts young people from all over Europe and Spain’s largest amusement park, it is also the ideal destination for those who dream of a more relaxing holiday of afternoons in the sun, seaside walks and fresh fish dinners.
There really is something for everyone in Salou. Romantic holiday? Admire the sunset walking along a coastal path to a lighthouse. Party animals? The number of discos, bars and clubs in Salou will keep you up until morning. Looking for a thrill? A rally will give you that. Fancy a relaxing day? Stay in the centre of Salou: modern but pretty, it is adorned with statues, fountains, parks and thousand-year-old plants. Time to entertain the kids? The PortAventura park will be like entering a wonderland for them.
Easy to reach from Tarragona and Barcelona, Salou can easily be visited on a day trip but why not stay a little longer?
There are nine beaches in the municipality of Salou, some very crowded and others quieter, suitable for those who do not like confusion. The two most famous are Platja de Llevant and Platja de Ponent, easily accessible because they run parallel to the Paseo Maritimo. They are two golden sandy beaches each about 1 km long. Packed with facilities and chiringuitos, they are the most crowded beaches. Recommended for young people looking for fun, families who want to let their children swim in safe waters and anyone who likes comfort.
Other beaches easily accessible from the centre are Platja dels Capellans, Platja Llarga and Cala Llenguadets.
For the most beautiful beaches, you must travel to Cap Salou, a rocky promontory stretching out into the sea. Of all the coves, the wildest is Cala Penya Tallada. Difficult to reach on foot, this small beach is recommended for nature lovers and those who want to stay away from the hustle and bustle. Cala Font and Cala Viña cannot exactly be described as quiet, although the crowds of the two city beaches are not to be expected. They are recommended for those who enjoy snorkelling. Cala Crans is another family-friendly beach, with shallow waters and a children’s play area.
What to do in Salou when you are not at the beach? The top attraction is the beautiful coastal path that was once used by fishermen and for guarding the coast. Restored, it is now an easy walk that gives everyone the chance to admire the beauty of places that were once very difficult, if not impossible, to reach.
At 6.5 km long, Salou’s coastal path is divided into two sections, a fully restored and easy 2 km (from Pilons to Replanells) and a wilder 4.5 km (from Replanells to the lighthouse), and is a succession of breathtaking views, unspoilt beaches and coves and the remains of old buildings including bunkers built during the Spanish Civil War.
The centre of Salou is modern and there are not many historic buildings, but it is still pleasant to visit, with beautiful modernist houses, parks and a main street lined with thousand-year-old olive trees. Scattered here and there around the centre are ornamental fountains that, besides being very beautiful, offer some relief from the summer heat. The three most famous ones (the Cybernetic Fountains, the Luminous Fountain, the Labyrinth) put on choreographic shows of light, sound and water sprays: well worth a stop to have a look.
The most photographed statue in Salou is the Fishermen’s Monument, erected by popular demand in 1990 on the site where fishing boats were once moored. It is a touching tribute to the city’s deep connection with the sea. The monument to Jaume I, on the other hand, commemorates a historic date for the city, 5 September 1229, when the Catalan fleet set out to conquer Mallorca, at the time dominated by the Arabs.
Don’t miss the weekly market (mercadet) held every Monday morning on Passeig 30 d’Octubre: originally a farmers’ and craftsmen’s market, it now has around 100 stalls selling a little bit of everything.
The big attraction for families (and others) around Salou is Port Aventura World, a resort completely dedicated to fun with three theme parks (Port Aventura Park, Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic World). More than 40 attractions and shows divided into six thematic areas in Port Aventura Park alone (the most visited amusement park in Spain and one of the most important in Europe), plus the pools and slides of the aquatic park and the attractions for speed lovers of the park dedicated to Ferraris: impossible to get bored!
Salou is a very popular tourist resort and the offer of hotels and b&b’s is very wide. It is not difficult to find comfortable accommodation within walking distance of the beach without spending a fortune, but if you are travelling in July and August it is advisable to book well in advance. Almost all hotels have a swimming pool and some even have a garden.
For families, a flat may be a more comfortable option, providing more freedom and privacy.
We offer a selection of hotels at Salou to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Salou, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Salou. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Salou are in high demand.
Salou is a town in Catalonia located along the Costa Dorada, the stretch of coastline in eastern Spain from Cunit to Alcanar. It can be easily reached by train, car or bus from Tarragona, which is only 15 km away.
From Barcelona, on the other hand, the distance is about 120 km. With a rental car, you can reach Salou in an hour by driving south on the AP-7 motorway. There are direct trains connecting the two cities. The journey time varies depending on the type of train, but is generally a little over an hour.
Salou can also be reached directly from Barcelona’s El Prat airport by buses of the regional company Empresa Plana.
What's the weather at Salou? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Salou for the next few days.
Salou is a tourist resort on the Costa Dorada, located a short distance from the city of Tarragona in Catalonia. From Barcelona it takes about 100 kilometres and an hour and 20 minutes by car.
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