Travel guide: Salou - what to see, explore and enjoy

Salou, a town in the Costa Dorada area of the Catalonia region of Spain - situated in the northeastern part of the country - is home to beautiful coastal beaches, vibrant towns and an adrenaline junkies' paradise, writes Travel News Blitz’s Bianca Wright.

You will find something that fits everyone here in Salou - your desired trip can involve relaxation, spending your days lounging around the pool, or feeling the cool breezes from the ocean on its long, dreamy stretches of golden sands while sipping a mojito served from the beach bars.

Or, with your adrenaline pumping at the famous PortAventura and Ferrari Land, flying through the air on the rollercoaster, you will not be disappointed.  

With a 14-kilometre coastline of soft sandy beaches and walking coastline trails from Punta de Sant Pere to take in the views all the way to Raco de Salou. 

You may find yourself wanting to exit the trail and head to the next town, exploring and enjoying a new place you weren't expecting. 

Salou stands at a great location in Spain, with proximity to the cities of Tarragona and Barcelona. 

Accessibility to these locations is affordable with public transport that passes through the streets of Salou, collecting you at various times throughout the day.

Beaches and coves

Salou has 9 beaches and coves to enjoy. Depending on what you are looking for, let's explore some that are popular with tourists and residents:

Llevant Beach

This is Salou’s most popular natural beach for tourists and residents, situated in a largely populated area with a busy promenade and a 1.2km stretch of golden sands, shallow waters and bustling beach bars. This pick is perfect for families. 

If sunbathing or building sandcastles isn’t your go-to choice, here at this beach you can hit the sea, enjoying various activities like windsurfing, pedalos, kayaking, jet-ski hire, or stay on land and have a game of beach volleyball.

The beach offers showering facilities, bathrooms, sunbed lounge rentals and accessibility for disabled users with many lifeguards to keep you safe.

However, for all you animal-loving people, dogs are not permitted on this beach. 

Llarga Beach 

If you're looking for a more relaxed and quieter day at the beach, this one is ideal. 

Known as being the largest beach in Salou, situated within a 20-minute walk from the town of Salou, here you will experience a more intimate part of paradise

The beach is located within a surrounding of pine forest, allowing you to feel connected with nature, the ocean and the freedom of being away from the hustle and bustle. 

The beach has access to the Cami de Ronda, a beautiful coastal path stretching 5.5km along the coastline, offering spectacular views perfect for those evening strolls. 

While the beach is quiet, you still have access to hire sun loungers, parasols, water sports, a beach bar, toilets and of course, we can't forget the lifeguards. 

Cala Crancs

Located in Cap de Salou, this 90-metre stretch of sandy beach is one of the quieter beaches in Salou. 

The beach is only accessible by walking and is surrounded by cliffs and pine trees, making it an ideal location for the much-loved snorkelling visitors. 

Here you can venture into the sea, circumventing the cliffs and get a glance of the marine life in their natural habitats.

You can expect to see fish, crabs, squids and if you're lucky, the odd octopus, but be careful as there may be jellyfish!

Even though this is classed as one of the quieter beaches in peak season, you still get many visitors flocking to the beach to soak up the sun and enjoy the sea. 

You can still expect to see lifeguards, shower facilities, toilets, sun lounge hire and beach bars for the much-needed snacks, ice creams and cold drinks. 

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Markets

There is nothing like going on holiday and throwing yourself into the hustle and bustle of a market to grab a bargain. 

Well, here in Salou you can access a fantastic market selling all sorts of items from clothing, toys, artisan items and delicious traditional foods. 

The local weekly market takes place every Monday from 9 am till 2 pm and is situated on the Passeig del 30. 

Here, you can find anything and everything. 

The Municipal market is different from the weekly one, here you can grab local produce like fresh meat, fish, fruit and vegetables.

It runs Monday to Saturday in the morning with evening opening during high seasons and is situated just off the town centre. 

During the summer months, you can take a stroll to the Port, where you can find the evening artisan markets typically running from 7 pm till 12 am.

The Espigo del Moll market and the Masia Catalana night market are where you can purchase souvenirs and homemade items. 

PortAventura 

The first theme park to open in Spain, the park features over 5km of roller coasters and rides to suit all ages of the family. 

With over 40 rides to enjoy and six worlds to explore throughout the park, be sure your day will be packed with fun, laughter and plenty of walking. 

The park hosts live shows for you to experience, from Mexican singing to the Can-Can express, or you can go rogue and release your childhood memories with a bit of western cowboys and more child-friendly ones to include your little ones. 

After all the excitement, you're sure to be hungry, so why not relax in one of the 23 eating establishments within the park, with a wide range of variety on offer from Mexican cuisine.

From traditional Spanish foods like tapas, fresh fish and rice dishes to an Asian wok show cooking experience, you will not go hungry. 

Prices start from 57 euros for an adult ticket; however, there are package deals where you can save money and spread the fun over 2 days. These tickets include entry to Ferrari Land.

Ferrari Land 

This is the second park within PortAventura and is quite recent to the park only opening in 2017. 

Once you step through the gates, you will experience a new world where you will feel like you have been transported to the beautiful streets of Italy. 

The park features 16 rides and games to enjoy, including the iconic Red Force, which is known as being the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Europe, standing at 112m high and with speeds of 180km/h. 

Within the park, you will be able to enter the Ferrari museum where you will get the chance to get close to iconic cars and go-karts built by Ferrari and take pictures to capture these amazing memories. 

If you're tired of all the walking, you can relax and enjoy some of the shows the park has to offer that will keep your family entertained.

The park features some of the best Italian cuisine, from fresh pastas to delicious pizzas and local Italian lager to wash it all down. 

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Caribe Aquatic Park 

On those red-hot summer days, who doesn’t enjoy a splash in the pool or whizzing down a huge waterslide? 

Well, if that is you, then Caribe waterpark is where you want to be. 

With more than 50,000m2 area, the park features 16 waterslides, from large ones to little ones for those who don't enjoy the thrill of speed, and large swimming pools throughout the park. 

There is plenty of room for everyone. 

The scenery around you will make you feel relaxed and calm as you enjoy the sun and refreshing dips into the pool, with waterfalls, large grass areas filled with tropical plants and palm trees and a slight breeze bustling through the trees. 

The park has a variety of food on offer and drinks, but if you're watching the pennies, you’re welcome to take a picnic in with you to feed your family. Just be sure to clean your mess.

If you like adventure and are not scared to hop on public transport, just a 12km drive from Salou is the city of Tarragona where you can step back in time visiting the famous World Heritage Roman Ruins.

Take a stroll down the old town with cobblestone alleys built over ancient Roman forums and be sure not to miss Europe's best preserved Roman Circus. 

The city offers delicious fresh fish cuisine, tapas and local lagers and wines to quench your thirst. 

Being such an incredible City and so close to Salou, accessible by bus, a day trip here you will not regret. 

Fancy going a little further? Well, if you're feeling spontaneous, why not travel further north to the incredible City of Barcelona?

Situated only 107km from Salou is the city of Barcelona. 

Public transport is easily accessible on most streets of Salou, where you can hop on a bus and pay a small fee or grab a taxi for a faster ride, which will cost more and travel to this magnificent city.

One thing you won't want to miss while you're visiting is the iconic Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, the Largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. 

Food and drinks 

With delicious fresh fish straight out of the Mediterranean Ocean, you will be spoiled for choice. From mussels, prawns and lobster cooked to perfection, if you weren't a fish lover, you will be after trying these dishes. 

Famous for its traditional dish, paella and if fish isn't your thing, then you can try a chicken paella with bread and aioli, leaving you full and satisfied. 

Or if rice isn't your thing, that's ok, they do a thin noodle version of the dish, so you can still allow your taste buds to go wild with all the delicious flavours erupting as you eat. 

Fancy being adventurous? Then try Arrossejat, a fisherman’s dish, known for its name as black rice. This is a stew cooked in squid ink and traditionally served in a clay pot. 

To wash it all down, a pint of Estrella Damm, brewed not far away in the City of Barcelona, is a crisp, refreshing lager you will love.

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