Costa Dorada

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Costa Dorada

Costa Dorada

"Stretch out on beaches of fine gold sand; cool off from the sun’s rays in clear shallow waters; dine out in warm evening air. Come and discover the Costa Dorada."

Where the Tarragora region reaches the warm blue waters of the Mediterranean, you will find the long golden shores of the Costa Dorada. Spanning from Barcelona to Tarragora itself, this beach rich coast is home to unspoilt villages, clusters of villas, sophisticated towns and bustling resorts, all bathed in sunshine.

Beaches

Shopping

Nightlife

Tarragora is the region’s capital, and it is here that the Costa Dorada’s past is most prominent, with Roman ruins scattered throughout the Old Town and around the outskirts. Sat on a rocky hill, Tarragora rises above the sea and offers beautiful views. All the sights in this ancient place are within walking distance and add a sense of history to this otherwise recently developed coast. Fishing is big business on the coast, with Vilanova and El Vendell serving as the major ports, while Cambrils’ harbour also welcomes fishermen home each day. Cambrils and Salou, as well as the area between the two, has developed into one of the main tourist areas in Catalonia, with facilities and entertainment for all ages. Salou’s hotels and apartments run right down to the seaside, while Cambrils see fishing nets, cafes and hotels all side by side. Sitges is a vibrant modern town, popular with people looking for a break from Barcelona, a city which is not to be missed in itself. As you approach the southern most areas of the Costa Dorada, the resorts peter out and give way to expanses of wetlands and lagoons, rich with birdlife and preserved in the Parc Natural del Delta de L’Ebre. Whether you want straight forward fun in the sun or a sense of Spanish history, the Costa Dorada covers it all.

Holiday Tips
In most hotels and aparthotels gentlemen are required to wear long trousers to dinner. Most hotels or apartments ask customers to vacate their rooms between 10am and 12 midday. For late afternoon or evening flights, late check out rooms may be available. Please see Your Holiday, Your Choice options on accommodation pages. Ask your travel agent to check the Travel Advice section of TOPical for up-to-date advice and the latest known Foreign Office advice.

Restaurants

Port Aventura An energetic day packed with fun at one of Europe’s biggest and best theme parks. Wander through the different countries of the world as you walk along the Great Wall of China, ride the Wild West train down into a silver mine and explore the mysteries of Mexico.

Costa Dorada  ~p

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Where the Tarragora region reaches the warm blue waters of the Mediterranean, you will find the long golden shores of the Costa Dorada. Spanning from Barcelona to Tarragora itself, this beach rich coast is home to unspoilt villages, clusters of villas, sophisticated towns and bustling resorts, all bathed in sunshine.

Food & WineEvery resort on the Costa Dorada has its fair share of cafes and restaurants, and the seafronts are full of opportunities for al fresco dining beside the promenades. In the larger resorts of Salou and Cambrils, as well as the stretch of coast in between, you’ll find everything from pizzerias to Chinese restaurants, though for the best food, aim for local cuisine. Catalonian dishes uses freshly caught seafood, grilled meats and fresh vegetables grown in the area. Try the delicately fried chanquetes (tiny fish), sardines and anchovies, or the prawns, squid and mussels from the day’s catch. Tapas is a must on any trip to Spain, and taste some of the home grown almonds, hazelnuts and soft fruits from the nearby orchards. The grapes in the Catalonian vineyards produce popular local wines such as Penedes and Priorat, not forgetting the regional cava.

Days & NightsSalou and Cambrils are undoubtedly the liveliest resorts on the Costa Dorada once the sun has set, though throughout the coast, the evenings have a friendly and informal feel and low key family entertainment. Salou is busy after dark, with British pubs, bars and discos, while Sitges’ vigourous nightlife has been popular with Barcelonans for years. Dine in an authentic Spanish atmosphere on Cambrils’ harbour side and watch the fleets of fishermen returning from the sea. Stroll along the seafronts in the warm summer air or follow the sounds of Spanish guitar to where the passionate flamenco dancers are performing.

Sights & SoundsSightseeing: Witness a slice of real Spanish life in the harbours of Cambrils and Vilanova and watch the fishermen work with seemingly endless tangles of nets and silver fish. Head to one of the festivals held throughout the summer – Sitges has hosted some outrageously ostentatious spectacles, with streets strewn with flowers.

Sun & SandThe Costa Dorada or ‘Golden Coast’, earns its name from the 200 kilometres of golden beaches which line its shores. The warms waves of the Mediterranean roll onto narrow beaches of soft sand that attract families and sun seekers alike. Salou’s beaches sit inside a sweeping bay and from here to Cambrils, the soft sand and shallow waters create a safe and sunny playground. You’ll find palm fringed promenades and pavement cafes along most of the beaches, including the two at Vilanova. Bathers at La Pineda need to obey the flag systems on the beach, as there can be undercurrents here.

Salou

If you like a holiday with a relaxed feel by day and an up tempo air by night with lots of British neighbours, you’re sure to enjoy Salou. Situated 11km south from the elegant city of Tarragona, this well-established resort is compact and easy to get around. Only the jubilant local fiestas make July and August noisy. Families are particularly fond of Salou - the smaller beaches nearby are good for children and there are watersports available in high season.

Cambrils

Tucked in the far western corner of the Costa Dorada 25km south of Tarragona, Cambrils is a pretty Catalan town with a fabulous sandy beach. Away from the beach, the lanes around the old quarter are lined with tempting shops, while the fish and vegetable markets are a lively source of local colour. Its restaurants often present live music and dancing, including traditional Catalan dances and flamboyant flamenco.

La Pineda

La Pineda is a relaxed, modern resort nestled between the pretty city of Tarragona to the north and the lively town of Salou to the south. Undoubtedly, La Pineda's main attraction is its large, sandy beach which makes it particularly popular with families. It has a waterfront promenade which stretches the length of the beach, a strip of bars and pubs and even boasts its own waterpark, the fun-filled Aquopolis. For further thrills and spills why not spend a day at the Costa Dorada's famous theme park, Universal's Port Aventura?

Portaventura

If you're looking for fun and excitement, the Universal Mediterranea Port Aventura theme park resort is a great choice. Just 9km south of Tarragona, with a theme park, two on-site themed hotels, and the 'Caribe' Caribbean-style waterpark (open 15/05-30/09), you can combine theme park excitement with cool beach life.