Salou

Salou is located in the centre of the Costa Dorada, one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean Sea. With a privileged location, Salou is situated on a rich coastline, very close to quiet villages and farmland, where you can complement your stay by discovering the regions of Alt Camp, Baix Camp, Conca de Barberà, Priorat, Tarragonès and Baix Penedès.

The history of Salou has been written in the shelter of its natural harbour, located on the coast of the Costa Dorada. First the Iberians settled there, and then the Romans followed, all of them under the name of Salauris, the ancient name of Salou. Later, King James I would set sail to conquer Mallorca from these waters, and centuries later, the commercial intensity of the port would end up turning it into the target of corsairs.

In the second half of the 19th century, Salou began to receive holidaymakers. In 1863, the first bathing huts were authorised on Poniente beach. At the turn of the 20th century, Salou began an activity that led to it being known as the Beach of Europe. From the 1960s onwards, Salou experienced significant urban growth thanks to tourism activity, which was consolidated in 1995 with the establishment of PortAventura, the leading theme park in Europe.

Family Holidays

In Salou, the best hours are spent on the beaches or in the shelter of its coast. With more than 14 kilometres of seafront, in Salou you will find urban beaches, adapted, accessible and with all the services. But you will also find coves sheltered by cliffs and pine forests, quieter and more remote.

Salou has a wide range of accommodation options to suit your needs. From 4-star superior hotels to apartments, apartment-hotels, guest houses and campsites. Around thirty establishments have been awarded the Family Tourism Destination seal and cover the needs of the youngest members of the family to the oldest.

Salou is a destination with a rich range of leisure and entertainment options for the whole family. Taking the tourist train is an essential experience during your visit to Salou, strolling through the city's most emblematic places and along the coastal path or choosing from the dozens of daily leisure and sports activities are some of the options we offer you during your stay.

PortAventura World is a leading themed holiday complex in Europe, largely located in the municipality of Salou. The park is made up of six themed areas: Mediterranean, Far West, Mexico, China, Polynesia and Sésamo Aventura, and offers visitors more than 30 attractions, 15 daily shows, 75 dining outlets and 27 craft and gift shops. PortAventura World also offers a water park: Costa Caribe Aquatic Park, expanded and fully renovated in 2013, and Ferrari Land, an authentic experience spanning more than 70,000 m2 of excitement, adrenaline and fun, opened in 2017.

Salou is also a destination where you can find everything you need to enjoy your holidays. From shops that offer you the latest fashion trends, to establishments where you can buy the ideal accessories for your leisure time on the beach.

Sports tourism and cycle tourism

In recent years, good weather conditions and the creation of infrastructure have multiplied the range of quality sports on offer, from those aimed at teams and professional athletes to those aimed at tourism and leisure. Salou has thus emerged as an exceptional sports tourism destination all year round.

In 2013, Salou received the Sports Tourism Destination certificate and has become specialized in sports such as football, sailing and triathlon. Golf and cycling are also disciplines that can be practiced in Salou. The three Infinitum golf courses allow you to play in a privileged setting, surrounded by pine forests and with extraordinary views of the sea. Also, cycling teams and those practicing water sports and open-water swimming have discovered the conditions of the municipality for their training, whether at a high level or amateur.

Nautical activities are the main focus of the Nautical Station, which offers and coordinates nautical and complementary activities and accommodation. The activities offered range from the most traditional, such as canoeing or scuba diving, to parasailing or water skiing.

The golf destination is unique and very attractive for people who enjoy this sport. The three courses at Lumine Golf allow you to play in a privileged natural environment, surrounded by pine forests, and with extraordinary views of the sea.

The municipality also hosts mass events such as the Half Marathon, the Challenge Triathlon and the RACC Catalunya-Costa Dorada Rally.

Places of interest

Levante Beach

The largest and most popular beach in Salou, with extensive fine sand and calm waters. It has a promenade, modern facilities and a wide range of restaurants and shops. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the sun.

Jaume I Walk

An iconic palm-lined promenade that runs along the coast of Salou. Along the promenade you can find sculptures, fountains, and places to relax, as well as a host of shops and cafes with sea views.

Old Tower

This former 16th-century defence tower is one of the few historic buildings still preserved in Salou. Today, it hosts art exhibitions and cultural events, offering a unique combination of history and local culture.

Salou Lighthouse

Located in a privileged natural setting, this historic lighthouse dates back to 1858 and offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll along the coastal path that surrounds the lighthouse, with unforgettable views, especially at sunset.

Crabs Cove

One of the most beautiful and peaceful coves in Salou, surrounded by vegetation and cliffs. With its fine sand and crystal-clear waters, it is an ideal place to enjoy a more relaxed day at the beach, away from the crowds.

Salou Municipal Park

A green lung in the heart of the city, this park is perfect for strolling and relaxing among the trees and ponds. It has play areas for children and paths surrounded by vegetation that provide pleasant shade, especially in the hottest months.

Roman Villa of Barenys

An archaeological site that offers an interesting insight into the Roman history of the area. Here you can see the remains of an ancient Roman villa dedicated to the production of wine and oil, with various structures dating from the 1st to the 3rd century AD.

Old Carrilet Station

The station was built to transport goods arriving by the conventional line to Reus. For this reason, it was located next to the railway station, where one of the first steam locomotives that made the 8.2-kilometre journey is still preserved. It was inaugurated on 23 June 1857 and reached its peak with the start of the line that linked both municipalities, between 1887 and 1975. With the decline in trade at the port and in the transport of goods, the station welcomed the first bathers on the beaches of Salou at the end of the 19th century.

Chalet Bonet

Built by Ciríac Bonet in 1918, it is the work of architect Domènec Sugranyes i Gras, a disciple and collaborator of Gaudí. It is an example of the late modernist style and one of the most emblematic buildings in the city. On the main façade, a sundial with ceramic pieces and neo-Gothic letters summarises the philosophy of life: "make the most of the time that passes and does not return". Although access is not permitted, the mural decoration by the painter Agustí Ferrer is preserved inside, of which the ceiling of the dining room stands out, where the departure of King James I from the beach of Salou to conquer Mallorca is depicted.

Ornamental Fountains

The Font Cibernètica offers us a spectacle of games, choreographies and synchronised compositions of water, light and music; the Labyrinth, a game of fountains for the whole family; and the Font Lluminosa, dating from 1973, the work of engineer Carles Buïgas, offers a programme of water games with up to 210 combinations and is located in the square of Francesc Germà Sanz, leader of the popular movement that demanded the creation of the municipality of Salou.

These three main fountains are linked by other groups of fountains located along the Promenade and which form the Fonts Ornamentals complex.

Monumental Olive Trees

The central avenue of the Paseo 30 de Octubre is occupied by 16 monumental olive trees, which are around a thousand years old. Both the avenue and the olive trees commemorate the creation of the municipality of Salou on that same day, after a long process that culminated in 1989.