Description: The
Costa Daurada is Spain's "golden coast" which stretches for 200 kilometers to the south west of Barcelona. The golden beaches have been attracting Spanish summer visitors for several decades but it was the opening of the
Port Aventura Theme Park in 1995 which made this area of the Mediterranean coastline famous. The amusement park itself located in a unusual place – near the Mediterranean coast but in sight of the huge chemical industrial complex, one of the biggest in Europe.
Plan at least two days of discovery with Port Aventura five themed lands (Mediterranean, Mexico, China, Polynesia, and the Far West), an impressive collection of roller-coasters, water slides, live shows and countless gift shops, and restaurants.
The vast majority of the vacationers come to the three adjoining seaside resorts of La Pineda, Salou and Cambrils, a few miles south of the park. The trio of seaside resorts enjoys the advantages of being right on the doorstep of Port Aventura, fabulous beaches, and convenient access - just a short drive from the international airport of Reus. Barcelona’s airport is nearby too – an hour drive or so.
La Pineda, closest to the amusement park, has plenty of entertainment and leisure activities and probably the best holiday destination for families with kids. You will have a chance to spend a lot of time and money in Aquapolis Water Park exploring waterfalls, lakes and a dolphin show but you will not regret it.
In the party town
Salou you get the feelings of the seaside resort first moment you stepped out of the train. The beaches of Salou offer numerous water sport activities and almost around the clock parties in the bars, cabarets and disco clubs. Salou is a great place paradise for teenagers but those who need a peaceful holiday experience will prefer the neighboring resorts of La Pineda or Cambrils.
Cambrils, south of Salou, retains its traditional Spanish charm (except some resort areas still experiencing construction boom). If you are a seafood lover than this is a great place for you - some of the finest restaurants in Catalonia offer fresh fish and seafood. Try one of the traditional of Cambrils’ dishes such as
rossejat (noodles browned in fish broth), seafood paella,
romesco (fish and seafood in a traditional local sauce), fish suquets, seafood puddings and pâtés, the
mariscades (mixed fish and seafood platters). These dishes are served with a variety of sauces such as
allioli (garlic and oil dressing),
picada or romesco. To accompany an excellent meal, restaurants offer a list of wines that will satisfy the most demanding of gourmets. Taking a stroll along the illuminated seaside promenade Passeig Maritim is real evening delight. Beyond the boundaries of the main resorts, you can enjoy some delightful un-spoilt coves.
Within a landscape that spreads from the sea through the plains and gently rising to the highest point of 1,201 meters in the Prades Mountains, there are many areas of natural beauty where tranquil villages nestle amid the vineyards and olive groves.
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