Star Tour in Costa Daurada, Catalonia
Costa Daurada
One of the most attractive destinations for a family trip in Spain during most seasons of the year is Costa Daurada, a long stretch of coastline in Catalonia located less than an hour and a half drive southwest of Barcelona.
In this area, you can stay in vibrant and bustling beach towns located along long beaches of golden sand with a wealth of sports and active water recreation alongside pedestrian streets packed with shops, stalls, cafes, and restaurants, or stay in smaller, hidden beach towns on picturesque bays, or in the mountains featuring breathtaking views of high peaks meeting the sea, nestled between wineries and well-preserved medieval towns. Everyone can choose according to their taste and budget.
You can find all styles of accommodation: ranging from hotels at all levels to family holiday villages offering a variety of recreation and entertainment facilities suitable for all ages, holiday apartments, villas, and guesthouses.
Recommended Guided Tours in Costa Daurada from Viator:
♦ Recommended Accommodations for Families in Costa Daurada:
Pierre & Vacances Village Bonavista de Bonmont
A modern holiday village belonging to the large "Pierre & Vacances" chain, lush with vegetation. The village is located between the sea and the mountains near golf courses, offering a wonderful view of towering mountains on one side and the sea and manicured golf courses on the other. The complex features spacious and fully equipped holiday apartments in various sizes.
The holiday village features a large swimming pool, a activity-filled kids' club, evening entertainment and activities, and more. It offers a coin-operated laundry room, a minimarket, and restaurants.
In the town adjacent to the holiday village, about a ten-minute drive away, you will find large and affordable supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, and family-friendly beaches.
Pineda Park
An apartment hotel with 62 apartments, each with 2 bedrooms and a living room designed for 4-6 guests. Each apartment includes a fully equipped kitchen and a balcony. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi in public areas, parking, and a swimming pool. The hotel features a bar-restaurant overlooking the pool.
Location: Located in the town of La Pineda, a three-minute walk from La Pineda Beach and just 5 km from PortAventura Park.
Click & Booking Europark
A large apartment designed for a large family or two-three families traveling together. Suitable for up to 12 people. The 150 sq.m. apartment features 4 bedrooms, two living/family rooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a large balcony with a view.
Location: Also located in the town of La Pineda near wonderful beaches and just 6 km from PortAventura Park.
Casa Provenzal
A complex with 5 holiday apartments featuring a swimming pool inside the complex. The apartments offer free internet and parking. The 135 sq.m. apartments have 4 bedrooms and a living room, accommodating up to 8 guests. Some offer mountain views, some sea views, and others overlook the pool. Each apartment includes a fully equipped kitchen.
Location: In the mountains in the town of Hospitalet de l'Infant, 20 km from PortAventura Park.
Casa El Verger
A holiday apartment featuring a yard with a barbecue. The spacious 100 sq.m. apartment includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a tidy fully equipped kitchen, and mountain views. The apartment comfortably accommodates up to 6 guests. Includes free Wi-Fi and parking.
Location: In the mountains in the town of Falset, 29 km from PortAventura Park.
Amusement, Water, and Ropes Parks:
PortAventura Theme Park in the city of Salou
PortAventura Theme Park is the largest theme park in Spain and one of the best in Europe.
The park is located in the city of Salou. Roller coaster enthusiasts will enjoy every moment. The park also includes a variety of water rides.
Adjacent to it is an attractive park called "Ferrari Land," which includes, among other things, a modern and exciting roller coaster and two high towers with seats that launch up and drop at high speed.
For younger visitors and those looking for gentler thrills, there are plenty of gentle and pleasant rides available. The park also hosts a variety of entertainment shows. It is the #1 attraction for families in Costa Daurada.
Caribe Aquatic Park Water Park
Caribe Aquatic Park is the largest water park in the region, featuring slides of all types and sizes alongside peaceful and enchanting Caribbean-style lagoons. It is located right next to the "PortAventura" theme park.
Jungle Trek Ropes Park:
The Jungle Trek ropes park is located in the heart of the forest near PortAventura Park, featuring 11 courses of varying difficulty levels with over 130 obstacles, including 35 ziplines.
Alpine Slide:
"Calafell Toboggan" is a 700-meter-long alpine slide that winds like a snake down a small mountain about 50 km north of PortAventura. Children aged 8 and older can ride independently.
Go-Karting:
Electric Karting Salou – professional go-karting near PortAventura Park for driving enthusiasts of all ages. The venue features buggy cars for children taller than 120 cm, youth cars for heights up to 1.45 meters, and adult cars. Duration per session: 8 minutes.
Bicycle Tours
Guided nature bike tours are available departing from the city of Salou.
♦ From Viator: Book a half-day guided bicycle tour from Salou - Half Day Cycling Tour from Salou
Includes transportation to Mont Sant National Park, where you receive bikes and ride downhill.
Additional Activities in the Region:
Nature Hikes and Canyoning:
Rio Glorieta Park, located in the mountains, is a wonderful destination for nature lovers. The park features a hiking trail along mountain waterfalls, including swimming in natural pools and beautiful waterfalls.
It is recommended to join a guided tour of the park with Aventuratoursalou, which also includes a visit to the ruins of a nearby hydroelectric plant and a former paper mill. During the tour, they will reveal hidden crystal-clear pools and fun natural slides between the waterfalls leading into the pools.
The company also offers adrenaline-fueled, wet canyoning tours (rappelling inside waterfalls) as well as guided downhill bicycle tours along ancient railway tracks in the heart of nature, between mountains and rivers.
The Drac Beach company offers successful ATV tours full of views and action along beaches and mountains.
Castles, Wineries, and Ancient Towns:
Miravet Castle (Castillo de Miravet)
The most impressive castle in the region.
It is perched at the top of a mountain overlooking the fork of a wide river. Inside the castle, you can take a self-guided tour among walls with arrow slits, turrets, and rooms. Magnificent views can be seen from every angle.
In the river at the foot of the castle, you can go kayaking.
Wine lovers will enjoy visiting one of the many wineries in the mountains.
A recommended winery to visit is: Celler Mas Vicenc
Touring Main Cities:
Tarragona
Tarragona is the capital of the province. It is the largest and most important city in the region, and dedicating a full day to it is recommended. At its heart lies an old town with ancient historical structures from the Roman Empire and earlier. The Old Town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is surrounded by walls with narrow cobbled alleyways, squares, huge churches, and well-preserved ancient ruins at every turn. As expected of any Spanish city, it is filled with cafes and restaurants.
The city's famous archaeological sites: the Roman Amphitheatre
and the Roman Aqueduct. It is recommended to take a guided walking tour of the city that includes exploring underground tunnels, seeing a model of the city, taking in views from the top of a high tower, and visiting the remains of the old Jewish Quarter.
Don't miss a guided tour of about 3 hours through the Old Town with an amazing guide full of knowledge, who loves Israel and takes a special interest in the rich history of Spanish Jews. His name is Xavi, and he is the owner of Itinere company www.turismedetarragona.com
Tarragona has a lot to offer outside the Old Town as well:
It features wonderful beaches,
A promenade along the sea and harbor, and a wide, long, lively main street called "Ramblas" (the exact same name as in Barcelona), featuring an observation terrace overlooking the sea and harbor at its end.
Almost daily during the morning hours, there is some kind of market: a food market, flea market, and more.
The city is famous for its multi-story "human towers" built during various festivals throughout the year. Those arriving outside festival season can admire huge photos of human towers or the statue erected on the Ramblas:
The city also features hanging gardens planted on an old factory building.
The most experiential and fun way to experience Tarragona in one day is through a three-hour guided electric bike tour with Ebiketours, whose offices are located in the heart of the Old Town.
Reus
Reus is the birthplace of Antoni Gaudí, the brilliant architect. The city features a visitor center dedicated entirely to Gaudí, including a film about his life and models of the buildings he designed: Gaudi Centre Reus
Reus is a vibrant shopping city known for its beautiful buildings.
It is recommended to pick up a map at the visitor center featuring a walking route between the various buildings from which Gaudí drew inspiration during his childhood in the city. Walk along the bustling main streets, between markets, shops, restaurants, and delis, and discover the buildings along the way. Next to each unique building is a golden metal sign telling its story. For children, it's a sort of "scavenger hunt" game.
The traditional delicacy of the city is cherry bread (Coca De Cireres).
It is recommended to combine a visit to Costa Daurada with a multi-day visit to Barcelona—a city suitable for everyone.