“With long golden beaches, a theme park on the doorstep, and Barcelona just up the road, the Costa Dorada makes for a holiday and a half.”
Translated, Costa Dorada means ‘Golden Coast’, so it’s no surprise beaches are big news in these parts. In fact, the Costa Dorada has around 240 kilometres’ worth of sandy sweeps. In amongst it all, you’ve got three main holiday resorts – Salou, Cambrils and La Pineda.
Salou is the undisputed holiday giant. It comes with a long beach, a palm-lined prom and a restaurant scene that does everything from Sunday roasts to paella. Throw in a good handful of clubs and bars and that’s pretty much Salou to a T.
Further along the coast from Salou – but a world away in terms of style – is sleepy Cambrils. Once upon a time, this place was a fishing village and so has more of a traditional Spanish vibe, hence the backstreet tapas bars and daily fish market.
Rounding things off is La Pineda. More low-key than Salou, but slightly more upbeat than Cambrils, its plus points include a long ribbon of golden sand, a strip of bars and a waterpark.
When it comes to days out on the Costa Dorada, Spain’s biggest theme park, PortAventura, is more or less on the doorstep. Then there’s Tarragona, with its Roman ruins, about half an hour away by bus. Completing the line-up is Spain’s superstar city, Barcelona.
