Salou and PortAventura World: A Costa Daurada Day Out

There are days when even the most devoted lovers of rural tranquillity need a bit of a contrast—a change of pace from peaceful riverside fishing and village siestas. For those moments, Salou and PortAventura World provide the perfect antidote, offering golden sandy beaches, Mediterranean buzz, and some of Europe’s most thrilling theme park rides, all just over an hour’s drive from our Riverside Finca in Benifallet.

Chad and I aren’t particularly theme park people ourselves—we’re more the “sit by the river with a book” type—but we’ve sent countless guests off to Salou and PortAventura over the years, and the reports that come back are consistently glowing. Families particularly love it, though it’s equally popular with couples seeking beaches and nightlife, and groups of friends after an adrenaline-fuelled day out.

Salou: The Golden Coast’s Premier Beach Resort

Salou sits on the Costa Daurada (or Costa Dorada in Castilian Spanish)—the “Golden Coast”—a name that perfectly describes those long stretches of fine, golden sand that have made this coastline one of Spain’s most popular holiday destinations. The town has evolved from a small fishing port with mercantile origins into one of the main tourist centres on this stretch of coast, and it’s been officially certified as a Family Tourism Destination, which gives you an idea of how well-equipped it is for visitors of all ages.

The Beaches: Miles of Golden Sand

What really sets Salou apart are its beaches—eight of them in total, covering more than 7.5 kilometres of coastline. The beaches here are beautifully maintained, with that gorgeous fine golden sand and calm, shallow waters that make them particularly safe for children and perfect for less confident swimmers.

Platja de Llevant and Platja de Ponent are the two main beaches, both long expanses of sand right in the heart of town. Llevant Beach runs parallel to the famous Passeig de les Palmeres (Promenade of the Palms), which has become Salou’s main thoroughfare—a beautiful tree-lined avenue that’s the perfect place for an evening stroll. You’ll find lovely examples of modernist architecture along here, including the Cal Bonet Tower, as well as the monument to King James I, who chose Salou’s coast to embark on the conquest of Majorca back in medieval times.

Ponent Beach is equally impressive, with its striking palm grove that’s actually visible from satellite photographs! Both beaches offer all the facilities you could want: sunbeds and umbrella rental, showers, toilets, play areas for children, and plenty of water sports activities. You can try everything from parasailing and jet skiing to banana boat rides and paddle boarding. There’s even an inflatable assault course on the water during peak season, which the children absolutely love.

For something a bit more secluded, head to the smaller coves around Cap de Salou. Cala Llenguadets is particularly lovely—crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkelling, and it’s renowned as one of the best spots in the area for watching the sunset. The coastal path connects these smaller coves, offering spectacular views and access to hidden gems like Penya Tallada and Cala Crancs.

The Camí de Ronda (Coastal Path) is a nine-kilometre trail that stretches along the entire coastline, perfect for walkers who want to explore all of Salou’s beaches and viewpoints. There’s also the Route of the 23 Viewpoints, which runs between the sea and the mountains—absolutely brilliant for photography enthusiasts.

Beyond the Beach: What to Do in Salou

Whilst Salou is undoubtedly focused on sun, sea, and sand, there’s plenty more to keep you occupied:

The Illuminated Fountain at one end of the Jaume I Promenade is rather special. Created by architect Carles Buïgas (who also designed Barcelona’s Magic Fountain of Montjuïc), it puts on a spectacular show of water, light, and music during summer evenings. It’s become something of a Salou institution, and watching it with an ice cream in hand is a lovely way to end a beach day.

Torre Vella, a 16th-century tower, now serves as a venue for exhibitions and cultural events. The old railway station has been beautifully restored as well, and both are worth a quick visit if you’re interested in the town’s history.

For sports enthusiasts, Salou has excellent facilities. The Tennis Club offers not just tennis but also fronton, pétanque, mini-golf, a gym, swimming pool, and multi-sports courts. The Club Nàutic Costa Daurada (Yacht Club) has a sailing school and organises short cruises along the coast.

Dining and Nightlife

Salou’s gastronomy is founded on excellent seafood—hardly surprising given its fishing heritage. You’ll find restaurants all along the waterfront serving everything from traditional Catalan dishes to international cuisine. The menu del día prices are generally higher than what you’d find in villages like Benifallet (expect to pay €15-20 rather than €10), but the quality is consistently good and the portions generous.

When the sun sets, Salou absolutely comes alive, particularly during summer. The area around the Passeig de les Palmeres transforms into a hub of nightlife, with countless terraces, bars, restaurants, and clubs. It’s enormously popular with young people seeking “wild nights on the tiles,” as the saying goes, though there are plenty of more sophisticated options for those of us past the clubbing age! The town has worked hard to balance family-friendly daytime attractions with vibrant evening entertainment, and generally manages it quite well.

Nearby: Cambrils and La Pineda

Just along the coast you’ll find Cambrils to the west and La Pineda to the east, both worth visiting if you fancy a change of scene. Cambrils is quieter and more exclusive than Salou, with a charming historic fishing port where you can even watch live fish auctions if you time it right. The town has earned a reputation as something of a gastronomic destination, with several excellent restaurants—it’s said to be a bit more upmarket than its neighbour.

La Pineda offers a more peaceful, family-oriented atmosphere with a lovely beach and easy access to Salou, Tarragona, and Cambrils via an excellent bus service.

PortAventura World: Spain’s Premier Theme Park Destination

Now, let’s talk about what draws millions of visitors to this area every year: PortAventura World. Since opening in 1995, it’s become Spain’s most-visited theme park and the sixth most-visited in all of Europe, attracting around 5.3 million people annually. That’s quite an achievement!

The resort actually comprises three separate parks: PortAventura Park (the main theme park), Ferrari Land, and Caribe Aquatic Park (the water park). There are also six themed hotels on-site, a convention centre, and even an RV park. It’s genuinely massive, and you could easily spend several days exploring everything on offer.

PortAventura Park: Six Worlds of Adventure

The main theme park is divided into six themed areas, each representing different regions and cultures from around the world. It’s beautifully designed—over 50 artists from various countries contributed to creating these immersive environments that genuinely transport you to different times and places.

Mediterrània is the main entrance area, designed as a charming Mediterranean fishing village. It’s home to Furius Baco, Europe’s fastest roller coaster, which reaches speeds of 135 km/h (about 84 mph). If you’re after an adrenaline rush first thing in the morning, this is your ride!

Polynesia features lush tropical vegetation and palm trees surrounding a magnificent volcano. The star attraction here is Tutuki Splash, a water ride with exciting drops that’s absolutely perfect for cooling off on hot days. You’ll get properly soaked, especially if you’re sitting in the front or back rows, so be warned!

China is where you’ll find two of the park’s most famous roller coasters. Dragon Khan is one of the original attractions from when the park opened, and remains hugely popular with its eight inversions and 161-foot drop. It’s a classic white-knuckle experience. Then there’s Shambhala, which opened more recently and is absolutely spectacular—at 249 feet tall, it’s one of Europe’s tallest hypercoasters, with an exhilarating 256-foot drop through an underworld tunnel at speeds of 83 mph. The sensation of weightlessness is quite extraordinary, or so I’m told by guests who are braver than I am!

México represents colonial Mexico with temples and sculptures, and features Hurakan Condor, a free-fall tower that stands 285 feet tall (the 7th tallest drop tower in the world). You’ll reach speeds of over 70 mph on the way down. There’s also El Diablo (Tren de la Mina), an original mine train ride that takes you through an old silver mine at top speed on a wooden carriage. If you get hungry, this area has excellent Mexican restaurants complete with mariachis singing traditional ranchera songs.

Far West is themed as a Wild West town, complete with Stampida, a dueling wooden roller coaster that’s brilliant fun, and Tomahawk, a junior version that runs parallel to it. There’s also Grand Canyon Rapids, a whitewater rapids ride, and Silver River Flume, a traditional log flume. The area has authentic American-style restaurants serving burgers, hot dogs, and steaks.

SésamoAventura (Sesame Adventure) is specifically designed for younger children, where families can spend time with beloved Muppets characters like Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster. It features gentler rides, play areas, shows, and interactive experiences perfect for little ones. Attractions like Tami-Tami, El Salto de Blas, and La Granja de Elmo ensure that even the youngest visitors have a magical day out.

Ferrari Land: For Speed Enthusiasts

Opened in April 2017, Ferrari Land is dedicated entirely to the legendary Italian car brand. It’s the second Ferrari-themed park in the world (after Ferrari World Abu Dhabi), and it’s absolutely brilliant if you’re into cars and speed.

The main attraction is Red Force, a vertical accelerator coaster that’s frankly mind-blowing. It accelerates from 0 to 180 km/h (112 mph) in just five seconds, and at 112 metres tall, it’s the tallest roller coaster in Europe and also the fastest. Riders in the front seat are required to wear goggles because of the incredible speed! The 880-metre loop includes reaching that dizzying peak before plummeting back to earth even faster.

Other attractions include Maranello Grand Race, where you can compete against family and friends along a 570-metre race track, feeling like a real Formula 1 driver; Flying Dreams, an immersive simulation that takes you on a global journey inside a Ferrari GT; and various experiences in the Ferrari Experience building, which uses cutting-edge technology to bring you closer to the brand’s history and innovation.

There’s also a kids’ area that opened in 2018, ensuring younger Ferrari fans aren’t left out.

Caribe Aquatic Park: Summer Refreshment

During the hot summer months (typically late May through early September), the Caribe Aquatic Park offers welcome relief from the heat. This 50,000-square-metre water park is themed around the Caribbean, complete with beaches, palm trees, and reggae music creating that tropical atmosphere.

It features 16 attractions and water slides, with over 8,500 square metres of water-covered surface area. Highlights include King Khajuna, Europe’s tallest freefall water slide at 31 metres high with a 55-degree descent that has you moving at up to 6 metres per second—barely time to scream! There’s also a lazy river for relaxing, a wave pool, SésamoAventura water features for children, and various pools suitable for all ages.

Practical Information for Visiting PortAventura World

Location and Access:

PortAventura is located between the towns of Vila-seca and Salou, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) southwest of Barcelona and roughly 10 kilometres from Tarragona. From our Riverside Finca in Benifallet, it’s approximately 80 kilometres—just over an hour’s drive via the AP-7 motorway (take Exit 35, which is exclusively for the theme park).

By Train: The Salou-PortAventura train station is just 750 metres from the resort entrance, with R17 line trains connecting to Barcelona and Tarragona. Very convenient if you don’t fancy driving.

By Air: Reus Airport is within a 15-minute drive, whilst Barcelona Airport is about an hour away.

Opening Times:

These vary considerably depending on the season. During summer (mid-June through August), the park typically opens from 10am until midnight. The rest of the year, closing times vary according to daylight hours—expect earlier closings during winter months, sometimes as early as 6pm. Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic Park have more limited opening dates, particularly outside peak season. Always check the official website before your visit.

Tickets and Prices:

A single-day pass for PortAventura Park costs around €50-60 for adults, with discounts available for children (4-10 years), seniors, and various groups. Children under 4 enter free. You can purchase combined tickets for multiple parks, and staying at one of the on-site themed hotels typically includes park admission.

Express Pass options are available for an additional €50 or so, allowing you to skip the queues on major attractions—worth considering during peak season when wait times can reach 2-3 hours for popular rides.

Download the App: The PortAventura World app is genuinely useful, providing real-time wait times, show schedules, ride descriptions, and an interactive park map. It’s free and makes planning your day much easier.

Top Tips:

• Arrive early to hit major coasters before crowds surge—head straight for Shambhala, Furius Baco, or Dragon Khan
• Look for single rider lines on popular rides to reduce wait times
• The park has six themed areas, so if you’re with a group with varying thrill levels, consider splitting up strategically
• Bring sun protection—even with shaded areas, you’ll be outside most of the day
• Stay for the nighttime show on Lake Mediterrània—it’s a spectacular display of lights, water, fire, and pyrotechnics that concludes each day beautifully

Seasonal Events

PortAventura hosts special events throughout the year that are worth timing your visit around:

Summer Nights (July-August) feature extended hours and evening entertainment.

Halloween (September-November) transforms the park with terrifying mazes like [REC], Horror in Penitence, and La Selva del Miedo, plus the nighttime show Horror en el Lago. It’s brilliantly spooky if you enjoy that sort of thing!

Christmas (November-January) brings festive decorations, seasonal shows, and a magical atmosphere that’s particularly lovely for families with young children.

Combining Salou Beaches with PortAventura

The beauty of this area is how easily you can combine beach relaxation with theme park thrills. Many families stay in Salou and make day trips to PortAventura, or vice versa. The two are only about 15 minutes apart by car or bus, making it simple to enjoy both during a longer stay.

A typical day might involve morning rides at PortAventura (arriving when it opens to beat the crowds), returning to your accommodation for a siesta during the hottest part of the afternoon, then spending the evening at the beach followed by dinner along Salou’s waterfront promenade. It’s a brilliant combination that keeps everyone in the family happy.

Alternatively, you could dedicate one full day to PortAventura (particularly if you’re visiting multiple parks), and spend another day or two enjoying Salou’s beaches, exploring nearby Tarragona’s Roman ruins, or venturing to Cambrils for its excellent restaurants.

Frequently Asked Questions:

From Benifallet to the Costa Daurada: A Perfect Day Trip

From our Riverside Finca, Salou and PortAventura make an excellent day out—far enough to feel like a proper adventure, but close enough that you’re not spending your entire day in the car. The drive itself is pleasant, taking you from the rural Ebro Valley through increasingly coastal scenery until you reach those golden beaches.

We generally suggest guests set off early (particularly if visiting PortAventura during peak season), make a full day of it, and return to Benifallet for a quiet evening by the river. The contrast is rather wonderful—from the bustle and excitement of Spain’s premier theme park or the buzz of a busy beach resort, back to the peaceful isolation of your riverside retreat where the only sounds are flowing water and birdsong.

Some of our fishing guests particularly appreciate having this option. After several intense days focused on catfish and carp, a day at the beach or theme park provides a welcome change of pace, especially if they’re travelling with family members who aren’t quite as obsessed with fishing!

A Word of Honesty

I should be upfront: Salou, particularly during peak summer season, is nothing like the quiet, authentic Catalan villages we usually write about. It’s busy, touristy, and very much geared toward package holiday visitors. You’ll hear English, German, and various other languages more frequently than Catalan. The prices are considerably higher than inland villages, and during August, those beaches can be absolutely heaving with people.

But here’s the thing: sometimes that’s exactly what you want! Not every holiday needs to be about discovering hidden gems and authentic local culture. Sometimes you want convenient facilities, safe beaches with lifeguards, guaranteed sunshine, and attractions specifically designed for tourists. Salou delivers all of that brilliantly, and it does so without apology.

PortAventura, similarly, is unashamedly a major commercial theme park. It’s not going to give you insights into traditional Catalan life or peaceful contemplation of nature. But if you want world-class roller coasters, immersive themed environments, professional entertainment, and the sort of adrenaline-fuelled fun that creates lasting family memories, it’s absolutely superb at what it does.

The key is knowing what you’re getting and embracing it for what it is. Visit with realistic expectations, and you’ll have a brilliant time.

Making the Most of Costa Daurada

If you’re planning a longer stay in our area, consider dedicating one or two days to exploring the Costa Daurada. You could combine Salou and PortAventura with visits to:

• Tarragona (about 15 minutes from Salou) for its spectacular Roman ruins, including an amphitheatre, circus, and forum
• Reus (20 minutes inland) for modernist architecture and Gaudí’s birthplace
• Cambrils for its historic port and excellent seafood restaurants
• The various beaches and coves along this stretch of coast

This gives you the best of both worlds: the rural peace and fishing opportunities of the Ebro Valley, combined with Mediterranean beaches and modern tourist attractions.

Planning a family holiday that combines riverside fishing with beach days and theme park thrills? Our Riverside Finca provides the perfect peaceful base, whilst Salou and PortAventura are just an hour away for exciting day trips. Contact us today to check availability and discover how you can enjoy the best of both rural Catalonia and the Costa Daurada. We’re always happy to provide directions, timing advice, and recommendations for making the most of your visit!