Things to do Costa Dorada

Spain´s Costa Dorada offers visitors over 200 kilometres of coastline, and attracts millions of visitors to its golden beaches every year.

Known for the cleanliness and safety of its ´blue flag´ beaches, the Costa Dorada is a one of the best family fun destinations in Spain, with hundreds of attractions, amusement parks, water parks, hotels, bars and restaurants to keep all the family entertained.

Salou is the self-proclaimed capital of the Costa Dorada, and the former fishing villages of Tarragona and Cambrils also attract the summer crowds who come to enjoy the superb seafood restaurants overlooking the Mediterranean. Sitges is also a massive Gay resort in the Costa Dorada, and attracts a lively, young crowd from all over Europe.

Things to do in Tarragona

Tarragona is a historic town that has grown massively in recent years, and still retains artefacts and monuments from its past as a Roman settlement in 218BC. If you are something of a culture vulture, make sure you take a trip to Tarragona during your stay on the Costa Dorada, and visit the spectacular cathedral and city centre where you can still find evidence of medieval architecture.

Costa Dorada resorts

There is much more to the Costa Dorada than the predominantly gay resort of Sitges, historical Tarragona and the lively holiday city of Salou.  In between the coast and the mountain range, you can find peaceful, tranquil towns and farmlands with acres of vineyards, olive trees and fruit trees, when you venture off the beaten tourist track.

Whether you are looking for lively clubs and pubs, quiet mountain villages or something in-between, you can find it all in the Costa Dorada towns and cities which include: Barcelona, Cambrils, La Cava, La Pineda, Lerida or Lleida, Reus, Salou, Sitges, Tarragona and Tortosa.

 

Things to do for kids in the Costa Dorada

If you are looking for great things to do for kids in the Costa Dorada, you won´t be disappointed. Costa Dorada theme parks feature some of Spain´s best-known attractions for children, including the Aquopolis water park at La Pineda, and the fantastic Port Aventura near Salou.

Most Costa Dorada resorts are kid-friendly, and in addition to the many fine long sandy beaches, karaoke bars and live entertainment, there are hundreds of attractions to keep the children  happy. The Port Aventura Theme Park is a must for any visitors to the Costa Dorada, and this incredible fun complex would even rival Disneyland Paris, when it comes to thrilling rides and entertainment. Over 30 rides, 90 daily shows, 23 restaurants and 20 shops are situated in this fabulous theme park. Popular rides include: The Sea Odyssey, the Stampida Roller Coaster and the Grand Canyon Rapids Water Ride. The Dragon Khan claims to be Europe´s biggest roller coaster, and reaches speeds of up to 110kmph. A steam train and man-made lake are also feature in this lively theme park and all ages are catered for.

Weather in the Costa Dorada

Enjoying a mild year-round climate, the Costa Dorada sees temperatures of 22-28ºC in summer and 7-10ºC in winter. High humidity in summer can make the temperatures feel even hotter in the summer months, so make sure you pack your sun cream. Average spring temperatures range from 15-18ºC and the autumn  temperatures normally range from 16-20ºC. Although rain showers on the Costa Dorada are infrequent, they can be heavy, so pack a light jacket if you are travelling outside of the summer months. Most of the year, the weather is perfect for outdoor pursuits, and the beaches are packed in July and August.

Costa Dorada festivals and ferias

Spain is famous throughout the world for its festivals and ferias, and there is nowhere like the Costa Dorada for putting on a good show. In January,  visitors can enjoy the Tres Tombs Festival with horse processions through the towns and villages around the time of St Anthony´s Day. Don´t miss the Festes de la Candelera in Reus in February, which is a massive children´s festival featuring processions and street parades. In April you can enjoy the Palm markets and Holy Week processions. Visit the town of Ullecona if you get the chance for the  Holy Week procession. In June, enjoy the giant and midget dances at Tarragona Cathedral and the Irrigation Festival in Tortosa. At the end of June is the annual fiesta of St John, where bonfires and fireworks on the beach light up the night sky. August is renowned for its town festivals and open-air dances and fairs are held in towns around the region - the biggest of which is the Sitges fiesta and firework display. Don´t miss Catalonia´s National Day celebrations in September, and in December, enjoy the nativity scenes and Christmas celebrations. The three kings visit most towns on the evening of 5th January to bring gifts for the children.

Salou Costa Dorada

Situated just 80km west of Barcelona, and six miles west of Tarragona, Salou is a popular holiday resort which offers plenty of attractions and family fun. Merging with La Pineda to the east and Cambrils to the west, Salou offers visitors fabulous beaches, rocky coves and a host of natural attractions. Visitors can also enjoy water skiing, go-karting, excursions into the countryside and a wide range of pubs, bars and restaurants. The seafront promenade is lined with landscaped gardens and fountains which light up at night. There is a good choice of shops in Salou, including top fashion stores and a wide range of gift shops in the centre of town. A flea market is also held in the old town centre on Mondays. Holidaymakers looking for a good night out will find it in Salou, and night owls can choose from Irish pubs, restaurants, clubs, discos, karaoke bars and some of the best live entertainment venues in Spain. Salou is all about fun, and if you are looking for a quiet holiday this may not be the place for you.

Costa Dorada map

If you are looking for a Costa Dorada map, pick one up from the car hire office when you arrive at Barcelona or Girona Airport. A good map of the Costa Dorada will show you the main routes in and out of the airport and also directions to your hotel in Salou, Cambrils, Sitges or Tarragona. You can also pick up a free map from most tourist information offices throughout the Costa Dorada or at your hotel reception. Places of interest will also be highlighted on a map of the Costa Dorada, plus the main tourist routes.

Car hire in the Costa Dorada

The best way to get from either Barcelona Airport or Girona Airport to your destination on the Costa Dorada is to hire a car from the airport. Low cost budget car hire is available through this site, and you can compare prices from over 50 car hire companies in just minutes. Whether you are touring around the Costa Dorada or simply using your hire car to get to your holiday hotel and back, car hire at Barcelona Airport and Girona Airport can be pre-booked before you fly to save money and hassle when you arrive. We have access to car rentals deals and car hire offers that are not available elsewhere and easy pick-ups and drop-offs are guaranteed.

Hotels Salou Cambrils and Sitges

If you want to book at hotel in Cambrils, a hotel in Salou or accommodation in Sitges, make sure you book early if you are planning a summer visit, as it is the busiest time of the year. Small hotels, all-inclusive hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast accommodation and villas in Salou, Cambrils and Sitges can be pre-booked to make the most of cheap accommodation on the Costa Dorada. Wherever you choose to stay, take your time to find the best accommodation on the Costa Dorada to suit your needs.

Gay Sitges Costa Dorada

Sitges is one of the most gay-friendly resorts in Europe, and it is also one of the most attractive towns on the Costa Dorada. From its quaint narrow streets to its wide, sandy beaches, Sitges offers gay visitors a wealth of things to see and do. Everything from gay bars, gays discos, gay restaurants, gay beaches, gay cruising, gay shopping and gay accommodation can be found in Sitges, along with family hotels, kids attractions and family entertainment. Sitges is a diverse resort, which offers something for everyone, although the attractions are aimed predominantly at the gay community. Situated 35km south of Barcelona, Sitges attracts gay visitors from all over Europe.