Gorgeous golden beaches galore
Costa Dorada means ‘Golden Coast’ in Spanish, so if it’s a beach break you’re looking for, you’ve picked the right place. With 100 miles of honey-hued sands and 84 Blue Flag beaches along the Catalonian coastline, Costa Dorada holidays are seaside bliss. Lying to the southwest of Barcelona the region is a great family holiday destination, with a mix of buzzing resorts, charming fishing villages, pristine waters, palm-lined promenades and cobblestone towns rich in cultural heritage.
Holidays to Costa Dorada can satisfy all tastes. Keep the kids entertained in Salou – a beach town that’s also home to Spain’s biggest theme park. After hours, the electric party scene takes over, with dozens of bars open until the small hours. For something more low-key, pretty La Pineda is known for its silver sands and calm, shallow waters. Searching for culture? Head to the Unesco World Heritage port city of Tarragona – once the capital of this ancient Roman province – where you’ll discover a remarkable Roman amphitheatre and centuries-old aqueducts, as well as sociable, café-lined squares. Food and drink aficionados are well-served, too. The fishing village of Cambrils boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants, while the whole coastline is famous for its seafood, and much of Spain’s Cava is grown in the vineyards peppered around the area. Drink up, chill out or party on – it’s all happening on the Costa Dorada.
Hop on the busAffordable travel around the Costa Dorada is easy – just use the local BusPlana bus service, which covers most of the region’s resorts and airports.
Shop till you dropDon’t miss the Masia Catalana of Salou – a sprawling craft market on the plot of a Catalan farmhouse – which boasts a wide collection of stalls and is open every day from June to September.
Go out for tee timeWith seven top-notch courses, the Costa Dorada is a golf enthusiast’s paradise. Practise your swing within Roman ruins at La Pineda, or against a captivating mountainous backdrop at Bonmont.Punta del Cavall
For a picture-perfect vista, head up to Salou’s Punta del Cavall at sunset and look out over the Cala Font cove, once a hotspot for pirate activity.
Tarragona Roman ruins
Tarragona’s well-preserved Roman architecture includes a huge waterfront amphitheatre, the Devil’s Bridge aqueduct and the Forum. The impressive 13th-century cathedral is also well worth a visit.
Sama Park
In the botanical gardens of Parc Sama in Cambrils you can swoon over exotic plants, amazing flowers, glassy lakes and picturesque waterfalls. You may even get to spot the resident turtles.