Salou

Salou is located in the heart of the Costa Dorada, one of the most beautiful places on the Mediterranean. Boasting a privileged location, Salou is situated on a rich coastline, very close to quiet villages and farmland, where you can complement your stay by exploring the regions of Alt Camp, Baix Camp, Conca de Barberà, Priorat, Tarragonès, and Baix Penedès.

The history of Salou has been written in the shelter of its natural harbor, located on the Costa Dorada. The Iberians settled there first, followed by the Romans, all under the name of Salauris, the ancient name of Salou. Later, King James I would set sail to conquer Mallorca from these waters, and centuries later, the port's commercial activity would eventually make it a target for corsairs.

In the second half of the 19th century, Salou began welcoming vacationers. In 1863, the first bathing huts were authorized on Poniente Beach. At the dawn of the 20th century, Salou began an activity that led to its nickname, "Europe's Beach." Beginning in the 1960s, Salou experienced significant urban growth thanks to tourism, which was consolidated in 1995 with the establishment of PortAventura, a leading theme park in Europe.

Salou has been designated the 2025 Capital of Catalan Culture, a recognition that highlights its rich heritage, commitment to the Catalan language, and the cultural vitality of the municipality.

Family Vacations

In Salou, the best time is spent on the beaches or in the shelter of its coastline. With over 14 kilometers of seafront, Salou offers urban beaches, adapted for families, accessible, and with all the amenities. But you'll also find coves sheltered by cliffs and pine forests, quieter and more secluded.

Salou offers a wide range of accommodations tailored to your needs. From 4-star superior hotels to apartments, hotel-apartments, guesthouses, and campsites. Nearly thirty establishments are recognized with the Family Tourism Destination seal and cater to the needs of both the youngest and oldest members of the family.

Salou is a destination with a rich leisure and entertainment offering for the whole family. Taking the tourist train is a must-do experience during your visit to Salou. Strolling through the city's most iconic sites and along the coastal path, or choosing from dozens of daily leisure and sports activities are just some of the options we offer during your stay.

PortAventura World is a leading European themed holiday resort, located largely in the municipality of Salou. The park is made up of six themed areas: Mediterranean, Far West, Mexico, China, Polynesia, and Sesame Adventure, and offers visitors more than 30 attractions, 15 daily shows, 75 restaurants, and 27 craft and gift shops. PortAventura World also offers a water park: Costa Caribe Aquatic Park, expanded and completely renovated in 2013, and Ferrari Land, an authentic experience spanning more than 70,000 m² of excitement, adrenaline, and fun, opened in 2017.

Salou is also a destination where you can find everything you need to enjoy your vacation. From shops offering the latest fashion trends to stores where you can buy the perfect accessories for your leisure time on the beach.

Sports tourism and cycling tourism

The favorable weather conditions and the development of infrastructure have multiplied the quality sports offering in recent years, from those aimed at teams and professional athletes to those geared toward tourism and leisure. Salou has thus emerged as an exceptional year-round sports tourism destination.

Salou received the Sports Tourism Destination certification in 2013 and has specialized in sports such as soccer, sailing, and triathlon. Golf and cycling are also available in Salou. The three Infinitum golf courses offer a privileged setting, surrounded by pine forests and with extraordinary sea views. Cycling teams, water sports teams, and open-water swimming teams have also discovered the town's ideal conditions for their training, both at an advanced level and at an amateur level.

Water sports activities are centered around the Nautical Station, which offers and coordinates nautical and complementary activities, as well as accommodation. Activities include everything from traditional activities, such as canoeing and scuba diving, to parasailing and water skiing.

The golf destination is unique and highly attractive for golfers. Infinitum Golf 's three courses allow you to play in a privileged natural setting, surrounded by pine forests and with extraordinary views of the sea.

The municipality also hosts mass events such as the Half Marathon, the Challenge Triathlon and the RACC Catalunya-Costa Dorada Rally.

Places of interest

Levante Beach

Salou's largest and most popular beach, with extensive fine sand and calm waters. It has a promenade, modern facilities, and a wide range of restaurants and shops. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the sun.

Jaume I Promenade

An iconic palm-lined promenade that runs along the coast of Salou. Along the promenade, you'll find sculptures, fountains, and places to relax, as well as a host of shops and cafes with sea views.

Old Tower

This former 16th-century defense tower is one of the few surviving historic buildings in Salou. Today, it hosts art exhibitions and cultural events, offering a unique blend of history and local culture.

Salou Lighthouse

Located in a privileged natural setting, this historic lighthouse dates back to 1858 and offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll along the coastal path that surrounds the lighthouse, offering unforgettable views, especially at sunset.

Crabs Cove

One of Salou's most beautiful and peaceful coves, surrounded by vegetation and cliffs. With its fine sand and crystal-clear waters, it's an ideal place to enjoy a more relaxing day at the beach, away from the crowds.

Salou Municipal Park

A green space in the heart of the city, this park is perfect for strolling and relaxing among the trees and ponds. It features play areas for children and paths surrounded by vegetation that provide pleasant shade, especially during the hottest months.

Roman Villa of Barenys

An archaeological site that offers an interesting insight into Roman history in the area. Here you can see the remains of an ancient Roman villa dedicated to the production of wine and oil, with various structures dating from the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD.

Old Carrilet Station

The station was built to transport freight arriving via the conventional line to Reus. For this reason, it was located next to the railway station, where one of the first steam locomotives that operated the 8.2-kilometer route is currently preserved. It opened on June 23, 1857, and reached its peak with the entry into operation of the line connecting the two municipalities, between 1887 and 1975. With the decline in commercial activity at the port and freight transport, the station welcomed the first bathers on Salou's beaches at the end of the 19th century.

Chalet Bonet

Built by Ciríac Bonet in 1918, it is the work of architect Domènec Sugranyes i Gras, a disciple and collaborator of Gaudí. It is an example of the late Modernist style and one of the city's most emblematic buildings. On the main façade, a sundial with ceramic pieces and neo-Gothic lettering sums up the philosophy of life: "make the most of the time that passes and does not return." Although access is not permitted, the interior preserves mural decoration by the painter Agustí Ferrer, including the ceiling of the dining room, which depicts the departure of King James I from the beach of Salou to conquer Mallorca.

Ornamental Fountains

The Cybernetic Fountain offers a spectacle of games, choreography, and synchronized compositions of water, light, and music; the Labyrinth, a fountain game for the whole family; and the Illuminated Fountain, dating from 1973 and designed by engineer Carles Buïgas, offers a program of water games with up to 210 combinations and is located in the Plaça de Francesc Germà Sanz, leader of the popular movement that called for the creation of the municipality of Salou.

These three main fountains are connected by other groups of fountains located along the Promenade, which form the group of Ornamental Fountains.

Monumental Olive Trees

The central promenade of Passeig 30 de Octubre is occupied by 16 monumental olive trees, each around a thousand years old. Both the promenade and the olive trees commemorate the creation of the municipality of Salou on that same day, following a long process that culminated in 1989.