Located on the Costa Dorada of Catalonia, Salou is a popular tourist destination for its incredible beaches of golden sand and crystal clear waters that attract visitors from all over the world. In addition to its coastline, the city offers a wide range of cultural and leisure activities; from theme parks such as PortAventura, to a lively nightlife with bars and nightclubs. Among all the things to see in Salou we highlight its maritime promenade, its modernist houses and the Torre Vella.
We are sure you will love Salou, so we have prepared this post where we tell you everything to see and many other travel tips that will make your stay much more comfortable. Do you want to know what are the best restaurants? the best areas to stay? or what to see in the surroundings? Then you’re in the right place.
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What are the best places to see in Salou?
1. Passeig Marítim Jaume I
The Passeig Marítim Jaume I is one of the must-see locations in Salou. It runs along the entire coastline of the municipality and is one of the most popular areas of the city, both for residents and tourists. Along this promenade, you will find a variety of restaurants, bars, stores and recreational areas. It also has landscaped areas, fountains and sculptures. The Passeig Marítim Jaume I is the perfect place to stroll, relax and enjoy the sea breeze.
2. Torre Vella
The Torre Vella of Salou, located in the old town, is an emblematic construction dating from the sixteenth century. It was originally built as part of a system of coastal fortifications whose purpose was to defend and prevent pirate attacks.
Today the tower houses a cultural center and a museum that shows the history and heritage of Salou. Inside you can findexhibitions, cultural activities and from the terrace you can enjoy incredible panoramic views.
Access to the tower is free and visiting hours are Monday to Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
3. The famous modernist houses to see in Salou
Salou is famous for its modernist houses from the early twentieth century that are still in very good condition. On your visit you can walk in front of them, but we recommend you to hire a guided tour to not miss any detail. Here you have some of the most outstanding houses:
- Casa Bonet: It was designed by the architect Domènec Sugrañes i Gras, a disciple of Antoni Gaudí, noted for its ornate facade and artistic details. It is the most famous because it is located on the Passeig Marítim Jaume I.
- Casa Bosch: located in Plaza de Bonet, this modernist house was built by architect Salvador Reventós and features decorative elements such as ceramics and wrought iron.
- Casa Loperena: this house designed by Pere Caselles i Tarrats attracts attention for its ornate balconies.
- Edifici Sol i Mar: it was the first building of tourist apartments in the town.
4. Portaventura, the largest theme park in Catalonia
PortAventura is the most famous theme park in Catalonia, and is located just 20 minutes from the center of Salou. The park offers a wide variety of exciting attractions, from dizzying roller coasters to live shows and themed areas that transport you to different parts of the world. In addition, PortAventura has a water park called Costa Caribe and has themed hotels, restaurants, stores and a lively nightlife within the enclosure. It is an ideal place to enjoy with family or friends.
If you book in advance the price of the ticket can be 18€, but in summer it is normal that the day ticket costs more than 50€.
5. Salou beaches
The beaches of Salou are the reason why hundreds of tourists choose to spend their vacations in the town. They are perfectly equipped and its golden sand invites you to lie in the sun while enjoying the sea breeze. On the beaches you can also practice activities such as kayaking and snorkeling, perfect if you are traveling with your family. Just keep in mind that during the summer the beaches are crowded.
The most famous beaches are the Platja de Llevant, Platja dels Capellans, Platja de Ponent, Platja Llenguadets and Platja Llarga. But if you prefer a quieter place, you can always go to one of the coves: Cala Crancs, Cala Penya Tallada and Cala Font and Cala Vinya.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Salou
1. Siurana, a village on a cliff
Siurana is a small village located on top of a cliff surrounded by high cliffs that tower over a reservoir. As you can imagine, the views from the village are a real natural spectacle, there is nothing better to see in Siurana. In the village it is also worth strolling through the interior and get lost in the narrow streets that transport us to the Middle Ages and where you will discover a Romanesque church and the rests of the castle of Walí Almira Alemoni, the last of the Taifa kingdom in Catalonia.
Siruana is also very famous among climbers and nature lovers for its steep walls and the routes with views of the surroundings. From Salou it takes 50 minutes by car. In this post we tell you more about Siurana: Things to see and do in Siurana
2. Miravet and its medieval history
A 50-minute drive away is Miravet, one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Tarragona. In this picturesque village that captivates with its medieval charm, we recommend you visit its imposing Templar fortress of the twelfth century that rises above the Ebro River and the old town of narrow cobbled streets. Also well known is the famous Pont del Diable, a suspension bridge that connects both banks of the river. The whole of the river surrounding the town and the stone houses make up an essential image to see on your trip through Catalonia.
Both Miravet and Siurana can be seen in a couple of hours, so it is often recommended to tour the small villages of the Priorat region. If you want to know more about Miravet do not miss this post: Things to see and do in Miravet?
What to see in 1 day in Salou
As you may have seen in this post, there is not much to see in Salou, but it is a beach vacation destination where you can enjoy the sea and good weather for two days or two weeks. If you want to make the most of your stay, we recommend spending at least a week during which you will have plenty of time to get to know the town, relax on the beaches and visit Portaventura.
For those who are looking for a lively atmosphere we recommend going in the summer months, but keep in mind that there will be a lot of people and prices will be higher. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for peace and quiet, it’s best to go in May and June.
Where and what to eat in Salou?
In Salou there is a great offer of restaurants where to eat deluxe and at a good price. Keep in mind that, as in any city, the price increases as you get closer to the beach and the center. Being located on the coast, the seafood and fresh fish are protagonists in many of its dishes with Mediterranean and Catalan influence. In Salou you can not miss the suquet of fish, rice dishes, fideua and if you go in season, you have to try the calçots. Here we leave you a list of our favorite restaurants in the city:
- O Xantar Mediterráneo: in one of the best restaurants in town for seafood. It is next to the beach and the price ranges from €25 to €50.
- La Tortillita: This restaurant located in the center of the city is one of the best options to eat well and at a good price. They serve homemade food in a very cozy atmosphere. You will eat very well for less than 20€.
- Corcega: if you are a meat lover you can’t miss this restaurant, which in addition to meat also has other options on the menu.
Where to stay in Salou
In Salou you will find plenty of summer accommodation options, from hotels with swimming pool to apartments for the whole family. If you prefer a more affordable option, there are also campings in the area. However, we recommend you book well in advance as the best accommodations sell out quickly. Here’s a list of some of our favorites.
- Hostal Can Salvado: is a nice hostel less than a kilometer from the beach where you can stay from 37€. It has restaurants and has family rooms.
- SALOU 4 YOU apartments: is a complex of apartments perfectly equipped with common areas such as garden, pool and terrace. In addition, it is in front of the beach. The price per night starts at 74€.
- Hotel Planas: this cozy three-star hotel is the perfect place to enjoy your beach vacation. Besides being on the seafront, it has a spa, swimming pool, gym and restaurant. The price per night starts at €56 and breakfast is included.
How to get to Salou
Salou is one of the most famous coastal destinations in Catalonia and as a consequence is very well connected. If you are going to stay all your stay in Salou we do not recommend you to take a car, as you will not need it there. These are the options that you have to get to Salou:
- Airplane: the nearest airport is Reus Airport, located about 10 kilometers from Salou. From there you can take a cab or bus to the city. Another option is to fly to Barcelona-El Prat Airport, which is approximately 100 kilometers from Salou, and then take a train or bus.
- Train: Salou has a train station that connects with several nearby cities, such as Barcelona (€8) or Tarragona (€3)
- Bus: There are bus services that connect Salou with different cities in Spain. From Barcelona it takes almost 2h to get there and from Tarragona 30 minutes.
What should I keep in mind before traveling to Salou?
- If you are looking for sun and beach the best time to travel to Salou is in the summer months, but if you are looking for tranquility, we recommend you to go in May, June and September.
- In Salou you can get around on foot.
- Catalonia is a very touristy region, so booking in advance is recommended.
- Catalan is spoken in the region, but you will be perfectly understood in Spanish.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured
- Remember to bring sunscreen.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Salou
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers things to do in Salou.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can consult our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Salou
You can easily get there by car or public transport from Tarragona and Barcelona, where the nearest airports are located.
In Salou you can eat typical dishes of Catalan gastronomy such as fideua, rice dishes or calçots in one of the many restaurants in the city.
If you are looking for sun and beach the best time to travel to Salou is in the summer months, but if you are looking for tranquility, we recommend going in May, June and September.
In Salou there is a wide range of accommodation: hotels with swimming pool, apartments, hostels and more affordable campsites.
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