Salou Holiday Guide

You will arrive at Reus Airport, a magnet for charter holiday flights and increasingly for no-frills airlines. The airport is also used as a gateway for Barcelona, 90km away and reached by direct bus service.

There are buses to Salou, just a 15-minute drive away, and taxis are readily available. There are major car hire companies at the airport - a car will prove invaluable, as there is so much to see.

Salou's main beach, Platja Llevant, made up of fine, golden sand, is one of the best on the Costa Daurada's 160-or-so miles of coast. It's clean, shelves gently into the Med and has all the beachside bits and bobs you need.

It does get crowded in high season, so try Ponent next door, another fine beach. Or sample little Platja dels Capellans, which consistently earns itself the symbol of beach success - the EU's Blue Flag. Out of town, Platja Larga runs alongside the Salou -Tarragona coast road.

If you fancy something quiet, head along to Cambrils - just south of Tarragona, it's a cross between a fishing village and seaside resort and boasts beautiful beach action.

Nearby La Pineda is another sleepy choice with a wide sweep of beach.

The pretty flower-decked and palm-lined Paseo Maritimo fountain is a highlight of the town and the lovely promenade is perfect for strolls day or night.

In Salou, there are plenty of watersports to try as well as golf, parasailing, tennis and horse riding.

Head the few miles east to Tarragona to see the Roman amphitheatre and the remains of the Roman Circus. Make a photo stop at the magnificent Gothic cathedral dominating the skyline of the old quarter.

Salou caters well to its predominantly British holidaymakers from fast food, to pizzerias; 'British' pubs to Chinese restaurants.
There are plenty of traditional Spanish restaurants too, serving typical Catalan dishes such as rossejat (fish soup), suquet (fish stew) and dishes served with local sauces like romesco and picada.
For an authentic night out, head to quieter Cambrils for dinner - it's known on the Costa Daurada for its delicious fresh fish.

If you're still in Port Aventura in the evening, the park puts on a grand multi-media show called the Fiesta Aventura, with fireworks, fountains and parades. Kids will also love the little nightly funfair at the end of the Jaime I seafront promenade in Salou.
If you like to party, Salou has lots of lively pubs, bars and clubs - anything from foam parties to karaoke, Irish bars to quiz nights at the Rovers Return (yes, really).
But there are plenty of options if you're not up for a raucous night out while on holiday here - there are flamenco nights or performances of Sardana, a famous Catalonian dance.

There are endless shops in Salou, as well as a popular street market every Monday along Via Roma.
If you miss that, Cambrils' street market is every Wednesday in the centre of the old town.
Check out the big-name brand stores and designer malls of Tarragona or Barcelona for serious retail therapy.The key attraction is Port Aventura, a huge and excellent theme park with five 'lands' - Far West, China, Mediterranean, Polynesia and Mexico. In addition, there is the Caribe Aquatic Park, hotels and many restaurants.

Hotel guests can spend lazy days at the excellent Beach Club. The most famous rollercoaster is still Dragon Khan and its eight terrifying loop-the-loops can be seen from miles around.
Furios Baco is the fastest roller coaster in Europe, Furios Baco, and can reach 83.9mph in just 3.5 seconds...
There's a cute little road train that goes from Port Aventura to La Pineda, a lovely little resort and home to Aquopolis, which has fun rides and slides as well as a dolphin show.
At Aqualeon, kids on holiday can see wildlife shows, go on 'safari' or just mess about in the large water park which has rides and slides like Super Slalom and the Black Hole… Regular buses run to the park from Salou.

One of the most fun and vibrant cities in Spain, Barcelona, is only an hour and a half away by car. From the famous unfinished Sagrada Familia church, to other crazy Gaudi architecture, the city has a kooky, bohemian edge to it. There's a Picasso museum for culture vultures, or helicopter trips over the city if you want to show off. Kids will love the human 'statues' up and down Las Ramblas; parents will love the pavement cafes.

Visit the striking Benedictine monastery at Montserrat, perched high up on a mountain amidst weird rock formations.