Stuff to Do in Salou: Beaches, Theme Parks and When to Go

Salou is a coastal town of around 26,800 people on the Costa Dorada, in Catalonia, and it is built for beach holidays. Llevant Beach is the town's main sweep of sand, with Platja dels Capellans and Platja Llarga close by, and the rocky headland around Cap de Sant Pere and the Far de Salou lighthouse breaks up the shoreline with smaller coves.

The theme parks are what set it apart from its neighbours. PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park, the water park within the PortAventura World Resort, is about a mile from the centre, and Hard Rock Entertainment World is closer still. For a quieter hour, the archaeological sites of Vil·la de la Burguera and Vil·la de Barenys are both within a mile or so of town.

Salou itself is the larger base, with Llevant Beach on the doorstep and the parks a short hop away. It suits families who want the water park and Hard Rock Entertainment World within easy reach, and anyone who likes having the town around them in the evening.

La Pineda, a coastal town of around 17,300 people some two miles along the coast, is the other option. Its side of the headland is cove country: Cala de Penya Tallada, Cala Font, Cala Vinya, Platja Cala Crancs and Platja dels Enlliscalls, plus the longer Playa La Pineda. The archaeological site of La punta de la Cella is here too. Both towns are 7 minutes from Reus airport, so transfer time will not decide it for you.

The best months run from April to August. April averages highs of 21°C and May 23°C, both pleasant for walking the coves. June climbs to 27°C, then July and August bring the peak temp in Salou: 30°C and 31°C, with nights around 22°C to 23°C and only four to six rainy days a month.

Salou in September is still warm at 27°C, but rain picks up to around nine days. Salou in October averages 24°C yet is the wettest month by far, with about 145mm over twelve days, so pack a layer and keep a flexible plan. Winter is mild rather than beach weather, with January highs of 15°C, though December and January are among the driest months.

Reus is the airport to aim for. It has direct flights from the UK and the drive to Salou or La Pineda takes about 7 minutes, which makes for one of the shortest transfers on the Spanish coast.

Barcelona also has direct UK flights and gives you more choice of times; allow around 72 minutes to Salou and 70 minutes to La Pineda. If you are driving from home, Barcelona's ferry port is roughly 56 miles away.

Most British travellers book Salou as a package, which bundles the flight, the hotel and the airport transfer into one booking. From Reus that transfer is minutes long. On this page you can compare package deals from Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach, so if you were searching for Jet2 Salou deals you will find them alongside the others. Board basis, from room only to all inclusive, is shown with each offer, and prices rise in the school holidays, so it pays to compare dates.

If you prefer to arrange things separately, you can check hotel prices, browse tours and tickets for the parks and local trips, and compare car hire for exploring the wider Costa Dorada.