CYE Aparthotel Salou and Where to Stay on the Costa Dorada

Salou is the larger of the two, home to around 27,000 people, and the natural choice if you want everything on foot. Llevant Beach is the town's main stretch of sand, Platja dels Capellans and Platja Llarga are within about a mile, and the beach at Cap de Sant Pere is roughly two miles out. Hard Rock Entertainment World is around half a mile from the centre and PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park about a mile, which is why so many families searching for resorts in Salou end up basing themselves here. History fans can walk out to the Roman villa sites of Vil·la de la Burguera and Vil·la de Barenys.

La Pineda, with a population of around 17,000, sits about two miles along the coast and has its own long beach, Playa La Pineda. The smaller coves listed in this area, Cala Crancs, Cala Font, Cala Vinya, Cala de Penya Tallada and Platja dels Enlliscalls, along with the Far de Salou lighthouse and the archaeological site of La punta de la Cella, make it a good fit if you prefer swimming spots with a bit more rock and shade than a town beach.

The way people search for Salou says a lot about how they holiday here. Aparthotels and self catering in Salou are among the most looked-up options, which makes sense for families who want a kitchen for breakfasts and a few evening meals between beach days and the water park. All inclusive hotels are the other big draw, particularly for those who would rather not think about meals at all during a week or a fortnight in July and August.

There is also steady interest in family resorts in Salou, with pools and kids' clubs being the usual reason, and a smaller but clear demand for adult only holidays in Salou for couples who want the beach without the school-holiday crowd. Whichever style you lean towards, it is worth comparing room-only, half board and all inclusive prices side by side on this page, because the difference between board bases can change which area works best.

Most British travellers book Salou as a package: flight, hotel and transfer together. Reus is the obvious airport, just seven minutes from both Salou and La Pineda, so transfers are short. Barcelona also has direct UK flights, but the drive is around 70 minutes to La Pineda and 72 minutes to Salou, so factor that in with tired children. If you are comparing Salou hotels with Jet2, TUI, loveholidays or On the Beach, you can check their package deals here alongside standalone hotel prices.

Timing matters. April to August are the best months, with highs of 21°C in April rising to 31°C in August, while October is the wettest month at around 145mm of rain over 12 days. School-holiday weeks in July and August fill first and cost more, so book early if you are tied to term dates, or look at May and June for warm weather at a calmer pace. Whether it is the CYE hotel in Salou or anywhere else, compare the board basis and the walk to the beach before you commit.