Hola! Welcome to Salou, a vibrant Spanish town that over the last dozens of years quickly became a popular holiday resort on Costa Dorada. Sandy beaches, hidden coves, world-renowned theme park, vivid nightlife, and a wide range of activities… All of that attracts thousands of holidaymakers every year and makes Salou the perfect place to unwind. One thing is for sure – this town will keep you entertained, whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or solo. Keep reading, we’ll show you amazing things to do in Salou.
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Salou, Spain FAQ
Salou is a small Spanish coastal town located in Catalonia in the Province of Tarragona on Costa Dorada. It’s only about 10km from Tarragona and 100km from Barcelona.
For strictly holiday purposes – absolutely! Chances are high that you’ll enjoy days spent on the beaches and experiencing various attractions. As a day trip destination, it’s not necessarily one of the best places to visit in Catalonia, as there are not many places to explore. We think there are many better places in the area, like Sitges, Tarragona, or Siurana. However, we found Salou as an amazing starting point for discovering Catalonia.
Salou is best known for being one of the most popular holiday resorts on Costa Dorada. It offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. There you’ll find beautiful landscapes, great sandy beaches, many exciting attractions, good food and lively nightlife. Holiday entertainment for people of all ages – guaranteed!
Our travel video from Salou
Things to do in Salou, Spain
Beaches in Salou
One of the best things to do in Salou is definitely to hit the beach and soak up the Mediterranean sun. As befits a popular holiday resort, it boasts some pretty beaches. From long and wide sandy to small and more secluded – there is definitely something for everyone’s taste. Also, the beaches in Salou are known for their calm, shallow, and crystal-clear waters, which makes them perfect for holidays with kids.
The most popular beaches in Salou include Platja de Llevant, Platja de Ponent, Platja dels Capellans, and Platja dels Llenguadets. All of them get very crowded very quickly in the high season.
If you prefer a little quieter and secluded spots, you can choose between smaller cove beaches located a little further from the Salou center, like Platja Llarga, Cala Penya Tallada, Cala Font, or Platja de la Cala Crancs.
Photo tip. If you’re looking for colorful Salou letters for epic photos you’ll find two of them right next to the Platja de Llevant! The first is located in the middle of Passeig Jaume I, and the second one is at the end of the beach, on a small viewing platform, near the Els Pilon (giraffe-looking monument).
Salou Port
Port de Salou is located right between Platja de Llevant and Playa de Ponent. It’s quite small and not too interesting, but behind it, you’ll find an amazing viewpoint. To get there, you need to turn right into a small and narrow passage next to Monumento al Pescador and a few boat rental booths. At first, it doesn’t seem that it’d be worth it, but believe us – it will be for the views!
Promenade Passeig Jaume I de Salou
Passeig Jaume I is about a 1km long promenade that runs alongside Salou’s main beach, Platja de Llevant. It’s a perfect place for lazy strolls in the shades of palm trees while admiring the sea in the background – definitely one of the most memorable things to do in Salou! Along it, you’ll find points of interest like four Salou fountains, a huge monument of Jaume I, and Salou letters.
On the street behind Passeig Jaume I, there’s a Salou Tourist Office, Casa Bonet (a historical villa featuring a beautiful ornate facade and decorations), as well as many restaurants, bars, and small souvenir shops.
Fountains of Salou
Another of the coolest things to do in Salou is to watch the light spectacle of the town’s fountains located on Passeig Jaume I. In total, there are 4 fountains on the promenade but only two of them, Font Cibernetica and Font Lluminosa, offer synchronized light and sound shows on summer nights. For current show hours, visit visitsalou.eu website.
Interesting fact. Font Lluminosa is the oldest fountain in Salou, built in 1973!
Note. Sometimes fountains don’t work even during high season. For example, in 2023, due to the drought alert protocol, fountains were out of use. So unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to see any show.
Torre Vella tower
Torre Vella, or Old Tower in English, is a 16th-century stone defense tower built to protect the area against pirate attacks. Nowadays it serves as an art gallery with various exhibitions. Entrance to Torre Vella is free (August 2026). For current opening hours visit visitsalou.eu website.
Cami de Ronda coastal path
Cami de Ronda is a 5.5km long coastal path. It starts at the end of Platja de Llevant, near Els Pilon (a huge giraffe-looking monument), and ends at Salou lighthouse. It offers beautiful views over the sea, beaches, bays, and coves. In some parts, you’ll find wooden walkways but overall it’s not a path for people with mobility difficulties. We would also advise you to wear more sturdy shoes than flip-flops!
During the hot days, we advise you to walk this path early in the morning or in the late afternoon/evening when the sun isn’t too strong. Overall, walking Cami de Ronda is one of the best things to do in Salou, especially for active travellers.
PortAventura World
Visiting PortAventura World is definitely one of the most exciting things to do in Salou, especially for those looking for some thrill and adrenaline rush. It’s a world-renowned theme park and resort complex featuring a diverse array of attractions from heart-pounding roller coasters to captivating live shows.
It’s divided into multiple zones, each with its own unique theme, including Ferrari Land, inspired by the iconic Italian car brand, or Caribe Aquatic Park where slides and pools are the main attraction. There are also many restaurants and theme hotels in the park to choose from.
PortAventura World is located just a few steps from Salou town center. There are various ticket options available to choose from – one-day or multi-day tickets, and to one or more theme parks. Visit the portaventuraworld.com website to check out all options and choose the best one for you.
How to get to Salou, Spain?
Salou is located about 20km from Tarragona, 10km from Reus or Cambrils, and 100km from Barcelona. The most convenient way to get to town is by car, bus, or train.
Where to park in Salou?
If you’re traveling by car you can choose from many parking lots in town. We recommend leaving a car in this parking lot right next to the promenade. It’s paid in the high season, between June and September, and free in all other months.
Airports near Salou
The closest airport to Salou is located in Reus (15km away) but it looks like it’s used mostly by travelers from the UK, Ireland, and Netherlands. The next airports, the more popular ones, are located in Barcelona and Girona. All airports offer bus connections to Salou. To learn more about connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Salou by bus
You can easily reach Salou by bus. For example, a trip from Tarragona will take about 30 minutes, 15 minutes from Reus, and 2.5 hours from Barcelona. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Salou by train
From some places like Tarragona, Girona, Barcelona, or Castellón de la Plana you can also easily get to Salou by train. You can check out a map of available train connections on the acprail.com website.
Camping Salou
If you’re traveling by camper, campings like Camping & Resort Sangulí Salou, Camping Cambrils Caban, or Camping La Llosa might interest you. All are located in or near Salou.
Explore local attractions
Things to do in Salou, Spain- Summing up
Salou is much more than just a popular beach resort. With its beautiful sandy beaches, scenic coastal walks, family-friendly attractions, and relaxed Mediterranean vibe, it’s a fantastic destination for both a weekend getaway and a longer holiday on the Costa Dorada. Whether you’re looking to unwind by the sea, enjoy the thrill, or explore the surrounding region, Salou has something for everyone. Enjoy your visit!
Our opinion about Salou, Spain
We lived in Salou for 6 weeks (May to mid-June) during our second season of digital nomad life. During that time the town was already fairly busy with holidaymakers. As a big holiday destination, Salou itself didn’t steal our hearts, but we found it an amazing starting point for discovering Catalonia.
We can totally understand why Salou is a popular holiday destination on Costa Dorada. The beaches and the number of attractions are indeed awesome. But we got quite bored after two or three weeks (probably because we’d already managed to ‘done it all’). Also, it was quite surprising how crowded and busy the town got even in early June when the temperatures got to around 30°C! Craaazy!
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Salou?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Salou:
