Salou

The sprawling Paseo de Les Palmeres is one of the most emblematic places of this town in Tarragona, where leisure and fun are guaranteed.The area around Salou will allow you to discover beautiful landscapes, or to spend an unforgettable day at the PortAventura World theme park.Another option is to follow the coastal path, a nine-kilometre trail that stretches along the coastline, as well as the route of the 23 viewpoints, which runs between the sea and the mountains.That's not to mention the local gastronomy, founded on excellent seafood.Salou is located inside Cape Salou, just a few kilometres from the city of Tarragona. This town, which emerged as a small centre with mercantile and fishing origins, has a centuries-old tradition of tourism, thanks to its great climate and a coastline of crystal-clear waters.Between the cape and Vilafortuny, Salou has an extensive stretch of coastline where wide beaches, such as Llevant and Platja Llarga, alternate with secluded coves of fine golden sand.A sun and beach experience that is complemented by the numerous possibilities offered by the marina, where all kinds of leisure boats dock and where you can enjoy all kinds of nautical sports.The cityThe Paseo de Les Palmeres, which runs parallel to the iconic Llevant Beach, has become the town's main thoroughfare. This long avenue, the main focal point for locals and foreigners alike, is home to some of the city's main tourist attractions.On this busy promenade, beautiful examples of modernist architecture stand out, such as the Cal Bonet Tower, as well as the monument erected in memory of King James I, who chose the coasts of Salou to embark on the conquest of Majorca in the Middle Ages.At nightfall, this part of Salou and the surrounding area is home to a lively nightlife, with numerous terraces, bars, restaurants and clubs.The tour of the city will lead us to discover other places of interest such as the Torre Vella, a 16th century building that is now used as a venue for exhibitions and cultural events, or to see the old railway station, which has now been restored.To round off the wide range of leisure activities on offer in Salou, it is worth heading to the outskirts to enjoy an unforgettable day at the PortAventura World theme park, one of the most prominent theme parks in Spain.Countryside and cuisineThe Salou's location invites you to visit various coastal and inland towns of the province. Several kilometers to the east, Tarragona has an important legacy of monuments among sprawling beaches. Its ensemble of Roman archaeology, declared a World Heritage Site, is one of the points of interest in the capital.Also on the coast are towns such as Vila-seca, La Pineda Platja and Cambrils, which combine historic buildings with excellent tourist infrastructure.Inland in the province is the important ensemble of monuments made up of the modernist buildings of the Plaza de Prim and the Casa Navàs de Reus. Also, the Route of the Cistercian Monasteries takes you see the monasteries of Santes Creus and Poblet, the latter of which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.In the extreme south of the province lies the Ebro Delta Natural Park, a protected area considered to be one of the most important wetlands on the Iberian Peninsula.The local gastronomy is renowned for its excellent fish and seafood from the coast. The crustaceans of Cambrils and the prawns of San Carlos de la Rápita are famous throughout the area. Romesco sauce (made with dried red peppers, tomatoes and almonds) is used to accompany both the local vegetables and the fish. What's more, the extensive vineyards of the province have produced six intriguing designations of origin: Tarragona, Montsant, Conca de Barberá, Penedés, Priorat and Terra Alta.