By Ann Cronin
Why Salou?
Salou and the Costa Daurada area have become a family favourite in terms of Spanish holiday destinations. There are flights from Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports to Reus in Salou.
Where should we stay?
Jammed with hotels, resorts, apartments and Air B&Bs, there is no shortage of accommodation in Salou. Only you can tell what is the ideal set-up for you and your family so it’s worth doing a bit of research, but here are our recommendations.
Cambrils Park – Five stars
Very well known for being a great family resort, and has been deemed as a very safe and secure location for your younger ones. It is a very large complex, including pools, sports zones, restaurants and bars, spa facilities and more. It also features a variety of different kid zones and activities for children of all ages. However, you must be very organised if you wish to book a spot as it is usually required to book a year in advance.
Apartment prices for two adults and three children for a week from €1109.00 on cambrilspark.com/en/.
Cye Salou – Three stars
Located within meters of the nearest beach and a mere 10–minute walk from Port Aventura, the location of this property is ideal for families. Relax in your spacious, private and self-catering apartment, with on-site pools for both adults and kids, and enjoy a comfortable stay in the heart of Costa Daurada.
Price for 2 adults and 2 children for a 7–night stay in a Cye Salou apartment, flights included, starts from €1,907.00 via sunway.ie. Includes airport transfers and four 20kg check-in bags.
Prices subject to change depending on season of travel.
What should we do?
Thrilling theme parks
One of Europe’s largest theme parks, Port Aventura is located in Salou and only an hour from Barcelona. Including water and thrill rides ranging in suitability for every age group, this theme park is bound to cater for the adventure needs of every child. The set-up is unique in that it is split into different ‘worlds’, with each district having a different theme, including an aquatic district for some water–based rides. It also features SésamoAventura, a Seasame Street themed family-friendly area with attractions and live shows ideal for very little ones.
For one day access to both the Port Aventura Park and Ferrari Land, adult fee is €55.00 while children’s is €47.00. Prices vary depending on which parks and districts you want access to. For more information see portaventuraworld.com
Tours and travels
As appealing as it may be to spend your Spanish getaway sitting poolside, it would be a shame not to view and experience some of the area’s beautiful scenic surroundings. Many companies offer bus tours around Salou’s quaint Spanish villages and surrounding countryside scenery. In addition, bike rental can be an ideal option for visiting Salou’s National Park and surrounding area. Boat tours are also widely available and a great way of ensuring you see every corner of Costa Duarada.
Aquatic adventures
Given how convenient and attractive the ocean surroundings of Salou are, it is no surprise that there are endless amounts of companies that offer water sport trips and packages. If you fancy kayaking, paragliding, snorkelling, paramotoring surfing or sailing, these are all widely available in the Salou area. If water parks are more your style, Salou’s surrounding area has several options in addition to Port Aventura’s aquatic district, such as Aquopolis and Aqualeon.
Aquopolis adult entrance fees from €15.90 and children’s fees from €14.90, depending on the season. For more information see costa-dorada.aquopolis.es
Aqualeon adult entrance fees from €26.00. Children aged five to 10 is €17.00, while kids aged three to four years is €8.00. For more info see aqualeon.es.
Evening-entertainment
Described as a night of family-friendly fun, The Salou Big Show at the House of Illusions is a unique musical-extravaganza which features some of the best musicals from Broadway and the West-End, including ‘The Lion King’, and ‘Les Miserables’. What makes this show so unique is that the second-half becomes a disco dance party, with live singers and dancers putting on a show suited for all ages.
For prices and more information see houseofillusion.com.
Barcelona day-trip
As Barcelona is only an hour’s drive away from Salou, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t venture out to the city for a day during your Spanish stay. Take a trip to Zoo Barcelona, shop until you drop among its high-end and high-street stores, take a tour of the famous Nou Camp stadium or relax and unwind at La Barceloneta beach. If opting for an over-night stay in the city, you can incorporate the Magic Fountain Show, a trip around the best tourist attractions or a city tour bus into your itinerary too.
