It’s perfect for October half term with gorgeous beaches, highs of 22C and a massive family-friendly theme park
October half-term is the perfect time to escape the chilly autumn weather in the UK and soak up some sun ahead of winter. You don’t even have to travel far to find some late autumn sunshine as most areas in southern Europe still experience pleasant temperatures at this time of year.
Mainland Spain can sometimes be overlooked in favour of its islands like the Balearics and the Canaries. But there’s a region which boasts beaches that could rival any island, and it enjoys highs of up to 22C in October, making it ideal for a half term holiday.
The Costa Dorada is a stretch of coastline south of Barcelona and it’s home to the bustling resort town of Salou, the ancient city of Tarragona and the foodie destination of Cambrils. It’s a region that’s becoming increasingly popular and was recently named one of the best short-haul holiday destinations for October by consumer champion Which? alongside Vienna and Athens.
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The publication wrote: “As well as being blessed with 125 miles of beaches, Costa Dorada is home to the Roman town of Tarragona, which has an old town and a seaside amphitheatre. Barcelona and the Montserrat mountains are also an easy day trip if you hire a car.
“Salou has Blue Flag beaches and Spain’s biggest theme park, Port Aventura. Another popular resort is Sitges – an attractive town with smart shops and chic restaurants. You can enjoy six hours of sunshine a day in October, while the sea is still warm enough for swimming.”
The beauty of Costa Dorada is that it doesn’t break the bank to get there. Skyscanner shows flights from Manchester Airport to Reus on October 19 from £45 one way, with returns on the 26 from £92 (although you may need to pay extra for bags and seat allocation).
Meanwhile Tui has return flights on October 19 to Friday October 25 from £144 per person, including 10kg hand luggage and underseat bag. based on a family of four. Jet2 has return flights on Saturday October 19th to Saturday October 26 from £882.30 for a family of four with two kids aged 6 and 8 which works out at £220.58 per person which includes 10kg hand luggage.
At the heart of the Costa Dorada is Salou, a bustling town with no shortage of gorgeous beaches, restaurants and fabulous sea views – especially at sunset. The size of the town makes it ideal for families, although if you fancy a slice of the city Barcelona is only an hour and a half away by train.
But a must for families is Port Aventura World, Spain’s biggest theme park. It features six different adventure worlds, which transport you across the globe from China to the American west. The theme park is also home to Ferrari Land which is unique in Europe.
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