Salou is a lively resort town perched on Catalonia’s sunny Costa Dorada, a short hop down the coast from the city of Tarragona. It has long been a magnet for sun-seekers, largely thanks to its sweeping sandy beaches and the massive PortAventura theme park complex right on its doorstep. You certainly won’t run out of things to do in Salou.
Is Salou worth visiting?
It’s undeniably one of the best places on the Costa Dorada, a place built around providing a classic sun-and-sea holiday. The town has a bustling, high-energy atmosphere, especially during the summer, and it pulls in visitors from all over Europe. Its appeal is broad: there are huge theme parks, family-friendly beaches, long stretches of golden sand for sunbathers, and a very active nightlife scene.
Top Salou attractions
While it’s easy to spend your entire holiday stretched out on the sand, Salou has a real mix of things to see away from the shore. It does the big, modern theme-park experience better than almost anywhere, but you can also find little pockets of local history if you take the time for a wander.
Font Lluminosa
Found at the end of the main Passeig Jaume I promenade, this is a proper old-school seaside spectacle. Every evening in the high season, the fountain comes to life with a choreographed show of lights, music and water jets.
PortAventura World
This is the star of the show for a reason. It’s a massive entertainment resort that’s actually three parks in one: the main PortAventura Park with its different world-themed areas and rollercoasters, the high-speed Ferrari Land for adrenaline junkies, and the Caribe Aquatic Park for cooling off.
You could easily spend a couple of days here and not see it all. Tickets start from around €20 for one park, one day, to multi-day tickets for around €60.
Torre Vella de Salou
For a little bit of history, this 16th-century watchtower is well worth a look. It was originally built to defend the town from pirate attacks and has been restored beautifully. Nowadays it’s used as a cultural centre and often hosts free art exhibitions.
The Old Town
Salou’s old town isn’t huge, but it’s a pleasant area to explore around Santa Maria del Mar Church. It gives you a small glimpse into what the town was like before the tourist boom, with a few traditional fishing cottages still standing.
Things to do in Salou with kids and families
Salou is set up brilliantly for families, with plenty to do beyond just building sandcastles on the main beach. If you’re travelling with little ones or teenagers, you’ll find that a lot of the town’s activities are designed to keep them entertained, even on days when you’re not at the big theme parks.
Bosc Aventura Salou
This is a great adventure park right in the centre of town, offering a bit of a break from the water parks and beaches. It has everything from zip lines and rope bridges weaving through the trees to a mini-golf course and a paintball area.
The Tourist Train
An absolute classic for a reason, the little road train is a low-effort way to get your bearings without tiring out little legs. It trundles along a few different routes through the town, taking you past the main beaches and key sights. It’s a lovely, gentle activity if you’re there with a toddler.
Karting Salou
For some friendly family competition, this is one of the best go-karting tracks in the area. There are circuits for adults and older kids, as well as a smaller, slower track for younger children-
Best things to do in Salou for couples and adults
While Salou has a big reputation as a family resort, there’s a different side to it that’s perfect for adults looking for a more relaxed or sophisticated break. You can easily find spots to escape the crowds, indulge in some good food and wine, or just enjoy the coastal setting in a more grown-up way.
Infinitum Beach Club
If the main beaches feel a bit too hectic, this is the place to go. It’s a stylish beach club with infinity pools, comfortable sun loungers and a good restaurant. It has a much more tranquil, exclusive feel, ideal for a day of pure relaxation with a cocktail in hand.
Wine tasting tours
The area inland from the Costa Dorada is prime wine country in Spain, home to the world-renowned Priorat and Penedès regions. It’s well worth taking a day trip to visit a local vineyard, or ‘celler’, for a tour and tasting. It’s a fantastic way to experience some authentic Catalan culture.
Upscale dining in Cambrils
Just next door to Salou is the charming fishing town of Cambrils, which has a reputation as the foodie capital of the Costa Dorada. It’s the perfect place for a special evening out, with a harbour front lined with excellent seafood restaurants serving the fresh catch of the day.
What to do in Salou at night: exploring the nightlife
Salou definitely has a nightlife. In fact, once the sun goes down, the town gets properly buzzing, with a huge range of places to go that cater for pretty much every taste.
The main strip
The heart of the action is along Avenida Carles Buigas and the surrounding streets. This area is packed with bars, pubs and smaller clubs. You’ll find everything from lively Irish and British pubs showing the football to slick cocktail bars great for starting the evening.
Superclubs
If you fancy a big night out, you don’t have to look far. Salou has its own scene of large clubs that keep going until the early hours. Tropical Salou Disco is one of the most famous, pulling in big crowds all summer long. You’ve also got other popular spots like City Hall Salou for dance music, and for a different vibe, the Club Náutico Salou by the marina is another great option.
Live music and shows
The town is a real haven for brilliant tribute bands and talented cover artists. For rock fans, a place like Bar Zeppelin Rock is a must-visit. Another spot that gets a lot of love is Tribu’s Salou, which is well-known for its live acts and energetic vibe. For something a bit different, venues like Chaplin’s put on full-blown stage shows that are as much about comedy as they are about music.
A quieter evening
If a packed dancefloor isn’t quite your scene, there are plenty of other ways to soak up the evening atmosphere. You could try the Gastrotour Salou, a fantastic way to wander through the town, sampling tapas and drinks at different restaurants as you go. For a complete change of pace, the ancient city of Tarragona is just a short trip away, and seeing its magnificent Roman ruins illuminated at night is a memorable experience.
Exploring Salou’s beaches
The coastline in Salou is fantastic because it offers two very different experiences. On one side, you have the huge, golden sandy beaches that the town is famous for, complete with facilities. But if you explore a little further, you’ll find the coastline becomes more rugged, hiding a series of smaller, more intimate coves that feel a world away from the busy town centre.
Llevant and Ponent Beaches
Llevant is the biggest and most central, running alongside Passeig Jaume I. It’s a vast stretch of fine sand with shallow water, playgrounds and countless bars, making it perfect for families. Ponent Beach sits to the west and is a bit more relaxed, stretching out towards the neighbouring town of Cambrils.
The Coves (Calas)
To the east of the main town, you’ll find a string of little coves carved into the cliffs. Beaches like Cala Llenguadets and Cala Font are sheltered spots with clear water and a much more tranquil vibe.
Camino de Ronda
This is the magnificent coastal path that connects all of Salou’s beaches, from the far side of Ponent out to the lighthouse past the coves.
Cala Crancs
This is one of the furthest coves from the main resort area, tucked away at the very end of Cap Salou. It has a secluded and natural feel, surrounded by pine trees and rocky outcrops. The water here is usually calm and very clear, making it a popular spot for snorkelling.
Free and cheap things to do in Salou
A holiday can quickly get expensive, but one of the great things about Salou is that you don’t need to constantly have your wallet out to have a good time. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the town’s atmosphere and scenery that won’t cost you a single euro.
Walk the Passeig Jaume I
This wide, palm-lined promenade is the heart of Salou and a destination in its own right. It’s great for a gentle stroll at any time of day, with plenty of benches for people-watching and enjoying the sea views.
Relax on the beach
The town’s biggest asset is its coastline, and enjoying the sand and sea is completely free. Pack a picnic and you can have a fantastic, low-cost day out soaking up the sun.
Visit the Municipal Park
Away from the beachfront, the Parc Municipal de Salou is a lovely patch of green that offers a shady escape from the midday heat. It has playgrounds and plenty of space to relax with a book.
Browse the local market
Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, wandering through the weekly market is a great way to soak up some of the local atmosphere.
What day is market day in Salou?
You’ll need to be there on a Monday morning. The main weekly market, the Mercadillo de Salou, sets up near the Town Hall. You can find everything from clothes, bags, and sunglasses to local produce and souvenirs.
What to do in Salou when it’s raining
Even the Costa Dorada gets the odd grey or rainy day, but there’s no need for it to spoil your plans. It can be a great excuse to see a different side of the area and try some indoor activities.
Take a day trip to Tarragona
The city’s rich history means it has fantastic museums, like the National Archaeological Museum, and you can still appreciate the scale of its incredible Roman Amphitheatre and Circus, even with an umbrella in hand.
Try an escape room
For a fun group activity that will get your brain working, head to one of Salou’s escape rooms. They are a brilliant way to spend an hour or two, solving puzzles together to beat the clock.
Explore the arcades
Salou has plenty of amusement arcades dotted around the town centre. They are perfect for diving into on a wet afternoon for some classic seaside fun with video games and air hockey.
Living in Salou
It’s one thing to visit Salou for a week in the height of summer, but it’s another thing entirely to live there year-round. When the main tourist season ends and the crowds go home, the town takes on a much quieter, more relaxed pace. It becomes a small, manageable coastal town where the local community comes to the forefront.
Life here means having those beautiful beaches almost to yourself in the off-season and enjoying the proximity to bigger cities like Tarragona and Reus for when you need a city fix. If you’re seriously considering making the move, it’s worth getting a proper feel for what living in Salou is like through the changing seasons.