Costa Dorada, Cataluna

Costa Dorada - Overview:

Stretching from Cambrils in the west to La Pineda in the east, the Costa Dorada has all the ingredients for the perfect seaside holiday. Located on the east side of Spain, this is the coast from the Ebro Delta and Tarragona in the south, up to Barcelona in the north. It encompasses about 150 miles of golden beaches, hence its name 'the Gold Coast,' lapped by safe, shallow waters of the Mediterranean sea.

There are several pleasant places to stay along the Costa Dorada including the fishing village of L'Ametlla del Mar (ideal for exploring the Ebro), the attractive resort of Altafulla (close to Tarragona and Port Aventura) and sophisticated Sitges (near Barcelona) where the beaches are good. The city of Tarragona is well worth visiting and has some fascinating Roman remains.

Costa Dorada - Out & About:

The main resort on the Costa Dorada is Salou and it encompasses the areas of Cap Salou, La Pineda and Cambrils. Salou itself boasts a long and wide beach of soft, gently shelving sands, backed by a fine, tree-lined promenade with restaurants, shops and bars and it is quite a lively place to stay. To the east of Salou's main beach, behind the promontory of Cap Salou, you will find attractive streets alongside an undulating coastline with pretty, wooded areas and several smaller beaches, ideal for a quieter break.

Westward, Salou's beach narrows and runs almost continuously along the coast for about 6km, where it widens at the pretty fishing village of Cambrils, which though quieter than Salou is now very much a resort in its own right. It houses a harbour, beach and marvellous seafood restaurants. Wherever you stay in the Salou area, you'll enjoy a host of daytime activities, and by night, plenty of excitement in the many bars and discos. Plus, the only Universal Studios resort in Europe, Universal Mediterranea, amazes with its attractions while the superb Aquapark at La Pineda is only a bus ride away.

Whilst in the Costa Dorada you can visit the vibrant, historic city of Barcelona, with its famous Gothic cathedral and the pedestrianised Las Ramblas with its stalls and cafes. Or explore the Roman and Gothic town of Tarragona.

Costa Dorada - Getting there:

Flights from the UK to the Costa Dorada take approximately 2 hours 20 mins.

Costa Dorada - Fiestas:

Summer festivals include the Hogueras De San Juan in June - a time of night-time festivities with bonfires and fireworks. July sees the famous running of the bulls in Pamplona, when members of the public take their lives into their hands.

Costa Dorada - Shopping:

Serious shoppers should head to Barcelona with the wide choice of modern department stores and designer shops, to stalls on Las Ramblas and the Els Encants' open air market.

Costa Dorada - Gastronomy:

Catalan dishes have an emphasis on fresh fish, local produce and rice. Try arroz negro - squid cooked in its own ink with rice, peas, red peppers, garlic and onion, or escalivada - peppers, tomato, aubergine and onion, roasted in olive oil.

Costa Dorada - Our holiday accommodation and service:

Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy delightful, privileged, sophisticated holiday destinations throughout Cataluna including the Costa Dorada. From privately owned houses, cottages, villas, and apartments to villas with pools and hotels, in beautiful coastal and rural locations, hand-picked for an authentic taste of unspoiled secret Spain.

So, if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling and trekking; exploring historic castles, fascinating villages, rural towns and vibrant cities; enjoy wine-tasting and gastronomy; fancy a spot of surfing, swimming, sunbathing or relaxing on great beaches at Sitges or Tarragona; or you just want to simply escape the tourist masses with a privately owned apartment, cottage or villa with a pool, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with flights to the Costa Dorada, ferry travel and holiday car hire.