Holidays in Costa Dorada. Beaches of the Costa Dorada, Spain

Costa Dorada, the “Golden Coast” is a strip of golden beaches stretching for almost 200 km. The shores of the Costa Dorada are washed by the waters of the Balearic Sea.

Costa Dorada is chosen for its clean beaches, fresh air, saturated with the aroma of pine, shallow sea and vibrant nightlife. There is something to do here for partygoers, families with small children, newlyweds, and lovers of antiquities and active recreation.

Climate and weather of Costa Dorada

The resorts of the Costa Dorada are reliably protected from the winds by the Pyrenees and the Catalan Mountains. The climate here is mild, Mediterranean. The best time to holiday on the Costa Dorada is late spring and early autumn. The hottest month is August. The swimming season begins in mid-May and ends in October.

During the day At night Sea Season
January +14 +6 +14
February +15 +6 +13
March +17 +8 +13
April +19 +11 +15
May +23 +14 +18
June +26 +19 +22 Beach
July +29 +20 +24 Beach
August +29 +20 +25 Beach
September +26 +18 +24 Beach
October +23 +15 +22 Beach
November +18 +10 +18
December +15 +6 +15

Beaches and sea of ​​the Costa Dorada

The beaches in Costa Dorada are sandy and the sand is golden. There are areas with a rocky bottom or pebbly surface. Many have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness. The beaches are municipal, entry is free, but you will have to pay for sun loungers and umbrellas. Unlike the steep banks of the Costa Brava, the Costa Doroda has a gentle entrance to the water almost everywhere. Windsurfers choose the beaches of Salou and Cambrils.

It is worth noting that there are no hotels on the first line in the Costa Dorada. To get to the sea, you need to either walk or use the hotel shuttle service.

Resorts of the Costa Dorada

The most popular resorts on the Costa Dorada are Salou, La Pineda and Cambrils. La Pineda attracts families with children - there is a gentle entrance to the water on sandy beaches. Party-goers and young people like Salou; there are many discos and nightclubs here. People also come to Salou with children - to the huge amusement park Port Aventura.

Cambrils is famous for its fish restaurants - a true gourmet paradise. Windsurfers come to Salou and Cambrils, as well as to the heart of the Costa Dorada - Miami Playa. In bustling Sitges, parties never stop; festivals and celebrations are held.

Sights of the Costa Dorada

Tarragona is an ancient town, literally crammed with various antiquities. A Roman amphitheater has been preserved here, in the arena of which gladiators once fought. The huge cathedral amazes with its bizarre appearance - over the 150 years of construction, it was replaced by many architects, each of whom redrew the design. Even in Tarragona, you can stand on the Devil's Bridge - an ancient Roman aqueduct through which water flowed into the city.

The main attraction of the Salou resort is the huge Port Aventura amusement park. Both adults and children come here - this is a real Spanish Disneyland with many attractions, shows, a beach club and even a Costa Caribbean water park. Performances are staged in the style of Polynesia, China, the Wild West and the Mediterranean - with knights, aborigines, princesses, cowboys - all accompanied by music, noise and fireworks. Salou also has a beautiful embankment and an amazing luminous fountain, whose repertoire includes 210 plays of light and water jets.

In the town of La Pineda there is a beautiful water park "Aqualeon" - in addition to the slides, there is also a nature reserve. The show involves sea animals and parrots. For art lovers, we recommend a trip to the town of Reus, where the famous Antonio Gaudi was born. In the magnificent museum you can get acquainted with his works and appreciate the flight of imagination of the great Catalan.

You can admire the yachts in Cambrils - but first you need to walk along the ancient narrow streets and find a hundred-year-old pine tree - it has an unusual round crown. They say that whoever touches it will have their cherished wish come true.

Cuisine of the Costa Dorada

Gourmets come to Cambrils - local fish restaurants are famous throughout Spain. Fresh fish and shellfish are excellent here. You can buy seafood at the market and then ask the owners of nearby cafes to cook your catch - this is a common practice. The fish is always fresh - the morning catch is considered the best. The fish is grilled, baked with lemon and spices, and served with vegetables.

There is a lot of rice in the dishes of the Costa Dorada, as elsewhere in Spain - be sure to try the paella with mussels and octopus. Meat eaters will love the Morcilla blood sausage. To crown lunch or dinner, you should try the Menjar Blanc dessert - a delicate almond cream mousse with lemon and cinnamon.

The most famous and popular resorts on the Costa Dorada are Salou, La Pineda and Cambrils. But in addition to these tourist centers, the region also has smaller, lesser-known and very pretty resort towns.

This short overview will allow you to get acquainted with all the resorts of the Costa Dorada - briefly, informatively and usefully. Just in order to choose a vacation spot. More detailed information about each of the resorts can be found on the website under the heading “Resorts of the Costa Dorada”. Or, use the active links in this review.

Resorts are listed in order of distance from Barcelona International Airport.

Resorts Costa Dorada

Sitges

Sitges (Sitges) is the Costa Dorada resort town closest to Barcelona. This is a lively, youthful place. A great option for a vacation for two, for example. The city has a lot of bars, clubs, restaurants and other entertainment in the same category. Due to its proximity to Barcelona, ​​it is quite expensive, which is worth keeping in mind. The beaches are crowded, but there are also secluded coves, a nudist beach and a beach for gays.

Calafell

Calafell is a small, very pleasant town. An excellent place for a family holiday, there is even a certificate from the Catalan government confirming its status as a family resort. Fans of active recreation and sports will also like it here. Because there are a lot of sports grounds and swimming pools in the city.

El Vendrell

El Vendrell is a great place for a relaxing, leisurely holiday. Excellent sandy beaches, the sea waters here are especially rich in iodine. At the same time, there is something to see. There is something to have fun with. There are very few tourists from Russia at the resort, because this place is not very well known among us. But Europeans simply adore the town.

Coma-Ruga

Coma Ruga (Comarruga) - this small town is part of El Vendrell. So, the main characteristics are the same: iodine-rich water, excellent thalassotherapy centers, a calm and pleasant holiday.

Torredembarra

Torredembarra is a clean, cozy town that can be explored on foot in a day. In the old part of the city there are narrow streets, old houses, and friendly hosts typical of Catalonia. There are three beaches in the city, they all smoothly merge into each other, without a clear separation.

Tarragona

Tarragona is a large modern industrial city. An excellent option for an excursion holiday in the Costa Dorada. There are a lot of attractions, developed infrastructure, and various festivals and events are constantly taking place.

La Pineda

La Pineda is simply an ideal place to relax with children. It's not as crowded as the more popular Salou. But at the same time, the same developed tourist infrastructure, wonderful clean air, clean sandy beaches with a gentle entrance and shallow water. And for children there is everything - family hotels, and many different attractions and entertainment.

Salou

Salou is the most famous resort on the Costa Dorada and the most affordable. This is without a doubt the tourist center of the coast. It is here that you will find the most modern hotels, entertainment for every taste, and the Port Aventura park. In general, it is excellent for exploring the region.

Cambrils

Cambrils is a charming town – atmospheric and colorful. Gourmets and golf fans will especially like this place. The first - because of the local fish restaurants, the second - because of the proximity of three golf clubs.

Miami Playa

Miami Playa is one of the cleanest cities on the coast. It is conveniently located just between a coniferous forest and the sea. It's very quiet and peaceful here. This resort is rightfully preferred by older tourists and families with children.

Ametlla de Mar

L’Ametlla de Mar – divers and scuba divers love this place. But you don’t have to be either one or the other to relax in this picturesque Spanish town. Here, as in Tarragona, festivals, holidays and unusual events are constantly held. And the 16-kilometer strip of beaches is simply created for a pleasant holiday.

Spain is the best choice for those who love a relaxing family beach holiday; you can choose any coastal region, but domestic tourists prefer the Gold Coast - the beaches of the Costa Dorada.

The hospitable Costa Dorada

The Costa Daurada is located in the northeast of the country on the coast of the Balearic Sea (this is part of the Mediterranean Sea). This is the province of Tarragona (part of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia). Its length is more than 200 km.

The Costa Dorada is not only about magnificent coniferous forests and wide expanses of sea, but also bustling metropolises with a wide variety of top tourist attractions.

The climate of the Costa Dorada is mild and it is comfortable to relax in any season. Summers are warm and there is practically no rain. From May to September, the air temperature is around +27-32 °C, and the water temperature is around +23-25 ​​°C. There are practically no winds on the Costa Dorada. The coast is reliably protected from the west and north by the Catalan Mountains and the Pyrenees.

It's a little colder here in winter. Only 12-15 °C heat. But even at this time tourists come here. They flock to cities that are more reminiscent of open-air museums, admiring the architectural monuments of the medieval and Romanesque periods.

Resorts Costa Dorada

The following Costa Dorada resorts will be interesting to visit:


The most popular tourist destination on the Costa Dorada is Salou.. There are a huge number of hotels, a magnificent promenade and long beaches with golden sand. Very comfortable What other places in Spain are suitable for holidays with children you can find out in this

Beaches in Spain, and in Salou in particular, are places with extremely strong energy. People come here to restore health and peace of mind. magnificent at any time of the year. It is in Salou that the largest amusement park on the entire southern European coast is located - (Port Aventura). It is the second largest amusement park after Disneyland Paris.

There are more than 40 attractions located in 5 thematic zones: Mediterranean, Polynesia, Wild West, Mexico, China and a separate theme park for the little ones - Sesame. This amusement park has a solid “appendage” in the form of the Costa Caribe water park - a piece of the Caribbean islands in the Costa Dorada.


You will not have time to visit all the attractions of Port Aventura in 1 day. It is recommended to buy a ticket for 2 days at once so as not to stand in a long line at the ticket office

For those who have already decided on a holiday in the Costa Dorada, but cannot decide on a specific place, it will be interesting to find out which beaches are located near the above-mentioned popular holiday destinations.

All beaches in Spain, and therefore the beaches of the Costa Dorada, are municipal, i.e. free. In addition, topless sunbathing is allowed.

Naturally, this opportunity is not used by adult lovers of naked sunbathing (although from time to time you can meet them even by older ladies), who prefer secluded places, but by mothers of children who take the opportunity and allow their child to run along the beach without clothes or swimsuits.

6 best beaches in Tarragona – variety and quality

The season on the coast begins in early June, but the curious and thirsty for new adventures should come here in May to attend the “Tarraco Alive” festival. This event is dedicated to the Roman Empire and its history. At this time, gladiators and Roman legionnaires walk freely through the streets of the city.

Salou beaches – TOP 8 tourist spots

There are many offers in hotels and in the city for families vacationing with small children - from hotels in Salou of various stars to apartments with their own kitchen.

In addition, there is a high level of security, both in hotels and on the beaches. All amusement parks also have safety certificates.

We would like to highlight that Salou is a DTF (Family Tourism Destination Certificate) holder.

Playa de Levante

A very popular sandy beach awarded the Blue Flag. During the season it is difficult to find a free place here. This is also due to the fact that the beach, by Costa Dorada standards, is not very large (1.2 km by 70 m). This place is great for children's holidays.


Levante beach is the most popular in Salou and crowded in high season

It is located next to Jaime I Boulevard and has a developed infrastructure, including a large number of children's playgrounds and attractions. There are also special children's clubs on site, where a child can be left for several hours under the supervision of an experienced animator.

There are also recreational facilities for people with disabilities.

If you are relaxing on the beaches in Salou, be sure to take a walk along el Paseo Jaume I (Marine Boulevard Jaime I). This is a place of amazing beauty, with monuments and famous fountains.

Playa de Ponent

The best beach for families with small children. There is shallow water here, where children happily splash around all day and night.

Playa Larga

One of the most beautiful beaches in Salou. Here nature is preserved in its original form. It is separated from the city by a promenade along which tropical trees and flower beds grow.

The territory has everything you need for relaxation: showers, equipment rental, stationary sunshades, children's areas. There are many bars and restaurants on the territory, and rescuers and doctors are constantly working.

Playa Capellans

Small but very cozy, equipped with everything necessary for relaxation. Capellans beach in Salou is located in a small bay. It is always not crowded here, most likely due to the fact that you have to climb a rather steep staircase to get here. It’s not very convenient to come here with small children, but with teenagers it’s quite convenient.

Perfect for those looking for privacy. For some time now, all guidebooks have indicated that in Salou this is a nudist beach. Keep in mind the following fact.

You can also note such beaches of Salou as:

  • Cala Crancs
  • Cala Vinya
  • Cala Penya Tallada
  • Cala Llengüadets.

All of them are well equipped and are within walking distance of the main hotels and campsites.

If you want silence, but you don’t want to travel too far from Salou, go to Cap Salou. This is a small resort town, the beaches of which are not crowded, which means peace and quiet are guaranteed.

The photos of the beaches of Salou are impressive; you want to immediately visit these amazing places. It is worth considering all the beaches of Salou on the map in advance and understanding all the nuances of the location to plan your vacation.

The beaches of Calafell are a sign of European quality

The beach of the same name, Calafell, is a popular holiday destination in this part of the Costa Dorada. Length – 170 m, width – 90 m. This is the central city sandy beach, which offers a full range of free and paid services.

There is a wide and beautifully decorated embankment. The beach is the owner of the Blue Flag, which means that all environmental rules are followed. In addition to this beach, there are the following:

  • Playa de Segur de Calafell
  • Playa Mas Mel (L'Estany)

These places to relax are also equipped with everything you need: umbrellas, sun loungers, showers. There are playgrounds for children, and lifeguards and doctors are constantly working on the beach. Water and sand are certified and meet the European environmental standard ISO 14001.

The beaches of Torredembarra are popular and environmentally friendly

Playa La Paella is one of the most popular sandy beaches in the city of Torredembarra. It is small, so it is quite difficult to find a place here in the high season (780 m by 80 m). There is an embankment, the infrastructure is well developed. Awarded the Blue Flag and is a great place to relax with children.

You can also note such high-quality holiday destinations as:

  • Playa La Paella
  • Playa Els Muntanyans

Altafulla beaches – accessible to everyone

Beach of the same name Altafulla is one of the most popular in this part of the Costa Dorada, annually celebrated with the Blue Flag - a symbol of quality and environmental cleanliness.

Its length is 1100 m and its width is 20 m. The beach is sandy, the water is surprisingly clean, an incredibly deep turquoise hue. This place is popular with tourists, but even in high season you can find a place here.

The infrastructure is well developed. Standard services and entertainment are provided here. Altafulla is suitable for people with reduced mobility.

You can get there by (along the AP-7 highway; distance – 100 km). The provincial capital, Tarragona, is just 9 minutes away by car or a little more by public transport.

Beaches in La Pineda - relaxation or unbridled fun

The beaches of La Pineda are great for families with children. They are not crowded; the hotels have children's clubs and splash pools. In addition, the shallow water warms up well, so you don’t have to worry about your child catching a cold from constantly splashing around in the water.

Next to the La Pineda beach area is the Aquapolis water park.. It is definitely worth a visit with your children to enjoy the show with sea lions and dolphins. In the evening, you should definitely visit the Passeig de Pau Casals promenade. This longest promenade in the province hosts special shows for children in the evenings.

There are buses from Reus Airport to La Pineda. It's also easy to reach from Barcelona (just an hour away by bus or car).

Six best beaches in Miami Playa - quality for romantics

  1. L'Estany Gelat
  2. Punta del Riu
  3. Playa de Cristal

Simply magnificent beaches, covered with snow-white sand and located in close proximity to numerous hotels. All of them are awarded the Blue Flag, which guarantees their environmental friendliness. The territory is wide and long, with developed infrastructure. Excellent for children's holidays.

  1. Cala del Solitario
  2. Cala Misterio
  3. Cala de les Sirenas

These are wild beaches located in small, secluded bays. There are no amenities here, but there is incredible beauty of nature, pristine, untouched by man.

Miami Playa is a worthy place for a family vacation. Quiet and calm. You can stay in one of the many private villas where apartments are rented. The advantage of relaxing here is the possibility of hiking in the mountains.

Local guides offer various tourist excursions deep into Spain, such as visiting Barcelona and great creation of the architectural genius of Catalonia Antoni Gaudi Sagrada Familia . And also to small towns, where life goes on as it did many centuries ago.

Beaches of Hospitalet de Infant – mountains and sea

The area of ​​l’Hospitalet de l’Infant is a place where beaches and mountains come together to form a perfect landscape. Among the most famous:

  • Punta del Riu
  • El Torn

All of them are marked with the Blue Flag quality mark and are perfect for a relaxing family holiday.

Deltebre beaches - relaxation in the lap of wild nature

Playa La Marquesa

A wide sandy beach in Deltebre, more than 1000 m long and 110 m wide. It does not have a promenade. There is quite a lot of space on it even in season, the water is always calm and very clean.

Playa de Riumar

One of the most famous beaches of this part of the Costa Dorada. It is located in the natural protected area of ​​El Garxal and is located next to where the Ebro River flows into the sea. It can be reached through bridges that connect sand dunes, which the authorities decided to preserve.

The beach is very long and wide (2600 m by 150 m). Due to its relative remoteness, the number of tourists is minimal, but it is also awarded the Blue Flag. The territory has all the necessary infrastructure, there is an opportunity for recreation for people with disabilities.

The beaches of Cambrils are the best choice for a family holiday

Platja de la Llosa

A very comfortable city beach in this municipality. There is a wide range of paid and free services. It itself is long (1500 m), sandy, the entrance to the water is gentle, the water is always calm and it’s a pleasure to relax here with children.

Platja de Vilafortuny

A very comfortable sandy beach, which is located in the suburbs. Marked with the Blue Flag, it has a developed infrastructure with a full range of water activities. Despite its rather small size, it is loaded to capacity during the season.

Platja del Regular

Another Cambrils beach with golden sand, marked with the Blue Flag - a guarantor of environmental cleanliness. The territory has everything for a comfortable stay: playgrounds are equipped for children, and an amphibious chair is provided for people with disabilities. This place is popular not only among vacationers, but also among local residents, so it is almost always full.

Platja del Prat d'en Flores

Small but very cozy sandy beach. Marked with the Blue Flag and having everything necessary for a comfortable stay - showers, sun loungers, sun loungers (for a fee).

Platja de la Riera

A small (only 200 m) pebble and sand beach, but popular. It's good to relax here with small children. The place is guarded and rescuers are working. It's always safe and calm here.

Platja del Cavet

Another quiet and calm sandy beach. This place is very popular with couples with small children. It's always very clean and quiet here. It is easily accessible from Salou (there is a bus stop just 50m away).

Platja d'Horta de Santa Maria

Another sandy beach ideal for families with children. There is a children's playroom, a splash pool, and animators are constantly working. The beach is not large, it is difficult to find a free place in high season.

Cambrils is famous for its Medieval Quarter, as well as the Port, Here are the most famous fish restaurants in Costa Darada and the Fish Market. Diving enthusiasts will also appreciate this place, because Cambrils is a Mecca for divers who prefer to dive in warm waters. Here are the two largest diving clubs on the entire coast.

Cambrils, like Salou, is DTF certified, making it a great destination for a family holiday.

If you plan to spend a lot of time in the Costa Dorada and want to diversify your beach holiday as much as possible, use the TarraGOna Card.

It has many advantages: free travel on public transport, free entry to a large number of museums, discounts in restaurants and shops. For those planning a vacation with a large family, this will help save a significant amount.

Unknown Costa Dorada

Here we can highlight the attractive tourist beach at Cunit, which is 2.5 km long and is divided into seven sections by breakwaters. This is a sandy beach, equipped, but, compared to other places, not so busy with vacationers. Here you can enjoy peace and quiet.

Another place unknown to Russian tourists is the beaches in the city of El Vendrell, which stretch for 7 km and cover areas such as Coma Ruga, San Salvador and El Francois.

There are three places for sunbathing and swimming:

  1. Platja de Sant Salvador
  2. Platja de Coma Ruga
  3. Platja del Francas

These are the best beaches of the Costa Dorada, which are marked with the Blue Flag environmental quality mark. The peculiarity and uniqueness of these places is that the water contains a lot of iodine, which has a beneficial effect on the body, especially children. Spaniards usually take their children with allergies here.

If you do not want to be tied to one place, of course, it is better to rent a car. This way you can visit picturesque places where no bus or even taxi can take you. You can rent a car in Salou (read about it), or book a car online in advance and pick it up in any other city in Spain where you are going on vacation.

Conclusion

In our review, we tried to talk about the Beaches of the Costa Dorada, which are worthy of attention and worth visiting, and this is definitely the dream of any tourist. In addition, Spain ranks first in Europe in the number of beach places marked with the Blue Flag for compliance with environmental standards.

While many domestic vacationers know about some of the listed resort towns, like Salou and La Pineda, some are not yet so worthy of attention, which is a pity - it’s definitely worth coming here to see this “golden” Paradise with your own eyes.

“Costa Dorada” translates as “golden coast”, and this is due to the peculiar golden hue of the sand on the beaches of the coast - the southernmost in Catalonia. The local golden sandy beaches of the Costa Dorada are very wide and the sea is shallow, which creates excellent conditions for traveling with children. Of all the holiday destinations that Spain provides us with, the Costa Dorada is most suitable for family holidays. A huge number of different amusement parks, cafes, restaurants, discos and nightclubs will not let vacationers of all ages get bored. Holidays in the Costa Dorada are full of discoveries: connoisseurs of history and church architecture will be attracted by an excursion to Mount Montserrat, where the monastery of the same name is located, dedicated to the patroness of Catalonia. Here you can hear the church boys' choir, touch the miraculous Virgin and attend a free tasting of medicinal liqueurs produced by the monks. Tours to the Costa Dorada are also suitable for active recreation: conditions for water sports are ideal here. The beaches of Salou and Cambrils are considered the most suitable for windsurfing. The coastline has tennis courts, golf courses and riding clubs.

Excursions

Costa Dorada is famous for the famous amusement park Port Aventura (Salou) - a kind of Spanish Disneyland, the second largest amusement park in Europe, which not only children, but also adults will enjoy visiting. And, of course, children will be delighted with the Aqualeon water park and mini-zoo (in El Vendrell) and the Aquopolic water park (La Pineda). Give the children joy - show them a real knightly tournament. Expect a medieval show with jousting, dinner, dancing and a fiery flamenco performance presented by the ballet Queta Barcelo. While vacationing in Spain, it is impossible not to visit Barcelona, ​​the capital of Catalonia. Barcelona opens its doors to everyone who wants to experience its historical, cultural and artistic wealth. Take a tour of the ancient city of Tarragona, where you can see the archaeological park and ancient Roman monuments. Tarragona is also a dynamic, young city, the core of which is the Rambla Nova, a wide boulevard ending in a belvedere - a ledge overlooking the seaport and sports yachts. Reus is no less interesting - a small but amazingly beautiful city with a rich history, the commercial and business center of this province. For those who want to feel like a sommelier, we offer an excursion to the Torres wine cellars, a winery located in a privileged area of ​​Catalonia, Vilafranca del Penedès. While vacationing on the Costa Dorada, do not miss the opportunity to visit the independent principality of Andorra - shopping in the duty-free zone will give you real pleasure.

Transport

Those who prefer an active holiday to beach laziness can go explore the region on their own and take a trip to the coastal resort centers with rail connections. By train along the coastline, you can even get to Barcelona and take a tour of one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. The fare will be 4 - 6 euros one way, depending on the distance of the resort from Barcelona. The price of travel between coastal cities varies from 1 to 3 euros. An express bus runs on the Salou - Tarragona - Barcelona route 5-7 times a day, with an average fare of 7 - 8.5 euros one way. A cheaper way to travel between cities is by regular bus. *price and service intervals are subject to change during the season. The central bus terminal is located in Tarragona. Getting around by taxi is probably the most comfortable, but also expensive.

Climate

The Costa Dorada is located on the Mediterranean coast and stretches from Barcelona to the province of Tarragona. Thanks to its unique geographical features and mild Mediterranean climate, this place has become a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The Pyrenees and Catalan Mountains protect the Costa Dorada well from winds and cyclones. Thanks to this, the Costa Dorada has good weather from March to October, and therefore vacationers come here almost all year round. Swimming in the sea begins in mid-May. In mid-summer the sea warms up to 22-25°C, the air temperature in July-August is about 33°C. The beaches on the Costa Dorada are long, wide, with fine golden sand and clear water; the quality of many of them is marked with the Blue Flag of the European Union, which is recognition of the highest quality.

Beaches and swimming season

On the Gold Coast, some beaches in popular resort areas are marked with the Blue Flag for cleanliness and environmental friendliness. Capellans & Llevant beaches in the resort town of Salou, and in Cambrils - Cavet, Prat d'en Fores, Vilafortuny I Esquirol beaches.

Resorts of the Costa Dorada:

Vila Seca

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Cambrils

The natural beauty of the Mediterranean, the elusive spirit of medieval chivalry, the best traditions of oil makers and fishermen, the hot Spanish temperament, softened by the warm rays of the sun and the gentle waves of the sea - this is Cambrils, a small resort town on the Costa Dorada.

Costa Dorada

“Costa Dorada” translates as “golden coast”, and this is due to the peculiar golden hue of the sand on the beaches of the coast - the southernmost coast of Catalonia. The local golden sandy beaches of the Costa Dorada are very wide and the sea is shallow, which creates excellent conditions for traveling with children.

Most Russian-speaking tourists prefer to holiday in Spain at the resorts of the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada. But these two tourist regions are seriously different from each other, as they offer completely different holidays.

Holidays in the Costa Brava will be more enjoyable for those who cannot sit still. Museums, natural views, architectural monuments, proximity to Barcelona’s attractions - you can’t do it all in a week!

Costa Dorada, on the contrary, is aimed at the “lazy” tourist and young parents. The latter will definitely like the gentle entrance to the sea and the proximity of one of the largest amusement parks in the world, Port Aventura.

Content

Comparison of pros and cons

Advantages of the Costa Brava Advantages of Costa Dorada
  • natural beauty;
  • more excursions;
  • proximity to France;
  • more choice of resorts;
  • cheaper tour costs;
  • closer to Barcelona;
  • lower cost of tours;
  • the sea water is a couple of degrees warmer;
  • less chance of rain;
  • you can make castles from sand;
  • there is Port Aventura
  • gentle entrance to the sea;
  • warmer sea and better beaches;
  • suitable for families with children;
FlawsFlaws
  • sharp entry into the sea;
  • sand does not stick;
  • very few beach hotels;
  • sand does not stick to the swimsuit;
  • there are too many people during the season;
  • all resorts are concentrated in one place;
  • more difficult to get to Barcelona;
  • no attractions;
  • higher cost of travel;

Location of coasts on the map

Costa Brava

Main resorts:

The Costa Brava (meaning “wild rocky coast” in Spanish) is part of the Balearic Sea coast north of Barcelona. Officially, its borders start from the city of Blanes and end at the Spanish-French border.

The only “own” airport of the Costa Brava is in Girona, but 98% of tourists fly to Barcelona and get to the resorts using public transport or transfers.

Costa Dorada

Costa Dorada is located in the province of Tarragona, in the northeastern part of Spain. The "Golden Coast", as this coast is often called because of the golden color of the sand, stretches from Tarragona to Barcelona.

Main resorts:

Climatic features

Costa Brava

Lloret, Blanes and Tossa De Mar are always a couple of degrees cooler. It is influenced by the mountains and the cold current that comes here from Gibraltar. The water takes a little longer to warm up, so the swimming season begins only at the end of June and ends at the end of September.

Majestic cliffs, densely covered with mighty pines and firs, secluded bays and snow-white beaches. You won’t find anything like this in other regions, so we recommend staying in the north for lovers of beautiful views and hiking.

Costa Dorada

Costa Dorada has a slightly milder and warmer climate. Thanks to its southern location, it receives less rain from the Pyrenees. The swimming season here starts earlier and ends a little later. Therefore, in June and October it is better to relax in Salou or Tarragona.

Since the entrance to the sea is shallow, the water also warms up much better than in the resorts of the Costa Brava. And the sand here is finer, so it sticks better and kids like it. There is so much entertainment here that neither kids nor lovers of active recreation and thrills will be bored.

The resort infrastructure is growing and improving every year. There are many more hotels with animation and food that our tourist is used to. The same applies to nightclubs, noisy discos and entertainment centers.

Major resorts

Costa Brava

Perhaps the brightest and busiest resort in the region is the former trading port, now a paradise for vacationers -. Nightclubs and discos for every taste, British bars, beach attractions and noisy party life - everything is created for a carefree youth holiday.

An excellent vacation spot is. A 3-kilometer golden beach, picturesque bays, medieval buildings, botanical gardens and wonderful nature create an atmosphere of comfort. Also, trains to Barcelona run constantly from here.

From the northern resorts it is a stone's throw to the southern coast of France. By renting a car, you can easily reach Nice and the Principality of Monaco in 6 hours. And good transport links to Barcelona will give you the opportunity to get to know this beautiful city and its attractions.

Costa Dorada

Tarragona Cathedral is a majestic building built in the 12th century. In the temple you can see sculptures of the 12 apostles, Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. The cathedral is active, so in addition to its architecture, it is also notable for the fact that it allows you to plunge into the local religion.

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