Farniente, sailing and thrills
With the 60 beaches of the Costa Daurada, spread over 81 km of coastline where the golden sand invites you to practice the art of idleness, and the 142 km of coastline of the Terres de l'Ebre, whose orange cliffs conceal secretly preserved wild coves, the province of Tarragona will delight those who like to bask or stroll in solitary landscapes such as the dune beaches of the Ebro Delta. From fine sandy beaches bordered by pine forests and watched over by authentic fishing ports, to hidden coves surrounded by shrubs, to wild stretches of pebbles or gravel, the Catalan coastline reveals a surprising diversity. Bathed by the calm and shallow waters of the Mediterranean where the Posidonia meadows are spread out, the crystalline water of the Tarraconaise coasts is a paradise where you can enjoy a few swims as soon as the sun comes out.
Pleasure boats. From Cunit to Alcanar, the Costa Daurada and the Terres de l'Ebre have a multitude of marinas. In the southernmost part of the territory, the port of Sant Carles de la Ràpita has the largest capacity, but the marinas of Hospitalet de l'Infant, Tarragona and Torredembarra also have plenty of space. On site, the nautical clubs will give you all the information you need for a successful cruise!
Nautical activities. In the sea or in the river, kayaking and paddle surfing allow you to enjoy the natural panoramas offered by the region. In the Ebro Delta area, you can enjoy river navigation in a kayak or on a replica of a llaüt, the traditional boat that used to navigate the river. Water skiing and kitesurfing complete the picture. For those who love adventure and adrenaline, the gorges and springs that make up the natural landscape are ideal for canyoning, and there is something for all levels
Underwater, a great show!
The coasts of the province of Tarragona are also ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. Lovers of shipwrecks should be served, because the remains of shipwrecks are legion a few dozen meters off the Costa Daurada. Sunk in 1917 by a German submarine, the most famous is surely El Cavour. Since this steamer is 52 meters deep, this dive is reserved for experienced divers. For accommodation, the best resorts are Salou, L'Ametlla de Mar and Sant Carles de la Ràpita. This is an opportunity to admire the richness of the underwater world, which is full of many species of fauna and flora such as sea urchins, anemones, mullets, groupers and scorpion fish. In order to practice scuba diving, you must have a license issued by the Spanish maritime authorities or an equivalent foreign license that can be certified by a member club of the Spanish Diving Federation. However, the few diving clubs on the coast have legal facilities to provide you with a license valid for the duration of the dive.
Trout and pike on the menu!
The numerous streams and rivers of the territory - including the impressive Ebro - allow enthusiasts to go after trout, pike or carp. The fishing season runs from the first Saturday in March to August 31. Please note that fishing is not allowed every day or all the time. The town halls will inform you about the authorized days. The permit cannot be obtained from abroad. You will have to go to the authorities to get it, usually within 24 hours. More occasionally, this is done in some small ports
Inland, walks and climbing on the program
Throughout the province, you will find footpaths, long-distance trails (such as the GR 99, which follows the meanders of the Ebro, or the GR 175, Ruta del Cister), as well as many well-signposted local trails and natural parks with marked sections. All of this should allow you to enjoy superb walks in well-preserved areas!
Cycle tourism. The Costa Daurada and the Terres de l'Ebre are ideal for cycling and mountain biking. Due to its flatter and less mountainous topography, the coastal region has a large number of kilometers to make the most of, but the inland regions have more challenging paths with more changing landscapes. Many service providers offer routes, with or without electrically assisted vehicles, but you can also discover the routes at your own pace. One of the routes we highly recommend is the Via Verda in the Zafán Valley, in the Terres de l'Ebre. This 180 km long route is a superb and rather easy cycling route that runs along an old railway line and connects Aragon to the Mediterranean Sea.
Climbing. From the rocky walls of the Montsià to the steep relief of the Els Ports massif, Terres de l'Ebre is a well-known climbing destination for those who love the thrill of heights! Popular sites are located in La Foradada in the Montsià region, in the Serra de Tivissa and Llaberia, but also in Estrets d'Arnes in the Els Ports Natural Park. The walls of the Priorat mountains (Siurana and Margalef de Montsant) are the Mecca of climbing in Southern Europe.
Get out your binoculars!
Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Terres de l'Ebre has something to satisfy both birdwatching enthusiasts and passionate ornithologists, as its territory, and especially the expanses of the Ebro Delta Natural Park, concentrate a rich ornithological fauna. More than 300 species of birds fly over the rice fields, lagoons and mountains of Terres de l'Ebre all year round, from the pink flamingo, which migrates to the wetlands of the delta, to the golden eagle, which watches over the mountains of Els Ports. It is worth noting that the Delta Park is marked with paths and observatories that make this activity very enjoyable!
