The Costa Daurada can be visited all year round. A unique destination to make the most of your free time. Whether on the coast or in the mountains, discover this fall - and season after season - a rich and diverse territory, where everyone will find something to do.
To speak of the Costa Daurada is to speak of its contrasts, enjoying its fine sandy beaches and crystal clear waters as well as its mountain landscapes, in the Serra de Montsant and the Muntanyes de Prades, among other natural areas of great beauty. A privileged corner where gastronomy and culture go hand in hand, where the memory of past civilizations coexists with living traditions full of color and magic.
To speak of the Costa Daurada is also to speak of walks along the Mediterranean Sea that reveals its most beautiful reflections, along natural paths or fishing ports. It means experiencing the adrenaline of adventure sports or enjoying the unique silence of the Cistercian route. It is also a perfect destination to enjoy the sunset among the vineyards. With privileged climatic conditions - 300 days of sunshine a year confirm it - the Costa Daurada offers a range of tourist attractions in constant evolution and adapted to all visitors.
If you want to experience all that the Costa Daurada has to offer throughout the year, read on... and then join us to discover the range of proposals, landscapes and experiences for the whole family in a destination that remains unrivalled.
Calafell, a family destination full of history
The past is lived in a special way in Calafell, where you can touch history. From the Ciutadella Ibèrica - which allows us to go back in time to the 6th century B.C. - to its imposing medieval castle, the Castell de la Santa Creu, the imprint left by the centuries is particularly vivid when visiting this gateway to the Mediterranean. The Romanesque church of Sant Miquel or the Casa Barral museum, where the poet Carlos Barral lived, are other must-sees for visitors eager for cultural moments.
However, Calafell is not limited to its history. Today, it is one of the most popular destinations for families, who can enjoy its five kilometers of uninterrupted beaches with calm waters. Here you can cool off with a swim, sunbathe on the golden sand, or even rent a catamaran to float along and enjoy the waves.
For all these reasons, Calafell has been certified as a family resort since 2006. This year it has also been awarded the status of Biosphere certified destination by the Institute of Responsible Tourism (ITR). A recognition that distinguishes the commitment of the municipality to sustainability.
A visit to this corner of the Costa Daurada can also be done at the table, tasting the arrossejat - the flagship of local gastronomy, reflecting its fishing tradition - or rediscovering the xató, the characteristic salad of the Penedès.
Whether it is for the living traces of its history, the pleasure of its beaches or its varied offer of leisure activities, Calafell has all the assets to become a unique and memorable experience.
El Vendrell, a place for family relaxation in the heart of nature
Resting is not synonymous with immobility: everyone knows that in El Vendrell, the ideal destination for active travelers. There are many different ways to unwind. They range from snorkeling in the Masía Blanca marine reserve to Pilates or Zumba sessions on a seven-kilometer stretch of beach in San Salvador, Coma-Ruga or El Francàs. Nordic walking also has a long tradition and has become a popular sport with routes throughout the municipality.
These are calm beaches with transparent waters. The pleasant temperature of the sea is combined with the high percentage of iodine present in this corner of the Costa Daurada, making the water particularly healthy. El Vendrell is particularly attractive for visitors who are looking to disconnect from routine and reconnect with their bodies, while rediscovering nature and the outdoors
If you want to walk, the natural area of the Madrigueres - a wetland from which you can observe many species of birds of great natural and landscape value - or the dry stone route are the preferred options for adventurers. And after the sport, what better way to celebrate than with a good xató or a glass of one of the cavas or other wines produced in the surrounding cellars and which are part of the Penedès D.O.?
This destination also stands out from the cultural point of view, as it has an important network of museums, such as the museum and the birthplace of the composer Pau Casals, who was born in El Vendrell. In addition, there is the House-Museum of the writer Àngel Guimerà, the Museo del Deu and the Foundation of the sculptor Apel.les Fenosa, which is located in one of the most emblematic areas of the city, the Portal del Pardo.
Torredembarra, nature and history at every corner
If you are looking for a destination for the whole family, Torredembarra offers an architectural, urban and natural environment of infinite beauty, in addition to its four kilometers of heavenly beaches, with fine sand and calm waters.
The offer begins at Els Muntanyans beach, two spectacular kilometers of dunes and marshes that were declared an Area of Natural Interest 20 years ago. Lovers of flora and fauna will be able to observe the native vegetation and many animal species, including migratory birds.
Another option is Paella beach, an ideal space for children, with several soccer and beach volleyball courts where various sports competitions are held. The experience of Baix a Mar beach, located in front of the old fishermen's quarter, is also unique. It has a beautiful underwater landscape formed by three rocky bars parallel to the coast.
The fourth beach in Torredembarra is Canyadell beach. It is a small cove surrounded by the unique landscape of the cliffs of Torredembarra, which can be explored on foot by taking one of the various hiking routes offered by the municipality. This beach is also home to the last lighthouse built in Spain, designed by the architect Josep Maria Llinàs and inaugurated in 2000.
Torredembarra also offers visitors a wide range of possibilities for historical and cultural tourism: we can visit the Castell dels Icart -the only Renaissance civil building still standing in Catalonia-, marvel at its old quarter or go back in time by following the route of the Indianos.
Tarragona, falling in love with living history
"De Manios Vibios para la Menrva". This is the text of the oldest Latin inscription in Iberia, engraved with a dagger on the tower dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, Minerva. And this is in Tarragona of course! The ancient Tarraco, one of the main capitals of Roman Hispania, has become a privileged and surprising place to discover a thousand-year-old civilization.
Tarragona has more than a dozen World Heritage monuments, including the amphitheater, where gladiators fought by the sea, the Arch of Berà and the Forum. But the immortal Roman heritage is not only in the stones: it is also in the hospitality of the people of Tarragona. Tarragona is an ancestral history that can be discovered while dining under the vaults of the Roman circus or tasting a refreshing vermouth surrounded by more than 2,000 years of heritage.
From the Roman Tarraco, we can take a leap into medieval times, either by strolling through the narrow streets of the old town or by visiting the impressive cathedral, halfway between the Romanesque and the Gothic. And we can continue to travel to traditions that are still alive today, for example, in the neighborhood of El Serrallo, where fishing boats arrive every afternoon with their catch of fish and shellfish. Or see how the different eras blend together, as in Plaça de la Font, Plaça del Fòrum and Plaça del Rei, where the modern city coexists with the imperial city.
Beyond culture, Tarragona is also a natural paradise, surrounded by coves linked by pine forests, natural dunes and protected areas, as well as fifteen kilometers of family beaches. Its climate - a blessing all year round - and an excellent gastronomy in which the flavors of the sea and the vegetable garden stand out - from suquet to romesco, icons of Tarragona's cuisine - define a unique destination where history is experienced at every step.
Salou, privileged views of the Mediterranean
It is said that beauty attracts, and there are few better destinations than the Salou lookout route to be totally enchanted by the beautiful combination of sea, sky and nature. This is a route that follows the Camino de Ronda, which leads to 40 viewpoints from which you can enjoy a magnificent sensory experience on the shores of the Mediterranean, discovering the 25 beaches, coves and creeks of Salou.
You will cross a landscape where dunes alternate with ancient rocky outcrops, where cliffs and viaducts give way to pine groves that sway in the sea breeze. In short, a world of extraordinary natural, geological and ecological wealth. The Camino de Ronda project in Salou is an example of sustainability, designed to accommodate both lovers of a healthy lifestyle and lovers of sports such as trekking and running.
Crossing its paths and viaducts amidst the crashing waves is also a path of history: the Camino de Ronda is so named because it was the route used by the carabineros - the soldiers in charge of guarding the coasts and pursuing smuggling and piracy - who made the "rounds" and prevented illegal activities. An adventurous past that today has become a refuge for the public interested and sensitive to the quality of the environment and the preservation of natural spaces.
It is, in short, an ideal activity for both the inhabitants of Salou and visitors, as it allows you to contemplate the coastal landscape - you discover the shapes of the coast of Salou or its cape - as well as the local fauna and flora. A unique experience that, at its highest point, rises to 77 meters above sea level, offering views that, once again, leave you captivated by so much beauty.
Vila-seca, the Pineda Platja, the place to return to
Another fantastic option for families looking for entertainment is Vila-seca, la Pineda Platja: few children will be able to resist spending a day at PortAventura Park and Ferrari Land. But roller coasters and slides do not exhaust the possibilities of this destination that awaits us for unique experiences.
Vila-seca, La Pineda Platja is also - as its name suggests - a privileged place to enjoy the Mediterranean. The beach of La Pineda extends for three kilometers, with calm and clear waters and a very gentle slope. An ideal place to enjoy with the family, as certified by the family tourism label of the Catalan Tourism Agency.
Another possibility is to explore the green areas of the region, on foot or by bike. The municipality has three mountain bike routes for enthusiasts. The routes close to the city allow you to enjoy landscapes such as the Sèquia Major - a rich wetland that is home to animal species such as the fartet or the European water turtle -, the Torre d'en Dolça park and its Roman remains, or the imposing pine trees of the Pinar de Perruquet park.
For culture lovers, the new Celler de Vila-seca - which has already opened its doors to visitors after a period of restoration and museification - or the solemn and spectacular Castell de Vila-seca, will allow us to get to know the surroundings from a different angle. Calm sea or adrenaline; green spaces or cultural route: Vila-seca, the Pineda Platja, opens a wide range of options to welcome all visitors who want to discover it.
More information on the website of the Patronat de Turisme de la Costa Daurada and on the Facebook and Instagram pages