Costa Dorada: Holidays

Backpacking opportunities in the Costa Dorada are inconsistent; this is due to the fact that some city areas such as Barcelona have an abundance of hostels, while other areas such as Salou and Tarragona have only a handful. Prices start for hostels at a pricey €24 a night and the more expensive hostels are priced at around €50, so it is not the most economical option. However, in areas such as Barcelona where there are many hostels you can get a good deal as they are competitively priced. In terms of nightlife for backpackers, Costa Dorada is the place to be. There are a multitude of bars, nightclubs and restaurants in Salou and Barcelona, which have themed nights with drinks offers. Additionally, there are lots of economical activities you can pursue, such as strolling down the ‘Ramblas’, surfing on the vast stretch of coastline or mooching around the Spanish shops. Overall backpacking holidays is a good option in the Costa Dorada, but can be limiting in the smaller resorts, such as Salou.j

The Costa Dorada is the perfect destination for a beach holiday, as it is a coastal region, so it is absolutely ideal. If you are a sun worshipper, then you can spend your time topping up your tan on the sun kissed beaches. Many of the stretches of coasts evident in Barcelona and some parts of Tarragona and Salou have a broad selection of water sports on offer, such as windsurfing, waterskiing, surfing and kite surfing on the beach. You can literally spend whole days on the beach in the Costa Dorada region, as the coasts in Salou and Barcelona have bars and restaurants that line the beach, so you can have a quick bite of lunch when it is too hot to be on the beach, and then retire for a cocktail and spot of dinner before heading back to you holiday accommodation in the Costa Dorada: many hotels and apartments are located on the seafront, which is ideal. A beach holiday in the Costa Dorada is highly recommended.

There are masses of camp sites located on the Costa Dorado. The warm summers and array of campsites means that the Costa Dorado is a great place to camp. The Kawan Village campsite in Tarragona is marvellous, it has a TV room, washing machines, and a swimming pool is located by the coast, so you can enjoy lots of water sports too, it is like staying in a hotel, you can even have cooked food too, while there are a mammoth 620 pitches to put up your tent.

One campsite in Cambrils has shops, baby pools, as well as a cinema and disco for its residents and has 466 areas to pitch tents, there is nearly every sport on offer, from ping-pong, to horse riding. While the Camp site at Cubelles has a Jacuzzi, sauna, an outdoor pool, and a heated pool, these are just a few of the numerous campsites dotted around the Costa Dorada and many have these fantastic facilities discussed above. All the campsites have a star rating based on their facilities. Prices for pitches cost approximately €300 to €1100 for 12 nights for 2 adults and children. Due to their facilities, choice of locations and the amount of pitches, Costa Dorado is a fabulous place to go on a camping holiday.

The Costa Dorado is a great location for a city break, as there are opportunities to go shopping, to see the sights and unwind on the beach. In terms of accommodation, the one and two star hotels start from around €47 a night. Three star hotels in the Costa Dorado range from €50 a night to €120 and have varying facilities from indoor and outdoor pools, bars, restaurants, and many are based in the key cities such as Tarragona and Salou. To see the sites in Costa Dorada visit the Museu de la Vida Rural in Tarragona, (in the L’Espluga de Francoli). Then take a trip to the Museu del Port de Tarragona: The museum documents the ports transformation from the Roman Times to contemporary times. This museum holds an exhibition about Tarragona’s harbours, docks and fishing traditions. While discovering Tarragona’s marine past, step into its Roman remains in its historic centre. If you want to vary your city break in the Costa Dorado, you can look around a museum/historic site in the morning and go shopping in one of Costa Dorada’s cities in the afternoon. There are lots of opportunities to shop until your drop in the Costa Dorada. Traditional Spanish memorabilia and souvenirs such as leather items and ceramics are for sale in the markets. There are also a range of fashionable boutiques selling unique outfits such as handmade dresses and tailored suits. You can also hit the night clubs and bars in Costa Dorado for a night on the town. You will not be disappointed with a city break to the Costa Dorada as this Spanish coastal region has so much to offer for holidaymakers.

The Costa Dorada is the perfect place for a corporate holiday. The Costa Dorada’s array of beach resort hotels have a variety of conference facilities coupled with bars and restaurants set on glorious sandy beaches, so staff members can have meetings, then wine, dine, sunbathe and bond as a team in this Spanish coastal region. Team building exercises will be easy to organise, due the vast range of activities on offer, such as waterskiing, paragliding and scuba diving. These shared experiences will dramatically improve relations with co-workers in the office. Costa Dorada’s long, warm evenings gives you the perfect opportunity to relax in the Mediterranean heat while closing that lucrative deal. Due to its charming scenery, suitable facilities and endless activities, The Costa Dorada is the perfect corporate holiday destination for businesses of all sizes.

The Costa Dorada is a great choice for a culture and arts holiday, culture vultures can visit the Museu de la Vida Rural in Tarragona, (in the L’Espluga de Francoli). The museum houses an exhibition that shows how the Spanish lived in the past. The Museu del Port de Tarragona will give you a further insight into the area, and outlines the history of Tarragona’s port. The museum documents the ports transformation from the Roman Times to contemporary times. The museum holds an exhibition about Tarragona’s harbours, docks and fishing traditions and is located at the Moll de Costa in Tarragona. While discovering Tarragona’s marine past, step into its Roman remains in Tarragona’s historic centre and wonder at Roman buildings and monuments and gaze at the ancient columns and porticos that will take back to the days of Julius Caesar and the forum. One thing is for sure, you will not be disappointed with a Culture and Arts holiday in the Costa Dorada.

Costa Dorada is a coastal region with up to date facilities for disabled holidaymakers, there are hotels that specially cater for less able guests, which is particularly prevalent in Salou. Some of these hotels in Salou have showers, lifts, ramps and spacious rooms with handle bars to help manoeuvrability. However, each hotel has different amenities, so it is advisable to ring the hotel direct in advance to find out whether they have the appropriate facilities for your disability. After unpacking in your accessible room, sit out on your balcony and soak in Costa Dorada’s scenic landscape on your vacation to this Mediterranean land.

Costa Dorada is the perfect holiday destination for a family holiday. The beaches and resorts have activities and entertainment for the kids, while parents can relax with a cocktail in the many bars that line the Costa Dorada. However, you cannot leave the Costa Dorada without visiting Port Aventura, which is the biggest amusement park in Spain. This fun filled amusement park is for all the family and has mouth watering attractions, such as roller coasters and water rides, which will exhilarate mothers, fathers and children alike. Many hotels/apartments/campsites have flexible accommodation arrangements for families with twin rooms or triple rooms, or even family tents and apartments that can sleep 6 - enough room for the entire family. Bed and breakfast accomodation start from €19 and hotels are around €47. One thing is certain, you and the family will have the time of your life on a family vacation to the Costa Dorada.

The Costa Dorada has a lively gay scene, however, the place to be for homosexuals is Sitges, this area has a vibrant gay scene with a huge selections clubs, afters, bars, restaurants for gay holidaymakers. There are four discos/nightclubs in Sitges that have either gay nights, or are gay clubs, the clubs are called ‘Organic’, ‘Trailer’, ‘Atlantida’ and ‘Ricky’ that are located in Sitges. There are over 10 gay bars/cafes in Sitges. ‘Sauna Sitges’ is a gay sauna where can have video, steam bath and foam parties. There are around 20 gay hostels and hotels, so the selection is huge. There are two gay beaches in Sitges, De la Bassa Rodona and Del Muerto – this is a gay nudist beach, so once you have sunbathed in the morning head to one of the many gay restaurants that line the coastline. Overall, Costa Dorada, more specifically Sitges, is the perfect place for a holiday for single homosexuals and same sex couples, as you will feel part of this welcoming, large and lively gay community in the Costa Dorada.

The Costa Dorada is a fabulous place to have your hen party, the endless stretch of sandy beaches with bars and clubs that line the coast means that you and the girls can sunbathe during the day and party the night away. Or if you and the gang want a relaxing stay you can unwind with your cocktail on the hotel balcony and have a girly gossip while watching the sun go down. If you want to relax even more, you can stay in a spa hotel in the Costa Dorada, many of which are five star, where you can treat the bride to be to a massage, relax in the Jacuzzi, or have a lovely swim in the pool. If you rather not stay in a spa hotel, you could always visit the hotel and use the spa facilities for the day. There is good selection of spas and spa hotels in the Costa Dorada, so you will be spoilt for choice when you book. One thing is for sure, the bride and girls will have the time of their lives on a hen weekend in the Costa Dorada.

The Costa Dorada is a great place to take the lads for a stag party/weekend or event. The endless sandy beaches have water sports available, such as scuba diving, waterskiing and surfing available. You could take the lads white water rafting or kayaking for some real adventure. After an exhilarating day on the coast, hit the array of bars, restaurants and nightclubs that stand side by side on the seafront in the Costa Dorada region. Salou in the Costa Dorada is one of the best places to stay during your stag weekend, as there is a go-karting track, so you can race the boys round the circuit. There is also an aqua park called Port Aventura – the biggest in Spain, so thrill seeking lads who love active adventure will have a fabulous stag event in this delightful in the Spanish coastal region of the Costa Dorada.

The Costa Dorada is a brilliant place to spend your first few days as a married couple, where you can relax and unwind after your busy wedding and enjoy the delights of this serene coastal region. The endless sun kissed sandy beaches are perfect for your romantic stroll after dinner - as long as you choose to visit the Costa Dorada during the Spring or Autumn. If you are planning on having a summer honeymoon, plan on sharing the beach with a couple hundred other couples! There is a huge range of accommodation in the Costa Dorada, which means that you can select the perfect accommodation for you and your spouse, the four and five star hotels have honeymoon suits with pools and spas, so you can have a luxurious honeymoon in the Costa Dorada. One thing is for sure, you will have the most romantic days of your married life on your honeymoon in the Costa Dorada.

The Costa Dorada region is a great place to go for a clothes free lifestyle. The area has around three nudist beaches, and many quieter beaches where nudist bathing is acceptable. Nudist holiday makers are really in for a real treat, as the Costa Dorada houses its very own nudist resort known as the El Templo del Sol, which has a campsite and bungalows available for rental. This naturist resort in the Costa Dorada even has its own cinema, and movies are played in the evening, there are activities around the swimming pool during the evenings too. Naturism is mandatory in the pool and on the beach, but clothes must be worn in areas such as the onsite restaurant. The resort has its very own 1700 m beach, which is completely natural and unspoilt. You have to stay a minimum of three nights. Lodge rental starts from €50 per person per week and pitch rental starts from €18 per person per week, and children camp for free, however these prices vary according to the season in which you stay. You will have a fantastic naturism holiday in the Costa Dorada, as it has something for every nudist holidaymaker who is on vacation.

You will have a fantastic time on a party holiday in the Costa Dorada, due to the fact that the Costa Dorada is a coastal region there are an array of bars and nightclubs that line the golden coastline, so you can party on until dawn. In terms of accommodation, there are a handful of hostels in Tarragona and Salou, this means that prices are not competitive in some areas. Prices start for hostels at a pricey €24 a night and the more expensive hostels are priced at around €50, and of course prices rise for single holiday makers in hotels with the single supplement cost. In terms of entertainment for singles and partygoers, the Costa Dorada is the place to be, but accommodation is expensive and limiting.

The Costa Dorada is the perfect romantic getaway for couples seeking sun, sand, and time to unwind (in the right season - we recommend you travel during the spring or the autumn to avoid the crowds of tourists during the peak summer months). There is a variety of hotels, ranging from luxury to basic, to suit all budgets. The more luxury hotels offer outdoor swimming pools and spas to relax and spend some quality time with your partner. Couples can walk hand in hand along the endless sandy beaches and then stroll into one of the many bars on the seafront for a cocktail. The Costa Dorada is a varied area, so you could walk around the busy centre of Tarragona and look at the classical architecture on offer or cultured couples can mooch around one of the many museums in the Costa Dorada. Thrill seeking couples can visit the water park or the biggest theme park in Europe, which are based in the Costa Dorada. Active couples can surf, waterski and dive in the Mediterranean Sea on their romantic holiday to the Costa Dorada.

Spain is known for its massive selection golf courses, and this coastal region is no exception, there are around 8 golf courses in the area from the Sitges Terramar Golf Club and the Golf Masia Bach south of Barcelona, and there is also Panoramica Golf and Country Club located in Valencia, so wherever you are in the Costa Dorada you are never far from a golf course.

You can even hire a villa or apartment that is set on a golf course, so you won’t have far to travel to tee-off. There are easier, intermediate and advanced golf courses in the Costa Dorada, so beginners to advance golfers will find the right course to suit their standard, for example the Bonmont Terres Noves Golf Club is a championship golf course, while the Sitges Terramar Golf Club is not a difficult golf course. A golf holiday in Costa Dorada is highly recommended, as there is something for every golfer in the region.

The beautiful weather and deep blue Mediterranean Ocean and frequent winds mean that the Costa Dorada is a fantastic location to sail. You can charter your own yacht/boat and there are many companies who provide this service, however, moorings can be expensive, so check prices before you book. The Costa Dorada has its very own sailing school based in Cambrils, where you can try your hand at sailing by having a lesson, hiring a boat and they have many other nautical activities on offer. International boat driving licenses are accepted, and you can also gain this license while you are enjoying your sailing holiday in the Costa Dorada.

You will have a wonderful scuba diving holiday in the Costa Dorada, this is due to the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, which houses wondrously luminous schools of fish and coral, the clear waters also mean that you will have great visibility. What’s more, the year long warm waters mean that you will have an enjoyable dive. There are dive centres spotted around the Costa Dorada, such as in Salou, where qualified instructors will take you diving. At some of these centres, there is also an opportunity to gain a diving qualification. For more experienced divers, there are boats that will take you into the depths of the ocean. However, there are no famous underwater wrecks in the Costa Dorada, so this could be limiting for experienced divers.