Sometimes, we think that sun and beach towns can only offer tourism options in summer months, but this is not always the case. Many coastal towns have a wide range of leisure, entertainment, culture, gastronomy and sporting activities on offer, so that you can visit them all year round. This is the case of Salou, the tourism capital par excellence of Costa Dorada, bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, a magnificent option to visit this autumn.
If your flight arrives at Barcelona airport, you should consider that you have at your disposal the private transfer services and shared transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, offered by Shuttle2Sun, so that you can get to Salou in a comfortable and carefree way. Shuttle2Sun also operates at Reus airport, Barcelona port, Girona airport and AVE Camp de Tarragona train station.
Arrival at Barcelona Airport
Barcelona Airport is in the centre of Catalonia, just an hour and a half from Salou, Cambrils, La Pineda and Tarragona, on Costa Dorada; and just 1 hour and 20 minutes from towns such as Girona, Tossa de Mar and Blanes, on Costa Brava.
This airport has all the services to make your stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible. In addition, if you are travelling with children, there are breastfeeding rooms, preferential access for families, as well as a free child seat loan service and luggage rack with Maxi-Cosi or pushchair.
In our publication ‘Travel tips for your transfer from Barcelona Airport to the hotel’, you have at your disposal all the information you need for a perfect trip.
RallyRACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada, from the 19th to the 21st of October
If you are a motor racing enthusiast and you want to experience the adrenaline of racing cars, you must make a note of this event on your calendar: the 58th RallyRACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada. It will be held from the 19th to the 21st of October, with Salou and PortAventura World complex as the epicentres of the competition.
On this occasion, it will be the 7th of the nine qualifying rounds for the Spanish Super Rally Championship (S-CER), the most important of the rally speciality that is disputed in Spain; and, at the same time, the antepenultimate race of the Catalan Rally Championship, and the penultimate of the Volant RACC – Trofeu Mavisa.
One of the most outstanding and most awaited races by residents and visitors who come to Salou to experience this event is the urban section that takes place on Paseo Jaume I in Salou, a route of 1.63 kilometres.
With Shuttle2Sun‘s private transfer services and shared transfer services, you can travel to Salou from Barcelona airport.
History of Salou
The first traces of the origin of the town of Salou go back to an Iberian settlement on Cap de Salou, more than 2,500 years ago, known today as Kallipolis. It was a strategic location, as it was on top of a hill, with an excellent view of the surroundings and the sea.
Another very significant historical landmark in Salou was the departure, from its natural port, of King James I the Conqueror, with 155 ships, to conquer Mallorca, in September 1229. You can visit the sculpture of the king, placed in the old natural harbour, at the beginning of the Coastal Path.
Subsequently, numerous pirate attacks took place in Salou, which began in 1354 and continued for more than 400 years, raiding the port and the fishermen’s huts, attracted by the cultural wealth of the area.
One of the most representative pirates of that period in Salou was the pirate Dragut, who disembarked in the town in 1550. To protect the population of Barenys, the Torre Vella was built, among other fortifications.
The beginning of tourism in Salou came in the 20th century, when several Modernist and Noucentist Villas began to be built along Paseo Jaume I, one of the main axes of the municipality, just a few steps from the beach. On your visit to Salou, you should visit Xalet Bonet, or Voramar; Villa Enriqueta, belonging to the Pellicer-Querol family; Xalet Loperena, by the architect Domènech Sugranyes, and owned by Josep Loperena; Sol i Mar building, also by Domènech Sugranyes; Xalet Mallorquí or Xalet de la Alemana, from 1928; Xalet Torremar, which is currently the headquarters of the Tourist Board; and Xalet Miarnau Navàs, by Josep Maria Miarnau, which includes a reproduction of Virgin of La Pineda.
Unique beaches and coves
Beaches and coves are places of health and wellbeing that can be enjoyed not only during summer months. Strolling along the fine sand, sitting on the shore while the sea bathes your toes, and enjoying the salty sea breeze, are things you can do whenever you want.
Some of the beaches and coves in Salou that you can’t miss are Penya Tallada Cove, with a unique beauty, next to Punta Roja; Crancs Cove, ideal for snorkelling; Llarga Beach, with natural dunes. You will also find Llenguadets Cove, Vinya Cove and Font Cove, Reguerot Cove, Racó de les Ànimes Cove and Enlliscalls Cove, as well as the more urban Llevant Beach and Ponent Beach, among many others.
Salou also offers a wide range of accommodation: Hotel Jaime I, located in the tourist centre of Salou; Hotel Las Vegas, just a few steps from Pilons, the start of the Coastal Path; 4-star Hotel Golden Port Salou & Spa, located 900 metres from Llevant Beach; and Hotel Golden Avenida Family Suites, especially aimed at families travelling with the youngest members of the family.
Remember that you have at your disposal Shuttle2Sun‘s private transfer services and shared transfer services to Salou, from Barcelona airport. Also, from Reus airport, Barcelona port, Girona airport and AVE Camp de Tarragona train station.
