The city of Tarragona, one of the main destinations on Costa Dorada, has been hosting one of the most prestigious fireworks competitions in the world for more than 30 years. Each year, it attracts thousands of residents and visitors from all over the world who come to the provincial capital to enjoy this magnificent spectacle. For four days, Tarragona’s nights are dyed in bright colours and gunpowder to compete for the title of best fireworks display of the year.
This is the International Fireworks Competition “Ciutat de Tarragona”, which, this summer, reaches its 32nd edition. If you want to get to know this high level event, you can travel to Tarragona with Shuttle2Sun‘s shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station. Remember that you can book your transfer up to 24 hours in advance.
The sky over Tarragona, the setting for this spectacle of colour
The new edition of 2024 takes place from 3 to 6 July and remembers pyrotechnics from different parts of the world, which will present their candidacy, one night each, during the four days of the event.
The Tarragona fireworks display stands out, above all, for the innovative creations presented by the different pyrotechnic companies, with a wide range of unique effects and designs, which vary each year.
This year, as a novelty, the event remembers an extra day, the first of them, with an exhibition of drones that will kick off the competition, tonight, July 2nd, at 22:30. This show, known as “Geomètrics“, will be put on by the Catalan company Flock Drone Art, and will feature up to 200 light drones. This company has already participated in many events on the Catalan coast, and in the rest of Spain and Portugal, such as La Mercè in Barcelona in 2023, as well as in other locations such as Lloret de Mar.
The first company to show us their show will be Cambeo pyrotechnics from Ourense, tomorrow, 3 July; followed by the Spanish company Pibierzo, from Vilaverde de la Abadia, on 4 July. The other two will be the Italian pyrotechnics Poleggi from Canepina, on the 5th, which has already won this award in 2018; and finally, Ciels en Fête, from the French town of Boynes, on the 6th of July.
An emblematic location
As has become a tradition, the location of the International Fireworks Competition “Ciutat de Tarragona” will be the Punta del Miracle, one of the most emblematic points of the coast of Tarragona. This promontory is located at the end of the Miracle beach, on the opposite side of the port of Tarragona. It is a natural viewpoint that offers incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea and a privileged perspective of the entire coast of Tarragona. The fireworks will be launched from this point of the coast, and can be seen from anywhere in the city.
Remember that with Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services, you can get to the city of Tarragona from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
Where to watch the fireworks from
So that you can enjoy the fireworks displays to the full, we recommend that you book your accommodation in advance. Tarragona offers a wide range of options, from hotels and hostels to tourist flats and campsites. We suggest two very well located accommodations: the 4-star Hotel AC Tarragona, just a few steps from the Plaza Imperial Tarraco, and the 3-star Hotel Lauria, right in the heart of the Rambla Nova.
Moreover, if you want to choose the best places to watch the fireworks, we recommend that you go to your chosen place in good time. One of the most outstanding places, especially if you are travelling with your family, is the Miracle beach itself, where you can enjoy an unforgettable night, while you rest on the fine sand and the sea breeze.
Another favourite spot for locals and visitors alike is the Balcó del Mediterrani, one of the most characteristic viewpoints in the town, which offers an impressive panoramic view of the entire coastline. If you want to know more about this enclave, you can read our article “Tarragona and its Balcó del Mediterrani“.
You can also opt for the Miracle platform, a concrete viewpoint located along the Miracle beach, in the stretch closest to the Punta del Miracle; or the Paseo de Sant Antoni, another of the most important spots in the city, with views of the sea.
In any of these spaces you can enjoy not only the exhibitions themselves, but also the magnificent atmosphere throughout the city, for all ages.
A very festive prize
The winning company will receive the “Venus Ciutat de Tarragona” trophy, which means that it will be chosen to carry out the public fireworks displays during the Santa Tecla Festival, which takes place in Tarragona from 14 to 24 September.
This celebration is the biggest in Tarragona’s festive calendar, declared a Festivity of State Tourist Interest by the Government and a Heritage Festival of National Interest by the Generalitat.
The big day of the festival takes place on 23 September, the Day of Santa Tecla, when all the popular elements take to the streets to fill the city’s main thoroughfares with life. In addition, the traditional procession of the relic of the arm of Santa Tecla takes place, with a special highlight being its entry into Tarragona Cathedral, accompanied by the popular entourage, the colla castelleras, the ringing of bells and the fireworks.
Evolution of the competition over the years
Tarragona has been holding this competition since 1990, and over the decades it has grown and broadened its audience, becoming one of the most emblematic in the whole Mediterranean area. It began with the participation of national companies, and nowadays, it remembers the candidatures of many companies from all over the world. Last year’s winner was the Valencian pyrotechnics company Martí, in charge of the fireworks at last year’s Santa Tecla Festival.
Don’t miss any of these fireworks displays this summer! Discover the city of Tarragona, within the framework of this magnificent event, moving to the city with Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services, available from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station. Remember that you can book your transfer up to 24 hours in advance.
