Costa Dorada Travel Guide

Print our full travel guide to Spain
Spain travel Forum

Costa Dorada
Costa Dorada beach © Provincial Government of Tarragona Tourism Board
The hue of the fine sand on the wide, wonderful beaches of Spain's Costa Dorada (Golden Coast) has given this popular holiday region its name. The 20 or so towns and villages along this 120-mile (200km) stretch of Mediterranean coastline, south of Barcelona, have become built up with hundreds of hotels, camp sites and apartment blocks, catering mainly for family vacationers. Entertainment consists largely of enjoying the shallow, transparent, gentle sea, ideal for the 'bucket and spade' brigade, and the large, thrilling theme and waterparks at the local resorts.

Visitors who enjoy soaking up some local culture and history find the Costa Dorada has plenty to show, particularly the main regional city of Tarragona, which was an important army base in Roman times and today boasts historical ruins and a variety of museums. Excursions inland, among vineyards, olive groves and almond plantations, take in the quaint medieval city of Montblanc with its fine Gothic church, and at Poblet there are some interesting ruins of former monasteries dating back to the 12th century. Adding to the area's natural and historic attractions is its sunny, temperate climate.



Resorts

See our separate guides to the following Costa Dorada holiday resorts: Salou and Sitges


Attractions

Port Aventura © Provincial Government of Tarragona Tourism Board

Port Aventura Park

This massive theme park, based on Busch Gardens in Florida, attracts holidaymakers from far afield to its 'Five Worlds' (Far West, Mediterránia, Mexico, China and Polynesia). Visitors can be at the Great Wall of China one minute and at the ruins of Mayan Mexico...  see full details



Excursions


Tarragona

The Costa Dorada's main city, Tarragona, has almost doubled in size during the last few decades, its residential districts continually expanding around the medieval core. Tarragona, originally built on a rocky bluff, can trace its roots back to 218 BC, when it was founded...  see full details

Events

Human Pyramid at the Santa Tecla Festival © Tarragona Website

Santa Tecla Festival

At the Santa Tecla festival visitors to Tarragona can choose from any number of entertainment options ranging from rock and jazz concerts, plays, theatre to traditional Spanish dance demonstrations. But the most spectacular and popular event to watch at the Santa Tecla Festival is...  see full details



The Tarragona Dixieland Festival © flydime

Tarragona International Dixieland Festival

The Dixieland International Jazz Festival in Spain takes Place in Tarragona in March each year. The festival aims to promote local jazz artists. It is a great way to experience the local culture and flair of traditional and contemporary Spanish music. ...  see full details


Spain travel Forum
Intrepid Travel, one of the world's leading suppliers of small group adventures focused on getting off the beaten track, interacting with the locals and having real life experiences throughout Spain.