Compare Salou holidays

A tourism boom in the region has generated oodles of family entertainment, dining and nightlife options: enough to occupy the two million or so flocking here for Salou holidays every year.

However, an all-inclusive holiday in Salou doesn't have to mean packed-sardine-tin beaches and deckchair-to-deckchair hotel pools. Sure, there are busy areas, chiefly the PortAventura theme park resort, but it is possible to have a quieter holiday in Salou too - whether you spend your days exploring the attractive old town or dozing in your very own secluded cove. Those who shun cheap holidays in Salou in favour of luxury Salou getaways can also tailor their own bespoke stay in this Spanish resort. Golden sands and quiet coves Salou is one of the key destinations on the Costa Dorada - literally ‘the Golden Coast' - on the shoreline of Catalonia in the north east of Spain.

Awaiting you in Salou are long stretches of sunscreen-scented, family-friendly golden sands. Llevant Beach is the largest of them and has specially designed areas for sports activities and kids' clubs. If you crave a more relaxing holiday experience, quietude can be found at pine-ensconced, off-the-radar coves. Rollicking rollercoaster rides Beaches aside, there's another reason why travellers flock to Salou: theme parks. An all-inclusive holiday in Salou promises plenty of fun at the sprawling PortAventura resort, which has some of the most hair-raising rollercoasters in Europe, including the loop-the-looping Dragon Khan.

The Caribe Aquatic Park is also part of the PortAventura complex. If you are planning family holidays in Salou, you may well find that the currently-in-the-works Ferrari Land (themed around the Italian supercar brand) will have opened by the time you arrive. As the unofficial tourism capital of the Costa Dorada, you have to wonder what the Ancient Greeks or Romans, both of whom used Salou as a port, would make of it if they could see it in 2020. Shocked as we suspect they may be, we're willing to bet that Salou's good-time vibes would soon win them over.

Salou is blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year. Winters are mild and summers hot, with an average annual temperature of 18C.

Because it is such a popular family destination, Salou teems with kids of all ages during the summer holidays. That means pricier flights and hotels, longer queues at PortAventura and, basically, less chance of getting a cheap holiday in Salou, though there are plenty of package holiday deals to Salou available for those who take advantage of early booking offers and last-minute getaways.

The beaches of Salou are a great starting point for a holiday, but if restlessness starts to kick in, try some of these more high-energy options.

PortAventura

There's no getting away from the fact that Salou has a huge theme park. We recommend saving it for near the end of the holiday, because once you bring your kids here, they'll soon be asking (begging) to go back.

There are six different areas - Mediterrania, Polynesia, China, Mexico, Wild West and SesamoAventura - each with rollercoasters, live shows, restaurants and hotels.

Cami de Ronda

This 5.5-kilometre (3.4-mile) path winds along the coastline, from Pilons to Replanells on Cape Salou.

Historically used for sea surveillance and by fisherman, now everyone can walk the coast, admiring the sea and birdlife, and taking in the beaches and historical sites such as the lighthouse.

Cybernetic Fountain

Almost every town in Spain has at least one fountain, but few are as showy as this one.

Equipped with music and lights, which are synchronised with the water, this fountain provides a stunning nightly display. Head to Jaume I promenade to catch the show.

Archaeological sites

Hard to believe it looking at it now, but Salou was once a port used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. To find out more about its history and heritage, head to the Barenys Roman villa archaeological site.

Once a ceramics workshop, this site still features an old oven. Visitors can go inside the kiln and see the very workshops where dexterous potters once shaped their clay, taking their water from aqueducts in the rock.

Bosc Aventura

This adventure forest in the centre of Salou promises to send the adrenal gland into overdrive with its exhilarating activities.

Challenge your friends to a game of paintball or whoosh your way through the trees via zipline. The thrill averse among your group can opt for the more sedate offerings, such as mini golf.