Things To Do in Salou

The resort’s 2 main beaches cover off sunbathing, watersports and ice-cream. But for something a bit more rugged, head 10 minutes up the coast. Here you get small stretches 50 to 150 metres long. Cala Crancs’ calm waves are great for swimmers. Fort Cove is the snorkel-friendly option, and next door is shingly Penya Tallada. There are no snack stops, so a picnic is a must, and getting to the sand usually means negotiating steep stone steps.

For the latest trends in off-the-hanger must-haves, root around the Avenida Jaume I, parallel to Llevant beach. It’s a kilometre-long stretch rammed with souvenir places, clothing boutiques and nifty craft shops. For something really exclusive try the station. Here you get designer gear from big-hitters like Dolce & Gabbana and Missoni.

Salou has thought of everything on the shopping front. Avenida Jaume I, which runs parallel to Llevant Beach, is a shaded oasis of souvenirs and crafts shops, while a flea market takes place on Mondays at Via Roma near the centre. And if you’re looking for Dolce & Gabbana and Missoni, you’ll find the designer boutiques near the station and marina.

In September, Salou commemorates the historic moment back in 1229 when King Jaume I set sail to conquer Majorca. There’s a Medieval market where you can see basket-making and other age-old crafts in action, and entertainment is provided by troubadours, jugglers and acrobats. The highlight of the festival is a costume parade that re-enacts the soldier’s journey into battle.

The smells coming from the chiringuitos – beach shacks – on Playa Llevant might tempt you to a lunch of sardines cooked over an open fire. Come the evening, you can seek out restaurants serving up typical Catalan dishes. Along with paella, there’s suquet – fish stew – or something in a romesco sauce, made from crushed almonds, paprika and wine.

For sunbeds and ice-creams, look no further than the town’s sandy duo. Just 10 minutes’ drive up the coast, though, you can find smaller, tranquil beaches with a backdrop of mountains and pine trees. A hilly walk takes you down to rugged coves like Cala Morisca and Cala Penya Tallada, or you can swim in the gentle waters at Cala Crancs.

At PortAventura, you can take on the Furious Baco rollercoaster – it hits speeds of 135 kilometre per hour – or you can pit your stomach against Dragon Khan’s 8 loop-the-loops. If that’s not quite ramped-up enough, record-breaking Shambala is the highest, fastest rollercoaster in Europe. A handy express pass means you can do a bit of queue-jumping, and if you’re popping into the waterpark too, you can save money with a combined ticket.

This traditional Catalan restaurant is a firm favourite with the locals. The waiters don’t speak much English, but the service is spot on, even when the place is full to bursting – and it usually is by 9pm. Food wise, try the meat sharing platter to start, then maybe go on to the fish stew or the classic paella. Booking is pretty much essential, though.

With acts paying tribute to Lady GaGa, Take That, Madonna and Robbie Williams, this air-conditioned cabaret and cocktail bar works hard to entertain you. Children get their own shows – like Spongebob Squarepants and Hannah Montana – too. The friendly staff mix up a mean mojito and a great raspberry and gin concoction, and if you want to dance the place turns into a club around 2am.

Tribute bands, traditional flamenco, fashion shows and tightrope walkers – this festival has got a bit of everything, really. What’s more, you also get to watch a procession from the church to the harbour before being treated to the castillos de fuegos – a huge firework display.

During the day, the chiringuitos – beach shacks – at Playa Llevant do a roaring trade in seafood, freshly cooked over an open fire. Try the skewered sardines or the clams with garlic and lemon. The dinner options here are international, with the waterfront places plating up the likes of fish ‘n’ chips, sushi and Indian prawn curry.

Bars, clubs, live entertainment, karaoke – you’ll find pretty much all of it around Avinguda de Carles Buigas. Here, there are English and Irish-style pubs, many offering theme nights and quizzes. And you won’t be short of places to dance. Competition for the clubs is full-on, so grab a discount entry ticket or free drink voucher and enjoy the trance, R’n’B and pop classics.

Salou certainly likes to make a night of it – and most of the action happens around Avinguda de Carles Buigas. Here, you can expect karaoke, live entertainment, theme pubs and clubs spinning a mix of R’n’B, house, pop and dance. You’ll get cheap entry deals on offer from promoters, but bar prices tend to make up the difference.