Beautiful Beaches
Let's face it, most people come to the Costa Dorada to enjoy the good weather and the beautiful beaches. White sand, gently sloping seabed and warm waters make the beaches in the Costa Dorada an ideal place to relax. The sea temperature is over 20°C from mid June to mid October, but it is not unusual to see people swimming in the sea as from Easter and until the end of October. There are many beaches to choose from in the region, no two beaches are the same... but the best ones in the area are in Cap Salou. Possibly the best beach in the entire Costa Dorada (Cala Crancs) is no more than 3 minutes walk from White Pines.
Cap Salou
- Cala Crancs is only a stone's throw away. It is a small beach (Cala is Catalan for "cove") you can reach it by following the coastal path that runs between the property and the coastline. The landscape is truly spectacular with the rocky face of Punta Cala Crancs jutting into the sea. It can get busy, especially during weekends. A small beach bar serves drinks and snacks.
- Cala Punta del Cavall is the tiniest beach in the region. Legend has it that pirates used it centuries ago to hide their treasures. Nobody knows where it is or how to get there. Can you find it?
- Cala Font & Cala Vinya are a 10 minute walk from the property. These are two small coves separated by a large rock protruding into the sea. Each of these beaches is located at the foot of a hotel. There are a few bars, restaurants and shops nearby, including a chemist. To get there simply follow the winding road towards Salou (make a left at the top of Pas de la Mala Dona).
- Cala Penya Tallada is a tiny cove which is stunning... if you get there before the crowd (and if you can find it!). It is located somewhere behind the Cala Font Hotel.
- Playa Larga is about 5 mins drive (park by the Hotel Negresco) or a 20 minute walk. This is a larger beach (hence the name) which is nevertheless broken up into several sections by large rocks protruding into the sea. The promenade which runs above it has been beautifully landscaped and contains several lookouts (ideal for taking photographs) and a beach bar. The beach itself has shallow and clear waters which face an unspoiled landscape. Towards the west end of the beach the promenade becomes a steep hill (or a string of many ascending steps depending on which route you take) as one approaches Salou.
Salou
- Cala Llenguadets is a small cove not unlike the ones that can be found in Cap Salou, concealed between two rocky promontories. It's a lovely little beach but it can get very busy. You need to descend a steep ramp to reach it.
- Playa de Levante is Salou's main beach which stretches alongside Salou's promenade (Paseo Jaume I). The beach itself is very long and featureless, so the complete opposite to the charming beaches we find in Cap Salou. It gets very crowded! Many beach bars, jet ski rental and other leisure activities are available. A walk down the palm tree lined promenade is a must! The promenade runs between the Fuente Luminosa (daily waterworks and light show at 10 PM) and Salou's port. Ice-cream shops, restaurants, shops, fast food burger joints and a few impressive 19th Century mansions provide the frontage to Salou's most iconic street. There are a couple of car parks within the promenade (between the palm trees and the actual beach).
- Playa de Poniente is on the other side of the port. It generally has less tourists and is quieter than Playa de Levante. Plus you get to see the yachts enter and exit the marina! Plenty of beach bars and the road alongside it has many bars and restaurants, but there is no car park, so you will need to find a spot to park in the road directly in front of it or in one of the nearby streets.
La Pineda
La Pineda is a small, sleepy coastal town which sits between Cap Salou and the city of Tarragona. Although it is virtually empty during the winter months, its long beach and promenade is a magnet for tourists (mostly Spanish) during the summer season. Its beach may seem rather boring and featureless at first glance, but to many locals it is the best in the area for its clean water, ease of reach (with plenty of parking spaces directly in front of it), size (unlike the beaches in Salou, you will never have to elbow your way through the crowd to find a spot where you can lay your towel), and the distant view of the busy port of Tarragona. After a storm you usually get some gently breaking waves which draw the local surfers. The beach contains many beach bars serving drinks and snacks and offering rental of sunbeds and sun shades. The iconic Pine Trees sculpture by Spanish artist Javier Mariscal can be seen in the promenade. There are shops, bars and restaurants around it and further along the promenade. If you want to visit a gym head to Club Euro Sport, which contains an impressive spa. Click on the following link for more info:
Club Euro Sport | Estival Group | Web Oficial
Infinitum Golf Club
Only 1km away from White Pines you will find the Infinitum Golf Club. Its state-of-the-art facilities include 3 courses, two of which were designed by golfing legend Greg Norman: Lakes (18 hole), Hills (18 hole), Ruins (9 hole). Green fees are 110€ per person for an 18 hole round.
Book a tee time or find out more info at Golf Resort in Spain | Infinitum (infinitumliving.com)
Infinitum Beach Club
Nestled between a dense grove of pine trees and the Playa Larga is the Infinitum Beach Club. It boasts a variety of swimming pools, each of which is slightly different, but all of which have been exquisitely designed to blend with the surrounding landscape and provide fantastic views over the coastline. It is a great option if you want to relax away from the crowds. There is a bar which serves excellent food poolside (roughly 20€ per meal) and also a restaurant. Changing rooms, massage parlour, cocktail bar and direct access to Playa Larga Beach. It is open everyday until 11th September, and weekends only after that (until the 1st October). Standard tickets are 50€ per person during peak season (40€ during low season). We recommend you take a book or magazine with you, you might get slightly bored after a few hours lounging by the pool...
It is 5 minutes drive from White Pines villa, book online at Bookings - INFINITUM Resort (golfmanager.com)
Cambrils
Cambrils is a nice fishing town close by, with less tourist density than Salou it has a nice promenade, some good shopping, and some award-winning restaurants and good seafood tapas.
There is an old part to Cambrils some 1km inland - which is quite nice, has a historic church and a local cooperative that sells some of the best products from Priorat and the region. Click on the following link for more info:
The food vibe in Cambrils is growing every year, with four Michelin starred restaurants now and many great tapas restaurants specializing in seafood.
Tarragona
Tarragona is a 15 mins drive and a completely underrated city to discover. This was the capital of Roman Hispania back in the day when the country was divided into two provinces with Merida being capital of south and Tarraco being capital of the north.
Consequently, the old city has a unique heritage with the roman walls, roman ruins, and stunning Amphitheatre. They are all worth the visit.
Tarragona has the new part (Rambla Nova) which is nice shopping area with some nice cafes, shops and theatres. It is a testament to the economic powerhouse that modern Tarragona is (refinery, chemical industries, fourth busiest port in Spain). This is the heart of the town, its climax being the Balco del Mediterrani, where the Rambla Nove meets the sea. The old part of town is within the roman walls where you will find the unique 14th Century cathedral among a network of narrow streets punctuated by charming little squares, all of which has been built over the ruins of the ancient Roman city. The scale of the city allows you to walk around it quite comfortably without the need to take any public transport. If you want a large shopping centre head to El Corte Ingles for a Spanish version of Selfridges, if you fancy some fish and seafood tapas head to El Serrallo fishing quarter, if you want to buy some fresh local food visit the impressive Municipal Market (Mercat Central).
Museums, walking tours, amphitheater, shopping, tapas in historic town center - there is a lot to enjoy!
Click on the following link for more info: Tarragona Turisme
Port Aventura
One of the largest theme parks in Europe. It is not only Port Aventura itself, but also Caribe Aquatic Park and Ferrari World. The main entrance and car park is approximately 4 km from Cap Salou, located between the towns of Salou and Vila-Seca.
Port Aventura is the theme park providing shows and over 40 rides for kids of all ages around 5 different thematic areas: Mediterranean, Wild West, Polynesia, China and Mexico. Caribe Aquatic Park contains all sorts of swimming pools and slides, from harmless wave pools to hair-raising chutes ride. Ferrari World is the theme park for petrolheads and cavallino rampante enthusiasts, it contains both car-themed rides for young children, thrilling rides and F1 simulators.
My PortAventura - PortAventura World
PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park - PortAventura World
Ferrari Land, discover the new theme park unique in Europe (portaventuraworld.com)
