This classic beach holiday spot showcases 81 km of golden coastline, with traditional towns, world-famous attractions and stunning scenery thrown in for good measure.

Stick to the sun-drenched beach resorts and check out the likes of Salou, Cambrils or La Pineda, or why not explore a Catalan city? Tarragona and Reus are two top picks! Alongside stacks of history, culture, and great cuisine to try, this ‘golden coast’ also boasts plenty of opportunity to get active and try something new while you’re on holiday.

Walking, hiking, cycling, swimming, and more – you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding things to do. Ready to go? Join us on a tour of the Costa Dorada’s top spots for action-packed activities…

Family fun in the sun

Heading to this part of Spain with little ones in tow? You can’t visit without squeezing in a beach day or two! Long, sandy shores allow plenty of space for you to spread out and with a total of 26 of the 60 region’s beaches boasting brilliant Blue Flags – you know they’re clean and safe for families.

The water’s relatively shallow too, so it’s ideal for paddlers or just dipping your toe in! Keep the kids busy building sandcastles with the pristine golden grains then head to a waterfront volleyball court for a game or two. Llevant Beach in Salou, the longest stretch of beach across the resort is one of our faves!

Try a theme park

If you want to stay on dry land, without necessarily keeping your feet on the ground, then nearby PortAventura World is not to be missed! Visit PortAventura Park, a world-famous theme park, the largest across all of Spain, that offers non-stop fun for all ages. Enjoy epic rollercoasters and whizz down white-knuckle rides. For car fans, there’s Ferrari Land. It’s Europe’s only park of its kind where you can be transported to Italy, the home of Ferrari, for adrenaline-fuelled and supercar-themed fun and frolics. You’ll also get to witness exciting parades and shows as they journey through the park.

Swap corkscrew conquering for rapid riding at Aquopolis Water Park. There’s something for everyone, from the adrenaline-fuelled slides to the relaxing chill-out zone. Aquopolis Costa Dorada is a water park in Vila-seca, La Pineda Platja, Tarragona, which combines exciting and refreshing water attractions and a wave pool with beach areas and the best water-based entertainment for the youngest members of the family. It has more than 20 fun attractions that together with the rest areas, swimming pool, beach, restaurants and snacks, make the water park one of the best summer days out on the Costa Dorada.

Wonderful water sports

Nautic Parc covers nearly 81km of the region’s coast, making it super simple to get involved with some offshore action.

Got thrill-seekers in your gang? They’ll love nothing more than giving these splash-tastic activities a go.

You can try your hand at more than 40 water-based activities which are suited to all ages and abilities. Think kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding and more! Scuba diving here is not to be missed as the water’s sparkling and clear, so it’s easy to spot a whole rainbow of colourful fish.

Explore on two wheels

The Costa Dorada offers a cycling experience like no other, so why not hire a bike, or even bring your own, and take a spin on the smooth and often car-free roads while taking in spectacular sea views and mountain scenery?

There are a handful of popular cycling routes which wind their way between villages, peaks and vineyards, including the iconic La Mussara Route around the famed Priorat bodegas.

Give golf a go

Like to practise your swing under the warm Spanish sunshine? The Costa Dorada is the ideal place! Pristine fairways, challenging terrain, sun-speckled greens – they’re all on offer here.

There are seven high-quality courses in total in the region as most of them have been designed by world experts like Robert Trent Jones Jr and Greg Norman. One of our favourites is Infinitum Golf!

Hiking and walking trails

Get your steps in and do it in style as you amble across this glorious region. There’s a picturesque coastal path that’s relatively flat throughout, so it’s accessible for all. And along the way, you can admire the beautiful beaches and hidden-away coves.

If you feel like upping the tempo a little, why not head inland and take on some more challenging routes? Gorgeous green hills and marvellous mountain scenery will greet you en route, and you’ll be treated to more spectacular views the higher up you go.

Seek out culture and history in the city

With Tarragona and Reus right on your doorstep, you’d be silly to miss out on a day trip to a buzzy Catalan city while you’re here. Explore the city streets on foot, taking in historic sights and interesting landmarks.

Tarragona is right by the sea, so you can go from beach sunbathing to high-street shopping in no time. In ancient times, it was called Tarraco and today you can still see some of its time-worn treasures that remain. Tarragona is also home to the Tarraco Roman Ruins that hold UNESCO World Heritage status, and you can’t miss out on a visit to the amphitheatre and the ancient city walls.

It’s also well worth exploring the Cistercian and Carthusian monasteries that were built during the Middle Ages.

Over in Reus, you can explore one of the region’s hidden gems! It’s a great place to admire modernist art and grand architecture. Once you’re done sightseeing, you can sample some of the city’s most famous exports – vermouth (punchy wine) and spirits from Reus!

Has all this talk of adventure and exploration got you in the mood for a fun-packed, active getaway to the Costa Dorada? Book yours now…

Main image: ©Costa Daurada_Jose Carlos León