Salou is a family vacation resort situated on the Costa Dorada, around 50 miles (80km) south-west of Barcelona. The town’s biggest draw being its main sandy beach, Playa Levante, which is clean & well-maintained. It also boasts calm and shallow water making it ideal for children. Playa Levante has excellent facilities including lifeguards, snack bars, sun beds and a first aid post. Salou has a number of other good beaches, most notably Playa de Poniente which borders the neighbouring resort of Cambrils, and the pretty little Playa de Capellans which is overlooked by cliffs. Buyers that are into watersports there will have bountiful choices on hand at the marina, including scuba diving, water-skiing, windsurfing, jet-skiing and kayaking.

Alongside the beach runs a lovely seafront esplanade, Passeig Jaume I, which is lined with landscaped gardens, palm trees and flower beds. At one end of the promenade is the Font Lluminosa, designed by Carles Buida. This beautiful fountain is best viewed at night-time when it becomes the subject of a spectacular light and water show. Halfway along the seafront is the Jaume I monument, completed in 1965, which celebrates this famous Catalan king who set sail from Salou in 1229 on his voyage to recapture Mallorca from the Moors.

Another of Salou’s important landmarks being 16th century watchtower of Torre Vella, which was built to help protect this stretch of coastline from attacks by pirates. It now houses a municipal museum and regular art exhibitions, while the tower’s gardens contain Adoma Puig’s sculpture of the three maidens. For an insight into the parcel of land’s rural heritage, the Masia Catalana is worth visiting. This is in fact a modern reproduction of a typical Catalan farmhouse, but one that was fabricated using traditional methods. Inside will be made exhibits which trace the evolution of farming methods round the centuries.

Other notable attractions in Salou include the Old Customs House & Harbour master’s Office, two impressive early 19th century buildings which have played an big role in the town’s maritime past history. The church of Santa Maria del Mar even has links with the sea, having been completed in 1766 for use by sailors. Inside the church are Josep Grau Garriga’s contemporary-style baptistery decorations which were painted in 1964.

For younger visitors the Port Aventura, thought of as one of the best theme parks in Europe, is a must-see. There is a superabundance here to keep thrill-seekers happy, including the Dragon Khan rollercoaster & Grand Canyon Rapids, as well as more gentle rides for small children. The park is based on the theme of 5 worlds: Mexico, Far West, Mediterranean, Polynesia and China. Adjoining Port Aventura is Costa Caribe water park. There is even a small funfair at the end of Passeig Jaume I with traditional fairground rides such as the big wheel.

The nearest airport to Salou is at Reus, around 9 miles (6km) away. Salou has a train station, with regular services to Barcelona and Valencia. There are good bus services from Salou to neighbouring Cambrils & Tarragona, with an infrequent service to Reus Airport.

To view more advice and tourist information about Salou, Costa Dorada, Spain, please see Salou