Salou is a family holiday destination located on the Costa Dorada, about 51 miles south of Barcelona City. The largest draw is the excellent white sandy beach the Playa Levante, which is both clean and excellently maintained, with quite calm and shallow seas making it good for the children. Playa Levante has good facilities like lifeguards, bars, sun loungers plus a first aid post. Other Salou beaches, are the Playa de Poniente which stretches to the neighbouring town of Cambrils, plus the pretty small Playa de Capellans which is surrounded by high cliffs. If you are into water sports there are lots of choices down at the yacht marina, such as sub aqua, windsurfing, water and jetskiing plus kayaking.

Along the edge of the beach runs the lovely esplanade, the Passeig Jaume I, which has gardens, palms and flowers. At one end of the prom is the Font Lluminosa a fountain that is best seen in the evening when it has a light and water display. Halfway along the esplanade is the monument of Jaume I that celebrates the Catalan king who set sail from Salou 800 years ago on his expedition to recapture Majorca from the Moors.

Another of the important local landmarks is the ancient watchtower of Torre Vella, which was constructed to protect the town from assaults by pirates. It now has a local museum showing regular exhibitions, while the gardens have the sculpture of the three maidens by Adoma Puig. For an insight into the local heritage, try the Masia Catalana which is in actual fact a modern representation of a typical Catalan finca or farmhouse and was built by traditional methods with displays that trace the evolution of farming through the past.

Other Salou attractions include the Old Customs House plus the Harbour Office, both fine early 19th century constructions that played an important role in the local maritime history. The Santa Maria del Mar church also has links with the Mediterranean, originally built in 1766 for sailors and inside are the contemporary baptistery decorations which were painted by Josep Grau Garriga.

For younger tourists the Port Aventura, regarded by most as one of the best amusement parks in all Europe, is a must see. There is plenty there to keep ardent thrill seekers very happy, including the rollercoaster "Dragon Khan" and the Grand Canyon Rapids, plus more gentle attractions for smaller children. The park has a theme of five different sections; Mexico, the Far West, the Mediterranean, Polynesia and lastly China. Adjoining the park is the Costa Caribe aqua park. There is also a small local funfair on the Passeig Jaume I with more traditional rides such as the ferris wheel.

The nearest international airport to Salou is at Reus, just over 9 miles away. Salou train station has regular services to Barcelona or Valencia, plus there are good bus services from Salou to Cambrils or Tarragona, with an occasional coach to Reus Airport.

For lots more attraction advice and tourism information on Salou please visit Salou