SUN, SEA AND RELAXATION: THE PORTAVENTURA AMUSEMENT PARK AND THE TARRAGONA AREA

We are talking about the province of Tarragona in Spain, on the Costa Daurada (Golden Coast), about a hundred kilometres south of Barcelona. Like Europe’s other mega amusement parks, PortAventura World is visited by millions of people every year, but is the only one located in a Mediterranean tourist resort that boasts sun, sea and mild temperatures all year round. It is located between the provincial capital of Tarragona and the seaside town of Salou.

The park opened in 1995 and has been expanded over time with new attractions. Did you know? The park’s location was shortlisted in the 1980s for the construction of Europe’s largest theme park, Euro Disney (now Disneyland Paris), which was subsequently built in the French capital. 

PortAventura World actually consists of three parks. The main one is PortAventura Park, which is divided into six themed areas. Five are inspired by different regions of the world, while the sixth is designed for younger children. The theme of the second park, which opened in 2017, is immediately apparent from its name: Ferrari Land. It is the only European amusement park dedicated to the legendary Ferrari brand and its rides are all based on the world of sports cars. Here you can try out realistic driving simulators or ride on Red Force, the highest and fastest roller coaster in Europe. And finally there is Caribe Park, a huge water park offering wave pools and slides of various heights.

Places to see

The PortAventura amusement park is just one of many destinations to visit along the Costa Daurada. Tarragona is the region’s main city, and was one of the richest cities in the times of the Roman Empire. It can easily be visited in a day, starting from the Roman amphitheatre, which is the city’s most distinctive landmark, besides the equally well-preserved Roman circus. Another attraction definitely worth seeing is the spectacular Pont del Diable (Devil's Bridge), an aqueduct built by the Romans in the 1st century CE. Also known as the Ferreres Aqueduct, it is 200 metres long and has survived almost fully intact to this day.

To the south, the town of Salou draws tourists from all over Europe thanks to its coastline and entertainment offering. Those who love the sound of roaring engines will be interested to know that the Rally Catalunya (Rally de España) returns to the winding roads around Salou this year, from 19 to 21 October 2023, when the town will become the hub of the event. 

Continuing south, Cambrils is just a short distance from Salou and is renowned for its old-fashioned port district. Nearby you can visit Mont-roig del Camp, a town with stunning ocean views and mountain scenery that inspired the painter Joan Mirò in the last century.

If you venture north of Tarragona you can admire the ancient walls and the castles overlooking the sea in Altafulla and Tamarit. Another must-see destination is Calafell (35 km from Tarragona, on the coast towards Barcelona), with its medieval castle and picturesque fishermen's quarter.

Campsites and equipped rest areas

As we have seen, this small corner of Spain offers lots of opportunities for fun. But it is also a region of splendid landscapes and numerous cultural insights. There are also various places to park your Ducato-based motorhome. Throughout the province of Tarragona and the Costa Daurada, you will find numerous campsites in various categories, as well as several rest areas equipped for motorhomes. There is also a well-equipped motorhome area inside PortAventura, with one hundred pitches that you can book for up to two nights. Various services are offered (toilets with showers, 230 V electrical hook-up, tank filling and emptying stations), and you can also make use of the various amenities available at the Gold River Hotel (one of the park’s large hotels), such as swimming pools, bars and restaurants.

If you want to spend a few days’ holiday in Spain with your Ducato-based motorhome PortAventura theme park could be the starting point for a comprehensive exploration of the fascinating province of Tarragona.