Literally translating to ‘Golden Coast, ’ Costa Dorada is exactly that. Stretching between Alcanar in the south and Cunit in the north, Costa Dorada is miles of diverse coastline peppered with sandy beaches and warm Spanish towns. A hotel anywhere along the Costa Dorada provides a laid-back vacation along the blissful Mediterranean, with lovely medieval sights to explore alongside days spent by the water. Discover the isolated beaches of Tarragona, protected natural reserves and a theme park that will entertain the whole family.
The largest town along Costa Dorada’s rich coastline, Tarragona charms with exceptional beaches, Roman history and a lively atmosphere. Base yourself in one of Tarragona’s many boutique and 5-star hotels and the best of Costa Dorada will be right on your doorstep. Begin your exploration of the town in the meandering lanes that make-up Tarragona’s historic medieval center. Here, a maze of narrow streets hides flower-filled balconies and the crumbling facades of 12th century Tarragona. The town is famed for its exceptionally well-preserved Roman ruins, including a stunning seaside amphitheater dating from the second century AD. Occasionally the theater hosts mock gladiator fights here to give visitors an idea of the brutal events which once unfolded here. Further Roman sights can be found all over Tarragona – in fact the town boasts 13 UNESCO World Heritage ruins – including a Roman aqueduct, Forum, Necropolis and Praetorium. When it comes to beaches, hotels in Tarragona offer access to some of the most beautiful in Costa Dorada, including the blissful Platja de Tamarit. This Blue Flag beach is cleaned daily, and the gently lapping waves and protective cliffs make it ideal for families with small children. Further beaches to explore with a hotel in Costa Dorada’s biggest town are Cala Fonda – a quiet and isolated cove of golden sand surrounded by lush vegetation – or the much livelier El Miracle, which serves as Tarragona’s main central beach. Take a stroll along the Rafael de Casanova promenade to enjoy gorgeous views over this lovely stretch of sand.
While Tarragona attracts visitors with its wealth of Roman ruins and spectacular beaches, the rest of Costa Dorada doesn’t fail to impress. Hotels elsewhere along the coast are equally special, located in a variety of cozy resort towns with access to the coast alongside various other attractions. For families, a daytrip to Salou and PortAventura World is a must. With rollercoasters, fireworks displays, boat rides and a railroad, visitors of all ages will have a blast at this vast theme park just south of Tarragona. To further explore the natural wonders of the area, the Delta del Ebro in southern Costa Dorada is a great place to start. The large wetland is home to a very different landscape than the rest of the region, and is full of large salt water lakes and shallow bays. The eco-system attracts diverse wildlife including 300 bird species and both fresh and salt water fish.
Only 95 kilometers from Barcelona, hotels in Costa Dorada mean that the rest of Catalonia is easily accessible – including some of the region’s most-loved destinations. The resort town of Sitges is one of them. Venture north of Costa Dorada to discover an exciting resort town, famed for its nightlife and LGBTQ community. Palm-lined promenades and golden beaches swarm with life during the summer months, and the nightclubs welcome in the town’s hedonistic atmosphere come nightfall. Having said this, hotels in Sitges also have access to a pretty historic center alongside a selection of art galleries and museums so there’s plenty to do when the party’s over. Hotels in Costa Dorada are also close enough to enjoy an exciting day trip to Barcelona – one of Spain’s most exciting cities. Stroll the sun-kissed Las Ramblas and hang out on the vast La Barceloneta beach. Gaudi’s stunning architecture stands proud over the city, and if you’re a sports fan then it’s well worth catching Barcelona FC play at the famous Camp Nou Stadium. Beach-side hotels in Costa Dorada are exceptional whether you’re looking to explore or simply relax on the coast.