Stretching from Calafell,
before Tarragona, the old Roman city, down to
the tranquil Delta de l'Ebre (Ebro River Delta), the
Costa
Dorada (locally called Costa
Daurada) runs along the Mediterranean coast of Catalonia
in north-eastern Spain. It's a varied region encompassing
beautiful beaches, interesting history, nature reserves,
and some of Spain's best vineyards.
The most important town of the region
is Tarragona, capital of the providence of the same
name. It was one of the most important cities of the
Roman Empire, and you can walk along the ancient defence
walls, visit the amphitheatre or explore underneath
the Roman Circus. |
 |
If it's sun and sand you're after, head to Salou,
a flashy, modern resort town, or nearby Cambrils,
which is quieter and has managed to keep the feel of the fishing
village it once was. A bit father north, La
Pineda is a family resort and also has nice beaches.
At the region's southern border is the Natural Park of the
Ebro River Delta, where you'll find beautiful marine habitats
where water fowl congregate. There are no big towns or much
activity, and a visit to the area makes for a peaceful getaway
from the clamour of resorts up the coast.
The interior is hilly and much of it is covered with vineyards
that sit along terraces carved into the slate rock of the
hillsides. The view is more than picturesque, but it's the
result of backbreaking manual labour. You can visit several
wineries in the Priorat, Montsant or Terra Alta denominations
of origin.
If you like wandering cobblestone streets and peering into
old stone churches, explore towns like Falset, Tivissa and
Miravet. Tortosa, which like Miravet sits on the Ebro River,
has a large historic centre and is worth a stroll too. A visit
to the area's Cistercian monasteries is a must: Poblet, still
a working monastery, Santes Creus, and Montblanc are magical
places with beautiful medieval architecture and important
cultural influence.
Weather
Running along the Mediterranean, the Costa Daurada has a very
temperate climate, with warm, sunny summers and chilly winters.
If you're aiming for the beach, the best months to come are
June through September, though be warned that August can get
very cramped in the resort areas. The rest of the year you'll
be able to wander calmly (and probably alone) through the towns
of the region.
Travelling
There is a small airport in Reus, just outside Tarragona, but
more than likely you'll fly into the Barcelona airport, about
an hour-and-a-half away. The
easiest option from there is taking the Renfe train down to
Tarragona, or simply renting a car and driving.
The motorway is quick and well-kept, though tolls along it can
add up. Flying to Barcelona from London takes just two-and-a-half
hours.
Without a doubt, beach-laying and water sports are the prime
activities along the coast. Boating (there is an excellent port
in Cambrils) is popular here, and you can hire sailboats, motorboats
or jet skis. If you're water-logged and sand-clogged,
there are plenty of other things to keep busy. Inland, you
can walk around the vineyards of the Priorat; there are some
good, though hilly, biking trails here too. Closer to the
water, the flat delta of the Ebre (Ebro in Castillian) river
is an excellent place for long-distance biking past water
fowl, rice fields and bogs.
Kids may want to head to one of the area water parks or
to Port Aventura, a popular theme park run by Universal Studios,
and adults can hit one of the golf courses near the coast.
For something more adventuresome, you can explore the small
mountain range just inland, the Sierra de Prades. The limestone
cliffs here offer thrilling climbing. |
More information on other
