Tarragona nautical activities costa dorada Nautical Activities Venues

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Tarragona is an ancient Spanish town on the shores of the Mediterranean, about 56 miles (90 km) from Barcelona and 332 miles (534 km) from Madrid.

Tarragnona coastline sailing

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Why Go

Located on Spain’s pristine Costa Daurada – and just a short hop from Barcelona – Tarragona has miles of blissfully bare beaches, ancient Roman ruins, affordable accommodations and a vibrant cultural scene. To top it off, Tarragona has stayed away from the mass tourism that frequents most of Spain, making it one of the best-kept secrets in the country. Until now.

When To Go

Tarragona is a great place to visit all year-round. In spring and fall, the weather is warm and the ocean temperatures are bearable. During the summer it can get stiflingly hot with high humidity but offshore breezes can provide a refreshing lift. In the winter months the town slows down but the lack of tourists and mild temperatures make it a unique and pleasant experience.

Getting There and Around

Because the town is located on one of the main railway lines, it’s very accessible by train. Trains run frequently to Barcelona (about an hour, $6, €5), Valencia (3 hours, $17, €14) and down the coast to Andalucia. When arriving at the train station, your best bet is to take a taxi into town, as the hotels tend to be at the top of the hill.

National buses run often and to more places – such as Madrid and Pamplona – but take more time. The only way to catch a flight to Tarragona is to fly into Barcelona and then take the train or rent a car from there.

There is a local bus service in Tarragona, which services the city and its environs although it runs less frequently in the evening and on weekends. Check with the tourist office for a complete schedule.

Best Attractions

Tarragona's Amfiteatre Roma The town is blessed with several attractions that bring in people from all over the world, many of them listed by UNESCO World Heritage. The most famous of all these is the remains of a Roman amphitheatre. Situated downtown and just steps from the beach, this well-preserved battleground dates back to 2 BC. Standing in the middle of it, it’s not hard to imagine gladiators fighting each other (and beasts) to their death.

There are other Roman ruins scattered throughout the city, including a jaw-dropping aqueduct called the Pont Del Diable (or Devil’s Bridge). It’s further out from the main core than most other attractions but marveling at the wonders of Roman engineering is worth the trek.

In the middle of the old town lies the majestic cathedral. Built in 1171 AD, the cathedral is a stunning example of Roman and Gothic architecture. The interior is a long, moody stretch of tapestries, carvings and a marble altar.

Best Unusual Attraction The Museu d’Histoira de les Arms, an antique arms museum, is a compelling stop if you have any interest in old swords and guns. It’s also a perfect way to spend a (rare) rainy day.

Best Activity or Tour

From swimming and sailing to hiking and golf, there are a lot of outdoor activities in Tarragona and the surrounding Costa Daurada (Golden Coast) region.

The simplest (and cheapest) way to get your daily workout is just to stroll around the town and admire all the history it offers. Start at the western end of Rambla Nova – the main street – and make your way down until it ends at the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. From there, wind your way past the Roman amphitheatre and along the old city walls – admiring prolific statues and cannons – until you end up back in the city again. Reward yourself with a cool cup of gelato for your effort.

The modern bungalows at Las Palmeras Best Alternative A popular activity is spending the day at Point Aventura, Spain’s version of Universal Studios. Choose from nausea-inducing roller coasters, music shows or refreshing water-slides. And unlike Disneyland, the churros (sticks of fried dough) in this theme park are the real deal. Trains run frequently from Tarragona to the park, which is about 7 km west of town.

Best Lodgings The best place to stay in Tarragona is at the Las Palmeras campground, located about four miles (7 km) from the city. While camping is an option, your best bet is to rent one of their many bungalows, which are scattered throughout their gorgeously landscaped grounds. I scored one for myself, even though it sleeps up to six people, and was enamored with how clean and modern it was.

Its large terrace – and the fact that the shore was only yards away – was an added bonus. The campgrounds also feature a reasonable beachside bar and restaurant, a mile (1.5 km) of empty beach, a sparkling swimming pool and onsite grocery store with all the amenities. Bungalows go for about $39, €32 but jump up during July and August. The campground is closed between November and March.

If you plan on coming during the winter months, or just want to be closer to town, Hotel Lauria is an affordable place to stay. It overlooks the leafy green Rambla Nova so you are never far away from the vibrant city-life. The hotel is clean and comfortable and is sprinkled with personal touches. Rates range from $46-$83, €38 to €68.

The fountain at the end of Rambla Nova The popular Hotel Imperial Tarraco is another choice, albeit more expensive, especially during the summer months. However, its prime position – overlooking the sea and nearby ruins – range of services and tastefully appointed rooms, justify the price. Winter rates from $80, €66.

Best Eats On Rambla Nova, Restaurante Txapela serves up affordable Basque-style cuisine. Try the Milanese veal ($12,€10) followed by their cool lemon sorbet ($3.60,€3).

Bar Toful is located within the city walls of the old town and is a great place for tapas and a couple of drinks. The bar is outfitted in a retro-modern motif and is popular with the locals, which is an indicator of its scrumptious food.

Best Entertainment

Tarragona has many festivals throughout the year. One of the most well known activities during these festivals has to be the Catalonian version of the human pyramid. These castells – or human castles – can compromise of up to nine storeys of precariously balancing people. The next championship will be held in Tarragona in October 2006.

The nightlife in Tarragona will also entertain you into the wee hours. El Candil is a laid-back establishment in the old town, a place where students like to grab a beer before heading out for the evening. For nightclubs, many of the locals head down to the port area of town, where DJs spin crazy beats into the night. Foam parties are not uncommon here and can be a lot of fun (just don’t wear anything too nice).

Tarragona and sailing holidays and trips start and end here. This not only provides easy access to the boat by air rail and road, but numerous options on cruising routes and areas of the Costa Dorada and Costa Brava coasts . The options will be explained to you but it is your decision where you go and the amount of sailing you do.

Tarragona is one of the undiscovered gems of the Mediterranean. Well at least it seems to be to the those who aren’t Spanish. When the Romans invaded Spain, they made Tarragona their capital. As a result it boasts many well preserved roman ruins including an amphitheatre and the only full size ‘circus’ (as per Ben Hur chariot racing) outside Italy. A fact that demonstrated that it was considered the most important city in the Roman empire outside Italy.

There is also an extensive medieval city around the cathedral dating from 1100. All who have found time to explore it during their holiday have not been disappointed.

Tarragona is the southernmost province in Catalonia, Spain, which also boasts a capital of the same name. Located on the Costa Dorada, Tarragona and its beautiful beaches are exactly what you are searching for if you are yearning for golden sand, crystal clear waters and basking in the sun. But if you also wish to discover the revealing ancient vestiges standing testament to Spain s glorious past, the diverse archaeological complexes and museums spread about the Tarragona province and its capital are perfect for you. Just walk around towns like the picturesque Reus or the hectic Salou and discover its important heritage, along with the lifestyle of its hospitable dwellers. Also nature lovers are welcome, since the chances offered by Tarragona s natural parks and gardens are immense.

From the artistic point of view, there are not many places that have such a large number of monuments and tourist attractions concentrated in such a small area as Tarragona has. Iberian civilization remains are plentiful in the whole region, as well as multiple Roman vestiges, especially in Tarragona city, where you can follow the traces of Rome in the Catalonian region. The splendorous past of the city is enclosed in its several well preserved edifices. Its most notable landmarks and tourist attractions are the Roman Amphitheatre in Tarragona and the Cistercian monastery in Poblet, as well as many other places of interest within the capital city, just to mention some examples. Reus, home town of the internationally famous Gaudí, is nowadays a centre for Modernism architecture, a kind of art also to be found in many wine cellars through the whole Tarragona province. The sequence of sunny shores and attractive capes, together with its massive cliffs, have made of the Costa Dorada beach resorts a perfect destination for those yearning for unforgettable beach holidays in Spain. The fame this region has gained in the entire world is undoubtedly attributed to the sunny beaches to be found in Salou, Tarragona and other Costa Dorada beach resorts, which are the destination of millions of people who travel to Spain during the summer holidays. Packed with individuals or families, the Costa Dorada beaches are a must if you are on summer holidays in Spain.

If you wish to visit the towns of Salou, Reus or other Costa Dorada resorts, you may be willing to go on family holidays to Port Aventura theme park. With four different themes, Universal s Port Aventura is ideal for both family holidays and summer holidays. Just a cheap flight to Reus airport and soon you will be able to enjoy its exciting rides, vivid shows, rich assortment of restaurants and, of course, the comfortable hotels dotted about the whole Costa Dorada to relax when you need to recharge your batteries. On this matter, we can help you to book a hotel in Salou, a hotel in Tarragona or in other towns.

THE COSTA DORADA OR COSTA DAURADA IN SOUTH CATALONIA

The color of gold - soft, warm and sparklingly bright - is prevalent along the shores of the southern part of Catalonia. This beautiful part of the province has rightly been given the name Costa Dorada which means Golden Coast. Undoubtedly another favorite Spanish holiday destination, the Costa Dorada lies beneath Barcelona, and stretches from the south of the Costa Brava to Tarragona. The region is quite different from its northern neighbor, the Costa Brava . The coastline is less rugged, with endless miles of flat golden sandy beaches.

The Costa Dorada , otherwise Daurada in Catalan, is about 6,283 square kilometers in land area and has 10 counties and 183 municipalities. Its capital is the city of Tarragona. Costa Dorada is composed of twelve zones namely Altafulla, Calafell, Cambrils, Coma-Ruga, El Vendrell, Hospitalet Infant, L Ametlla de Mar, La Pineda, Miami Platja, Montbrio del Camp, Salou, and Tarragona.

It covers a marine littoral of 216 kilometers long, with 786 hectares of expansive beaches with immaculately clean and fine sand, and crystalline, shallow water. A handful of the towns here are established around the silhouette of an olden castle. Their propinquity to each other balances the ambience, of old and modern, natural and artificial. Each unique town lends a lively feel to the entire surrounding, and increasing the possibilities of enjoyment are of course, the availability of all sorts of complimentary services for tourists.

Amid the sea and the mountain range are wide areas dotted with quaint, peaceful towns and cheerful farmlands, where olive groves, hazel, carobs, and almond trees flourish, plus several vegetable patches too. The entire area, with a wealth of "hoteles", campsites, villas and apartments, has a capacity for more than 500,000 tourists. The piece of paradise called Costa Dorada, receives an average of 3,500,000 visitors per annum.

Vineyards can be seen practically everywhere, as this region is home to some of Spain s finest wines, in particular the strong reds from the Priorat.

The old fisherman's quarters in ancient towns are mainly dedicated to agriculture, and are typically located atop the hills and near the sea, in order to safeguard themselves from attacks by pirates and corsairs in the earlier centuries. This rustic atmosphere stand out against the urban feel of the historic city of Tarragona.

The large tourist centers along the beaches of the Costa Dorada have developed in recent times. Inland one can easily reach places and towns offering unique and interesting personalities and historical interest. Do not miss exploring the towns of Reus, Valls, Montblanc, and Tortosa, as well as the great medieval monasteries: Poble, Santes Creus and Scala Dei. The pretty landscapes of Prades and Siurana plus the rugged mountain ranges brimming with big game reserves (Tivissa, Cardo and Ports de Tortosa), are also attractions to reckon with. The adventurous will also enjoy the unique delta of the Ebro river, with its labyrinth of lagoons and ditches, plus their facilities for wild fowl hunting. For a taste of culture, check out Tarragona, a historic city with a great personality.

In the Costa Dorada, several beach areas with common features can be distinguished. In the northern area, from Cunit to Mont-roig, are the most extensive beaches around. Then, the Ebro delta, with long wide beaches and very fine sand typical of alluvial lands; and from the delta to Les Cases d'Alcanar, lengthy beaches of average width and clean, heavy sand, and lastly, the Vandellos, L'Ampolla and L'Ametlla de Mar, which have steeper and narrower beaches, as influenced by the nearby mountains.

The picturesque coast of Dorada is brimming with terrific beaches, charming, manicured villages and intriguing history and culture. Here you can enjoy an exciting nightlife, panoramic views, secluded hideaways and simply the best of nature.