The Costa Daurada (also called Costa Dorada) is a 216 km long coastal region in Catalonia. This area, which is known for its tourism and well-known seaside resorts such as Salou, is located a bit below the Costa Brava. The Costa Daurada starts about 100 kilometers below Barcelona and continues to the delta of the River Ebro. Tamara has been there and reports on her trip.
The Golden Coast - as the Costa Daurada is also called - is slightly more inland and may be less known than Barcelona, but it contains countless places that are worth visiting. Viva l'Espana! Time for a trip to Catalonia. You are close to the beach, but also two nice cities, Reus and Tarragona, where you can walk through.
Reus airport is not yet widely known, but you can be in Spain within two hours, which is ideal. And from Eindhoven you can easily fly to the Spanish sun with Ryanair! Worth considering because this area is so beautiful that it is included in the UNESCO heritage. The Costa Daurada, ideal for a city trip to Spain to see the most beautiful places, but also suitable for a longer stay.
Table of contents
As mentioned, you can go to the Costa Daurada for a nice city trip, but also for a longer holiday. In the latter case you could, for example, make a nice trip along the entire coastline of the Costa Daurada. By the way, no problem if you went to Spain by plane, because you rent a car locally to explore the area! A great road trip is guaranteed.
You should not be here for a sun holiday in March, but Spain is a good place to stay during the summer holidays. Would you like to visit some cities during your stay on the Costa Daurada? Then Reus and Tarragona are highly recommended.
In the city of Reus you can shop well. You have nice small shops, but the large chains are also located here. There are also a number of nice places to see, such as the stately Spanish buildings with their ditto balconies. The local drink is Vermouth or Vermut, a liqueur of herbs and grapes. Together with a bowl of tapas, olives and some chips, this is a delicious aperitif. Reus is also called the city of Gaudi, you can read more about this below.
You can dine at restaurant La Glorieta del Castell † The carpaccio here is very tasty and the stew that was served as a main course was also deliciously tender. One of the better restaurants in Reus.
As described above, Reus is called the city of Gaudi. There is still some disagreement about the saying that Reus is Gaudi's hometown. Also the neighboring town of Riudoms is referred to by some as the birthplace. The fact is that Gaudi spent a considerable part of his youth in Reus.
In this town on the Costa Daurada you will find an impressive museum where you can find everything about his life and buildings. Known for his hand is of course the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, but the authentic facades in the city of Reus are also reminiscent of Gaudi. In the museum you have nice videos, miniatures and all information about his life. In the city you can walk around and find part of his life.
The clock tower is quite a climb with the spiral staircase, which has been in existence since the fourteenth century. Every hour the clock strikes; this gives a nice sound and sense of harmony all over the city. You can climb the bell tower led by a guide to enjoy a beautiful view of the city at the top. Keep in mind, it's quite a climb. Do you like Roman influences? Even then you will enjoy yourself in Reus!
Tarragona and Reus are close to each other. Giant a little more inland, Tarragona on the coast of the Costa Daurada. You can also stroll around in Tarragona. The Ramblas and the Balcon del Mediterraneo give you the feeling of being in Barcelona, but are a lot less touristy. As befits a Ramblas, pedestrians can enjoy a lovely walk along this wide street to take in the social life.
It is always nice when the city is close to or even on the beach. On the outskirts of Tarragona you will immediately find a number of beaches with a nice boulevard. El Miracle is 500 meters wide and gives you a beautiful view from the Rafael de Casanovaboulevard † You also have a beautiful and wide view from above.
Starting, for example, in the harbor with beautiful small fishing boats and nice restaurants. Tarragona also has a number of recommendations for the culinary enthusiast.
Restaurant AQ is a Japanese and a little Spanish fusion restaurant where you can watch from the chef's table what the cook is preparing. You also have a real Big Green Egg where you can taste delicious BBQ dishes in small bites. The cold cucumber gazpacho with beautiful flowers is very tasty and also nicely laid out.
At restaurant El Pòsit you can eat the tastiest fish, directly from the fish auction in the port of Tarragona. That in combination with the Spanish wine… The real Spanish paella with chicken, chorizo and shrimps is a must at this place on the Costa Daurada.
In the city of Tarragona you will find old and traditional strongholds and buildings from Roman times. For example, you can see the Amphitheater with a beautiful view from the Ramblas.
But also old Roman city walls , beautiful towers and a boulevard. You will find the remains of a circus, many Latin stones with ditto texts and ruins.
Less old and traditional is the beautiful city art in the city of Tarragone.
When I think of Spain, I think of the bullfights. Fortunately, in the middle of Tarragona's square there are no bullfights, but are high towers of people “built”, the human towers. The men and women wear cheerful clothes with black or white pants. They climb each other by using their strength and stopping each other. The higher the tower, the more children are encouraged to climb up and make the tower even higher.
It's like a fairy tale and kind of a team building activity. When the tower falls apart, the people catch each other. A great achievement for children! It is a true happening that is really traditional for this region. You can also see it in a statue. While you're there, be sure to grab this!
Impressive is it Aqueduct de Les Ferreres , locally also called El Pont Diable mentioned; the "Devil's Mountain". The aqueduct is located just outside the center of Tarragona and is highly recommended, because you can also walk over it and the environment here is beautiful.
Del Pont del Diable is a natural park where you can still find a number of remains from Roman times and experience a piece of history. You can also enjoy beautiful walks. A particularly beautiful nature reserve with small buildings and mosaic statues.
In addition to the above, I have more tips for the Costa Daurada.
MontBlanc is a village in medieval style and great fun for children. You have to drive a bit into the mountains through small roads, but that is no problem with a rented car, right? You imagine yourself in a fairy tale of knights through the medieval city walls and beautiful and small towers.
From the towers you have a nice view over the city and you can see most parts of the city walls. You can take a walk on the city wall and walk from one section to another. In July and August, a number of towers are even open to visit. The remains of a small castle, the cathedral, and the village square are also worth a visit.
There will be nice traditional Spanish music played. A few old Spanish men watch from a bench and whole families dance together. A beautiful spectacle of children and their parents, dancing in a circle.
Here, too, the inner man is not forgotten. Check for example restaurant Sant Francesc † In the middle of the square in a beautiful open restaurant you can enjoy the many desserts and the delicious risotto.
At this spot on the Costa Daurada you will also find prehistoric rock paintings back to religious history. Visit the museum and find the fossils in the rocks. Definitely worth a look if you want to sniff some culture.
You have a fantastic vantage point from Siurana † This is part of the Serra del Montsant Natural Park where you can find steep rocks, valleys, peaks, caves and gorges. You do need a decent ride by bus or rental car for it along whimsical roads and curves, but you will be rewarded with a beautiful view after the village.
The church at the top of the cliff gives you a view over a clear blue lake. Are you looking for Instagram-worthy photos? You make them here for sure. In the distance you can see a dam with a dam † You can park easily and continue from there to the cliff for your photo opportunity.
Back into the Monastery with the monks. The Old Monastery in Poblet has been part of the UNESCO heritage since 1991. You can still see the various rooms in their old state:dining rooms, dormitories and the library with the original books. You can walk through the old -partly hidden- corridors and there is a museum.
In this region, the wine regions should not be forgotten. Among the rocky hills of Priorat you will find a beautiful wine region, known for the Spanish top wines from the DOC-a area. Beautiful vines, different varieties of grapes, wineries with vast areas and beautiful chateaus. The Spanish wine is known all over the world and is exported everywhere. Known only with the Spanish Rioja, the Costa Daurada has allowed me to taste many new and surprising wines.
El Masroig is the largest winery in the region. At each winery you can sign up for a tour and wine tasting. This winery also helps the winegrowers in the region. Buil &Giné is a beautiful vast country with a view into the region. You can see that the Spanish wineries are located in a vast area where you can take beautiful walks, but can also actively canoe. You also have a restaurant and a number of hotel rooms here. A nice place to stay with your loved one if you ask me.
Another special winery:Mas Vincenc makes the orange wine, for example. The walking and tasting route is nice, where you combine the pleasant with the useful. In addition to the wines, olive oil is also popular in the Costa Daurada area. I myself bought a number of bottles to enjoy these good Spanish products at home in the Netherlands.
You fly easily to Reus via Eindhoven with Ryanair † If you book in time, the price is reasonable. Barcelona is also an option, but Reus is a smaller airport and you can reach the destination within 2 to 2.5 hours. You can quickly get to your luggage and you don't have to wait long.
You can easily rent a car at, for example, Auto Europe † With approximately 24,000 pick-up locations spread over more than 180 countries, this is the place to be. On the Costa Daurada you will find the possibility to pick up a car in Tarragona, but also in Salou or in Reus, handy to the airport! The website is in Dutch and you can contact them 7 days a week for advice. In your mother tongue, that's so nice!
And there is no shortage of choice of cars. From a mini to a large SUV and even camper rental. The latter is of course very nice if you want to travel around Spain with the camper and not just want to stay at the Costa Daurada. A completely new world will open up to you in a two-hour flight from the Netherlands.
You have the combination of beach, sea, cities, wine, culture and UNESCO heritage. Ideal for a nice sunny city trip or a long holiday.
Hotel Hostal Sport is a distinctive and nice hotel in the town of Falset where you can still find authentic elements in the room. A beautiful historic bed, a separate toilet, walk-in shower and the bedroom is fully equipped!
If you have the opportunity, have a nice lunch in the garden of Clos Figueras in Grattallops †
Costa Daurada recommended? Beach, sea, nature, culture, wine and good food? I'm in!
