Salou: Your summer 2027 holiday

California Palace Salou: Mediterranean holidays with everything at hand

In a quiet area in the center of Salou, a few minutes from the beach and close to PortAventura World, the California Palace is the ideal starting point to enjoy the Costa Dorada. It combines practical location and relaxed atmosphere for a hassle-free holiday.

The hotel has anoutdoor swimming pool, solarium terrace, buffet restaurant and spaces designed for relaxation.It also has a spa with heated pool and wellness area, perfect for unwinding after a day at the beach or fun.

Its rooms are spacious and comfortable, ideal for both families and couples.

Guests highlight thegood location, cleanliness and friendly staff.

If you are looking for sun, leisure and comfort in Salou, here is your best choice!

Full Board: make the most of every meal

If you choose Full Board, here’s how your dining experience is organised so you can plan ahead with ease:

• Your stay begins with lunch on the day of arrival.
• It ends with breakfast on your departure day.

Would you like to change the order? Simply contact the hotel before arrival and they will confirm if it’s possible. You’ll find the contact number on your booking confirmation, the team will be happy to assist you.

• Please note, this applies to catering only. Be sure to check the official check-in and check-out times to organise your stay smoothly.

Salou is made for days that drift between golden sand, sea air and lively evenings. Here, the Costa Daurada’s name feels especially apt: quartz and mica in the sand catch the sunshine, giving the shore a warm, shimmering glow. Come for a relaxed seaside break, a family holiday with thrills close by, or a couple’s escape that pairs coastal walks with good food and sunset views.

Beyond the beaches, Salou has stories woven into its waterfront. The same coast that once saw King Jaume I set sail to conquer Mallorca is now a place for gentle promenades, hidden coves and evenings watching the light fade over the Mediterranean.

Make sure you visit:

Begin along the seafront, where the promenade leads towards the Faro de Salou. The wooden walkway makes this an easy, scenic outing, and late afternoon is the loveliest time to follow it: the low sun turns the water gold and the lighthouse makes a memorable backdrop for photos. It suits couples looking for a quiet moment as well as families who want a change of pace from the beach.

For a closer look at Salou’s rugged coastline, follow the Camino de Ronda. Once used by fishermen and, according to local lore, smugglers seeking shelter among the coves, it now offers a rewarding way to explore on foot. Afterwards, return towards the town to see the Fuente Luminosa, designed by engineer Carles Buïgas, who also created Barcelona’s Montjuïc fountain.

Beaches we think you'll like:

Salou’s beaches offer more variety than their sunny first impression suggests. Platja de Llevant, the main stretch near the centre, is a convenient choice for families who want plenty of space for a swim and an easy stroll to cafés and shops. Go early in summer for a calmer start to the day, or come later when the promenade takes on its evening buzz.

For a quieter, more tucked-away feel, head to Cala Crancs, where the smaller cove and clear water make a lovely change from the broad central shoreline. Platja Llarga is another good pick when you want room to spread out and a more open coastal setting. Each has its own mood, so you can choose between an easy-going beach day and a little exploration between swims.

Family-friendly activities:

A family day can start with a relaxed morning on the sand, followed by a walk along part of the Camino de Ronda. Keep the pace gentle, pause to look out over the coves, and let children turn the route into a small coastal adventure; sturdy shoes are more comfortable than flip-flops on the walking sections.

For a full dose of excitement, PortAventura is close by and makes an easy change of scene from the beach. Save the Fuente Luminosa for a stroll afterwards, when the town’s waterfront is cooler and livelier. The mix of rides, sea air and an evening walk gives families a day with plenty of variety.

Local delicacies you have to try:

Make time for a long lunch near the seafront, where seafood and Mediterranean flavours feel right at home after a morning in the water. Choose a rice dish or freshly prepared fish, then linger over coffee rather than rushing straight back to the sand. In the warmer months, an early dinner is a pleasant way to avoid the strongest afternoon heat.

For a more local ritual, make an afternoon escape to nearby Reus and order a vermouth in Plaça del Mercadal. Reus is known as the birthplace of Gaudí and for its striking Modernist centre, so you can combine a drink with an unhurried wander through its streets.

Make the most of your visit:

Salou works beautifully as a base for a holiday that balances beach time with nearby outings. Set aside an afternoon for Reus, especially if you enjoy architecture, lively squares and the chance to settle into a local aperitif.

• Reus (15 minutes): explore its Modernist centre and stop for vermouth in Plaça del Mercadal.

The Costa Daurada brings together golden beaches, Roman history and easy-going Mediterranean days along the coast of Tarragona. Its mild climate makes it appealing for much of the year, whether you’re planning a family holiday built around swimming and theme-park thrills or a couples’ escape with seaside strolls and long lunches.

The region stretches from lively resorts to quieter countryside, so you can mix beach time with city sights and nature without making every day feel like an expedition. Base yourself around Salou or Cambrils for a convenient balance of coast, dining and family attractions.

Make sure you visit:

Begin in Tarragona, once the Roman city of Tarraco, where the amphitheatre stands beside the sea and ancient walls and the circus offer a vivid glimpse of life here nearly two thousand years ago. The historic centre is best explored on foot, with time to pause between landmarks and take in the coastal views.

Back by the water, Cambrils has a working fishing port and a relaxed Mediterranean feel, while Salou is livelier and particularly well set up for family holidays. For a change of scene, head inland to Reus, where modernist architecture gives the city a distinctive character and its connection to Gaudí adds another thread to the region’s story.

Beaches we think you'll like:

The Costa Daurada is known for its long stretches of fine, golden sand and gently shelving water. That shallow shoreline makes many of its beaches a reassuring choice for families with young children, while the broad sandy setting leaves plenty of room for a relaxed day by the sea. Summer is the classic time for swimming; in spring and early autumn, the coast is lovely for walks and quieter beach days.

Each coastal town brings a slightly different mood. Around Salou, you’ll find an upbeat holiday atmosphere and plenty of places to take a break between swims. Cambrils offers a more laid-back setting, with its harbour close by for a wander after the beach. Whichever stretch you choose, a late afternoon stroll is a lovely way to enjoy the changing light on the sand.

Family-friendly activities:

A family day here might begin with a slow breakfast before a few hours by the sea, where children can paddle in calm, shallow water. After lunch, set aside the day for PortAventura World, one of Europe’s major theme-park destinations, with rides and entertainment that can fill an entire visit. Salou makes a convenient base for combining the park with beach time.

For a gentler outing, hire bicycles and follow the coast at an easy pace, or try a relaxed water sport together. Nature-loving families can also explore the Ebro Delta, where rice fields and birdlife create a striking contrast with the resort coastline. It’s a rewarding change of scenery, especially for children who enjoy spotting wildlife.

Local delicacies you have to try:

Make a meal by the harbour in Cambrils or choose a seaside restaurant in Salou, and look out for seafood rice, fideuà and freshly caught fish. These are dishes to savour slowly, ideally over a leisurely lunch, with the sea nearby and no rush to head back to the beach.

Further inland, local vegetables and olive oils bring a taste of the region’s agricultural side to the table. Wines and cavas from neighbouring areas such as the Penedès pair naturally with a long meal. For a special occasion, Deliranto in Salou offers creative, Michelin-starred cooking inspired by Mediterranean produce and local surroundings, just a short distance from the seafront promenade.

Make the most of your visit:

The Costa Daurada works well as a base for day holidays, though journey times depend on where you’re staying. From Salou, these approximate driving times give you a useful guide:

• Tarragona (about 15 minutes): Roman ruins and a handsome old town beside the sea.
• Reus (about 15 minutes): modernist architecture and a lively city centre.
• Barcelona (about 1 hour 15 minutes): a full day of culture, architecture and city life.
• Montsant (about 1 hour): quiet landscapes and rewarding walking routes.