Easy Mediterranean days in Salou

Áncora Salou La Siesta Apartments: your home in central Salou, five minutes from the sea

First a dip at the beach, then drinks in town and back home without touching the car. That's holiday life at Áncora Salou La Siesta Apartments, next to Plaza Europa and around a 5-minute walk from Salou's beaches.

Back at base, every apartment welcomes you with a separate living room, a balcony and a kitchenette, so you can plan meals at your own pace. While the little ones splash in the children's pool, the grown-ups stretch out by the outdoor pool.

For a day of thrills, PortAventura World is less than two kilometres away. Afterwards, the fully renovated building keeps the calm that guests love, along with its spotless cleanliness and helpful reception team.

Few places in Salou give you this much space with the beach and town centre on foot.

Book your getaway and enjoy the Mediterranean as if you lived here!

Important information

If you are staying at Ancora La Siesta Apartments, please note that:

• Breakfast will be served at Campsite La Siesta, just a short walk from the accommodation.
• You can also enjoy all the pools at Campsite La Siesta.
  • Please remember that swimming caps are required to use the pools.

Did you know Salou has a sparkle all of its own?

It’s not just a figure of speech: the Costa Daurada owes its name to the quartz and mica in its sand, which glitters like gold in the sunshine. But Salou is much more than a beautiful beach; it’s a destination with a rich history and corners that look like they belong on a Mediterranean postcard.

• The lighthouse at sunset: for a highlight of your holiday, follow the wooden walkway to the Faro de Salou.

• In the footsteps of kings and pirates: King Jaume I set sail from the seafront promenade you can walk along today to conquer Mallorca. Follow the Camino de Ronda and you’ll be walking the old routes used by fishermen, and the occasional smuggler, to hide among the coves.

• Much more than thrills: although PortAventura is just a stone’s throw away, don’t miss the Fuente Luminosa, designed by engineer Carles Buïgas, who also created the fountain at Montjuïc in Barcelona.

• Our expert tip: spend an afternoon in neighbouring Reus, just 15 minutes away. The birthplace of Gaudí, it boasts a spectacular modernist centre and is a mecca for vermouth lovers. Order a glass in Plaza del Mercadal and feel like a local!

The Costa Daurada, Tarragona's "Golden Coast", owes its name to long beaches of fine golden sand lapped by calm, shallow water. Behind them lie UNESCO-listed Roman ruins, fishing towns where the day's catch still arrives at the harbour, and vineyards climbing into the hills. Its mild climate makes it inviting for much of the year.

It's a natural fit for families, with gentle beaches and one of Europe's leading theme parks on the doorstep, and just as rewarding for couples looking for seaside walks, long lunches and a touch of history. Salou and Cambrils make convenient bases for exploring it all.

Make sure you visit:

Start in Tarragona, once the Roman city of Tarraco. The amphitheatre sits right beside the sea, while the circus, the old walls and the cathedral in the Part Alta reveal almost two thousand years of history. Finish at the Balcó del Mediterrani, a viewpoint where locals touch the iron railing for good luck.

Back on the coast, Cambrils keeps its fishing port and relaxed seafaring character, perfect for an evening stroll. Inland, Reus, Gaudí's birthplace, rewards you with a trail of modernist buildings and a much-loved vermouth tradition, best enjoyed at midday in one of its squares.

Beaches we think you'll like:

In Salou, Platja Llarga lives up to its name with a long, quieter stretch of sand backed by pine trees, while the beaches of La Pineda offer plenty of space and shallow water for little ones. In Tarragona, Platja del Miracle lets you swim just below the Roman amphitheatre.

For a different side of the coast, walk Salou's Camí de Ronda, a seafront path linking small coves and rocky viewpoints. Further north, the beach below medieval Tamarit Castle is one of the most photogenic spots on the Costa Daurada.

Family-friendly activities:

A day at PortAventura World is a must for families, combining the theme park, Ferrari Land and a water park in one resort. Plan a full day there and save the next for a slower rhythm by the sea.

On quieter days, hire bikes and follow the seafront promenades at your own pace, or try paddle surfing or kayaking in calm water. Children also love watching the fishing boats in Cambrils harbour.

Local delicacies you have to try:

Cooking here looks to the sea. Order black rice, seafood rice or fideuà, made with short noodles instead of rice, and always ask for romesco, the local sauce of roasted peppers, almonds and garlic. In winter and spring, join a calçotada, where grilled spring onions are dipped in romesco and eaten by hand.

For a relaxed meal, El Llop de Mar in Cambrils serves fish and seafood from the town's fish market at very reasonable prices. For a special occasion, book a table at Can Bosch, also in Cambrils, which has held a Michelin star since 1984. Pair everything with wines from the Priorat or Montsant.

Make the most of your visit:

The Costa Daurada is a great base for day trips, from Cistercian monasteries to wild river deltas. Approximate driving times from Salou:

• Poblet Monastery (45 minutes): a UNESCO-listed Cistercian monastery, still home to a community of monks.
• Siurana (1 hour): a tiny clifftop village with sweeping views over the Priorat.
• Ebro Delta (1 hour): rice fields, wild beaches and flamingos.
• Barcelona (1 hour 15 minutes): a full day of culture, architecture and city life.