Discover Salou: Coast, Culture and Holiday Apartments

Salou has 25 beaches and coves, nine of which are equipped with facilities for visitors. The Coastal Path is a 9.49-kilometre-long trail along the coast from Punta de Sant Pere to Racó de Salou at Cap Salou.

More destinations to discover: Vandellòs, L'eucaliptus, Bonastre, Alcover, Ferran, Maspujols, El Baix Penedès and Vimbodí.

Coast and Nature

The Coastal Path passes Playa Llarga as well as the Penya Tallada, Font, Vinya and Crancs coves. Cala Morisca Park is a 9,200-square-metre area by the sea with vegetation, sea views and cliffs. It forms part of the Coastal Path and offers views of Cala Crancs.

Cap Salou has been designated an Espacio de interés geológico (EIG), or area of geological interest, between the Ebro Delta and the Costa Brava. Cap Salou is suitable for observing seabirds that are difficult to see from the beach. The Posidonia meadows near Cap Salou are protected by the European Union as habitats of Community interest.

The path at Faro de Salou has three viewpoints: Mirador Sur, Mirador Centro and Mirador Norte. Salou Marina accommodates leisure boats and is considered an important starting point for water sports.

Culture

Torre Vella is a cultural centre mainly dedicated to art exhibitions. The Museu de l’Esmalt Contemporani in Torre Vella houses a collection of 20th-century enamel works by artists from around the world. Torre Vella was built in 1530 on the orders of the Archbishop of Tarragona, Pere de Cardona, to protect this stretch of coast from pirate attacks.

La Masia Catalana was built in 1974 and initially conceived as a monumental nativity scene. It is located in a green park with native vegetation and pine trees. Font Lluminosa dates from 1973 and was created by the engineer Carles Buïgas. Faro de Salou was inaugurated in 1858.

The Church of Santa María del Mar was built in 1766 by the seafarers’ guild of Salou. It houses murals by Lluís M. Güell and baptistery paintings by Josep Grau Garriga. Chalet Bonet was built in 1918 and is a late Modernist work by the architect Domènec Sugranyes i Gras, a student and collaborator of Gaudí.

The Salou tourist train runs on a circular route connecting the city’s main attractions.

History

The Greek archaeological site of Kallipolis is located in the La Torre Alta area of Racó de Salou, directly on the coast. The archaeological park of the Roman villa of Barenys contains the remains of a rectangular building used for pottery production, dating from the late 1st century BC to the middle of the 2nd century.

Except during special events, Kallipolis was accessible only as part of guided tours. Admission to guided tours of Kallipolis was free; advance reservation through Reservaplay was required. Free guided tours of Kallipolis were scheduled for the first weekend of each month from March to October.

For the broader travel overview: Tarragona.