Beaches in the Costa Dorada

The Costa Dorada is home to so many small, unique beaches that you could spend weeks driving or taking the train along the coast and still not explore each one. What most beaches have in common here, is that they’re sandy, often with a very wide shoreline and shallow entry to a calm sea. Here are just a few of the best beaches on the Costa Dorada.

• Playa Larga (Salou) – An idyllic family spot with a long, sandy shore, shallow sea, shade and loungers for rent. Very easy walk from Salou accommodation too.
• Playa del Miracle (Tarragona) – If you’ve spent the day soaking up the atmosphere at Tarragona’s Roman ruins, you’ll want to cool off in the sea at the most convenient urban beach, right below the antiquities.
• Playa de la Pineda – A huge, wide and sandy shore with space for everyone, plus a calm sea and lots of amenities for families.
• Cala Fonda (Waikiki Beach) – A secluded and exceptionally beautiful sandy beach, backed by pines and flanked by golden cliffs. This naturist-friendly spot is reachable via rugged footpaths.
• Playa de Coma-ruga – A unique beach with thermal waters feeding a river on the sand. The sea is balmy too, and the sandy beach has Blue Flag status.
• Miami Playa – A quieter, family-friendly resort with a rugged, local feel, particularly at one end.

Cambrils is one of Spain’s best family-friendly holiday destinations. It’s home to dozens of interconnected sandy beaches, with lifeguards, shade and loungers to rent. The water is mostly shallow and sheltered, although you can find some windsurfing spots and a windsurf school. The beach is backed by a long promenade (perfect for strolling with a pushchair or pram) and just steps away, the town has plenty of shops and seafront eateries. There’s also a large and shady play park – called Fisherman’s Park – ideal for escaping the heat of midday.

Close to Salou, Platja de la Pineda is a sandy, Blue-Flag beach that stretches for miles. It’s backed by a long, flat promenade, dotted with places to eat, and there’s handy public parking very close by. You’ll find shade, loungers and lifeguards on duty during high season. At one end of the beach, there’s a children’s play park and at the other is a water park, with several activities and pools for little ones.

Platja de Coma-ruga is part of a long, sandy stretch of coastline where one beach melds almost seamlessly into the next and you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to swimming and sunbathing spots. It’s a great spot for families with older kids as there’s a jet-ski school and scuba diving academy and the sea is fairly calm with a shallow entry. The wide, sandy shore promises hours of family fun too. You’ll find toilets and parking at the back of the beach, as well as some chiringuitos or beach bars, and lounger rentals on the shore.

It’s surprisingly easy to find peaceful beaches on the Costa Dorada, especially if you’re willing to walk to them. The natural shape of the coast means it is peppered with tiny inlets and cove-lets, just big enough for a handful of people and not accessible by road. The coast is conveniently also laced with Cami, or hiking routes, that allow more intrepid travellers to drop in to an almost-private beach.

Not far from Tarragona, in the resort town of Altafulla, Cala Jovera has a magical quality. It’s a petite sandy cove at the foot of a castle, tucked in a rocky headland – giving it a romantic atmosphere, especially as the sun starts to set. It’s a very easy walk, not far from Tamarit beach, so it has the feeling of somewhere secluded and special, without being tricky to reach.

Cala Forn is located just off the main coastal road, south of Cambrils and Calafat and it’s a dream spot for a road-trip pit stop and a dip in the sea. It’s a sandy cove with no facilities but access to a sheltered sea and a surprisingly spacious beach. It’s often overlooked for its more popular neighbours, the equally pretty Cala Vidre and Cala de Sant Jordi. Thanks to the lack of hotels nearby – just a few villas – and a dirt path that isn’t obvious unless you know it’s there, it has all the secluded charm of a forgotten paradise.

Continue your road trip south on the same coastal road to find Cala de l'Àliga. It’s a small, pebble cove with a quiet and very local atmosphere, accessed via a tunnel under the railway. The water is often a little deeper here, perfect for swimming. You’ll find no facilities and, depending on your timing, possibly no beach companions – certainly only like-minded beachgoers looking for peace and quiet. You can walk to neighbouring beach Platja de Cala Moros for a similar feeling – as if you’re in on a well-kept secret.

One of the top things to do in Salou is try your hand at water sports – it’s one of the best resorts for it on the Costa Dorada. Here, you’ll find multiple companies offering stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, as well as jet-skiing, parasailing and inflatable rides. You can even windsurf in Salou. When it comes to SUP and kayaking, you can either book a beach rental and enjoy the waters in the bay, or book an excursion and head further afield with an expert guide, perhaps exploring caves along the coast. You’ll also find options for renting a boat or catamaran if you’re a more experienced sailor. If you prefer to be chauffeured, look to river boat tours, as well as boat-based day trips to local points of interest (to see tuna, perhaps, or visit a mussel farm).

If you’d rather explore beneath the water’s surface, you can book snorkelling and scuba diving excursions from Tarragona, Cambrils and L'Ametlla de Mar, for example. You can try open water, boat or wreck diving, as well as reef and beach dives, many of which are suitable for beginners.

In the lesser-visited area of the Costa Dorada, between L’Ampolla and Alcanar, a fascinating delta and wetlands landscape is the perfect setting for adventure. You can enjoy plenty of water sports – like paddle boarding, kayaking and jet skiing – with companies based in La Rapita. Alternatively, head to Platja del Trabucador for a truly alternative vibe. This windswept spit calls to surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers, with a surf shop based right on the shore for easy rentals.

Salou: Great for nightlife and groups

Salou is one of the most popular places to stay on the Costa Dorada – and for good reason. This thriving town has everything you could wish for: plenty of restaurants and hotels in all budgets, a good nightlife, and still a family friendly atmosphere. The main beach Platja de Llevant/Pilons, has all the facilities from volleyball and play parks to chiringuitos, loungers and water sports rentals, as well as a fantastic promenade. Platja Llarga has a slightly more rustic feel, with dunes and greenery, but still has plenty of facilities.

La Pineda: Smaller and more laid-back

Just around the Cap de Salou, La Pineda is an oasis between the bustling hubs of Tarragona and Salou. When you stay here, you’ll be just metres from a sprawling sandy beach, with a very relaxed atmosphere. At the back of the promenade you’ll find shade in the trees and a few children’s play areas, and on the shore you’ll find lifeguards, as well as loungers and umbrellas for rent. There’s a water park too.

Cambrils: An authentic fishing town with a relaxed feel

If you stay in Cambrils, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches. As you walk the promenade, you’ll find mile after mile of sandy cove, so you can stroll until you find the perfect spot – whether it’s quiet and local or with a perfect seafront restaurant and water sports rentals to hand. The marina is the perfect spot for an evening sojourn and a bite to eat.

Tarragona: A historic city with beaches and culture

Culture vultures who like to dip their toes in the water can’t go far wrong in Tarragona. Here, you get the best of both worlds, with a rich tapestry of Roman ruins and antiquities, a glamorous marina area, and great sandy beaches to boot. El Miracle beach is right at the foot of the impressive Roman amphitheatre, but as you head up the coast towards Barcelona, you’ll also be tempted by Platja Arrabassada and Savinosa, as well as Platja dels Capellans – each quieter and more local than the next.

The Costa Dorada is not as blisteringly hot as other popular Spanish summer-holiday destinations. With temperatures averaging 24–26°C from June to September, it’s very warm but ideal for families who don’t like it too hot in peak season. The shoulder seasons of May and October are a little chillier, at around 18°C, but still very pleasant. The sea is a delightful 23–25°C too.

Although it’s not the hottest coast, don’t forget sun safety in Costa Dorada in the summer. Pack your reef-safe SPF or UV-protective clothing, and be sure to bring or rent an umbrella for the heat of the day. Alternatively, you can make like a local and retreat to the shade of the trees. You’ll often find shady areas or playgrounds just behind the beaches. When it comes to swimming, the coast is generally sheltered and fairly shallow. But, don’t forget to check for any flag warnings (red is a no-go for swimming), and look for a beach with lifeguards on duty if you prefer. It’s also good to look out for Blue Flag beaches, as you know, the water quality is monitored.