The Costa Darauda (Costa Dorada in English) is a holiday destination to rival anywhere else in the world for an archetypal beach holiday with all the trimmings. This resort differs somewhat from its northern counterpart, the Costa Brava with respect to its shoreline, which is far smoother and has golden sandy beaches stretching for miles as opposed to the smaller, intimate coves of the Costa Brava.

Situated an hour’s drive south of Barcelona, this stretch of Mediterranean coastline has been a family favourite for years with its quality beaches, two water-parks, child-friendly atmosphere and the world-class theme park ‘PortAventura’ in Salou which boasts a wealth of thrill-rides, roller-coasters and quality entertainment.

The Costa Dorada translates to the ‘Gold Coast’ and this is owed to the great beaches it houses. These sun-kissed Mediterranean shores have a wealth of them, yet Playa Levanter near Salou, La Pineda and Capellans are the more popular ones. Playa Llevante gets very busy in the summer and is perfect for children and those who want some atmosphere, yet the quieter fishing town of Cambrills would provide a more tranquillity to couple your sunbathing.

The Costa Dorada is one of the most recognised holiday destinations in Spain and nowhere is more popular with families than the resort of Salou which leads the way with child-friendly amenities, entertainment, hospitality and that special holiday atmosphere which is all the while, very tasteful. Once more, Salou is one of the best value holiday destinations for holidaymakers on a budget and many of the hotels and facilities are very reasonable.

Much like the rest of Spain, the Costa Dorada hosts a great deal of distinguishing tradition and cultural custom. In fact, every month in The Costa Dorada holds is own ‘fiesta’ with an individual theme to enjoy. Yet, if you like the sound of a fiesta, nowhere is more worthy of a visit than the nearby bohemian town of Sitges which hosts it’s own international cinema and theatre festival ‘Corpus Christi’ each year as well as ‘Fiesta Major’ where the locals put on a parade with giant puppets and decorative floats. Known as the ‘St. Tropez’ of Spain, Sitges is a fascinating place with a really happening atmosphere, which is renowned for its vibrancy.

For more educational and days with a slower pace, why not head out to ‘Tarragona’ for a taste of history. Dating back to around 220 BC, Tarragona houses a wealth of archaeological remains and is generally considered as being one of the most interesting places in Catalunya along with Montserrat. Around the city of Tarragona, the remaining architecture of its Roman predecessors is evident with an amphitheatre, cemetery, aqueduct and the remnants of an arena used for chariot racing.

To summarise, the beautiful coast of the Costa Dorada is alive with top-class beaches, intriguing quaint villages, bustling resorts, fun-parks, history and culture. When you add all of this up and marry it with the nightlife, excellent hospitality and friendly locals, The Costa Dorada proves to be a resort, which keeps people coming back year after year!