Spain is one of the very best destinations in Europe for families, with a rich culture, great food, amazing activities, and brilliant beaches. It’s especially good for children who love being outdoors in the sunshine. Spain is, however, pretty big, so it can be hard to determine the best place to go. Salou, on Catalonia’s Golden Coast ranks very highly in terms of family friendly resort towns.
There are great activities for children of all ages here, and it doesn’t matter what you and the kids are into: Salou will have you covered. Just for a bit of inspiration, I’ve put together a list of some of the top attractions that you might want to check out.
Portaventura World
One of the best theme parks in Spain, Portaventura World splits itself into multiple different areas. Each of the themes corresponds with a different part of the world, so the kids could be enjoying a trip through Polynesian Jungle in the morning, before playing cowboys in the TexMex area. There are rides that all the family will enjoy, so this is a must see.
Llevant Beach
It’s not very often you find a beach this good right in the city. Salou is very lucky to have Llevant Beach, because it means locals and visitors can kick back and enjoy an afternoon of relaxation whenever they like. Alternatively, they can get out and enjoy some water sports with the city skyline in the background.
Portaventura Aquatic Park
If the theme park wasn’t enough, Salou also has one of the biggest and best waterparks in Spain. The Aquatic Park is massive in scale, spread out over 34,000 square feet. Some rides are more geared towards older children, but there are plenty of fun things for the little people to enjoy as well.
Bosc Aventura
This is a fantastic option for families who like to make their holiday as active as possible. Bosc Aventura is home to thousands of square metres of open space, and provides opportunities for extreme and interesting sports like zipline, archery and paintball.
Tourist Train
Salou’s dedicated tourist train is a great way to explore the city, as it will take you places that you might not otherwise get to. It’s a nice break for the parents, and the children will be entertained by the journey.
Camino de Ronda
The 2km walk known as the Camino de Ronda is a great way to stay active and outdoors, while enjoying fantastic views looking out over the ocean and the cliffs.
Where to Stay
If you’re travelling with children, these three hotels are highly recommended:
Pierre & Vacances Salou is perfect for families who want a mixture of privacy and resort-style living. The charming apartments come with all the amenities you’ll need for cooking your own meals, and there is also a large shared pool that the kids will love.
Hotel Best Mediterraneo is the place to stay if proximity to the beach is a necessity. It’s also very conveniently located right in the city centre, giving you easy access to all the shops you might need, as well as some very nice views from the balconies.
It might be hard to believe, but the PortaVentura Hotel is actually part of the theme park from which it takes its name. If you and your children are keen to make the very most of what the park offers, the accommodation at this hotel includes free unlimited access.
How to Get There
To make the journey to Salou you can fly into the very convenient Barcelona Airport. With a two hour flight time from the UK, it’s a nice length flight even with young children. Plus, you’ve got great flexibility with where you depart from and who you fly with, as multiple UK cities and carriers serve Barcelona Airport. Transfers can be made to Salou in as little as one hour.
I highly recommend booking a reliable airport transfer. Barcelona Airport to Salou is not a long trip, by any means, but having the knowledge that your onward travel is sorted can really take the stress out of travelling with children. Plus the private transfers can provide car seats as required.
Types of Transfer
Now you know how to get to Salou, the only thing left is to decide what mode of transport you’ll take from Barcelona Airport. Transfer types vary and below I’ve highlighted four that might suit families looking to transfer from Barcelona Airport to Salou with minimal disruption and difficulty.
Taxi: Pre-booking a taxi is a smart move. It’s a reliable way to travel, perfect for families with one or two children and not too much luggage in tow. Booking ahead of time means you won’t have to contend with the queue for taxis at the airport.
Shuttle Bus: If you’re looking for a very cost-effective mode of transport for your transfer from Barcelona Airport to Salou, then the shuttle bus comes highly recommended. It gives you more flexibility than a car in terms of group size, and the price can’t be beaten.
Private Transfer: For the ultimate family luxury experience, look no further than a private driver. The feeling of being ensconced in comfort and security, while the family watches the landscape go by, is second only to the feeling of excitement you’ll get when you arrive.
Minibus Transfer: Another fine option (especially if you’re on a budget) is the minibus. Sharing your journey with other groups can be a great way to kick start your holiday. Your little ones might even make some new friends.
Choosing the Right Transfer
It will depend on your own circumstances what mode of transport is right for you and chances are it’ll come down to cost or convenience. To help you make the decision, I’ve weighed up the pros and cons of both.
Cost: The budget aspect of a minibus or shuttle is great for families who are looking to make their holiday money go as far as it can. The cost associated with a private transfer is greater, by comparison, but your experience will be more personalised and the driver can act as a tour guide on your trip.
Convenience: It’s hard to get past the convenience of the taxi, or even a private transfer, and both offer a no-nonsense way of getting from Barcelona Airport to Salou. However, these options may prove inconvenient if you’re travelling as a larger family and need more space – in that case, the most convenient option may be the shuttle bus or minibus.
About Shuttle Direct
At Shuttle Direct we’re proud to bring you the most professional local drivers in Europe, for travel in comfortable private cars, minibuses and shuttles. Each of our vehicles is safety inspected and insured, and all our drivers are experienced and knowledgeable about the area in which they work. Our main priority is to get you from the airport to your accommodation safely and affordably.
