While our drive from Reus Airport to Salou may be sedate and relaxed, it passes by theme parks that are the absolute opposite. Here, thrills are the order of the day. Our fifteen-minute route passes not one but three adrenaline-fuelled parks. We’ve compiled a handy guide to these adventurous attractions, helping you to… 1-2-3… lift off!
1. Aquopolis Costa Dorada
The region’s impeccable weather and vast beaches make it the perfect location for waterparks. And waterparks don’t get much more watery than the family-friendly Aquopolis, which features the evocatively-named Black Hole. In an innovative twist on the traditional waterslide, this ride propels you through its twisting tunnels in total darkness, broken only by dramatic intervals of coloured lights.
From Black Holes to Boomerangs, this curved slide takes its inspiration from the half-pipe loved by skateboarders the world over, propelling you from side to side in a dizzying swing. There’s even a surf-themed ride that creates a permanent wave, allowing you to practise your best boarding techniques without venturing out to sea.
While the dolphin and sea lion displays at Aquopolis may offer a great spectacle, some visitors may be challenged by the questions of animal welfare that this sort of attraction brings up. Luckily, the spotlight of animal activists is now thoroughly trained on parks like Aquopolis, with the result that the resorts are increasingly putting the needs of these highly-intelligent and sensitive animals first. Still, it’s important to visit these parks with a well-informed attitude and to keep a close eye out for any potential welfare issues or breaches of regulation.
Recommended Visit Time: Part of the joy of a good waterpark is the freedom to enjoy all of the activities at leisure, so a whole day spent splashing around is perhaps your best bet. There are plenty of lunch options, serving theme park classics like burgers, ice cream and pancakes.
2. PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park
Like Aquopolis, PortAventura is a classic, family-friendly water park that promises laughs, thrills and a healthy dose of Mediterranean madness. Part of PortAventura World, the region’s number one tourist destination, it covers a hefty area of 50,000 square metres, so you certainly won’t run out of things to do!
You’ve heard the legends of the Bermuda Triangle. Now you can experience the reality! Well, not quite – that would be terrifying… but PortAventura pays homage to the world’s most mysterious triangle by creating a pool with especially dramatic waves. In addition, El Tifón is a set of two waterslides that might set even the toughest nerves jangling…while Europe’s highest freefall water slide, Ciclón Tropical, plunges you down a thrilling 100-metre drop. Thoughtfully, the park includes a dedicated area for the youngest visitors. Indoors, so away from the sun’s heat, it includes gentle rides, ball pools and slides.
Phew! When it comes to a well-earned lunch break, PortAventura is like its own mini universe, with different areas offering different cuisines. The water park itself has a Caribbean theme, with bars, restaurants (and palm trees) to match.
Recommended Visit Time: as with Aquopolis, you can happily while away a full day here, soaking up the atmosphere of the Caribbean.
3. PortAventura Ferrari Land
Ferrari Land is the newest PortAventura franchise (and I mean really new: it only opened in 2017). It’s dedicated to all things cars, bringing the world of high-tech mechanics to bear on the theme park experience. If you like your rides full throttle and technologically advanced, then this is the place for you. At a jaw-dropping 70,000 square metres, Ferrari Land offers a truly immersive world.
The park strives to allow ordinary people to experience the sensation of Formula 1. It’s an ambitious and laudatory aim. Red Force, for example, allows you to discover what it feels like to accelerate from zero to 180km per hour in just five seconds, while the bi-directional motion of Bounce-Back Tower replicates the Formula 1 driver’s experience of pumping engines as they race around the track. In addition to these pioneering rides, the park offers multi-sensory galleries and interactive exhibits illustrating the triumphant history of this most exhilarating of sports.
Recommended Visit Time: With so much on offer, Ferrari Land could definitely take up a day of your holiday, especially if you’ve got some speed demons in your group!
From Reus Airport to Salou
Clearly, the fifteen-minute drive from Reus Airport to Salou manages to pack in a whole lot of extra mileage and a whole lot of extra speed. Thankfully, though, these thrill-rides are left to the dedicated theme parks and not to the drive itself! When all’s said and done, the fact that these three parks are so easily accessible on the Reus Airport to Salou route shows just how fantastic this area is for a family holiday.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is Europe’s and North Africa’s premier provider of airport transfer services. It offers a safe, comfortable and reliable transfer from Reus Airport to Salou.
NB.This route guide has been compiled as an aid to visiting the region. Your airport transfer service from Reus Airport to Salou does not include stops to these destinations.
