Costa Dorada Travel Guide
The hue of the fine sand on the wide, wonderful beaches of Spain's Costa Dorada (Golden Coast) has given this popular holiday region its name. The 20 or so towns and villages along this 120-mile (200km) stretch of Mediterranean coastline, south of Barcelona, have become built up with hundreds of hotels, camp sites and apartment blocks, catering mainly for family holidaymakers.
Entertainment consists largely of enjoying the shallow and gentle sea, which is ideal for the bucket and spade brigade, and there are some large, thrilling theme and waterparks at the local resorts to keep everybody amused. The sunny, temperate climate enhances the area's natural and historic attractions.
Visitors who enjoy soaking up some local culture and history along with the sun will find the Costa Dorada has plenty to offer, particularly the main regional city of Tarragona, which was an important army base in Roman times and today boasts historical ruins and a variety of museums. Excursions inland among the vineyards, olive groves and almond plantations take in the quaint medieval city of Montblanc, with its fine Gothic church. There are some interesting ruins of former monasteries at Poblet that date back to the 12th century. The Costa Dorada receives millions of visitors every year and has earned its reputation as a holiday paradise.