An Active, Outdoor Break in Sunny Salou

The glorious sunny coastal resort of Salou, on Spain’s Costa Dorada, delivers on every promise it makes. Wonderful beaches, a lively, friendly town centre, proximity to history-laden Tarragona, and just the right amount of nightlife to make you feel like you’re on holiday in Spain! In addition to all those sought-after attributes, though, Salou has something else to add to its wide-ranging appeal, and that’s the many and varied options to get you outdoors and active! There’s nothing quite like getting energetic under the Spanish sun, it just feels better than anywhere else; so slather on the sun-cream and allow us to give you some ideas while in Salou…

• Salou: Sun, Sea and Sensational Outdoor Activities
• Walk the Camino de Ronda
• Discover a Hidden Cave
• A Quad Bike Adrenaline Rush
• Where to Stay
• How to Get There

Salou: Sun, Sea and Sensational Outdoor Activities!

Salou is not a place to hide its attributes under a bushel, and it’s become a very popular choice for people looking to get away to find rest and relaxation alongside a sense of authenticity from its Iberian and Roman heritage. Whether you’re there for a day or a week, there’s plenty to keep you busy – and even more to keep you completely idle! Everyone from fun-loving singles to young families and romantic couples will find so much to love about this sunny seaside resort, but for those who like to make the most of the great outdoors, you’ll be spoiled for choice. 

Here are just a few ways to get out under the sun – once you’ve applied your sunscreen and hat, of course!

Walk the Camino de Ronda

The Camino de Ronda is the 9km-long coastal footpath that somewhat defines the personality of Salou. Stretching from El Pilons beach, with its well known sail-shaped sculpture, all the way to the famous lighthouse at Cap Salou, it was originally created for surveillance up and down the coastline. Today the path has become one of the must-do activities for visitors. While there are a few tricky places, on the whole the path is suitable for anyone of average fitness. 

Depending on how energetic you’re feeling, you can tackle the entire round trip or just do sections of it as you please. The trail takes you past secluded coves and bays, busy beaches, cultural monuments and historic ruins, and the views are nothing short of spectacular. The elevation (up to 77m in some parts) delivers far-reaching panoramas of the dramatic rocky coastline and over the ocean out to the horizon. Striding or strolling this lovely pathway is a wonderful way to get a different perspective of Salou and understand its place on the Costa Dorada. 

Discover a Hidden Cave

This is a place that’s well known to locals but is not on the regular tourist trail; as such, it’s one of Salou’s most fascinating secrets. You’ll need to don some decent footwear for this one, though, as the area around the cave is quite rocky and you’ll risk injury if you slip. 

Located in nearby Cala del Reguerot – you can walk or drive there – the Cova del Lladre (“thief’s cave”) is nestled on a quiet beach in an environment of pristine natural beauty. The entrance is right on the beach, but it’s when you step inside the inspirational nature of the location becomes apparent. As the rays of the sun play over the walls of the cave, they cast shadows and shapes on the textured interior, and the view looking outwards over the ocean is unforgettable. The cave is a wonderful place to capture stunning photographs or just sit and enjoy some contemplative solitude. A unique place to visit, well worth the effort to get there. 

A Quad Bike Adrenaline Rush

After all that peace and quiet in the cave it’s time to dial up the fun and charge up the adrenaline levels. Heading out to explore the countryside surrounding Salou on an off-road, guided quad bike safari will definitely do it! It’s a fantastic way to cover quite a lot of ground, taking in dirt roads, forested trails, gravelled off-road terrain and some spectacular scenery. 

The activity is completely safe and you’ll be given a safety helmet and orientation on the quads (one or two-person) before setting off with a fully qualified local guide to lead. The chance to fully immerse in the gorgeous surroundings, getting up close and personal with the landscape, flora and fauna of the area is one not to be missed. Zooming along with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face is liberating, and also a great opportunity to make new friends with a small, friendly group. A word of warning though: it can be dusty and muddy on the off-road terrain, so definitely don’t wear your best clothes!

These are just some of the ways to get you started on an outdoor itinerary in Salou, but there are plenty more, including a huge range of water-sports, sailing, fishing, hiking, cycling, horse-riding, and the piece de resistance for any fun lover – the fabulous PortAventura World adventure park. 

See you in Salou!

Where to Stay

Blaumar Hotel: Set in an unbeatable location overlooking the picturesque Levante Beach, and walking distance to lots of bars and local restaurants, this lovely hotel offers contemporary rooms with comfortable furnishings and gorgeous sea views. Along with a great restaurant, you can make use of onsite facilities that include a spa, two swimming pools, hot tub, sauna and Turkish baths. A relaxing and welcoming base from which to enjoy all Salou has to offer. 

Hotel Best Negresco: Taking in a panorama of spectacular views to the horizon from its location opposite the sea, the tastefully appointed rooms in this hotel offer the best seat in the house. Fresh, modern decor and furnishings and a host of onsite amenities make this an excellent choice for a short or longer break. There’s an outdoor swimming pool with a sun terrace and a spa centre with a heated pool and Turkish bath, as well as a quality onsite restaurant serving up international cuisine. Perfectly picturesque.

Golden Aqua Salou: Putting you right in the heart of Salou, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of this central location that’s also just 300m from the beach. The spacious rooms are fitted with every home comfort, while the onsite amenities are designed to please, with indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, a Mediterranean restaurant, cafe bar, billiard room, and 24-hour front desk. Restaurants and shops are within a very short walk along the seafront promenade. This modern hotel offers great value and a relaxed, welcoming vibe.

How to Get There

Getting to a destination for a short break needs to be as easy and stress-free as possible, and visiting Salou is very straightforward. While you could opt to fly into Barcelona, the most convenient choice is to fly into Reus Airport, a flight of around 2.5 hours from the UK. Several carriers operate the route from various UK airports to Reus, including easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair and TUI. With multiple airlines you’ll be able to find a flight that suits your requirements. 

Once you land, the fastest way to get you the rest of the way to Salou is on a pre-booked airport transfer with Shuttle Direct. We have a range of shared or private services to get you comfortably from Reus Airport to Salou, so take your pick then sit back and enjoy the very short ride!

Overview

UK to REU Flight Time: 2 hours, 30 mins approx.

REU to Salou: 17 kilometres approx.

Shuttle Direct Transfer: 15 minutes approx.

Types of Transfer

At Shuttle Direct we’re proud to be able to offer something beyond a one size fits all approach to our Salou transfers. We offer multiple options to get you from Reus Airport to Salou, depending on your budget and requirements, but whatever you choose you can rest assured you’ll never have to compromise on comfort and safety.

Shuttle Bus: Our most popular and affordable Reus transfer option is on one of our comfortable shared shuttle buses. You’ll exit the terminal then meet your driver and vehicle at a designated place, then board the shuttle along with other passengers and head off from Reus Airport to Salou. This service is not door-to-door, but the money you’ll save makes up for arriving at a central drop-off point. You can choose one of several stops, so you’ll get as close to your accommodation as possible.

Taxi: If you want the luxury of a ride to the doorstep of your hotel or apartment but don’t fancy standing in a long taxi queue, the answer is pre-booking a local taxi with Shuttle Direct. Your friendly driver will be waiting to get you where you need to go, and there’s no waiting around in line with other passengers to delay the start of your holiday.

Private Transfer: If you’re looking for the ultimate in style and comfort and you’re happy to pay a little extra for the privilege, one of our private luxury airport transfers from Reus to Salou will put a smile on your face. Your professional driver will meet your flight in the terminal, then you’ll be whisked off in a high-end vehicle to your accommodation without delay.

Minibus Transfer: For those travelling with a group of family or friends, airport transfers can cause a headache – but not when you book a Shuttle Direct minibus. This large capacity vehicle provides ample room for multiple passengers and their luggage, and when you all get to travel together on this door-to-door service from Reus Airport to Salou there’s no chance of logistics going wrong. 

Choosing the Right Transfer

Shuttle Direct makes your Reus transfers easy to navigate, but deciding on the one that suits you best is something only you can do. Our range of services makes it easy to choose based on your prioritisation of two simple factors: cost and convenience. 

Convenience: When convenience is paramount and you’re looking for the security and ease of a door-to-door service, if you’re happy to pay a little extra then one of our private transfers or a pre-booked local taxi will suit your needs. Getting from Reus Airport to Salou couldn’t be easier, and you’ll be taken right to the door of your chosen accommodation without delay. 

Cost: If the most important thing to you is getting an economical ride, one of our very popular shared shuttle bus services from Reus to Salou is your best bet. Even though you won’t get dropped right at the door, you can choose a designated central stop closest to your accommodation.  

About Shuttle Direct

At Shuttle Direct we’re proud to uphold our hard-earned reputation for excellence in service, great communication, and safe, comfortable airport transfers to and from destinations all over the world. Our success lies in the extensive range of services we offer for every traveller and every budget, from economical shared shuttles all the way up to luxury private transfers. Our professional, friendly drivers will be there on time, every time, to get you wherever you need to go. Book with us today and allow us to take care of the rest.