Did you know that Spain has almost 5,000 km of coastline? The coastline of the Spanish province of Tarragona, bathed by the waves of the Balearic Sea, is known to tourists as the "Gold Coast". This is the Spanish translation of the name "Costa Dorada", which the beaches of Tarragona receive for their delicate, golden sand.
Mountains protect the coast from cold winds, the number of sunny days a year exceeds 200, and the sea is shallow and calm — is it not an ideal place for a family holiday? And if we mention that this is where the famous theme park "PortAventura" is located, it's clear why holidays with children in Costa Dorada are so popular.
Costa Dorada on the map of Spain
The Costa Dorada is a coastal resort in eastern Spain, in the autonomous community of Catalonia, on the coast of the Balearic Sea. The northernmost town on this coast is Vilanova i la Geltrú, and the southernmost is Alcanar. The Costa Dorada often includes neighbouring Sitges and Castelldefels (Spain's division into resort regions is somewhat arbitrary).
![](/design/img/placeholder-kid-unify-card.jpg)
Photo: https://nghenhansu.edu.vn/
Tarragona, the province's administrative centre, is located 100 km from Barcelona. From Tarragona to Salou — 17 km, La Pineda — 10 km, Cambrils — 22 km, and Sitges — 70 km. Tourists will find out where the Costa Dorada is due to a visit to Spain's largest amusement park, Port Aventura. But Tarragona has more ancient attractions, such as the Roman theatre and the circus. All in all, a holiday programme on the Golden Coast takes care of itself.
Costa Dorada for Kids
![](/design/img/placeholder-kid-unify-card.jpg)
What's so special about the Costa Dorada? Seemingly nothing: Spanish-inspired beaches, comfortable hotels, mild climate, delicious cuisine. And yet there is a certain zest to rest in the Costa Dorada — if you describe it, it will take quite a long text, but you can feel the special atmosphere of the Gold Coast in a moment. The first thing tourists pay attention to is the weather.
Here the Costa Dorada is in a better position than the neighbouring resorts. The beach season in the Costa Brava is short, and the sea is cool; the Costa Blanca can be too hot, and the beaches of Cambrils, Salou, La Pineda half the year is kept pleasantly warm, and the sea can be bathed until the end of September.
The second is the atmosphere. The resorts of the Costa Dorada can hardly be called a sleepy: in high season, there is a pleasant exhilaration. But it is not the noise of night discos but the full-blooded joy of the warm sea, a delicious meal, and the surrounding beauty. It's an excellent place to stay with an infant, especially if you stay in a quiet town with good hotels rather than a well-publicised resort.
An important reason to come to Costa Dorada with children is the resort's focus on family holidays. Cambrils and Salou are certified as family-friendly, while the other towns try to make it easy to enjoy a holiday with your child.
The third is entertainment. Spain's leading amusement park has already been mentioned (and we'll mention it more than once), but the Costa Dorada has plenty to offer the kids. Each resort has its own set of trumps, from water parks to museums of an unusual format. How to get the most out of your trip to the Golden Coast? Read more about it.
Best time to travel
![](/design/img/placeholder-kid-unify-card.jpg)
The main holiday time in the Costa Dorada is from May to September, the warmest time. The resorts are relatively empty in May, and the number of beachgoers rises rapidly in June. If you are planning to arrive in time for the season in Costa Dorada, look for a hotel with a swimming pool as the sea does not warm until July.
If you can postpone your holiday to Costa Dorada until September, do so. The early autumn weather in the resorts of the Gold Coast is lovely, and you won't want to leave the warm sea. Plus, the beaches are getting more and more crowded by the day.
Although the holiday season in Costa Dorada is winding down in September, PortAventura Park is still open. It is open daily from the end of March to the end of October; in November and December, it is available on weekends and then enjoys festive events from December 24 to January 7. After the holidays, the park closes until spring.
The cultural highlights of Costa Dorada can also influence when to go. In mid-May, Tarragona transforms into the Roman settlement of Tarraco for a fortnight and gladiators and legionaries walk the streets. This is part of the "Tarraco Alive" festival, which celebrates the history of the Roman Empire. At the end of June, the province celebrates San Juan's Night, with the building of "human castles" as a highlight. At the beginning of July, there is a spectacular fireworks display.
Weather and Climate
![](/design/img/placeholder-kid-unify-card.jpg)
The Balearic Sea, which washes Tarragona's shores, is part of the Mediterranean Sea, so the climate of Costa Dorada is typically Mediterranean. It is slightly hotter than the Costa Brava resorts but somewhat cooler than the Costa Blanca: the golden mean is characteristic of the Golden Coast.
The summer heat sets in on the Costa Dorada as early as May. Earlier in the month, the thermometers show +22 ° C, and by the arrival of the calendar summer, the temperature rises to +25-26 ° C. The sea is still cold in May, but the best time to enjoy the Costa Dorada with an infant is in spring when there is no heat.
Bring clothes for cooler evenings if you're planning a holiday in Costa Dorada in the second half of summer. In June, the air heats to +26-27 ° C; the hottest time is July and August when the thermometers rise to +30 ° C. At night, the temperature drops to between +19 and 22° C.
The best holiday in Costa Daurada with children is September. The summer heat is left behind, and you can spend much more time on the beach than in July or August. Temperatures drop to around +27°C, and the sea water is still warm.
There are a few rainy days in September, but they don't spoil the mood. The beach season ends in October when the temperature drops to 23-24°C. Holidays with children at this time can be spent on excursions or exploring all the attractions of PortAventura Park, open daily until late autumn.
From November to March, Costa Daurada is cool but surprisingly sunny. Temperatures drop to around +14-16°C, and there is hardly any rain. As early as April, the air warms to +19°C and spring spots of rain wash ashore: nature does a general cleaning before the new holiday season.
Sea Temperature
What's most important at a beach resort? Sun (daily), air (fresh) and water (warm). In the Costa Dorada resorts, the sun and air are available anytime, but the sea temperature is only pleasant for bathing in summer and early autumn.
In June, the sea at the Gold Coast only gets as warm as +22ºC. By the beginning of July, the water temperature in Costa Dorada is already +24-25 ° C, and in August gets up and +26 ° C. During the first half of September, the seawater remains at a temperature of +24°C. By October, the temperature drops to +22°C.
Food
![](/design/img/placeholder-kid-unify-card.jpg)
Don't be intimidated by the fact that the Costa Dorada doesn't offer an all-inclusive meal plan. It is unlikely that you want to be tied to the hotel's daily routine when you arrive in Spain. On the way back from the beach or after an excursion, you can have lunch or dinner at any of the many restaurants.
The province of Tarragona serves Catalan cuisine, but as the region surrounding the Costa Dorada becomes part of the autonomous community of Valencia, the famous paella is also popular.
Fresh produce from the shop and market is available if you rent an apartment or room with a kitchen. There are large shopping centres only in Tarragona and Reus, while the smaller resorts mostly have mini-markets.
Getting Around
Public transport in Costa Dorada includes buses in Tarragona and tourist trains in the other towns. The fare on the city bus costs about €1.2, and on the tourist train — €3-4 (the price of tickets for children is the same as for adults).
Intercity transport in Costa Dorada includes buses from several transport companies and regional trains. Bus and train routes connect all resorts in the province. Fares start at €2.50. If you buy a T-10 ticket, which costs around €13, bus and commuter train travel is cheaper. Timetables are available on the carriers' websites and the RENFE website.
If you are planning an active sightseeing programme in Tarragona, we recommend buying the TarraGO!na Card. Its benefits include free entry to museums, free public transport, and discounts in restaurants and shops.
A taxi ride within the resort costs €1.3-1.5 per kilometre, with a further €3.50 charge for boarding. Airport transfers are more expensive: from Reus to Salou, for example, a taxi will cost you €30. Taxis in Costa Dorada are metered and must be hired at taxi stands or by phone.
One of the best ways to get around the Costa Dorada is by car. Car rental companies have offices at the airports in Barcelona and Reus and the resorts. You should book well in advance, as only the most expensive cars remain available during peak season. There are plenty of car parks in the cities, some free (marked white) and some for a fee (marked blue).