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The Independent
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Wild wanders and breathtaking vistas: Go off-grid amid the Costa Dorada's incredible nature
The Costa Dorada, the 'Golden Coast' of Catalonia known locally as Costa Daurada, is renowned for its calm, blue, Mediterranean waters and 50 miles of sandy beaches, perfect for families and sun-seekers. But beyond the vibrant seaside towns and shimmering shores the area is famous for, adventurers will discover wild landscapes, dramatic mountain ranges and rich biodiversity. What's more, with Jet2holidays flying to the Costa Dorada from 12 UK airports and a range of two to five-star accommodation, it's easier than ever to reach this Mediterranean jewel. Jet2holidays is always giving you more, to help make planning and booking your break as smooth as possible. That goes for the PayPal Pay in 3 interest-free payments** option, 22kg baggage for all your hiking gear, and return transfers† included. Plus, there are Free Child Places***, and infants under two go free‡. Here, let us lead you off the beaten path to discover some of the region's wonderful delights. From parks designed to make the most of its natural beauty, to rugged trails through the mountains for the most spectacular views under stunning skies, get ready to go off-grid and immerse yourself in these wild wonders… A wild adventure in the heart of the mountains Just over an hour's drive from the coast, in the Prades Mountains, is a 21-hectare haven for hikers and nature-lovers of all ages. Serra de Montsant Natural Park boasts Catalonia's most striking natural scenery, from sheer cliffs to deep gorges. Hiking trails wind their way from the foothill villages up through rugged peaks promising panoramic views of the valleys below and hidden delights such as grottoes and ruins. More adventurous explorers will want to join the climbers scaling the dramatic rockfaces of the Montsant mountain range. For a thrilling challenge for families with older children and teens, start at the village of La Morera de Montsant and head for the Grau de Salfores path, under a mile away. Following red paint marks through the rocky bushes, you'll come across Via Ferrata Montsant – an equipped rope walk through the rocky range using a lifeline, for which you'll need a helmet, harness and Via Ferrata lanyard. However you get there, take some time to be still, soak up the tranquillity of this idyllic location and look out for some of the park's huge array of wildlife – perhaps a griffon vulture soaring high above the valleys, or even the often-elusive red deer below. For another must-visit trail in Costa Dorada, head to Mont-roig del Camp. Here you can explore the lush woodlands and striking red rock formation on a hike to the Ermita Mare de Déu de la Roca, a hermitage where you can visit two chapels and enjoy panoramic views across the stunning countryside below. Stargazing in Parc Astronòmic Muntanyes de Prades Inland of Costa Dorada is the Parc Astronòmic of Muntanyes de Prades, an observatory with a high altitude and low light pollution. So it promises perhaps the most pristine view of the night sky in all of Europe. Whether you're an enthusiastic novice or seasoned stargazer, the park hosts regular sessions where you can peer into the cosmos through its powerful telescopes. Under the expert guidance of the park's astronomers, you can spot far-away stars, planets and galaxies with breathtaking clarity. Coastal wetlands and romantic garden retreats Back to the coast, and the Costa Dorada's many family-friendly cycling paths lead you to yet more natural delights, such as the Sèquia Major – a 17-hectare coastal wetland by Vila-seca, la Pineda Platja. Access to the marshlands is regulated, though there are guided tours from August, when the many birds are no longer nesting. Footprints, feathers and foot traces indicate the wild array of wildlife within the park. Lucky visitors may even spot the endangered Iberian toothcarp fish, or the European pond turtle. You'll find another natural paradise in Cambrils' Parc Samà, a 19th-century botanical garden that feels like something out of a fairytale. Founded by Salvador Samà i Torrens, Marquis of Marianao, and heir to a Catalan family established in Cuba, the park was designed by Josep Fontserè, with Gaudí's assistance. The elegant design reflects Catalan and Cuban history, with modernist touches peppered between winding paths and romantic vistas. Botanists will love unearthing the many rare species of fauna, including the palms in the tropical greenhouse, built on the site of the founder's old riding school. There's plenty for animal-lovers of all ages, with a delightful assortment of birds and animals from Central America as well as native to Catalonia. So make time to visit the aviary, parrot pavilion and the donkey shelter. Bring a picnic too – there's plenty of play and rest areas to enjoy. And when evening calls, the Michelin-starred delights of Cambrils town are just a ten-minute drive away. With Jet2holidays, you can book your next off-grid adventure in the Costa Dorada simply and easily. From a low £60 per person deposit* to PayPal Pay in 3 interest-free payments**, 22kg baggage and 10kg hand luggage per person to return transfers†, it's all included. Families can make the most of Free Child Places***, while infants under two go free‡. And with flights included and the choice of two to five-star hotels, Jet2holidays is always giving you more. For more Costa Dorada travel inspiration, and to find and book your ultimate holiday, visit Jet2holidays. Plus, right now, myJet2 members can save £100 per person§ in The Big Jet2 Price Drop (correct at original publish date). *On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. Full payment required by balance due date. **Spread the cost over three interest-free payments. Available when booked online, for holidays under £2,000, departing within ten weeks. ***One free child place per two paying passengers. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply, please see for further details. †Unless otherwise stated. ‡Applicable for all infants under the age of two years on the date of return. Infants are not entitled to a flight seat (they must be seated with a parent or guardian) or a 22kg baggage allowance. §£100 per person off holidays for myJet2 members departing until 15 November 2026. myJet2 members will need to be logged into their account at the time of booking for the discount to automatically apply. Book online, via our app, through our call centre or with your travel agent. Please note the discount is not applied to children travelling on a free child place. Terms and conditions apply, please see for details.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- The Independent
The ultimate family holiday guide: why the Costa Dorada ticks every travel box
If there's one thing every parent knows, it's that children can sometimes (as much as we love them) be hard to please. So the key to any family holiday destination is variety: somewhere you can spend a sunny day by the sea, but where you can also enjoy breathtaking nature, as well as fascinating culture and history. The brilliant news? The Costa Dorada (known locally as Costa Daurada) delivers all of this in spades, offering everything from theme parks and waterparks to stunning beaches, picturesque hiking and cycling trails, and incredible historical sites. What's more, with Jet2holidays flying to the Costa Dorada from 12 UK airports and a range of two to five-star accommodation, it's easy to get your family getaway in the bag. Jet2holidays is always giving you more, to help make planning and booking as smooth as possible. That goes for the PayPal Pay in 3 interest-free payments** option, 22kg baggage and 10kg hand luggage for all the kids' stuff, and return transfers† that are included. Look out for Free Child Places***, while infants under two go free‡. Here's what to look forward to on your family getaway... Beach life With 50 miles of coastline and 26 Blue Flag beaches, families are spoilt for choice when it comes to somewhere to pitch up at with a unicorn-shaped inflatable and a bucket and spade. The stretches of soft sand are long and golden, with safe, calm and shallow waters perfect for little ones. And in many places, water sports and beach activities to suit older children. Some of the most popular seaside resorts include Salou, which houses the charming Platja Llarga, surrounded by a small pine forest. And there's Cambrils, where you'll find Platja del Cavet, which boasts a water sports school and open water swimming channel. Vila-seca, la Pineda Platja, is known for its nearly two miles of fine, champagne-sand beach, fronted by a long promenade, while Tarragona has a range of fantastic options, including Platja del Miracle in the heart of the city. There, you'll find a great range of bars and restaurants and Platja de la Savinosa, a quieter beach enveloped by imposing cliffs. Many of these can be reached by easy coastal paths. Park life Another advantage of the Costa Dorada is its many theme parks and waterparks. For a real all-rounder, head to PortAventura World in Vila-seca, la Pineda Platja, a three-in-one park that's one of Europe's largest. Here you can enjoy everything from thrilling rollercoasters, rides (don't miss Dragon Khan, which reaches over 68 miles per hour) and live entertainment. Then pop your swimmers on to enjoy waterfalls, pools and beaches at Caribe Aquatic Park. After you've had fun splashing around, head to Ferrari Land, which has a range of spectacular attractions that will make you feel like a real F1 driver. Get even more thrills at nearby Aquopolis Costa Dorada. It has a range of attractions for all ages, from toddler-friendly and gentle – like the Mini-Park playground and Treasure Island – to more high-octane rides, such as the Boomerang, a speedy waterslide. Or there's the Kamikaze that older kids will love. Alternatively, Náutic Park offers a range of fun activities and experiences spanning a coastal area of nearly 60 miles including those in Salou, Cambrils, Vandellós – l'Hospitalet de l'Infant and Mont-roig – Miami Platja. Whether you want to rent a sailing boat for the day, try a water bike or even take part in an escape room on the beach, Nàutic Park has it all. Finally, Aqualeon, near Tarragona, has plenty of enjoyable rides and slides too. The Rapid River is fun for all the family, where you'll feel like you're gently 'flying' over the water. All the while, the Crazy Race pits you against grown-ups and siblings to see who can get down the slide first. Do you dare to ride the Anaconda? Featuring two intertwined tubes, it's suitable only for the bravest... Force of nature Getting the kids out into the fresh air can sometimes feel like a struggle, but when the scenery in the Costa Dorada is this beautiful, nobody will feel it's a hardship. Head inland to the striking Prades Mountains, which has a wealth of hiking and cycling trails in the area. These are filled with quaint villages and jaw-dropping viewpoints, where you can get active, immerse yourself in nature, and explore the distinctive, rocky landscape. Don't miss the Gorgs route, near La Febro, known for its scenic natural pools and waterfalls. For fascinating grottoes and gorges, head to Serra de Montsant Natural Park, which has dozens of walking trails which offer spectacular views. Back at ground level, in Cambrils, Parc Samà is a lovely botanical garden where kids will enjoy visiting the aviary, filled with exotic birds, as well as looking out for the deer, pheasants and peacocks which also call this place home. Culture-seekers With its rich history, there are stacks of captivating sights in the Costa Dorada that will grab your kids' imaginations. Take them back to Roman times at archaeological sites, such as the amphitheatre of Tarragona; it was used for fights between wild beasts, races and gladiatorial combat. All these are brought excitingly to life by guided tours and interactive exhibits. Children will also love walking the Roman walls, and exploring the Circus and Forum, with the open-air setting making for the ultimate mix of education and adventure. In a quiet spot at the end of a valley, nestled under the Montsant hills, you'll find Cartoixa d'Escaladei (see main image), a 12th-century monastery founded by French monks at a site where a shepherd had dreamt of angels coming down from the sky. Here you can enjoy guided tours around its three cloisters, church and refectory, while learning the history and purpose of each building. Finally, stoke their creativity with a visit to the Gaudí Centre in Reus, where the architect Antoni Gaudí was born. It offers an interactive and engaging experience that brings his genius to life in a way that appeals to all ages. You'll find real objects related to him, detailed mock-ups of his iconic works, and a special effects room that immerses visitors in his groundbreakingly imaginative world. With Jet2holidays, it's a doddle to book your family getaway to the Costa Dorada. From a low £60 per person deposit* to PayPal Pay in 3 interest-free payments**, 22kg baggage for all the kids' stuff to return transfers†, it's all included. Families can make the most of Free Child Places*** and infants under two going free‡. And with flights included and the choice of two to five-star hotels, Jet2holidays is always giving you more. For more Costa Dorada travel inspiration, and to find and book your ultimate family holiday, visit Jet2holidays. Plus, right now, myJet2 members can save £100 per person§ in The Big Jet2 Price Drop (correct at original publish date). *On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. Full payment required by balance due date. **Spread the cost over three interest-free payments. Available when booked online, for holidays under £2,000, departing within ten weeks. ***One free child place per two paying passengers. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply, please see for further details. †Unless otherwise stated. ‡Applicable for all infants under the age of two years on the date of return. Infants are not entitled to a flight seat (they must be seated with a parent or guardian) or a 22kg baggage allowance. §£100 per person off holidays for myJet2 members departing until 15 November 2026. myJet2 members will need to be logged into their account at the time of booking for the discount to automatically apply. Book online, via our app, through our call centre or with your travel agent. Please note the discount is not applied to children travelling on a free child place. Terms and conditions apply, please see for details.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- The Independent
From secluded bays to family-friendly shores, discover the Costa Dorada's bucket-list beaches
Whether you prefer your sunbathing broken up by a spot of snorkelling, experiencing local culture, or simply blissfully uninterrupted – the Costa Dorada (locally known as Costa Daurada) has the perfect beach for you. With 50 miles of coastline, and 26 Blue Flag beaches, it doesn't matter if you're after calm waters, family-friendly facilities or adventurous water sports – there's a sunspot that caters for every traveller. What's more, with Jet2holidays flying to the Costa Dorada from 12 UK airports and a range of two to five-star accommodation, it's easy to get your beach break sorted. Jet2holidays is always giving you more, to help make planning and booking as smooth as possible. That goes for the PayPal Pay in 3 interest-free payments** option, 22kg baggage and 10kg hand luggage, and return transfers† that are included. Look out for Free Child Places***, and infants under two go free‡. Here we pick out just some of the region's gorgeous shores to delve into… Relax on the stunning sands of la Pineda Platja, in Vila-seca In one of the most picturesque and lively parts of Costa Dorada sits this almost two-and-a-half mile stretch of beach, lined with palms as well as the famous pine trees that give the area its name. It's fab for everything from gentle strolls and paddles to more active games of volleyball, sand football and tennis. Other activities on offer include everything from shoreside Zumba classes to yoga, meditation and mindfulness sessions. The slow slope of sand into sparkling waters makes it ideal for families with young children, while for the real water babies, the exhilarating Aquopolis waterpark is only a short walk from the beach. With plenty of bars, restaurants, toilets and shower facilities lining the pretty promenade, there's no reason not to stay all day. Explore the calm coastline of Cambrils With over five miles of Blue Flag beaches, all with gentle waters, Cambrils makes an excellent family-friendly break. Great for water sports such as kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing – especially at the pristine Platja del Cavet Beach, where the Escola Nàutica water sports centre offers windsurfing lessons. For something more laidback, head to Platja de la Llosa for a series of smaller, but equally beautiful, beaches and coves. Then why not potter around the picturesque, cobbled alleyways of the old town to sample delicious local dishes? While you're in the area, take the opportunity to visit neighbouring Platja de la Pixerota in Mont-roig on the southern border of Cambrils, to enjoy breathtaking views out to the Gulf of Sant Jordi and learn about the fascinating Spanish Civil War bunkers situated in the middle of the beach. Enjoy family-friendly fun in Salou As the tourist capital of the Costa Dorada and the epicentre of amusement and entertainment, Salou's beaches are home to good times for kids and adults alike. And being so close to PortAventura World (one of Europe's largest theme parks) means double the fun, when so many of Jet2holidays ' Experience More hotels include park entry, meaning staying and playing is on the cards. Don't miss the stunning Llevant Beach, dotted with colourful sunloungers and umbrellas, where the sea is filled with kayaks and jet skis. In between sunbathing and water sports, you can also enjoy wandering along its pretty promenade of shops, restaurants and bars. For something a little more secluded, take the coastal path to the sand dunes, pine trees and shallow crystalline waters of Platja Llarga, which is great for snorkelling. This charming beach town is as much a magnet to those looking for lazy beach days as it is for history lovers. A medieval castle forms the backdrop to a swathe of fine golden sand at Platja d'Altafulla, and it's a stone's throw from the famous Roman ruins at Tarragona. You can even borrow a book from the Bibliomar beach library, which also organises workshops and storytelling, or join a yoga or Pilates class on the sands. Walk down to neighbouring Tamarit Beach, which has its own castle dating back to the 11th century, as well as some friendly beach bars for a cheeky cocktail. Also in the area is family-friendly Coma-ruga Beach in El Vendrell. Its clear waters, palm-lined promenade of restaurants, bars and shops, and natural thermal springs, make for a balanced beach break. The soft, sloping sands make Platja La Paella a super-safe option for families with children who love spending all day in the sea. As for water sports, there's a designated area for surfers, and a bespoke exit and entry point for jet skis. The nearby marina offers scuba diving, snorkelling, water skiing and boat trips. For those who prefer being on terra firma, there are kids' playgrounds, and a sports zone with four volleyball courts and three beach football pitches, often hosting championships. In summer, sports camps and gymnastics sessions are held here. Discover nature and seclusion at Platja de l'Arenal in l'Hospitalet de l'Infant One of the most unique beaches in the Costa Dorada, the sugar-like sands and translucent waters of l'Arenal are split into two parts. There's the northern section with its promenade and the Base Nautica water sports resort, which offers dinghy sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. Then there's the southern part, which can only be accessed via a listed Blue Trail footpath. Here you can enjoy magnificent dunes, marshlands and white pine woodlands around a more tranquil shore. With Jet2holidays, you can book your trip to the Costa Dorada with lots of package perks thrown in to make getting away even easier. From a low £60 per person deposit* to PayPal Pay in 3 interest-free payments**, 22kg baggage and 10kg hand luggage per person to return transfers†, it's all included. Families can make the most of Free Child Places*** while infants under two go free‡. And with flights included and the choice of two to five-star hotels, Jet2holidays is always giving you more. For more Costa Dorada travel inspiration, and to find and book your ultimate holiday, visit Jet2holidays. Plus, right now, myJet2 members can save £100 per person§ in The Big Jet2 Price Drop (correct at original publish date). *On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. Full payment required by balance due date. **Spread the cost over three interest-free payments. Available when booked online, for holidays under £2,000, departing within ten weeks. ***One free child place per two paying passengers. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply, please see for further details. †Unless otherwise stated. ‡Applicable for all infants under the age of two years on the date of return. Infants are not entitled to a flight seat (they must be seated with a parent or guardian) or a 22kg baggage allowance. §£100 per person off holidays for myJet2 members departing until 15 November 2026. myJet2 members will need to be logged into their account at the time of booking for the discount to automatically apply. Book online, via our app, through our call centre or with your travel agent. Please note the discount is not applied to children travelling on a free child place. Terms and conditions apply, please see for details.
