La Costa Dorada is the name given to the Mediterranean coast in the province of Tarragona that goes from the Costa del Garraf (in the north) to the Costa del Azahar (in the south). Receives the name of «Golden» for the color of the sand on its long and wide beaches. It enjoys a Mediterranean climate, its temperatures are usually mild in winter with an average of 14° C that alternates with warm summers that place its thermal values between 21º and 29º C. It is an area with little rain and it rarely snows in winter, although some years If you have been able to see the snowflakes falling in your municipalities.
La Costa Dorada It has a total coastline extension of 92 km. In that stretch of the coast we can find a wide variety of beaches of all types; small coves in Mont-roig del Camp, an example is the well-known "Miami Platja" with a large German colony, or the cliffs of Torredembarra. There are also shallow, fine sand beaches, as is the case of Coma-ruga, Salou and Calafell. In the municipality of l'Hospitalet de l'Infant we find several naturist beaches, such as “Playa del Torn”.
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Main tourist destinations of the Costa Dorada
Salou
Municipality located 10 km southwest of Tarragona. Salou has numerous hotels, fine sand beaches with all the services and recreational facilities for children and a promenade lined with palm trees. The famous Port Aventura World theme park is located in its municipal term, which has areas dedicated to the Mediterranean, Polynesia, China, Mexico and the Far West. In this park you can perform various games, shows and many leading attractions worldwide. In the complex that forms Port Aventura we can also find hotels, a water park, golf courses, a beach club on the seafront and the recent Ferrari Land.
Cambrils
The municipality is located 11 km. from Salou and also has an excellent tourist infrastructure, hotels and wide sandy beaches.
El Vendrell – Coma-ruga
Coma-ruga and Sant Salvador are the maritime neighborhoods of the municipality of El Vendrell, hometown of the famous cellist Pau Casals. In the municipality you can visit his birthplace and a museum dedicated to him in Coma-ruga. Its beaches are of fine sand and clean waters, being an ideal place for family tourism with a wide range of accommodation.
Calafell
The municipality of Calafell is located 37 km. north of Tarragona. It is a charming town in which we find narrow streets, a castle and a Romanesque church. Calafell beach offers a quiet summer alternative with a family profile. It has wide beaches, numerous hotels, restaurants, bars and shops in the maritime area and you can also practice sports such as horse riding, tennis, golf, parachuting or cycling.
La Costa Dorada It is ideal to spend the summer with the family, as a couple and with friends. Much of the year it has an excellent climate and its beaches always give a feeling of well-being. Together with the Costa Brava, it forms a tourist enclave of international reference.
Whether renting an apartment in one of its towns or making a real estate investment To be able to enjoy their charm, they are a perfect choice. Even in retirement and as a pension plan, you can benefit from owning your home with a reverse mortgage with which you can complement your pension income.
Map of the Gold Coast
The Roman Empire on the Gold Coast
The Costa Dorada, or Costa Daurada in Catalan, is a coastal region of Catalonia, Spain, known for its golden sand beaches. The relationship of this area with ancient Rome is deep and fascinating, dating back to the establishment of the city of Tarraco, modern-day Tarragona.
Tarraco was one of the main cities of the Roman province Hispania Citerior, later reorganized as Hispania Tarraconensis. Its foundation dates back to the 3rd century BC, although it acquired greater importance from the 2nd century BC, becoming a significant urban center and a strategic point for the Roman military campaigns in the Iberian Peninsula.
During the Roman Empire, Tarraco played a crucial role as an administrative capital and as one of the most important centers in Roman Hispania. The city was notable for its impressive architectural structures, many of which have survived to this day and are part of the UNESCO world heritage site. Among them, the amphitheater, the circus (partially preserved), the forum, the walls and the aqueduct known as the Devil's Bridge, a masterpiece of Roman engineering, stand out.
Roman influence was not limited to architecture and urbanization; It also extended to culture, economy and society. Tarraco became a center for the spread of Roman culture in the region, including its language, laws, customs and arts. Trade flourished, especially in products such as wine, olive oil and garum (a fish sauce), which were exported across the Mediterranean.
The importance of Tarraco in ancient times is also reflected in the historical events that took place there or nearby, such as visits by Roman emperors and meetings of important political and military figures.
As the centuries passed, the city underwent several changes, including invasions and reconstructions, but the Roman heritage remained deeply rooted. Today, the Costa Dorada and Tarragona attract visitors not only for their beaches and climate, but also for the rich history and archaeological remains of their Roman era, allowing visitors and scholars to immerse themselves in the past and appreciate the magnitude of Roman influence in the region.
The Tarragona area and its surroundings are home to some of the most notable Roman ruins in Spain, which are part of the region's rich historical heritage. These include:
- Anfiteatro Romano: Located near the coast, this 15.000nd century amphitheater could hold up to XNUMX spectators. It was used for gladiator fights and public executions. Part of its structure is very well preserved, allowing visitors to imagine what life was like in those times.
- Roman circus: Less common in preservation in the Roman world, the Circus of Tarragona is one of the best preserved. It was used for chariot races and could hold up to 30.000 spectators. Although much of the structure is hidden under modern buildings, important segments of the circus can still be seen.
- Tarraco Walls: The city's ancient Roman walls date back to the 2nd century BC and are one of the oldest examples of Roman military constructions on the peninsula. Significant parts of the walls and their towers still stand, offering an impressive glimpse of Roman might and construction skills.
- Colony Forum: This was the administrative and social center of Tarraco. Although much of the forum is under modern buildings, you can still visit some remains, such as those of the local forum and the provincial forum, which give an idea of the importance of the city in ancient Rome.
- Roman Necropolis: Located outside the ancient city walls, the necropolis is a cemetery containing a variety of Roman tombs and mausoleums, offering an insight into the funerary practices and afterlife beliefs of that era.
- Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Devil's Bridge): Although it is located a little away from the city center, this impressive aqueduct is a must-see. With its perfectly preserved arches, this aqueduct served as part of the city's water supply system and is a testament to Roman engineering.
- Roman Theatre: Discovered recently compared to other structures, the Roman theater of Tarragona adds more depth to the understanding of cultural life in ancient Tarraco. Although not as well preserved as other monuments, the remains offer valuable insight into Roman arts and entertainment.
These sites are not only significant monuments for their architecture and antiquity, but they also provide a window to the past, showing what life was like in one of the most important cities of Roman Hispania. Visiting these ruins offers a profound educational and cultural experience, allowing visitors to literally walk through history.