PortAventura World: the UK visitor's guide
Three parks, the rides that matter, and why the three-day ticket is the one to buy.
PortAventura World is the theme park resort British families keep discovering by accident on a Salou holiday and then planning trips around. Here is what it is and how to do it.
Where and what
On the coast an hour south of Barcelona, between Salou and Tarragona, with its own train station. Three parks: PortAventura Park, the main park, with six themed worlds from Mediterranean to Polynesia to Far West; Ferrari Land, a smaller park next door with Europe's tallest coaster; and Caribe Aquatic Park, a water park.
The rides that matter
- Shambhala: a 76-metre hypercoaster that many rate the best in Europe.
- Dragon Khan: eight inversions, the park's original signature.
- Red Force: in Ferrari Land, 0 to 180 km/h in five seconds, then 112 metres up.
- Uncharted: an indoor launched coaster with dark-ride storytelling.
- Furius Baco: a low, fast launch through the vineyards.
- Tutuki Splash and Silver River Flume: the water rides, essential in August.
For children there is SésamoAventura with Sesame Street rides, and plenty of family rides across the park.
Which ticket
The three-day two-park ticket is regularly the same price as or cheaper than the two-day. Over a week in Salou it gives you two park days and a Ferrari Land half day at a pace that suits the heat. The three-park version adds Caribe Aquatic for a few pounds more and is worth it from June to September. A one-day ticket suits a day trip from Barcelona.
Timing
Open from roughly March to early January, with a Halloween season in October and Christmas from late November. August is hot and busy; go at opening, do the coasters, and hit the water rides after lunch. Late May, June and September are ideal.
Staying
The resort hotels include park entry and early access. Salou is fifteen minutes away and cheaper, with the whole Costa Dorada beach front. The train from Barcelona takes an hour and a half and stops at the park.
Food
Far better and cheaper than Florida. Sit-down restaurants in each themed area with proper Spanish food, and you can bring your own.
