Nobody does family holidays better than PortAventura Park, an entertainment resort in sunny Salou, Spain. Get your heart racing as you zoom around on a thrilling roller coaster and have the time of your life with the wind in your hair and adrenaline pumping through your veins.
PortAventura has more to offer than just epic thrill rides though. You'll also find a selection of options for little ones, a variety of impressive live shows, sensational restaurants and souvenir shops to explore. As one of Spain's most visited tourist destinations, you're guaranteed to have an amazing time when you visit PortAventura Park. Below, we take a closer look at what you'll find in this iconic theme park:
Rides
PortAventura has a range of rides from intense to easy, which means that no matter your preference, you're sure to find something you enjoy. To kick things off, let's cover one of the most exciting rides in the park, the Furious Baco. This is a heart-stopping catapult ride that goes from still to 135 km/hr in three short seconds. It's a fantastic ride to get your heart racing.
A moderate favourite is the Tutuki Splash, which is a volcanic ride over in the Polynesia jungle themed section of the park. Travel over waters and prepared to get slightly wet with this one!
The Kontiki is an exciting catamaran ride that swings back and forth until it's perpendicular with the ground. It's a fun ride for the whole family, just make sure you're holding on tight. If you've got young kids with you, or you're just looking for a ride with less intensity, you're in luck.
The Port De La Drassana is a peaceful boat ride along the Mediterranean port to imperial China. It's a gentle ride and gives you a nice rest from all the walking.
If you love train rides, hop on board the old steam train ride of Estacion Del Norte, which takes you to different parts of the park. This is a great way to travel around PortAventura Park, plus it's a fun experience for the whole family and since it's in the shade, you can cool down a bit from the hot summer sun.
Shows
There's a number of fantastic shows on offer in PortAventura. The PortAventura Parade is one of the most popular events that crowds tend to flock to. All of your favourite characters from the park join the parade and kids love to sing along and wave to the characters from the side lines.
The Aves Del Paraiso is an educational show that teaches little ones all about exotic birds from around the world. It's something a little different and you'll even have the chance to meet Lolita, a charming parrot that speaks and sings for the crowd.
For an exciting 4D experience, check out the Dino Safari 2 4D show, which is an adventurous walk through the park featuring ferocious T-Rex and other dinosaurs. Hop on the jungle jeep and escape as fast as you can before you become supper!
Another great show for the kids is Bubblebou, which is where you'll watch hundreds of bubbles being created in real-time. And, yes, you can pop a few if you wish and even learn how to create bubbles of varying sizes and shapes.
On top of all this, there are also a few dancing performances including the Aloha Tahiti. This is when a group of native Polynesians showcases some traditional dances in brightly-coloured costumes.
Shops
PortAventura Park is home to a selection of unique shops that you can browse through when you're exploring all of the attractions. If you're looking for souvenirs, head to Records de PortAventura, which is found opposite the Mediterranean Lake. Inside, you can shop for soft toys, T-shirts, clothes, keyrings and more.
You can shop for more clothes over at the Superdry store, which has all of the latest trends all year-round.
If you get hit with sugar cravings as you stroll around the park, don't miss out on the Dolcos I Mes sweet shop right at the entrance of the park.
For professional photos of your visit, head to the Photoride Furius Baco after the ride to get your hands on those.
If you need to pick up a new camera for your trip and accessories, the La Botigueta shop near the pick-up service collection point has you covered.
Restaurants
With all of the fun and excitement, it won't be long before you work up an appetite. Thankfully, you won't have to leave the park to satisfy the hunger as there's a huge variety of restaurants within walking distance.
For classic Mediterranean dishes, book a table meal in Vinosfera Tapes I Vins, which you'll find next to the Furius Baco ride. The restaurant has a diverse menu and an extensive wine list. It's a wonderful place to sit down and enjoy a family meal together before heading back out to the park.
When the sun is out, it's nice to take your meal outside in the fresh air. You can do this in the Raco De Mar restaurant over in the fishing port. The authenticity of the traditional fishing village follows its way inside the restaurant, where you can dine on rice dishes, pizza and a range of Mediterranean classics. It's the perfect spot to take the kids to eat and order a sharing platter to split it between your group. Or, if it's just two of you, it's a nice option for a romantic meal under the Spanish sunshine.
If you're not hungry enough for a big meal and just need a pick-me-up, Café Saula is an ideal choice. Order a sandwich and a cup of coffee and take a break from all the excitement. You can also enjoy freshly-made pastries here, which will satisfy your sweet cravings in no time.
For classic fast food like fries and soft drinks, make your way to Food Outlets Mediterrania, where you'll have a range of options to choose from. Finish your meal with tasty ice cream with all the toppings before heading back out to explore more of PortAventura Park.