Have to admit some of it is a bit (alright - a lot) like Blackpool (obviously there is a money to be made at that!)

BUT

There is also the Spanish side of things -

Barcelona is in easy reach. La Pineda - the next door resort - is a lot quieter.

Cambrils - within walking distance of Salou Centre is also a lot quieter.

There are some nice resorts just up the coast - Sitges for example.

The beach is a lot better than Blackpool!!!

The sun.......

Please don't be too put off

Salou is far nicer than Blackpool!!! Yes it's busy and commercail with lots of 'Britishness' about it, but it's clean with lovely beaches with playareas and showers every hundred yards or so, and clean toilets.
I think it's a nice introduction to spain. If you want to be British you can, but if you want to sample Spain, you can too. Something for everyone.

salou is a resort i would recommend.
i have been twice and would go back again,as previousposts have stated the beach is a lot better than blackpool and a bit warmer.
port adventura is a great theme park split into different countrys really clean and a great day out

garry

i have been to salou twice and i loved it .its very british and full of english pubs. if you are looking for a taste of real spain you would probably be better off elsewhere. it can be noisy at night time . nice views over the sea from the rovers return pub

to be honest id much rather blackpool iv been to both once..my thoughts of salou was it was like to going to a city with a beach.i didnt think you could have a decent meal in salou for a decent price,and i wouldnt go back if i won a free holiday there....but saying that my brother loves it...so you goto make up your own mind i suppose.but i also think it depends what type of hotel you have and location the same as any other place

Well we went last September and going again next week. We loved it and cant wait to get back!!!!!!!!!!! am so excited!!!

barnsley lass have you been on hols any where else other than salou >????

Fuerteventura 2 years ago, magaluf n all over france!

I take issue with the comparisons with Blackpool, the beach here is much better than Salou, it may be warmer but better it is not!

I thought it was a truly awful place, La Pinada much nicer, if it was not for the theme park Salou would have died years ago

hi barnsleylass

we are also going next week but staying at la pineda and can't wait

yvonne

Hi
Wot day do you go? Have you been b4? Hope you have a great time!

hi

We go on tues 20th. When do you go? Never been before. Got the 14 day passes for port aventura can't wait. We will have a great time. Hope you do too.

Ayop,
We going on Thursday 15th ( my birthday ) flying at 6.45am. You will love porteventura ,we did but we are a gang of ride lovers anyway. If the weather is as nice as this time last year it will be boiling. And the firework n laser show they did at the theme park on the Saturday before we came home was fantastic ( hope they still do it ) Enjoy anyway

Im sorry Robert 123 but blackpool beach better than salou??
I thought salou beach was lovely and blackpool erm not so lovely
As for Salou as a resort I think it is similiar to many of the busy resorts in spain. I like it though I think there is a lot to do there for all ages and I would deffinately return

i hope you have a great time in salou,and yes the park is great i just hated salou,but thats me you might love it...i love magaluf thou thats my fav place,when i win the lottery thats where ill be retiring

Salou is a great resort, its got problems such as graffiti but then what town do you know that hasn't got its problems.

I do not believe this resort would have died if the theme park wasn't there as only 5% of Salou's tourists state this is their reason for choosing the resort. Also in 1989 Salou suffered a typhoid outbreak which decimated its tourist industry but the resort was back on top within a couple of years and certainly before the theme park arrived - if it was that bad a resort it never would have recovered.

Its got a fantastic beach (Been to Blackpool & Salou beach is much much much better), the nightlife is good but its no Ibiza and the atmosphere is normally good, the seafront prom is the nicest I've seen anywhere in the world (yes I have been further than Spain)

It is mostly purpose built and won't suit culture vultures but for a cheap & cheerful holiday, Salou does what it says on the tin.

Its the Costa Dorada's version of Benidorm, you'll most likely either love it or hate it, but all the ingredients are there to have a good holiday - If you crave culture whilst there then get the train to Tarragona (10 miles away), Barcelona (70 miles away) and even Reus is supposed to have some really nice parts.

I love it.

Enjoy your hols
Mark

The site of the petrochemical plant as you come into land at Reus doesn't exactly fill you with hope for what the nearby resort will be like, but Salou has it's plusses in the form of the very nice beach and prom plus the marvellous Port Aventura theme park.

Meeky's description of a city with a beach is pretty spot on, because most of Salou was clearly built in the initial package boom of the 60's and 70's when it seemed planning restrictions didn't apply, resulting in lots of ugly high rise apartment blocks stacked close together. Some of the quieter back streets are quite attractive though, and the place is even more of a bargain now that Ryanair fly there. Think you'll struggle to find anywhere authentically Spanish to eat though, if you go room only.

Last time we went there, the exterior of the 007 club looked very tatty and I'm surprised Danjaq haven't sued the owners for sullying the brand. However this time round they've redone the front and it actually looks quite...er...classy.

Salou wins hands down and the plus point is the weather. Lost of places to go so have a great time

Maureen

I too have been to both and i have to say with the warmth of the sun and the cleanliness of the area and the general upmarket air of a resort which has had alot of money pumped into it Salou is the winner.