Holidays in Vila-seca, la Pineda Platja
If you’ve got the chance to visit the Costa Daurada, Vila-seca, la Pineda Platja is the perfect place to see the very best of what it has to offer and a great base from which to visit the surrounding region. Below, we have designed a proposed schedule for you if you will spend more than three days here, during which you will enjoy both the beaches and nature, exercise outside in the fresh air under the sun, as well as giving you suggestions for perhaps going to a theme park, wellness centre or doing a bit of wine tourism. Are you ready?
Day 1: Swimming and sun with the family
Kick off your summer holidays in the most refreshing way possible: at Aquopolis Costa Daurada, the largest water park in Catalonia.
With dozens of rides and attractions both for the intrepid and youngest family members, Aquopolis also has green areas and picnic zones. A great spot for spending the whole day with the family! Several swimming pools, a beach inside the park, waterfalls, slides, hydro-massage tubs… boredom impossible!
And moving from the liveliest waters on to the calmest waters, few suggest finishing your day relaxing in one of Vila-seca’s wellness centres. There are two venues on La Pineda Platja with a complete offering so you will go back home totally renewed. Both at Aquum Spa & Wellness, with over 4000m2 and a little spa for children 5 and older, and at Spalas Spa & Wellness you’ll find nearly endless facilities where you can experiment and try out thermal sensations, waterfalls, jets, Jacuzzis, saunas, massages, beauty treatments… A complete experience for your whole body.
Day 2: Get away from it all on the sea and enjoying nature
Beaches with gentle slopes and shallow clear waters are awaiting you and your family. Due to its characteristics, La Pineda Platja is ideal for spending a relaxing day on the seaside with the kids or friends. A long promenade runs alongside the 3 kilometres of beach. While strolling and soaking up the sights, you’ll also find all the services, facilities and restaurants you could want while on holiday.
On the same beach, you can see the large sculptural pieces Marca d’Aigua (Watermark) and Pineda (Pine Grove), as well as Pinar de Perruquet Park, a large plant filled urban park touching the sand.
There is an important ‘green lung’ close to the beach, Séquia Major, a natural space that has been protected under the Government of Catalonia’s Plan for Lands with Natural Interest (PEIN) since 1992. These marshes are replete with large extensions of cane and rushes that are home to several endangered species, such as the Iberian toothcarp and the European pond turtle. Guided tours are available so you can learn more about its history and natural values, as well as learning to interpret the signs and traces of animal activity via their tracks, feathers, nests and food remains. It is also a wonderful place for bird watching. Due to its high ecological value, the free guided tours are only available between August and February (when the birds are not nesting). Book your visit by ringing 977 39 03 62.
Day 3: Maximum adrenaline and wellbeing for the body
One of the must-sees during your time with us is PortAventura World. With three different parks (PortAventura Park, Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic Park), it will take you at least a whole day to pick your favourite rides and see a few of the shows and performances on offer.
Different theme-based sections, rides of all different intensities, children’s areas, themed restaurants, new shows every year… Do you want to miss out?
And in the early evening? We suggest that you head towards Josep Carreras Auditorium, one of the best venues in the region, to attend one of the concerts being offered. Take a look at the programming!
Day 4: Bicycle ride and vineyards
Now that you’ve been in Vila-seca and La Pineda Platja for a few days, it is time to grab bicycles and see the municipality from a whole new perspective. This will let you get a bit of exercise while enjoying the nature and heritage of Vila-seca.
Both La Pineda and Vila-seca have well-signposted bike lanes to ensure complete safety. We suggest that you start off in Torre d’en Dolça Park, a 37 hectare park filled with plants and sculptures and fountains. The park is full of trails and paths that you can do both on foot and by bicycle, so that you can discover all its hidden corners. The Torre d’en Dolça will greet you, a sixteenth-century defence tower, as well as a horse racetrack that hosts professional races during the town’s Major Winter Festival.
In mid-morning, jump on your bikes again to head back to Vila-seca along the Raval de la Mar road to see the sights and cultural heritage in the historic town centre. The most important landmarks are identified with a QR code that has information in different languages. On the Raval de la Mar, you’ll see the twelfth-century Creu de la Beguda, the last standing boundary marker cross. Continue on your way by visiting the Neo-mediaeval castle; the church of Sant Esteve; the Celler Noucentista; the Portal de Sant Antoni (14th century); the Torre de la Tuies del Cafè (16th century); and the watchtowers of Abadia, Ardiaca, Delme and Homenatge (12th century).
And in the afternoon, after your morning of exercise and sightseeing, we’ve got a relaxing plan for you to enjoy another of our regional treasures: wine. Our lands are lands of vineyards and wineries. Vila-seca is home to the family-run wineries of Clos Barenys and Vinyes del Terrer. Both offer guided tours and tastings to learn firsthand about the world of wine and the varieties produced in this region.
Days 5…6…7…
As you can see, it would be very hard to get bored in Vila-seca and its La Pineda Platja, as there are so many things to do and enjoy on your holidays! However, if you are ready for more, the Costa Daurada has a tonne of proposals for you and your family. Why not head into the nearby city of Tarragona to see its first-century Roman legacy; follow the Modernist route in Reus; visit the mountains of the Costa Daurada; visit other neighbouring coastal towns like Salou and Cambrils; head to the Priorat or the surreally beautiful landscapes of the Ebre Delta and… whenever you want, come back to Vila-seca, where we will be waiting for you with open arms.
