Lloret de Mar and Salou, two beautiful seaside resorts in sunny Spain, which have everything you can dream of as a holidaymaker! Beautiful beaches, breathtaking nature, endless activities and sightseeing options, a vibrant nightlife and both nearby the metropolis of Barcelona! So how can you ever make a good choice between two destinations that at first glance seem to offer exactly the same?
However, there are certainly some differences between these beautiful seaside resorts. I will try to show you which these are in this blog. So read on quickly and discover which destination, Lloret de Mar or Salou, best suits you!
Lloret de Mar or Salou – The differences at a glance
| Lloret de Mar | salou | |
| Costa | Costa Brava, | Costa Dorada |
| Population | +/- 38.000 | +/- 26.000 |
| Surface | 48km2 | 15km2 |
| Beaches | 8 beautiful beaches | 8 beautiful beaches |
| Discotheques | > 20 discos/clubs | 5 discos/clubs |
| Prices | Due to the wide range, the prices for food & drinks in Lloret de Mar are very affordable. There is a suitable location for every budget. | Due to the large selection, the prices for food & drinks in Salou are very affordable. There is a suitable location for every budget. |
| High season target group | In the high season many young people and/or party holidaymakers stay in the center of Lloret de Mar. Outside the party center, in the beautiful hilly area, is Lloret in high season but also very popular with families who are looking for sun, sea, beach and privacy. | In high season, Salou is a very popular holiday destination among young people due to the wide range of entertainment options. However, Salou also has more than enough to offer, thanks to its beautiful nature and countless activities, for families looking for sun, sea, peace and space. |
| Target group early and late season | Most of the major bars, party cafes and discos in Lloret are open from mid-May to mid-September, peaking in July and August. Before or after this period you will therefore encounter few partygoers. So if you want to enjoy a wonderfully peaceful stay in Lloret de Mar, with pleasant temperatures, this is the perfect time to visit Lloret! | Most of the major bars, party cafes and discos in Salou are open from mid-May to mid-September, with peak crowds in July and August. Before or after this period you can enjoy a quiet and pleasant holiday in Salou. |
| climate | Sea and Mediterranean climate. Temperatures are around 20 degrees from the end of April, rising to 30 degrees in July and August. In September and October you can also enjoy temperatures between 20-25 degrees here! | Marine and Mediterranean climate. From the end of April, the temperatures here are already around 20 degrees, rising to 30 degrees in July and August. In September and October you can also enjoy temperatures between 22-26 degrees! |
Read on below to find out more about these two beautiful Spanish seaside resorts, and discover which one, Lloret de Mar or Salou, suits you best!
Lloret de Mar or Salou? We help you choose!
Are you faced with an almost impossible choice, Lloret de Mar or Salou, and if you don't know which holiday destination suits you or your travel group best, read this blog. In this blog I will show you what you can expect from both holiday destinations. So read on and discover everything you need to know about the beaches, sights, activities, nightlife in Lloret de Mar or Salou!
Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar, one of the most popular holiday destinations of Europe, is located south of the Costa Brava. Lloret de Mar is traditionally a fishing village, with a history dating back more than 1,000 years. Today, however, most people know Lloret de Mar as the ultimate sun, sea, beach and party destination. In summer, the city's population increases from 38,000 to 160,000. With an abundance of discotheques, bars, restaurants, casinos, hotels, shops and markets Lloret is a paradise for holidaymakers who affordable want to enjoy the ultimate!
Beaches in Lloret de Mar
With no fewer than 8 beaches, Lloret de Mar has plenty of options for beach lovers. This way you can stretch out your towel on the 1.6 km long Blue Flag beach Playa de Lloret in the center of Lloret, relax on the similar yet quieter 700m long Fenals beach or opt for the shelter of one of the hidden beaches. Many Lloret goers have the 450 meter long beach Santa Cristina named the most beautiful beach in Lloret de Mar, but with small children it is recommended to visit it Sa Boadella beach. Another must-see is the yellow-gold sand and clear sea waters of Playa Canyelles”.
If you want to know more about the beaches of Lloret de Mar, discover everything you need to know here: the 8 beautiful beaches of Lloret de Mar
Going out in Lloret de Mar.
With more than 20 big discos and a total of 300 entertainment places, Lloret de Mar is, without a doubt, the party destination in Europe. During the day, many pool parties, beach parties and boat parties take place, while in the evenings the clubs open their doors to tourists. The biggest discos in Lloret de Mar are: Disco Colossos, Millennium Party and St. Trop, they can accommodate from 2500 to 3000 partying holidaymakers! Next bars, Lloret de Mar also has discos and casinos a wide range of restaurants. So there is a suitable meal for every taste.
Would you like to know more about the discotheques in Lloret de Mar? Read also: The 12 Best Nightclubs in Lloret de Mar
Things to do in Lloret de Mar.
Lloret has much more to offer, in addition to a vibrant nightlife and pearly white beaches. This beautiful Spanish seaside resort stands thanks to its rich history, also full of culture. You can admire the Catalan Gothic style Santa Roma church admire, one of the 2 beautiful castles view, the 2300 year old Puig de Castellet Iberian ruins or visit one of the many monuments in memory of the Americanos. Also the nature around Lloret de Mar is beautiful, the cliffside Santa Clotilde Gardens with stunning views over the sea are a good example of this.
Want to know more about the history and sights of Lloret de Mar? Read also: 23 Sights in Lloret de Mar: The Best Information can be found here!
Activities in Lloret de Mar
Also the activities you Lloret de Mar you can undertake are incredibly diverse. Whether you are a nature, beach, water sports, amusement park, culture lover or a real dare-devil, in Lloret de Mar there is for every type of holidaymaker a nice day out to plan. In Lloret you can find many water sports activities practice, a boat trip to make, bungee jumping, go on a jeep safari, swim in water parks like Water World, hiking through nature, taking the little ones to Gnomo World or going on an adventure in the ArbreAventura Park. Of course, a visit to the cozy center and palm-lined Boulevard from Lloret de Mar something that should not be missing on your Lloret to-do list.
All this makes Lloret de Mar the ultimate holiday destination, for young and old!
Salou – General
Salou, located in the province of Tarragona, is one of the liveliest seaside resorts of the Spanish Costa Dorada. This lovely seaside resort on the Mediterranean Sea is about 10 km from Tarragona and 112 km from Barcelona and has many beaches, lively nightlife, breathtaking nature, various sights and countless (water) activities to entertain tourists throughout the summer season. In the summer season, Salou, like Lloret, is full of tourists, young and old, who visit this beautiful seaside resort. However, Salou is a lot smaller and quieter than the bustling Lloret de Mar!
Beaches in Salou
With a coastline of no less than 14 kilometers, Salou also has several beautiful golden beaches with crystal clear water. The beaches range from large and wide sandy beaches in the center of Salou, to picturesque, hidden coves at Cap Salou. The 1.2 km long golden beach called Playa Llevant is the most popular beach in Salou thanks to its location near the center and next to the harbor. You will find all conceivable facilities here. On the other side of the harbor of Salou you will find the second, but slightly less busy, main beach of Salou, Playa Ponent. Other beautiful, quieter, beaches in the urban part of Salou are: Platja Llarga and Platja Capellans.
The urban beaches of Salou, thanks to the beautiful walk-in, are ideal for families, but also for a quick dip. However, if you prefer secluded beaches, where the beach is flanked by pine trees and rocks, then the bays at Cabo de Salou are really something for you. So be sure to visit the following bays during your holiday in Salou: Cala Font, Cala Llenguadets, Cala Penya Tallada and Cala Crancs. Of course, these bays are also ideal for an afternoon of snorkelling!
More information about the beaches of Salou can be found here: The 8 nicest beaches in and around Salou
Nightlife in Salou
Salou has a beautiful old and new part where you can enjoy yourself until late in the evening in a cozy restaurant, cafe, club or disco. In the old part you can stroll through the picturesque shopping streets or enjoy a meal in an authentic restaurant. In the new part is the entertainment center with various discotheques and bars, but also, just like in the old center, many nice shops. If you really want an evening of ultimate parties, a visit to Pacha la Pineda, a large disco just outside Salou where international DJs are often heard, a real must! But also the big disco Candy's, Discotheque Tropical Salou and Discotheque Flashback Salou are definitely worth a visit!
Landmarks in Salou
Along the central beaches of Salou you will find perhaps the nicest boulevard of the Costa Dorada. The long boulevard, with atmospheric palm trees on both sides, is filled with nice terraces and bars. On this boulevard you will also find the 'Illuminated Fountain' which is the scene of a spectacular light and music show every evening during the high season. On the same boulevard you will also find the monument a Jaume I. This is a large memorial statue in honor of the Spanish King Jaume I, who liberated Mallorca from the Arabs in 1229. Finally, there is also Torre Vella, a square defense tower which you will find a few hundred meters from the main beach.
Furthermore, Salou itself has few places of interest, but thanks to its idyllic location, only 11 kilometers from historic Tarragona, culture lovers can also indulge themselves in Salou.
Things to do in Salou
There is also more than enough to do in Salou in terms of activities. There are countless cozy shops, beach bars and restaurants and there is a weekly local market that you should definitely visit. Just like Lloret de Mar, Salou is also full of possibilities on the water: various boat trips, pedal boats, canoeing, banana riding, water skiing and much more. However, one of the main attractions of Salou is the PortAventura resort where you can find the Amusement Park PortAventura, Ferrari Land and the water park PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park finds. Salou is also the base for the Catalan round of the World Rally Championship and the water park Aquapolis.
Whether you visit Salou with a group of friends or the whole family, there is er a nice day out for every type of holidaymaker to plan!
Lloret de Mar or Salou – So what's the biggest difference?
Lloret de Mar or Salou? Two beautiful seaside resorts for young and old on the Spanish coast! The biggest difference is of course that one (Lloret) is on the Costa Brava and the other (Salou) on the Costa Dorada ;-). But there are even more differences! Lloret is by far the largest and most touristic place. In high season, life in Lloret goes on 24/7. Salou is smaller and relatively quieter. This is not only reflected in the amount of nightlife, but also in the activities and sights.
In Lloret you can't imagine it as a tourist without it being there. It's all about pleasing the tourists and fulfilling their wishes, no matter how crazy they are! When making a choice between these two seaside resorts, Lloret de Mar or Salou, it is important to ask yourself what exactly you expect from your holiday. Lloret de Mar is simply a bit bigger, more complete and more eccentric in everything. So do you already know what it will be…Lloret de Mar or Salou? But whatever your choice may be, Lloret de Mar or Salou, both places guarantee an unforgettable holiday!
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Do you want to know more about how you a great holiday on the Spanish Costa Brava experience, read also: 21 Tips for the ultimate holiday in Lloret de Mar!
Lloret de Mar during Covid? Look here!