Weather forecast Portaventura

Portaventura (including rainfall and temperature averages)

Just outside the seaside town of Salou on the Costa Daurada, PortAventura is one of the biggest resorts in Europe, with three four-star hotels, a golf course and even its own train station. It offers “the most exciting of adventures and a whole range of experiences that you will remember forever” to families, groups of friends and even business conventions. The weather is temperate, ranging from 4º in winter to 30º at the height of summer, with cool breezes coming in from the sea. The rare rainstorms are tropical and come in short fierce bursts.

There are three parks to choose from, all with distinctive character. The original PortAventura theme park is divided into five sections. Mediterranea reproduces a typical Catalonian seaside town, with many shops and restaurants, a boat ride and the fastest rollercoaster in Europe. The Chinese area is home to Dragon Khan, a thrilling rollercoaster with eight inversions, as well as three smaller rides. Polynesia is more laid back than the other sections and has many rides suitable for small children as well as TutukiSplash – where riders are shot out of a volcano in a flume style boat – and Sea Odyssey, which reproduces a submarine ride to the bottom of the ocean. In Mexico, it all goes a lot faster: daredevils can choose between the Temple of Fire, an enormous drop tower and a superfast mine train. Finally, the Wild West is the biggest area, themed on a western town; the highlight is the Grand Canyon Rapids.

Caribe Aquatic Park is tropical-themed. From palm-fringed Bahama Beach, where the reggae pumps out over the sand all day, to the comfy sun loungers round the swimming pools, it’s impossible not to relax here. There are plenty of rides, too. La Laguna de Woody is designed for small children and features slides, tunnels, water cannons and fountains. El Rio Loco isn’t nearly as hectic as its name: huge rubber rings carry groups of friends along the gentle river-style ride. For those seeking adventure, Barracudas is a crazily twisting slide, while El Tiphon moves faster than a real typhoon.

Finally, there’s the exclusive Beach Club, which offers activities ranging from volleyball to aqua aerobics. This is the only park in Europe to face onto the beach – a lot of people go there just to soak up the sounds and smells of the Mediterranean. If it’s all been too exciting, there are waterbeds around the sand pool to sink into while you wait for your cocktail.

The food at PortAventura is spectacular and covers all five continents. All the theme parks have fast food joints as well as restaurants; in the evenings the Lumine Restaurant at the Beach Club is heaven for gourmets, with regularly changing seasonal menus. With all the exercise, there’s no need to hold back.