Spain's largest theme park resort near Tarragona offers thrilling rides, shows, and themed worlds from the Mediterranean to the Far West. Ferrari Land adjacent offers Europe's tallest and fastest roller coaster, Red Force, which reaches 180km/h.
PortAventura World at Avinguda Alcalde Pere Molas km 2 in Salou, Tarragona province, is Spain's largest theme park resort and the sixth most visited in Europe, welcoming over 5 million guests annually. The resort opened in 1995 and has grown to encompass the main PortAventura Park, the Ferrari Land extension (opened 2017), a Costa Caribe water park (seasonal), and six on-site hotels. The main theme park is divided into six immersive themed worlds: Mediterrània serves as the gateway with Spanish colonial architecture; Polynesia evokes the South Pacific with tropical landscaping; Far West recreates the American frontier with the Dragon Khan wooden coaster zone; México features Day of the Dead imagery and the Stampida dual coaster; China includes the award-winning Shambhala hypercoaster; and SésamoAventura offers Sesame Street-themed family rides and shows. Shambhala — at 76 metres Europe's tallest hypercoaster — delivers a sustained high-speed ride through valleys and hills that most riders consider the resort's highlight. Adjacent Ferrari Land, reached via a separate gate, is built around the Ferrari brand experience and contains Red Force, Europe's tallest and fastest roller coaster at 112 metres and 180km/h. The resort runs elaborate Halloween Nights (mid-September to early November) and PortAventura Christmas (late November through January) events, which transform the park with theatrical theming distinct from the regular summer experience. Hotels within the resort provide early entry to the park before general public admission opens.
Good to know
- Hours
- 10AM-midnight (seasonal)
- Best time
- weekdays to avoid queues
- Best for
- families, thrill seekers, teens
Location
Avinguda Alcalde Pere Molas, km 2, 43840 Salou
41.0876, 1.1567 View on map
Highlights
- Shambhala — Europe's tallest hypercoaster at 76m, consistently rated one of Europe's best rides
- Red Force in Ferrari Land — Europe's tallest roller coaster at 112m reaching 180km/h
- Dragon Khan wooden coaster with 8 inversions through the Far West themed zone
- Halloween Nights event (September-November) — elaborate theatrical park transformation
- Six immersive themed worlds from Polynesia to China covering the resort's 119 hectares
Tips for visiting
- Book combo tickets for Ferrari Land access
- Stay at resort hotels for early park entry
- September is less crowded but still warm
When to visit
Weekdays in May, June, and September offer the best ratio of open attractions to queue length. Halloween Nights (September-November) is the most atmospheric seasonal event and draws slightly smaller crowds than peak summer. Arrive at park opening to access the most popular coasters before queues build.
Accessibility
The resort is largely flat with tarmac pathways throughout. Most shops, restaurants, shows, and hotel facilities are fully accessible. Individual rides have specific accessibility requirements and restrictions — a detailed accessibility guide is available on the official website. The resort provides mobility equipment rental.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get to PortAventura from Barcelona?
Direct trains from Barcelona Sants to Salou PortAventura station take approximately 1 hour. The resort has its own dedicated train station. Driving from Barcelona takes around 1 hour on the AP-7 motorway.
Is the water park and Ferrari Land included in the main ticket?
No. Ferrari Land requires a separate add-on ticket or a combined resort ticket. The Costa Caribe water park (open June-September) is also separate. Multi-day and combination tickets typically offer the best value for visiting multiple areas.
What is the best time to visit to avoid long queues?
Weekdays in May, June, and September see significantly shorter queues than school holidays and summer weekends. The park opens at maximum capacity on weekends in July-August. Staying at a resort hotel provides early entry, which is the most effective queue-reduction strategy.