Take to the sea on the Costa Daurada and the Terres de l’Ebre
The Costa Daurada and the Terres de l’Ebre coastline invites you to sail and enjoy the feeling of freedom and at oneness with the sea. Sailing is a very popular water sport in the Catalan Mediterranean due to the pleasant climate and the coastline packed with plenty of beaches and coves where you can drop anchor. If you’re a sailing lover, there are lots of marine resorts and sailing clubs on the Costa Daurada which will teach you how to tame the wind and the waves on different courses.
To try out other water sports there are a wide range of seafaring activities and experiences for the whole family on offer at three sports tourism destinations: Salou, Cambrils and L’Ametlla de Mar in Terres de l’Ebre. Water sport is the king in this region. If you’re an athlete, you can also make use of the facilities at the numerous clubs and ports to train and prepare for competitions. Get on board!
You’re at the helm
As sports tourism destinations, the Costa Daurada municipalities of Salou, Cambrils and L’Ametlla de Mar in Terres de l’Ebre offer a comprehensive range of sports and sport-related infrastructures. If you’re interested in obtaining an official qualification, the Sailing School at the Salou Sailing Club and the Nautical Academy at the Cambrils Sailing Club offer initiation, upgrading and technical training courses suited to all ages. They also organise sports competitions and events throughout the year. In addition to sailing, most of the schools offer complementary maritime activities such as windsurfing, kayaking and paddle surfing.
Club Nàutic Salou / Inmedia Solutions SL
L’Ametlla de Mar, one of the small seaside jewels on the Terres de l’Ebre, very near the Ebro Delta, is another sports tourism destination that features sailing and underwater diving. The school at the sailing club offers courses at its three ports, one of them municipal and two private ones (Calafat and Marina Sant Jordi). This town is also home to an underwater treasure that can be discovered through diving. This treasure is formed by the remains of ships sunk during the First World War in the depths of the Gulf of Sant Jordi.
A multitude of sports at the Costa Daurada marine resort
The Costa Daurada marine resort provides opportunities to learn, practice and combine different water sports. Sea kayak outings, scuba diving baptisms and snorkelling, water sports such as parasailing to get your adrenaline pumping, flying over the sea with a parachute, being pulled along by a motorboat or flyboarding, which consists of “walking” on water, above the sea with a special propeller.
The resort also offers family packs with a set of activities that includes an introductory outing in a catamaran to learn how to navigate a route between Salou and Cambrils, rowing in a kayak and outings on a paddleboard and ski bus (banana). All accompanied by a monitor. For anyone seeking unique experiences there are highly attractive proposals, such as diving among tuna in the open sea and going out on a biokayak in L’Ametlla de Mar, which combines a trip in a kayak with an underwater snorkelling itinerary (light-weight diving with a snorkel and goggles).
When will you come and slice through the waters of the Mediterranean?
Other experiences in Catalonia
Sport in Catalonia
If you’re looking for the ideal destination for a sporting holiday, Catalonia is the place for you. You’ll find a pleasant Mediterranean climate, first-class sports facilities and accommodation suited to your needs. Sport is much more than physical exercise. Come to Catalonia and see for yourself.
The best routes for experienced cyclists
Catalonia is a bicycle tourism paradise. More than 6,000 kilometres of roads and paths cover the region so you can discover its most privileged spots. You’ll find long routes designed to be covered over one or several days or to be travelled in various stages or circular routes from a base camp. There are also mountain routes through some of the natural settings of Catalonia which are ideal for intermediate-level and expert cyclists.
Team sports in Catalonia
Pau Gasol and Ricky Rubio are two great NBA players but, before triumphing in the United States, they were the stars of their respective basketball clubs, FC Barcelona and Joventut de Badalona. Such high-level professionals don’t appear out of nowhere and grassroots sport is essential. Catalonia has numerous clubs which promote collective sports with facilities allowing them to be played by both amateur and professional teams. Team sports are popular here.
A bicycle getaway with the family
From the Pyrenees in the north to Terres de l’Ebre in the south, following the Mediterranean coastline or delving into the wealth to be found inland, Catalonia provides a chance to enjoy a thrilling ride on two wheels with the whole family. As well as more demanding routes for experienced cyclists, there are also itineraries with gentle slopes and lanes that are suitable for everyone.
Fresh water descents in Catalonia
Do you want to go down rivers with descents of over six metres? Have you ever tried rowing down an Olympic-length race course? In Catalonia, if you go rowing or canoeing, you can combine your training at excellently equipped facilities with the thrill of descents and the excitement of new experiences.
Catalonia, a destination for triathletes
If there is something that makes Catalonia stand out, it’s the varied landscape and the pleasant temperatures throughout the year, making it an excellent choice for preparing the triathlon season. You’ll find everything you need in the towns on the Catalan coast; these are the links between the roads and trails in the natural parks, the roads that wind along the seafront, the waters of the Mediterranean and the outstanding sports facilities.
Swimming facilities in Catalonia
Are you looking for somewhere new to train and improve your technique in the water? Catalonia offers you outstanding facilities such as outdoor and indoor Olympic swimming pools suitable for competitive and synchronised swimming, diving and water polo. Some of these facilities are also equipped with platforms and diving boards for practising jumps and somersaults.
Elite tennis in Catalonia
It’s no coincidence that Catalonia has the largest number of tennis courts in Spain. With a history of racquet sports dating back over 100 years, it’s one of the pioneering locations where you can develop as a professional tennis player or simply enjoy a good match.
Catalonia, a huge golf course
Enjoy an authentic golfing experience in Catalonia. A total of 40 courses located beside the Mediterranean or surrounded by mountains and nature that are well-connected with Barcelona and the other Catalan capital cities. Most of them have received numerous international prizes such as the World Golf Awards, certifying them as high-quality courses to enjoy this sporting discipline on.
Live motor sport at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Catalonia is the birthplace of numerous motor sport greats, including the Márquez brothers, Dani Pedrosa, Maverick Viñales, Pedro de la Rosa, Marc Gené, Álex Crivillé, Pol Espargaró, Sito Pons and Sete Gibernau, among many others. It also hosts first-class competitions such as the Spanish F1 Grand Prix and the Catalan MotoGP Grand Prix.
Get a bird’s eye view of Catalonia doing a parachute jump
The beauty of the Costa Brava seen from its cliffs is spectacular, but it can be marvelled at from even higher up. Your chance to do so is provided by SkyDive Empuriabrava, a must-visit for adrenaline lovers. With their help you can reach an altitude of 4,000 metres and enjoy the thrill of falling through the sky with a parachute over a unique natural setting.
The most technical fencing in Catalonia
According to the records, fencing has been popular in Catalonia since the 13th century. This sporting discipline has a long-standing tradition in the region and nowadays places such as the Amposta Sports Technification Centre in Terres de l’Ebre continue to instruct fencing professionals.
Reach for the sky in Catalonia
The varied terrain of Catalonia, dotted with the high peaks of the Pyrenees and mountain ranges and ridges, makes it the ideal location for climbing. Even the legendary Californian climber Chris Sharma succumbed to the spell of this area many years ago and decided to settle and put down roots here.
Running events in Catalonia
Taking part in a marathon and covering 42,195 m is a major test for any athlete. In Catalonia the Barcelona Marathon has become increasingly popular year after year and it’s now the fifth largest in Europe in terms of the number of runners, after Paris, London, Berlin and Stockholm.