The Costa Dorada, which means the golden coast, is aptly named with miles and miles of golden beaches. Many of the resorts and villages are popular with Spanish holidaymakers and those who live in nearby Tarragon and Barcelona. The coast runs south from Barcelona to the Costa Azahar, which takes over to the south from around Viņaros. Just south of Tarragona, at Salou, there is an amazing theme park and complex of hotels with something for just about everyone. For the culturally minded, Barcelona, Spains second largest city, is just a short ride away either by road or rail. Sitges on the Costa Dorada is the scene for a week end of Carnival high jinks in February. Just inland from Tarragona is Monserrat, a famous and imposing monastery set in the mountains, which can be reached by cable car from the village below. A number of British ex-pats have chosen to settle on the Costa Dorada.
