Three parks. Year-round sunshine. And just over two hours from the UK. Whether you’re planning a family holiday, a short break with friends, or a day trip from Barcelona, PortAventura World is one of Europe’s most popular theme park destinations, and it’s easier to visit than you might think!
If you’ve never been before, this guide covers everything you need to know: what’s in each park, how to get there, when to go, and how to book your PortAventura World tickets for the best value. Let’s get into it!
Quick summary
- Three parks in one resort: PortAventura Theme Park (open all year), Ferrari Land (open from 4:30pm daily) and Caribe Aquatic Park (open late May to late September).
- Easy to reach from the UK: Just over two hours by plane to Barcelona or Reus, then around 1 hour 20 minutes by car or 1.5 hours by train to the resort.
- Pre-book with AttractionTickets.com: Tickets range from single-day to three-park, multi-day packages, and selected tickets include a free burger at PortAventura Park.
- Express Pass available on the day: Fast track tickets for all three parks can be purchased from booths inside the resort.
What is PortAventura World?
PortAventura World is a theme park resort located in Salou on the Costa Daurada coast of Spain. It’s made up of three distinct parks, each offering a different kind of day out:
- PortAventura Theme Park: The flagship park, open all year round, with over 40 rides across six themed worlds, live shows, and Sesame Street character meet and greets.
- Ferrari Land: Europe’s only Ferrari-branded theme park, home to Red Force, the continent’s tallest and fastest roller coaster. Open daily from 4:30pm - 10pm.
- PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park: A water park open from late May to late September, with 16 slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and dedicated kids’ zones.
Whether you’re spending a single day or a full week, the three parks together make a well-rounded resort that works for families, thrill-seekers and short-break travellers alike.
Why PortAventura is one of Europe’s top theme parks
With over 40 rides in the main theme park, Europe’s fastest roller coaster next door in Ferrari Land, and a well-equipped water park, PortAventura World offers real variety for a wide range of visitors.
The park is divided into themed worlds that each feel distinct - from the sun-soaked streets of Mediterrània to the mist-covered temples of China - with live entertainment, international dining, and a warm Spanish climate completing the picture.
It also works well for groups with different tastes. Younger children have SesamoAventura and its Sesame Street characters. Teenagers and thrill-seekers are drawn to the big coasters in China and Mexico. The compact, manageable layout makes it a practical choice for short breaks too.
A guide to each park
Here’s a quick overview of all three parks before we dig into the detail:
Park | Best for | Headline rides | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
PortAventura Theme Park | Families, thrill-seekers, all ages | Shambhala, Dragon Khan, Furious Baco, Hurakan Condor | Open all year (check website for hours) |
Ferrari Land | Thrill-seekers, car enthusiasts, families | Red Force (Europe’s tallest and fastest coaster) | 4:30pm-10pm daily |
Caribe Aquatic Park | Families, water park fans | King Khajuna, Barracudas, wave pool, lazy river | Late May - late September |
PortAventura Theme Park
The main park is divided into six themed worlds, each with its own rides, shows and food. Here’s what to expect from each:
- Mediterrània - The park’s entrance area, themed around a Mediterranean fishing village. Home to Furius Baco (0 to 135 km/h in three seconds) and the daily evening parade. Don’t leave before the parade - it’s a great way to end the day!
- China - Where you’ll find the park’s two biggest coasters: Shambhala (76 metres tall, the park’s highest) and Dragon Khan (eight loops at 110 km/h). The Angkor area also adds some water-based family fun.
- México - Home to Hurakan Condor, a 100-metre free-fall drop tower, and El Diablo mind ride. Mexico Lindo is a dinner show worth booking here if you want to combine food and entertainment.
- Far West - Themed around the American frontier, with the duelling Stampeda wooden coasters, Uncharted and the Silver River Flume. The West Gold Frenzy stunt show is one of the best in the park.
- SésamoAventura - The dedicated kids’ area, with Sesame Street characters roaming throughout the day. Rides like Tami Tami and Street Mission are ideal for younger visitors, and La Cocina De Epi is a handy quick-service food stop for families.
- Polynesia - The most tropical world in the park, with Tutuki Splash, Canoes and Kontiki. Try to catch the Carnival Magic Bubble Show if you’re passing through!
Pro tip: Download the PortAventura World app before you visit. It has a real-time Characters tab showing exactly who is appearing where and when, which is really handy for planning your day with younger children.
Ferrari Land
Ferrari Land opened in 2017 and is Europe’s only Ferrari-branded theme park. It opens at 4:30pm daily, making it a natural evening add-on after a full day in the main park. With Italian-themed streets, racing memorabilia and 16 attractions, it has enough to keep everyone busy for a few hours.
- Best thrill ride: Red Force - 112 metres tall, 180km/h, Europe’s tallest and fastest roller coaster
- Best for families: Crazy Pistons, Junior Red Force and the F1 simulators (simulators are not included in ticket price - costing around €15 to €25 per person)
- Best for food: Trattoria Maranello for sit-down Italian, or Pit Lane for quick-service burgers and pizzas
- Best free entertainment: The acrobatic show in the Ferrari Pit Lane runs roughly every hour
PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park
Open from late May to late September, Caribe Aquatic Park has 16 slides and attractions spread across thrill rides, family areas and dedicated kids’ zones.
- Best thrill slides: King Khajuna (the tallest and fastest), Barracudas, Ciclón Tropical, El Tifón
- Best for families: Rápid Race, Playa Paraíso, El Galeón Pirata
- Best for little ones: La Laguna de Woody, Cayo Cookie, Sesamo Beach
- Good to know: Lockers are available to hire (additional cost), fast track can be booked on the day, and the on-site shop stocks towels, sun cream and waterproof phone cases
Where is PortAventura World?
PortAventura World is in Salou, on the Costa Daurada coast of Catalonia, about an hour south of Barcelona. It’s one of the more accessible theme park destinations for UK visitors (just over two hours by plane) which makes it a practical choice for a long weekend as well as a longer holiday.
Salou itself is a well-established resort town with a seafront promenade, beaches and a great range of hotels and restaurants. It’s easy to combine a park visit with some proper beach time if you’re there for more than a day or two.
How to get to PortAventura World from the UK
Flying to PortAventura
You have two airport options:
- Reus Airport is the closest at just a 15-minute drive from the resort. A taxi or shuttle typically costs around £20-£30. Flights from the UK to Reus are mainly available during peak season, so book ahead if you’re planning to use this route.
- Barcelona El Prat Airport has flights from across the UK year-round and is just over an hour’s drive from PortAventura World. There are plenty of pre-booked transfer options and car hire services at the airport.
Getting there by train
PortAventura World has its own railway station - Salou PortAventura - served by the R17 regional train line from Barcelona. The journey takes about 1.5 hours with only a handful of stops along the way. From the station, it’s around a 15-minute walk (about 950 metres) to the park entrance.
Day trip from Barcelona
If you’re based in Barcelona and want a day out at the parks, we offer day trips from Barcelona with round-trip coach transportation from the Júlia Travel office at Estació del Nord (ground floor, platform 19). It’s a straightforward way to visit without the hassle of arranging your own transport.
By car, it’s approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Barcelona. Day visitor parking is available at the resort, with standard spaces at around €12-€15 per day.
When is the best time to visit PortAventura World?
The Costa Daurada gets reliably good weather. Summer (June-September) is warm and sunny, with temperatures often reaching 28-32°C - great if you’re planning to include Caribe Aquatic Park in your trip.
Spring and autumn are cooler and quieter, which makes them a good time to visit the theme park and Ferrari Land with shorter wait times.
PortAventura Theme Park and Ferrari Land are open all year round, while Caribe Aquatic Park runs from the end of May to the end of September.
Why pre-book your PortAventura World tickets with AttractionTickets.com?
Booking in advance with AttractionTickets.com means your tickets are sorted before you travel, with no waiting at the gate on arrival. We offer a wide range of options - from single-day, single-park tickets to multi-day packages covering all three parks - so you can find what fits your trip and budget.
It’s worth noting that when you book through AttractionTickets.com, you’ll receive a free burger at PortAventura Park included with your ticket.
We offer both dated and open-dated tickets. Multi-day dated tickets require your first day of access to match your booked date, with remaining days usable within a five-day window - this is handy if your plans might shift!
Can I buy a PortAventura Fast Pass or Express Pass?
Yes! If you want to reduce time spent waiting, a PortAventura Express Pass is worth considering. Fast track is available in PortAventura Theme Park, Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic Park, giving you access to a shorter queue on selected attractions.
Fast track tickets are purchased on the day from ticket booths inside the parks. Availability can be limited during busy periods, so if you’re planning to use one, pick it up early in the day.
Where to stay for a PortAventura holiday
Salou has a wide range of accommodation, from large family resorts near the parks to smaller, quieter hotels further along the seafront.
PortAventura World has its own on-site hotels, which is a convenient option - they’re a short walk from the park entrance and often include park entry in the package. If you’d rather stay in Salou town, there’s plenty of choice at different price points, and most hotels are within easy reach of the beach as well as the parks.
Ready to book your PortAventura World tickets?
With three exciting parks, reliable sunshine and a short flight from the UK, PortAventura World is the ideal holiday choice, whether you’re after a full week or just a couple of days.
Browse our full range of PortAventura World tickets below and start planning your trip today!
