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Tucked away in Spain‘s sun-drenched Salou, just an hour from Barcelona, is a theme park that’s been quietly building a reputation as one of the world’s best – and for good reason.
PortAventura World isn’t just another amusement park, it’s a passport to far-flung destinations across the globe without the jet lag.
And for the growing number of thrill-seekers ditching long-haul flights to Disney or Universal, it’s fast becoming Europe’s best-kept – and best-priced – secret attraction.
As someone who’s been strapped into rollercoasters at world famous resorts, from Thorpe Park to Walt Disney World Resort Orlando, I jumped at the chance to check out what many have said is miles better than some of the most iconic pleasure grounds in the game.
So, armed with a small cabin case, sun cream and a wild sense of adventure, I set out to see whether this hidden gem livea up to the hype.
Spread across more than 50,000 square meters in the Tarragona region, PortAventura World is more than a park – it’s a sprawling resort full of whimsical adventure.
The park itself is divided into six themed lands: Mediterránia, Far West, Mexico, China, Polynesia, and SesamoAventura (aka Sesame Street land).
Each area is decked out with region-specific architecture, food, music and, of course, plenty of rides.
Armed with a small cabin case, sun cream and a wild sense of adventure, Jowena Riley (pictured) sets out to see whether Spain’s PortAventura lives up to the hype
Spread across more than 50,000 square meters in the Tarragona region, PortAventura World is more than a park – it’s a sprawling resort full of whimsical adventure
Visitors can even stay on site at one of six themed hotels, each meticulously designed to emulate a different corner of the world.
For those craving a tropical escape, Hotel Caribe serves up tiki vibes and poolside cocktails, while Hotel El Paso delivers Mediterranean charm complete with terracotta tiles, orange trees and quiet courtyards.
Adult (11 to 59 years) day passes start at €51 (£43), while kids aged 4 to 10 can go from €45 (£38) – less than half the cost of a day pass at Disney World Orlando, where prices can soar beyond $150 (£110) for adults and $109 (£80) for children.
Adult (11 to 59 years) day passes start at €51 (£43)
Kids aged 4 to 10 can go from €45 (£38)
Now, let’s talk about one of the main reasons adrenaline junkies flock to PortAventura.
Two words: Red Force.
Located in the Ferrari Land extension of the park (yes, Ferrari played a hand in designing it), this is Europe’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster.
Standing at 367 feet, riders are launched to 180km/h in just five seconds, amid pure, euphoric madness.
The view from the top is surreal: think rolling hills and sparkling sea in the distance – a contrast to the stomach-churning vertical drop that soon follows.
Visitors can stay on site at one of six themed hotels, each meticulously designed to emulate a different corner of the world (Pictured: the Mediterranean-themed Hotel El Paso)
The park itself is divided into six themed lands: Mediterránia, Far West (Pictured: Jowena at its Uncharted attraction), Mexico, China, Polynesia, and SesamoAventura (aka Sesame Street land)
Located in the Ferrari Land extension of the park (yes, Ferrari played a hand in designing it), this is Europe’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster, Red Force
Pictured: A real-life Ferrari (among many others) displayed in a glass box at Ferrari Land
In China, visitors can ride on gut-punching coasters such as Shambhala and Dragon Khan (pictured)
I actually open my eyes at this point – a rare decision, by the way – and I’m glad I do, though my hands shake from sheer adrenaline for a solid 15 minutes afterward.
Also in Ferrari Land is Thrill Towers, a dizzying vertical drop ride that slowly lifts you 180 feet into the air before releasing you like a penny to the ground.
The views before the plummet are equally as stunning, but the drop is like a punch in the gut again and again as you bounce like a yo-yo after each plunge.
Moving on to SesamoAventura, a technicolour dream for Sesame Street fans and eccentrics alike, where the buildings tilt, giant mushrooms sprout from the ground, and trees have eyes that follow you.
My favourite attraction here is Street Mission, an immersive VR cookie-zapping ride where you team up with Bert, Ernie, and Elmo to score points by shooting targets at various screens.
At one point, the taxi cart rockets into a ‘portal’ of digital madness as you’re hurtled physically (and safely) in all directions.
While Red Force is pure aggression, Shambhala – located in what could be described as a spiritual, ancient, Tibetan-themed section of China – is all about the long game.
With its sweeping bends, multiple drops, and scenic hilltop climbs, it offers a more extended thrill, and for me, it’s easily in the top two.
SesamoAventura, a technicolour dream for Sesame Street fans and eccentrics alike, where the buildings tilt, giant mushrooms sprout from the ground and trees have eyes that follow you
Even the lamp posts are wonky in SesamoAventura
My favourite attraction here is Street Mission, an immersive VR cookie-zapping ride where you team up with Bert, Ernie, and Elmo to score points by shooting targets at various screens
Dragon Khan, a thrilling loop-de-loop coaster located in China
While Red Force is pure aggression, Shambhala – located in what could be described as a spiritual, ancient, Tibetan-themed section of China – is all about the long game
In the lush tropical land of Polynesia, the park’s signature water ride, Tutuki Splash, is a two-drop adventure that will soak you to the bone.
For those who want leave the jungle-themed area exceptionally drenched (I very obviously make that mistake), my pro tip is to sit at the back and brace for impact.
For a bustling theme park, the food is genuinely done well. You can get tacos in Mexico, tuck into surf & turf in the Far West or sharpen your chopstick skills with wok noodles in China – all for around €20 for a sizable portion, including a drink.
A 500ml bottle of Coke is €3 (around £2.50), while beers and sangrias (grown-ups, rejoice!) are sold at stations around the park, and your first drink comes with a reusable plastic cup.
Walt Disney World Orlando, by comparison, charges $4.50 (£3.33) for a soda, and alcohol isn’t even in the equation.
As for queues? It’s true popular rides like Red Force can reach a two and a half hour wait on busy days, but the €40 (£34) Express Pass is worth every penny.
With it, I’m on most rides within five to ten minutes, thanks to the park’s efficient ride operators who endeavor to get everyone safely on, off and out of attractions in seconds.
For those who want to go at a slower pace and let the adrenaline die down, a variety of free themed shows run throughout the day in each section of the park.
In the lush tropical land of Polynesia, the park’s signature water ride, Tutuki Splash, is a two-drop adventure that will soak you to the bone
For a bustling theme park, the food is genuinely done well. You can get tacos in Mexico, tuck into surf & turf in the Far West or indulge in a fresh poke bowl in Polynesia (pictured)
A bottle of Coke at PortAventura is €3 (around £2.50), while beers and sangrias (grown-ups, rejoice!) are sold at stations around the park
For those who want to go at a slower pace and let the adrenaline die down, a variety of free themed shows, such as Aloha Tahití in Polynesia (pictured), run throughout the day
Aimed at all ages, performers set out to teach interesting facts about culture and civilisation through dance, song and immersive plays, with some of the most popular shows being Bang Bang West in the Far West and Aloha Tahití in Polynesia.
After three days of exploring the park, it becomes clear why PortAventura is just as good – if not better – than the likes of Disney and Universal.
It’s got coasters, the charm, the food, the characters, the music, the madness and 30C weather in peak season – not to mention a water park at Costa Caribe if you’re not too wiped out by the end of the day.
So, why go around the world in 80 days, when you can teleport to PortAventura in under three hours from London? See it for yourself and thank me later.
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