Miami Playa travel information and video

Miami Playa
Miami Playa (Miami Platja in Catalan) is a seaside resort situated in a magnificent bay on the Costa Dorada in the deep southern region of Catalonia. 
The area boasts some beautiful sandy and shingle bays, which are broken up by unusual rocky reefs and cliffs. A wide pine -forest reaches down to the sea and is interlaced with beautiful walks.

The resort incorporates shops, restaurants, tennis, horse riding and a variety of entertainment options. The area is especially suited to golfers and sports enthusiasts (both land and water sports are available).

Miami Playa is easily accessible with Barcelona just one hour’s drive away. It is 30 minutes drive from Reus airport.

Beaches
The beaches of the Costa Dorada – from Tarragona to the Ebro-Delta – are sandy and clean and slope gently into the sea. 
Miami Playa has a children’s park facing the sea and in the height of the summer there are trampolines, ice creams kiosks and bars scattered along the beach itself.

The beach kept very clean and is never packed, there is always space to spread out; even in August, the busiest time of the year, you can position yourself at the waters edge. Sun beds and deck chairs are available throughout the summer for a small charge, although you are advised to take your own parasol. There are also many small coves to discover in the area.

Eating out
There are plenty of bars and restaurants where you can either snack or have a full meal. The quality of food and service is good in the majority of the beach chiringuitos (beach bar restaurants) and you can choose to eat on the sun terrace, or in the air-conditioned restaurant interiors.

The bars and restaurants along the promenade are very traditionally Spanish , with most menus available in Spanish, French, German and Catalan. However, not all are available in English, as the area is more popular with French and German tourists.

Excursions


At nearby Cambrils 
the beach is busier, but offers more choice of restaurants, bars, and shops; there is even a McDonalds. There is also a children’s play area on the sand and the walk along this beach is very pleasant. Cambrils also boasts a small port, where you can take a boat trip along the coast.

The popular package holiday destination of Salou is about a 25 minute drive from Miami Playa and has a busy sea front. The town has many bars and nightclubs and the beach is often packed. There are two large beaches in Salou and you need to park in the car parks, or a walk away from the beach itself to guarantee a parking space.

The Port Aventura theme park, which is about 20 minutes drive away, is an excellent full day excursion. There are some fantastic rides and shows and a huge firework display during the summer months. The park consists of various themed lands, such as the Wild West, China, Polynesia, Mexico and so on. It is excellent fun for the family and your entrance does entitle you to one express ticket for the more popular attractions which means you are told what time to arrive for your ride and basically you get straight to the front of the queue! You can upgrade your entrance by getting a gold bracelet (for which there is an extra cost) which then allows you express entry to all the rides who have this facility.



There are lots of food outlets scattered throughout and drinking fountains if you get thirsty. Be warned that it’s is best to get there early and plan to stay late.

Leisure & recreation
Bikes are available for hire in Miami Playa and horse riding is available nearby. The coast here is excellent for sea fishing and the many paths make this a great place for walkers and runners alike.

The Bonmont Golf Club (18 holes, handicap 28 male - 36 female) and two further golf courses nearby. 


Cuisine
One of the most famous local dishes is ‘Romesco, which is actually a sauce made from almonds, pine nuts and/or hazelnuts, roasted garlic, olive oil, nyoras (a type of dry red bell pepper), tomatoes, wine vinegar and onion. It is traditionally served with fish and seafood, poultry, vegetables and even Escargo (snails). Calçotada is a dish of barbequed shallots dipped in Romesco sauce and served with grilled meats, it’s a rare find and full of flavour.

Another specialty is rabbit with balls of cod, a delicious combination. The area is also known for eels, frogs legs, duck dishes, paella, olives, rice dishes, poultry, seafood rabbit, pigs trotters, cod stew with spinach and eggs, noodles, biscuits and sweets.

Shopping
There are several supermarkets in Miami Playa, the largest being Intermarche; if you are planning to pay with a credit card in the supermarket you WILL NEED a form of ID, usually a passport, and remember that the majority of the smaller shops close between 1.30pm and 5.00pm for the siesta. They do stay open until 8 or 9pm at night. The largest supermarket in the area is in Reus, which is the hypermarket Carrefour. It sells food, clothes, electrics, CDs, bicycles and so on. 



Medical
The nearest hospital is in Reus. The chemists in Spain (Farmacia) will usually be of much help should you need medication for a sore throat, tummy upset etc. Within Miami Playa there are doctors and dentists.



Tourist Information office
It is worth visiting the tourist information office at the beginning of the holiday as you can pick up discount vouchers for the main attractions and details of local walks in the mountains.

Climate
Tarragona enjoys mild winters with some rainfall, warm blossom filled springs, long hot summers and autumns of golden sunlight and rich sweet plums.