Salou Landmarks and Monuments

(Salou, Catalonia, Spain)

Salou is a historic town with roots firmly in the 13th century. However, the town offers an even mix of old and new, with ancient churches like the Santa Maria del Mar sharing space with new landmarks, such as the colourful fountain extravaganza that is known simply as the Font Iluminosa.

In the early 20th century, innovative Spanish architects in the same vein as Antonio Gaudi were producing spectacular work in Salou. Even the local landscape is impressive, with rock features, promontories and similar sights that are well worth visiting if only for the view.

Illuminated Fountain (Font Iluminosa)

Address: Salou, Spain, ES
Font Iluminosa has become the symbol of Salou. It was designed in the 1970s by Carles Buigas and later dedicated to populist leader Francesc Germà Sanz. In the evening, the Illuminated Fountain puts on a show with more than 200 distinct sound and light combinations, including a towering central jet of water and a surrounding ring of smaller fountains. Each evening, people regularly stop to admire this enchanting display.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 20:00
Admission: free

King James Statue (Jaume I Monument)

Address: Jaume I Promenade, Salou, Spain, ES
This monument is situated halfway down the Jaume I Promenade, where it is another of the best-known landmarks in Salou. Installed in the 1960s and inaugurated soonafter, attracting a huge outdoor mass, the famous King James Statue pays tribute to a 13th-century event, where a fleet of ships set out from Catalan to conquer part of the Balearic Islands, which were then controlled by Moors.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 20:00
Admission: free

Carrilet Railway Station

Address: Salou, Spain, ES
The historic railway station was built in 1857 and was used until 1975. In the earliest days, it operated a narrow-gauge track with locomotives imported from Great Britain. The Carrilet Railway Station was used to move inbound merchandise from the local port to the nearby city of Reus, and to transport citizens of Reuz to the beaches of Salou.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 20:00
Admission: free

Harbour Master Building

Address: Salou, Spain, ES
This building was constructed in the early 19th century as the centrepiece of the port of Salou. The harbour master collected taxes from visiting merchant ships, operating from this building. Notice the horse trough and drinking fountain on the ground floor before heading up to the first floor for the sumptuous view over the Miramar Promenade.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 20:00
Admission: free

Punta del Cavall

Address: Carrer de la Punta del Cavall, Salou, Spain, ES
Located on the western side of the town centre, this cape is especially pronounced. A walk along the promontory allows fine views over the local coastline. Further west is a smaller cape (the Cala de la Font), which previously functioned as something of a common hideout for pirates and bandits.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 19:00
Admission: free

Penya Tallada

Address: Carrer de la Penya Tallada, Salou, Spain, ES
This is the most impressive natural feature in Salou. The Penya Tallada is a small cove that lies between Punta del Cavall and Punta de Replanells. What's interesting about this spot is the natural wall that cuts it off from the mainland. Eons of erosion have worn away the portions of the soft rock to leave a 90-metre / 300 foot-long rock barrier behind the cove.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 19:00
Admission: free

Santa Maria del Mar Church

Address: Carrer Esglesia, Salou, Spain, ES
Tel: +34 0977 380 173
This historic church was built in 1766 to cater for those bound for the sea. This was at the peak of Salou's harbour days, and so the Santa Maria del Mar Church received a regular stream of worshippers. Many refurbishments have changed its overall appearance, and sadly the church doesn't look much like it did in those days. Of interest, the murals over the baptistery were painted in the mid-1900s.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free