# PortAventura Park, Barcelona > PortAventura is Spain's largest theme park, opened in 1995 by the resort of Salou on the Costa Daurada, about 100 km and 1 to 1.5 hours by train from Barcelona. Six themed lands range from the Mediterranean and the Far West to China and Polynesia, with some of Europe's tallest rollercoasters and a Sesame Street area for little ones. Ferrari Land and a water park are next door. Allow a full day. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/portaventura - City: [Barcelona](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona), Spain - YesGo score: 15/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 8 h - Opening hours: Seasonal calendar; daily in summer - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Paid, cheaper online - Season: Spring to early January - Getting there: Train from Barcelona ≈ 1–1.5 h - Highlights: Shambhala and Dragon Khan coasters, shows, lands - Time needed: A full day - Location: Salou, Costa Daurada, ≈ 100 km from Barcelona - Coordinates: 41.08778, 1.15778 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1995** — the park opened (source: English Wikipedia) - **6 lands** — themed areas in the park (source: English Wikipedia) - **≈ 76 m** — height of the Shambhala coaster (source: English Wikipedia) - **≈ 100 km** — from Barcelona (source: English Wikipedia) ## About PortAventura **PortAventura** opened in **1995** by the resort town of Salou on the Costa Daurada and has since become Spain's most visited theme park. Today it's a whole resort: the park itself, the neighbouring **Ferrari Land** with a record-height coaster, a water park and themed hotels. The park is split into **six lands**, each with its own architecture, food and shows: the **Mediterranean**, a fishing village by the lagoon; the **Far West**, with saloons; **Mexico**, with a Maya pyramid; **China**, with imperial gates; **Polynesia**, with tropical jungle; and **Sesame Street** for children. Boats cross the lagoon between them. ## The top rides The park's pride is its rollercoasters. **Shambhala**, in the China land, stands about **76 metres** tall and is one of Europe's highest and fastest coasters, with a huge drop and sea views. **Dragon Khan** is famous for its eight inversions, and **Furius Baco** launches almost instantly. For a gentler time there are water rides, log flumes in the Far West, rafting and the Tutuki Splash boat in Polynesia, plus shows with acrobats and dancers and an evening parade. Sesame Street has small coasters, carousels and meet-and-greets with the characters. ## What to see at PortAventura - **Shambhala** — a coaster about 76 metres tall. - **Dragon Khan** — eight inversions in a row. - **Furius Baco** — an instant launch. - **Water rides** — flumes and boats, great on hot days. - **Sesame Street** — the area for little ones. - **Shows and parade** — acrobats, dance and holiday fireworks. > **Buying tickets** Tickets are cheaper booked ahead on the official site than at the gate. There are one and two-day tickets, combos with Ferrari Land and the water park, and paid express passes to skip queues. The park runs on a seasonal calendar, so check dates before you go. ## Ferrari Land and the water park Next to the park is **Ferrari Land**, a separate theme park about racing cars. Its headline ride, the vertical coaster **Red Force**, is one of the tallest in Europe, and there are racing simulators and a car exhibition too. Entry needs a separate or combined ticket. The resort's **water park** opens only in summer, with wave pools, slides and a tropical lagoon. Many people come for two days: one for the park and Ferrari Land, the other for the water park and Salou's beach. The resort's themed hotels or Salou itself make a good base. ## How to get there from Barcelona 1. **Renfe** train from Sants or Passeig de Gràcia to **PortAventura** station, about 1 to 1.5 hours. 2. From the station to the park entrance, 10 to 15 minutes on foot. 3. Direct buses from central Barcelona in season, about 1.5 hours. 4. By car, about 1 h 15 min on the AP-7, with paid parking at the park. ## Tips for your trip Arrive at opening time and head straight for the big coasters, Shambhala and Red Force, as queues grow to an hour or more by lunchtime. Weekdays outside the summer holidays are quietest. Check height limits if you're with children, as the big rides have minimums. It's hot in summer, so bring a hat, sunscreen and a change of clothes for the water rides. Food and drink in the park are expensive, but you can bring a bottle of water. Stay for the evening shows and, if it's on, the parade, and check your train back in advance. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Check the park's opening calendar - [ ] Buy tickets online in advance - [ ] Pick a train from Barcelona - [ ] Pack sunscreen, a hat and spare clothes - [ ] Ride Shambhala first, before the queues ## Places in Barcelona: compare and choose Places in Barcelona rated by YesGo. - [Camp Nou](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/camp-nou) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid - [Tibidabo](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/tibidabo) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Summit free - [Montserrat](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/montserrat) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 5 h · Basilica free - [PortAventura Park](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/portaventura) — YesGo score 15/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 8 h · Paid ## Don't mix it up PortAventura and Ferrari Land are neighbouring but separate parks with separate tickets. Nor is it the Tibidabo amusement park in Barcelona itself. ## Tips - Cheaper tickets online. - Ride Shambhala at opening. - Check the opening calendar. - Summer: sunscreen and spare clothes. ## Questions ### How do I get to PortAventura from Barcelona? By Renfe train to PortAventura station, about 1 to 1.5 hours, or by bus in season. ### How long do you need at PortAventura? A full day; two days with Ferrari Land and the water park. ### When is PortAventura open? From spring to early January on a seasonal calendar; daily in summer. ### What is the tallest coaster at PortAventura? Shambhala, about 76 metres; Red Force in neighbouring Ferrari Land is taller still. ### Is the park good for young children? Yes, the Sesame Street area has rides for little ones. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. The season, hours, prices and train times weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: PortAventura Park - Official site, portaventuraworld.com --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.