PortAventura amusement park

PortAventura World, south of Barcelona, includes PortAventura Park and Caribe Aquatic Park. These are separate parks: check which ones your ticket covers and on which dates. The water park operates seasonally, and travel time depends on your starting point and traffic.

My daughter and I chose the theme park, while Liat and the girls spent the day at Caribe Aquatic Park. Splitting up according to our interests worked well, and we all had a great day.

The central part of PortAventura is an amusement park divided into different themed areas. My daughter and I explored these areas, each bringing another part of the world to life. From the wild west in 'Far West' to the exotic jungle in 'Polynesia,' every area had unique rides and shows.

I'm not a fan of the big rollers, so we had a lot of fun on the gentler rides and loved the lively shows featuring music and dance. We also attended a charming performance of soap bubbles.

Meanwhile, Liat and the girls enjoyed the pools and slides at the neighbouring Caribe Aquatic Park.

We visited in early July 2023, and it was very hot. At the theme park, we felt there was too little shade in the queues and insufficient air conditioning in some halls. The drinking-fountain water was not cold either. These were drawbacks during our visit, so we recommend preparing for the heat, drinking regularly and taking breaks.

Despite the heat, this was a very enjoyable family day. Book ahead and check park inclusions, operating dates and height restrictions on the official website. Prices and offers vary, so compare the available options before paying.