Spain, the PortAventura park. Port Aventura Park. PortAventura amusement park

It is unlikely that anyone will dispute the fact that recently our compatriots, fed up with Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and Thailand, have rushed to Europe. Much more interesting for them was France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain. Park "PortAventura", "Disneyland", "Prater", etc. - are names that do not leave the language of enthusiastic travelers. And not for nothing, because it is here that you can get an inexpressible feeling, test yourself for strength and courage and just have a great time.

This article will tell you about one of these places. Readers will learn, than travelers can please such country, as Spain. Park "Port Aventura" really deserves special attention, especially during the long-awaited summer holidays.

General description of the object

In Spain, there is a world-famous European resort and entertainment center under one name. It consists of two establishments: the Aqua Park Caribe Aquatic Park and the amusement park PortAventura.

In addition to a fun pastime in the vast basins here you can get acquainted with the culture and characteristics of different corners of the globe.

According to the project of the architects "Port Aventura" (Spain) was originally divided into several characteristic ethnic zones:

• The Mediterranean;
• Imperial China;
• Aztec Mexico;
• Exotic Polynesia;
• Wild West.

The parks of Barcelona, or rather, most of them, are located in the city. That's why they are easy to get to, even if the summer heat does not contribute to long walks in the fresh air.

In contrast to all the others, Port Aventura (Spain) had to be built outside of Barcelona. Why? The explanation is quite simple - the city could not afford to allocate such a huge territory to the entertainment zone. Therefore, the traveler will have to spend about an hour to reach his destination.

Every year, not even thousands, but millions of tourists attracts Barcelona. The amusement park, for example, is visited by more than 3.5 million people every year.

Perhaps, it can be safely noted that this is the largest resort of southern Europe, and by popularity and attendance - the first park in Spain and the sixth among all the theme parks in Europe.

Within the radius of Port Aventura Park are two airports, one of which is the international airport of Reus, the second - an air gate of local significance. In addition, it is connected with Barcelona and Salou railway station.

History of creation and management

Amusement park ... Spain ... Port Aventura ... Did architects and designers know how popular their child will be after a few years? Most likely, did not even guess.

Let's go deeper into history. As it became known, it was designed and built by two British companies - Anheuser-Busch and Tussauds Group.

In 1995, the American Corporation Universal Studios took part in the creation of the park, which in 1997 bought out a controlling share of the park's shares. After that, the name changed a little, and it became known as Universal's PortAventura.

Later, in 2000, there was built an entertaining water park "Costa Caribe" and two hotels, and the park itself changed its name to Universal Mediterranea.

Universal Studios NBC Universal in 2004 began to distribute the shares of the park, and after their full sale in 2005, a controlling stake was received by the well-known company La Caixa, which returned the park to a more familiar name.

By the way, not everyone knows that in 2013 there was another sale of the shares of the facility, after which they were distributed in this way: Investindustrial has 51.1%, and the KKR investment fund - 49.9%.

Since its inception and to this day PortAventura, like other parks in Barcelona, is constantly expanding and improving. At the moment, several objects are located on its territory:

• Theme park amusement and entertainment Port Aventura;
• Aqua Park of the Costa Caribe;
• Four themed hotels and a golf course.

How to get to the destination

Spain, the PortAventura park is perhaps the place that everyone can show the road to, so it's impossible to get lost, even the most inattentive travelers, and it does not matter how they go on a trip: by bus, Own car or airplane.

Nevertheless, we note that in the city of Reus there is a sufficiently large airport, where aircraft of many international airlines arrive. To the park itself from the airport can be reached by taxi or minibus in about 15 minutes. Also nearby are such air gates as Tarragona and Barcelona.

I would like to note that, no matter how popular Port Aventura is, its attractions are designed for tourists with different income levels. There, in principle, you can even walk on foot. If you follow from Salou with a leisurely walking pace, the road is unlikely to take more than 20 minutes. This distance is a special brightly colored and very noticeable train overcomes in 5 minutes. The way from Barcelona by rail is about an hour, from Tarragona - 3 minutes along with one stop on the way. The local motorway AR-7 will also lead to the park.

Rules for purchasing tickets for a visit

Tickets can be bought separately for each park or buy a so-called general subscription, valid for several days. Entrance tickets to the park are divided into two main price categories. Adults, they are not surprising, will cost more, for children under 10 years old and for pensioners there is a discount. It is worth paying attention to the fact that children under 3 years of age are not allowed to enter the park.

If we talk about cost, ticket prices, as they say, bite. Especially for Russian tourists or representatives of the CIS countries. Agree, not everyone is ready to pay about 50 euros for one day of stay. Although buying a ticket for two days is more profitable, the cost in this case is unlikely to exceed 70 euros.

Sometimes it happens that the traveler is interested only in a certain part of the park, so he seeks to buy tickets only for her visit. It is cheaper, for example, a day in the water park "Costa Caribe" will cost about 30 euros.

The official site of the park, apart from ticket sales, offers a lot of information about promotions and discounts on tickets and accommodation in local hotels. Those who do not want to spend too much, it is worth noting that in this way many can save up to 15%.

Description of the park structure

As mentioned above, the park is divided into six ethnic zones:

• The Mediterranean;
• Mexico;
• China;
• Polynesia;
• Wild West;
• Sesamo Aventura.

You can move between them without problems on foot, by boat or by using special locomotives with the bright inscription "Port Aventura". The map of the park is almost everywhere and is a characteristically painted stand. If you want, you can navigate at any time. In addition, in each separate zone there are cafes, restaurants, shops with souvenirs, playgrounds for children are equipped, and according to the schedule there are various entertainment performances and shows.

In the park there is a separate area for children "Sesamo Aventura", which is decorated in the style of the fabulous Sesame Street. Today there are many smaller copies of extreme and simply funny attractions: merry-go-rounds, roller coaster, children's free fall , etc. Near the amusement park there is a water park and many hotels designed for different material prosperity.

"Mediterranean"

Immediately after entering the park, the first zone is located - the "Mediterranean", which, accordingly, is designed in the style of a Mediterranean village. There are a lot of cafes with fresh pastries and Italian pizzas, exclusive souvenir shops and restaurants with a huge assortment of both local and overseas wines. That's where you can first taste Mediterranean cuisine and Spanish snacks, after a hearty wine tasting and finally buy souvenirs for all friends and relatives.

In the park, performances of "Fiest Aventura" and "Sesame Parade" are held, and separately, as in other areas, Halloween and Christmas are held many exciting and interesting performances.

The highlight of this thematic zone is considered to be one of the fastest rides of Europe - "Fiumius Beiko", opened in 2007. He's 3.5 seconds. Develops speeds up to 135 km / h. In order to ride on it, it is necessary to have a growth of not less than 140 cm and not more than 195 cm. Also in the "Mediterranean" there is a dock, from which other ships go to other areas of the park, and although this is a very slow mode of transportation, Choose it.

"Wild West"

Walking along this theme park zone, you can feel like a true cowboy, as, according to the name, this zone is styled under the era of the development of the Wild West. «Wild West. Park "Port Aventura" - a photo that always becomes a worthy decoration of a family photo album.

Finding yourself here, be sure to visit the shooting gallery, located inside the cowboy saloon. There actually is something to do! The "Wild West" is considered to be the only wooden attraction in the world, moving along the wooden rails of Stampede, making breathtaking ups, downs and upheavals. It consists of two compounds - blue, moving very fast, and red, which travels more slowly, but along a mysterious route. On the attraction can ride people taller than 1.20 m. Also there is a children's copy of this attraction - Tomahawk. Here, minors are allowed to grow at least 1 m. For others, the presence of adults is required.

In addition to the above, in this zone you can find:

• An ordinary carousel;
• Volpaiute;
• rodeo;
• Wild buffalo.

Among the water, I would like to especially mention the "Silver River" and "Rafting on the Grand Canyon". In this zone there is a railway station with trains going to the "Mediterranean". On the territory of the "Wild West" there is a restaurant that can offer real "cowboy" dishes. With an enviable regularity there are traditional performances "Salon Roxy" and "Wild Wild West".

"Mexico"

The zone "Mexico" is all saturated with Mexican spirit, and the restaurant located here will feed everyone who wants dishes characteristic of the country. On this territory one of the newest and most popular places of the park is located - an attraction height of 115 m and a free fall of 86 m. It is also called "Flight of the Condor". Particularly popular in this part of the park are the attractions "Rudnichny Train", "Yucatan", "Feathered Serpent" and "Temple of Fire."

"China"

The style of this thematic zone is the famous for the whole world Chinatown. Most of all visitors are attracted by the expensive, new and very popular attraction "Shambhala", which is the fastest and highest American roller coaster in Europe with a height of 76 m, with a free fall of 70 m and a train speed of up to 134 km / h, the opening of which took place on 12.05.2012. Now they can ride up to 96 people at the same time.

In addition to "Shambhala", there is also the largest attraction of Europe - "Dragon Khan", which has a length of the route of 1269 m and makes 8 dead loops, a carousel "Tea cups", an original attraction "Fumanchu" and a children's playground with various games for children Height to 140 cm.

In Mexico there is also a restaurant specializing in cooking Chinese cuisine: rice dishes, pancakes and a variety of Chinese delicacies. Traditionally, there are performances for Halloween and Christmas, and a feature of the show is a soap bubble show.

"Polynesia"

Ah, this unpredictable Spain ... Park "Port Aventura" in a few seconds will take you to a completely different world. Practically, having arrived on holiday in one country, you can visit at once several. For example, this ethnic zone is completely framed by Polynesian exotic plants. Here you will find a café with Polynesian cuisine and great theatrical shows.

In "Polynesia" it is recommended to ride on water attractions "Tutuki" and "Canoe", adapted for children by roller coaster "Tami-Tami", water attraction "Kon-Tiki", underwater simulator "Sea Odyssey", and children can go to meet a small Adventure on special "Waikiki" and "Lokotiki". In this part there is a special restaurant with the atmosphere of a typical Polynesian house where you can taste exotic fruits and salads. In addition to the ongoing performances of "Paradise birds", "Aloha Tahiti" and "Robes of Bora Bora", Halloween and Christmas, there is also a modern 4D cinema "Sea Odisea".

Where to have a bite in the park

In each thematic zone of the park there are cafes and restaurants, styled under the zone itself. For example, "Vinosfera Tapes i Vins" is a restaurant that will provide a large selection of wines and Spanish snacks. The restaurant "Racó de Mar" serves Mediterranean dishes. "Il caffè di Roma" will gladly feed Italian pizzas, fresh rolls and cakes. "Bora-Bora" in "Polynesia" will offer a huge selection of exotic salads and fruits. In "China" there is "Sichuan", which specializes in dishes from rice, pancakes and various delicacies of Chinese cuisine. In "Mexico" is "La Hacienda", preparing amazing Mexican dishes, and "Wild West" with the restaurant "Madame Lilie's Grill" pleasantly surprise "cowboy" meal.

For lovers of shopping

Throughout the park there are a lot of souvenir shops, whose products reflect the tradition and culture of a certain ethnic zone. In the "Mediterranean", in addition to a souvenir shop, is a shop of sweets. Polynesian «Mers du Sud» can please various handicraft products and masks. "Tutuki Splash" usually purchases clothing and accessories for surfing. In "China" there is a "Lotus Palace", which sells kimono, reproductions of soldiers Xian and traditional ancient Chinese teapots. In Mexican "Tianguis" you can buy products from precious stones and silver, brought from Mexico. "Western Clothing" "Wild West" will offer a wide range of real cowboy jeans and shirts.

Guest Reviews

Tourists who have visited the park "Port Aventura", always enthusiastically share their emotions. Many advise to stay in the park for longer than one day, since even the time to bypass the entire territory is sorely lacking.

Experienced travelers insist on pre-purchase tickets. First, it will be cheaper, and secondly, more reliable, otherwise, upon arrival, it may well be that the inside is too crowded and the limit on the number of visitors is exhausted.

Many people liked to spend the night in hotels on the territory of the park itself. The fact is that the entrance to such lodgers in Port Aventura is free, and tickets to the water park can be purchased at 50% cheaper.