A Family-Friendly Guide to PortAventura World

Spend your family holidays at PortAventura World all year round, an exciting resort with three theme parks and nine hotels in sunny Spain.

A little more than an hour’s drive from Barcelona, PortAventura World is the dream destination for any family, packed with a variety of exciting rides and shows that are fun for everyone. 

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or an entertainment lover, tickets to PortAventura World will provide you with a holiday that is suitable for families of all sizes and ages.

PortAventura Park

One of the best amusement parks in Europe – and just outside of bustling Barcelona – PortAventura Park is a family-friendly destination any day of the week. With a PortAventura Park direct entrance ticket, you get access to 6 themed zones and up to 40 rides that range from tame merry-go-rounds to extreme dips and dives. 

Ferrari Land

Motorheads will love getting behind the wheel at Ferrari Land. Full of car displays, F1 simulator tracks, immersive games, and the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Europe, you can go full speed with a Ferrari Land direct entrance ticket. Satisfy your need for speed with 16 attractions and games appropriate for drivers of all ages!

Caribe Aquatic Park

Seek solace from the Spanish sun at Caribe Aquatic Park during the dog days of summer. Take the whole family for a day out with access to 50,000 m2 facility full of pools, slides, and rides. A Caribe Aquatic Park direct access ticket allows you to relax near waterfalls, chill under the palm trees or get as wet as you please on 16 different attractions and pools.

Why stop at one when you can combine two or more parks for an entire day of family-filled fun? Save time and money on your upcoming holiday to PortAventura Park with combined admission to Ferrari Land or gain entrance to all three parks – PortAventura, Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic Park. 

Best things to do for families at PortAventura Park and Ferrari Land

PortAventura World offers a perfect destination for the little ones. They’ve got special areas and attractions designed just for children across all parks. Wherever you have toddlers or older kids, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Depending on their age and height, the kids might be able to enjoy some rides on their own, while others might need a grown-up by their side. But worry not, there are always plenty of options available to keep the whole family entertained.

Best attractions for small children

La Granja de Elmo

PortAventura Park, SésamoAventura

This ride, dedicated to the lovable Sesame Street characters, is perfect for smaller kids as it offers slight twists and turns and gradual slopes. 

It takes the little ones around the SésamoAventura area, letting them explore fun settings and vibrant landscapes with Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird.

Junior Championship

Ferrari Land

At PortAventura Ferrari Land, this fun race in mini cars is specifically designed for children. Kids can get behind the wheel and race around a scaled-down version of a race track, complete with pit-stop areas, giving them the feeling of being a Formula 1 driver.

Best attractions for young children

Tami-Tami

PortAventura Park, Polynesia 

As a junior roller coaster in the Polynesia section of the park, it’s a ride geared towards younger adventurers who are ready to experience their first thrilling roller coaster ride. It’s a safe and fun introduction to coasters with a relatively slow speed and gentle slopes.

Magic Fish

PortAventura Park, SésamoAventura

Located in the SésamoAventura zone, the Magic Fish ride takes kids on an aquatic adventure. Kids can control their fish-shaped cars with a steering wheel and experience the fun of “swimming” in this exciting ride.

Best attractions for teens

Furius Baco

PortAventura Park, Mediterrània

As the fastest roller coaster in the park, this ride accelerates from 0 to 135 km/h in just 3,5 seconds. Furius Baco provides its riders with quick turns, drops, and fast speeds – all experienced while hanging sideways!

Shambhala

PortAventura Park, China

Regarded as the highest rollercoaster in Europe, Shambhala is a heart-pumping ride that simulates the thrill of the treacherous mountain terrain. It features a maximum drop of 78 meters and speeds up to 134 km/h, making it perfect for thrill-seeking teens.

Angkor: Spirit of Adventure

PortAventura Park, China

This water-based boat ride mimics a wild roaring river of the Cambodian jungle. Teens can enjoy navigating through rapids, confronting dangerous animals, and avoiding traps that pop up unexpectedly. Be prepared to get splashed!

Red Force

Ferrari Land

Praised as the highest and fastest vertical accelerator in Europe, the Red Force ride at Ferrari Land offers an adrenaline-spiking adventure that teens will love. 

The ride catapults you from 0 to 180 km/h in just 5 seconds, reaching a height of 112 meters, providing an experience similar to what it feels like to accelerate in a Formula 1 race car. 

Best activities for families

“El Secreto de los Mayas” Interactive Adventure Ride

PortAventura Park, México

This immersive interactive adventure ride is suitable for all family members as you journey together through the world of Mayan civilization. Shoot light beams, solve mysteries and score points to win!

Port de la Drassana Boats

PortAventura Park, Mediterrània

This boat ride is suitable for the whole family. Here, everyone can enjoy a calm and scenic boat tour around the Polynesian area of the park, sighting the lush greenery, waterfalls, and wildlife that create a tropical atmosphere.

Maranello Grand Race

Ferrari Land

At Maranello Grand Race in Ferrari Land, families can compete with each other on this racing track designed to mimic famous racing circuits. This experience allows kids and adults alike to experience what it feels like to be a Ferrari driver. 

Different types of Ferrari replica vehicles are available to accommodate drivers of all ages. It makes for a fun interactive family experience – with a bit of healthy competition.

Highlights of PortAventura World

Celebrate the arrival of spring

From 9 February to 17 March 2024, you and your family can squeeze every last ounce of fun out of the Carnival season. See your favorite PortAventura characters – Woody Woodpecker, Grover, Bert and Ernie – march through the park with colorful floats, lively shows and vibrant costumes.

From 22 March to 17 May 2024, celebrate the Easter holiday at PortAventura! See the park decked out in a rainbow of colorful Easter eggs with the arrival of some spring sunshine.

Soak in the rays of summer

Take a trip around the world without ever leaving the park! From June 22 to September 8, you can head to Mexico for a south-of-the-border feast and live entertainment, or switch gears to Bora Bora or Tahiti for a day of dancing and music (and fire-breathing tricks!). 

Wander to America at Far West where you can see a recreation of a gold-mining town and a Tex Mex musical performance featuring Woody Woodpecker in a 10-gallon hat. 

Tricks and treats for Halloween

Dare to be scared this Halloween at PortAventura. Vampires, zombies, and monsters await in the shadows for a variety of performances that are sure to frighten even the bravest souls.

There are haunted houses for older teens, while younger ghouls and goblins can enjoy the musical Día de los Muertos, the Halloween parade, or less-scary celebrations on Sesame Street from 21 September to 10 November 2024.

Have a holly, jolly Christmas

Get in the holiday spirit from 23 November 2024 to 6 January 2025 with several shows happening around the Christmas season. From musical performances like Christmas Dream and El Bosque Encantado to a Christmas-themed parade and light displays, the whole family will have a merry time.

General information about PortAventura World

Opening times

PortAventura World awaits nearly every day of the year. Make sure to check out the latest opening hours before your visit, ensuring your journey is perfectly timed for excitement and thrills! 

Nearby hotels and restaurants

Where to stay

Hotel PortAventura is a family-friendly accommodation option that makes staying (and playing) in PortAventura a breeze. Modeled after a quaint Mediterranean fishing village, it features all the modern amenities – air-conditioning, pool access, and a Kids Club that offers a range of crafts, games, and sports. 

Looking for a place to stay outside the park? Check out our blog for more information about other hotel recommendations near Portaventura World!

Where to eat

Canton Snack Bar, China

Canton is a snack bar crowd-pleaser. Families will love the finger-food options, like spring rolls and noodles, as a cooking-meets-entertainment wok experience that is sure to thrill little ones. 

Bora Bora, Polynesia

Looking for something a little lighter? Opt for a healthy menu with customizable poke bowls, and vegetarian choices. It’s self-service, so everyone in the family can pick something they like! 

Cafe Saula, Mediterrània

If you still can’t decide (or have picky eaters in tow), then Cafe Saula should be the ticket. Offering a menu filled with small snacks – including pizza –  it’s a great way to start (or end) your day at PortAventura World, or for a quick pick-me-up in between rides.

How to get there

By Car from Barcelona

From Barcelona city center, drive south on the toll-free C-32 and AP-7 highways, then take Exit No.35 for Vila-Seca / Salou / PortAventura. It usually takes about an hour and fifteen.

By Bus from Barcelona

From the Barcelona city center, take the “Plana” line towards PortAventura World. These buses usually depart from Estació del Nord. You can check the timetable and arrange tickets prior to your visit. Exit at “PortAventura”, and it’s a short walk to the park entrance.

By Train from Barcelona

Start from select train stations in downtown Barcelona. Many of these train routes will include a stop at the PortAventura train station. Once at the PortAventura train station, exit the station and you’ll be at the park entrance. 

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Your PortAventura World adventure doesn’t have to stop there! Check out the adjoining Caribe Aquatic Park for even more family-fueled fun.