Salou

Salou is an ancient coastal settlement on Catalonia's Costa Daurada, first inhabited by Iberians before becoming a Greek-established port in the 6th century BC. Under Roman rule, known as Salauris, it became one of the most important ports and trading centres of the region, supporting a thriving fishing and farming industry. Archaeological evidence includes the Barenys and Els Munts Roman villages dating to the 1st century BC, and a stretch of the Via Augusta traversing the town. King James I of Aragon later launched his conquest of Mallorca from Salou's harbour in 1229.