Zero to 112 in five seconds – is this Europe's greatest roller coaster?
Dangling 360 feet up in the air gazing out over the calm Mediterranean Sea may be the ultimate escapism: you could not possibly be further from GCSE revision - or a departmental meeting at work. If holidays are about letting it all go, going from 0 to 70mph in just five seconds must be the most efficient way to do so.
You can catch this view at Europe’s newest theme park, Ferrari Land, which opened last month just an hour and a half down the sunny beach-lined coast from Barcelona. Part of PortAventura, Spain’s most popular amusement park, it’s both homage to the Italian sportscar giant and a nifty family holiday solution.
The tactical parent bypasses an exhausting day out at one of Britain’s most crowded attractions and instead uses the lure of a child’s need for speed and parlays that into a family week away that is fun for everyone. Pair an adrenaline-packed few days at one of Europe’s most thrilling attractions with an equal amount of time in a nearby city, soaking up the local culture, and your whole family - even grandparents, if they’ve come along for the ride - will return home happy.
PortAventura
Best for: Car lovers and thrill seekers
Best age: Teens, with some attractions for smaller kids
Accelerating from 0 to 112 kilometres per hour (70mph) in just five seconds, Red Force, Europe’s highest and fastest rollercoaster is like no other ride I’ve experienced. The centrepiece of Ferrari Land, which opened in April 2017 as the latest addition to the PortAventura stable, the “accelerator” is not quite as fast as a Formula One car, but almost.
Shooting off from the gate is guaranteed to make you scream, even though you’ll know what to expect after watching from the grandstand-style viewing gallery. If you manage to keep your eyes open, the view from the top is spectacular and the unusual restraints - which don’t go over your shoulders - make you feel like you are truly in freefall on the way down. Reaching a height of 112 metres (367ft), Red Force is all over in 18 thrilling seconds.
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The eleven attractions of the new park are set around a pleasant Italian-style street complete with replica Colosseum. Michelangelo’s David makes an appearance, and there’s a trattoria and an impressive gelateria, alongside more typical theme-park fast food kiosks. By rights the Italianate décor probably should jar with the Ferrari-red of the attractions (which include a massive bright-red building styled like the front of a Ferrari). Mildly kitschy it may be, but this, after all, is a theme park - you’re here for the thrills, not the decor.
Top attractions for the car mad include admission (for a €13 entry supplement) to the indoor world of Ferrari, which includes a few impressive immersive cinema experiences (one “flying” behind a Ferrari past various landmarks around the world, and another “driving” around a few of the world’s best race tracks) and the chance to have your picture taken in one of the cars.
This is the latest addition to PortAventura, Spain’s most visited theme park, which sits an hour and a half south-west of Barcelona, right on the edge of the beach in south Catalonia. This is a top destination for thrill-seekers and sun-worshippers alike, where you’ll find dozens of high-adrenalin rides that fulfill any speed or loop-count challenges you may have set for yourselves.
The park is divided into five areas themed on civilisations (plus Sésamo World for the tiniest kids), with an accompanying theming of restaurants and shops according to where you are in the park – a buffet in China, tapas or Italian in Mediterrània, gives the park an international flair - and lending a multi-day trip a sense of variety. There are plenty of shows for all ages, for down time, and water rides to cool off in the sun (take a change of clothes for these).
There are several hotels on site, from the log cabins of Hotel Gold River to the five-star “Lucy’s Mansion”, which includes rooms with private pools. The hotels offer bonuses such as discounts on fast passes (invaluable if you want to ride the rollercoasters, pointless if you are sticking to the kiddie rides) and are generally pleasant places to stay with pools, character visits and some themed rooms.
You’ll probably want a couple of days to get the most out of the parks and, if you have time, you could spend an extra day cooling off in PortAventura’s Caribe Aquatic Park.
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PortAventura's top five rides
Red Force
Europe’s highest and fastest rollercoaster, the nearest thing you’ll get to being in a Formula One car without actually being in one. Minimum height 140 cm.
Shambhala
Rollercoaster styled as a Himalayan expedition with huge peaks and dips, a water splash and open restraints which make you feel like you’re flying. Minimum height 140 cm.
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Tomahawk
A “starter” rollercoaster, ideal for introducing slightly-scared kids to the bigger rides. Minimum height 105 cm.
Raco de Mar
Italian restaurant with a terrace overlooking the water. If you ignore the screams from the nearby Furious Baco rollercoaster, it’s actually quite peaceful. Three-course adult menu €24.50, children’s menu €12.90 or €8 for under-4s. Booking advisable.
Grand Canyon Splash
Gentle water ride thrills in circular boats suitable for most kids over about 9. Minimum height 130 cm.
A one day pass to PortAventura and Ferrari Land costs €60 (£51) per adult and €52 (£44) for kids aged 4 to 10. Ferrari Land tickets can also be bought as part of a hotel package without PortAventura tickets for €35 (£30) per adult and €25 (£21) for kids aged 4 to 10. portaventuraworld.com
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Pair your visit to PortAventura and Ferrari Land with a weekend in Barcelona
Read our expert city guide to Barcelona
Find the best hotels in Barcelona
Top five things for families to do in Barcelona
Visit Parc Güell
The bright colours and interesting shapes of Gaudí’s sculptures in the park delight kids and adults alike – plus there’s plenty of room for the kids to run around and play. From €7 per adult and €4.90 for under 12s, free entry for under-7s. parkguell.cat
Ride the Teleferic de Montjuic
Enjoy views of the city from these eight-seater cabins and then visit the castle at the top of the city’s 170 metre mountain. From €8.20 per adult and 6.50 for kids aged 4 to 12. Castle entry €5 for adults, free for under-16s. telefericdemontjuic.cat
Visit the Sagrada Familia
Even if your kids would usually find a cathedral visit boring, most will love Gaudí’s famous work in progress. Queues are usually immense though so either get there early or book a guided tour online. €15 for adults, €13 for under 30s, free for under 11s. Guided tours from €24 per adult and €8 for under-11s. sagradafamilia.org
Stroll along La Rambla
Yes, it’s tacky and touristy but kids will love the street entertainers and ice cream parlours, and there are plenty of shady terraces to pause for a sangria. Free.
Visit a museum
There are several child-friendly museums in Barcelona including: Museu Marìtim, the hands-on chocolate museum; Museu de la Xocolata; and the science focused CosmoCaixa for those who like to push buttons and pull levers. Prices vary.
