Salou (Roman Salauris) is a seaside resort and tourist center in Catalonia, about 10 km from Tarragona on the Costa Dorada, Spain. Aside from its string of beaches interrupted by rocky coves, and its landscaped promenade, one of its main attractions is the Universal Mediterránea complex, a large theme park.

Used as a port by Greeks and Romans, it appeared again in an important historic event, when in 1229 the fleet of James I of Aragon departed from the port of Salou to conquer the Balearic islands, thus creating the Kingdom of Mallorca. Later, Salou became a nest of pirates. After that it was considered an unsafe place, so in 1530 Archbishop of Tarragona decided to erect a new defence tower, now called Torre Vella. In 1865 the railway station began to operate, opening a new develpment time, that led one hundred years later to a tourist boom that has brought prosperity to the town.

Nearby is the suburb of Vilafortuny with secluded villas surrounded by walls.