Furius Baco is one of the most unusual coasters in Europe. Instead of a lift hill and a big drop, it fires a train from a standstill to 135 km/h (83.9 mph) in about 3.5 seconds, then skims low across PortAventura Park’s Mediterrània area with riders seated on the sides of the train, feet dangling.
This guide covers the numbers riders search for most: speed, height limit, how the hydraulic launch works, what the ride is like and how it compares with Red Force next door. It also covers what to know before you queue.
Quick Answer
Furius Baco is an Intamin wing coaster at PortAventura Park in Salou, Catalonia, Spain. It opened in June 2007 and reaches 135 km/h (83.9 mph) after a hydraulic launch of about 3.5 seconds. It is 46 feet (14 m) tall, roughly 850 m (2,789 ft) long, has one inline twist inversion, and needs riders to be between 1.40 m and 1.95 m tall.
Furius Baco Stats at a Glance
- Park: PortAventura Park (Mediterrània area), Salou, Spain
- Manufacturer: Intamin
- Opened: June 2007 (sources give 5 or 7 June)
- Type: Hydraulic launch wing coaster
- Top speed: 135 km/h (83.9 mph)
- Launch: 0 to top speed in about 3.5 seconds, roughly 4.7 g
- Height: 46 ft (14 m)
- Length: about 2,789 ft (850 m)
- Inversions: 1 (inline twist)
- Ride time: about 55 seconds
- Trains: 3 trains, 6 cars each, 4 riders across per car
- Height requirement: 1.40 m to 1.95 m (4 ft 7 in to 6 ft 5 in)
- Reported cost: about €15 million
How Fast Is Furius Baco?
Furius Baco tops out at 135 km/h, or 83.9 mph. What makes it feel faster than the number suggests is the acceleration. The train goes from stopped to full speed in about 3.5 seconds, and the peak force is quoted at around 4.7 g. PortAventura’s own ride page describes it as one of the fastest accelerations in the world.
Because the speed comes from the launch and not from a tall drop, the train stays near ground level for the whole ride. Low tunnels, ditches and close-passing scenery give a strong sense of velocity.
Furius Baco Height Requirement
The official limits are a minimum of 1.40 m (4 ft 7 in) and a maximum of 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in). Both limits matter. Shorter children are turned away, and so are very tall adults, because the wing-style restraints and side seating have a fixed fit.
PortAventura also offers exclusive access for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility. Check the park’s accessibility information before you visit, as the ride’s rules can change.
How the Hydraulic Launch Works
Furius Baco does not use magnets or a lift chain. According to PortAventura World, a catch car couples to the train and is connected by steel cables to a large winch drum. The drum is driven by 24 hydraulic motors, powered by oil stored under pressure in high-pressure accumulators charged with nitrogen.
When the launch is triggered, the pressurized oil is released through valves and spins the winch. That yanks the train forward in a few seconds. The oil has to be kept cooled at a constant temperature, which is a big reason this style of launch needs serious maintenance infrastructure. The system was engineered by Intamin, with Werner Stengel’s firm credited for the layout.
What the Ride Is Like
After a short dispatch sequence, the launch throws you out of the station. From there the layout stays low, with tight direction changes, a tunnel section and an inline twist inversion. The park describes the train skimming the water of the Mediterrània lake. The whole ride lasts around 55 seconds.
The wing seating is a big part of the experience. Riders sit four across in a single row on each car, on the sides of the track with nothing above or below. Unlike many later wing coasters, this train design is unusual; Coasterpedia notes it is unique among Intamin’s rides. Expect an intense launch, lots of lateral motion and a lot of sensation of speed close to the ground.
The theme is lighthearted. In the backstory, a professor’s grape-harvesting machine goes wrong when his monkey assistant pulls the wrong lever, turning it into a catapult. That fits the vineyard and wine-god (Baco, or Bacchus) setting.
Furius Baco vs. Red Force
When Furius Baco opened it was the fastest roller coaster in Europe. That title later passed to Red Force in Ferrari Land, part of the same PortAventura World resort, which is significantly faster. Furius Baco is still a headline attraction, and its mix of a hydraulic launch, wing seating and an inline twist is hard to find elsewhere.
If you have time for both, they are different experiences. Red Force is a tall, straight-line launch coaster. Furius Baco is low, twisty and open-sided.
Planning Your Visit
Furius Baco is inside PortAventura Park, so you need a park ticket. Tickets are sold on the official PortAventura World website, where prices vary by date, number of days and package. Multi-day tickets and hotel bundles are common. Opening days and hours vary by season and event period, so check the official opening times calendar for the exact dates of your visit.
Express pass tiers are sold to skip queues, and PortAventura’s ride page lists Furius Baco among the attractions covered by its Express 5 Adrenaline option. It also offers on-ride photo and video products. Queue times peak on summer weekends and holidays, so arriving at opening or riding late in the day usually helps. Details on the ride are on the official Furius Baco page.
Is Furius Baco Worth Riding?
Yes, if you like sharp launches and open seating. It is short, but the acceleration is memorable and the low layout feels fast throughout. Riders who want big drops or long airtime will prefer taller coasters, but few rides in Europe combine launch power, wing seating and an inversion in the same package.
Soak, snap and drape. A cooling towel takes the edge off a 45-minute midday queue in July.
Park apps, mobile ordering and photos kill a battery by 3 p.m. This one snaps on magnetically, so there's no cable to snag on a restraint.
Ride with your glasses on and keep them. Many parks allow glasses on rides if they're strapped, so check the ride rules first.
Furius Baco FAQs
How fast does Furius Baco go?
Furius Baco reaches 135 km/h (83.9 mph). Its hydraulic launch takes the train from a standstill to top speed in about 3.5 seconds.
What is the height requirement for Furius Baco?
Riders must be at least 1.40 m (4 ft 7 in) and no taller than 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in), according to PortAventura World.
Where is Furius Baco located?
It is in the Mediterrània area of PortAventura Park in Salou, Catalonia, Spain, part of the PortAventura World resort.
Who built Furius Baco and when did it open?
Intamin built it, and it opened in June 2007 as the fastest roller coaster in Europe. Sources differ on whether the exact date was 5 or 7 June.
How long is the Furius Baco ride?
The track is about 850 m (2,789 ft) long and the ride lasts around 55 seconds.
Does Furius Baco have an inversion?
Yes, one: an inline twist.
How does the Furius Baco launch work?
A hydraulic system with 24 motors and nitrogen-charged accumulators drives a winch that pulls a catch car, and the train with it, down the launch track in about 3.5 seconds.
Is Furius Baco still the fastest coaster in Europe?
No. Red Force at Ferrari Land, in the same resort, is faster. Furius Baco held the European record from its 2007 opening until then.
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