Golden beaches, breathtaking views, tasty food, charming streets, watersports, history… This is what Cambrils is all about. For many, it’s just an amazing holiday destination but believe us, it’s definitely more than that. If you’re a food lover – you’ll find yourself in heaven, as it’s considered the gastronomy capital of Costa Dorada! Ready? Let’s discover the best things to do in Cambrils, Spain.
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Cambrils, Spain FAQ
Cambrils is a small coastal town located in Catalonia in the Province of Tarragona on Costa Dorada in Spain. It’s only about 20km from Tarragona and 115km from Barcelona.
Yes, Cambrils is a lovely town that deserves your attention. If you’re looking for a beautiful and fairly quiet holiday spot, you’ll like it here. Compared to nearby Salou, which is an even more popular holiday spot, it’s not that lively and boasts a more chilled vibe. Cambrils is also a great spot for a day trip or a weekend getaway, and it might serve as a good base for discovering Catalonia.
Cambrils is known for being the gastronomy capital of Costa Dorada where dozens of restaurants serve delicious fresh seafood every day. It’s also renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches, many awarded with Blue Flag.
Things to do in Cambrils, Spain
Cambrils beaches
Unquestionable number one thing to do in Cambrils is hit one of its fantastic beaches. The town boasts about 9km of coastline along which you’ll find various types of beaches – from bigger to smaller, from busier to quieter, and with or without amenities… But one thing is certain – on each, you’ll enjoy fine golden sand, calm sea waters and great views. Their additional advantage is that they are all accessible from the Cambrils promenade.
The most popular and busiest Cambrils beaches are Platja del Regueral and Platja de la Llosa, both located just a few steps from the town center. If you prefer a little quieter and secluded spots, you can choose between beaches like Platja de l’Esquirol, Platja de Vilafortuny, Platja del Cavet, or Platja De l’Ardiaca.
Interesting fact: as many as four Cambrils beaches are awarded by Blue Flag (La Llosa, Regueral, Cavet, and Vilafortuny).
Cambrils promenade
Along the Cambrils beaches stretches a lovely promenade. It’s 9km long, starts near Platja De l’Ardiaca, and ends on Playa de Ponent in neighboring Salou town. It’s a great place for long walks or practicing sports while enjoying beautiful views of the sea, palm trees, and mountains in the background. What can we say… That’s an unforgettable thing to do in Cambrils.
Along Cambrils promenade you’ll find points of interest like Cambrils letters, Port de Cambrils with Faro Rojo lighthouse, ancient Pino Redondo pine tree that has been declared a Monument of Local and Regional Interest, a military telegraph tower – Torre de l’Esquirol, Cambrils History Museum located in Torre del Port, or monument with two gigantic mermaids.. On the parallel street, you’ll also find many restaurants, bars, and shops.
Book now: Speedboat Tour from Cambrils
Torre del Port & Cambrils History Museum
Torre del Port is a 17th-century watchtower that was built to protect Cambrils from pirate attacks. Over the last years, the tower went through some renovations and nowadays it serves as Cambrils History Museum (es. Museu d’Història de Cambrils). It’s open only during weekends for free, with very limited hours (October 2024). For more information visit the cambrils.cat website.
Port of Cambrils
Port of Cambrils (es. Port de Cambrils) is located between Platja del Regueral and Platja de la Llosa. On the roundabout with the Tota Vela sculpture turn into a road leading to the pier and take a nice stroll until you reach a red mini lighthouse, Faro Rojo, which is considered the town’s landmark. From the pier, you’ll be able to admire yachts, fishing boats, and equipment, and you’ll also get a great front view over the Cambrils. Also, from what we’ve heard, it’s a nice place for watching sunsets!
One of the port attractions, which takes place each day around 4 PM, is watching the arrival of fishermen and later taking part in a fish auction. The next step couldn’t be any different than visiting one of many Cambrils restaurants, tasting delicious seafood dishes, and finding out why this town is called the gastronomy capital of Costa Dorada. If you feel like eating something fancy, head to one of two restaurants with Michelin stars – Restaurant Can Bosch or Restaurant Rincón de Diego.
Book now: Cambrils Catamaran Cruise Drinks and Optional BBQ Lunch
Cambrils Old Town
Although Cambrils is mainly associated with the area by the sea, it also has a small old town, located about 1 km inland. There you’ll find a labyrinth of narrow winding streets perfect to get lost in for a little while and some well-preserved historical landmarks like Mare de Déu del Camí – a hermitage with a 14th-century tower (Torre de l’Ermita), Parish Church of Santa Maria, and Walls of Cambrils. Be sure not to miss visiting Cambrils old town as it’s a great thing to do in Cambrils, overlooked by many.
Near Cambrils old town you’ll also find Pinaret Parc (es. El Parc del Pinaret), where many walking paths among pine trees are waiting for you.
Explore local attractions
Parc Sama Botanical Garden
Another great thing to do in Cambrils, especially if you’re looking for some peaceful moments, is to spend some time in Parc Sama Botanical Garden. It’s located on the town’s outskirts, about 7km from the town’s center. The park was originally built in 1881 as Salvador Sama’s, Marquis of Marianao, summer residence. His goal was to recreate the vibe of colonial Cuba.
Nowadays Parc Sama features elements like lakes, waterfalls, fountains, sculptures, bridges, palm trees, flower gardens, and even lavender fields. There you’ll also find a mini zoo.
Entrance to Parc Sama costs €12 for a normal ticket and €10 for reduced (October 2024). For current prices, opening hours, and online tickets please visit parcsama.es website.
Fisherman’s Park
If you’re tired of beaches, heat, and sunbathing direct your steps to Fisherman’s Park (es. Parc del Pescador). This beautiful green oasis is located right next to the Port of Cambrils and Platja de la Llosa. It’s full of places in the shade perfect for relaxing, having picnics, playing games, or just spending a nice time with friends, family, or by yourself. If you have children you’ll be glad to know that in Fisherman’s Park, there are also many play areas for kids.
Discover: Accommodation options in Cambrils
How to get to Cambrils, Spain?
Cambrils is located about 25km from Tarragona, 12km from Reus or Salou, and 110km from Barcelona. The most convenient way to get to town is by car, bus, or train.
Where to park in Cambrils?
If you’re traveling by car you can choose from many parking lots in town. We recommend leaving a car in this free parking lot, located only about 10min on foot from the promenade and Platja de la Llosa.
Airports near Cambrils
The closest airport to Cambrils is located in Reus (20km away) but it looks like it’s used mostly by travelers from the UK, Ireland, and Netherlands. Next, more popular airports are located in Barcelona and Girona. All airports offer bus connections to Cambrils. To learn more about connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
For great car rental deals visit Rentalcars website.
To Cambrils by bus
You can easily reach Cambrils by bus. For example, a trip from Tarragona will take about 35min (€2-4), 40min from Reus (€1-4), or 2h45min from Barcelona (€11-16). To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Cambrils by train
From some places like Tarragona, Girona, Barcelona, or Castellon de la Plana you can also easily get to Cambrils by train. You can check out a map of available train connections on the acprail.com website.
For great train ticket deals visit Trainline website.
To Cambrils by taxi
The most expensive option, but also the fastest one if you care about time. For example, a trip from Salou will take only about 10min (€23-28) and 20min from Tarragona (€55-70). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping Cambrils
If you’re traveling by camper, campings like Camping Playa Cambrils, La Siesta Salou Resort & Camping, or Camping & Resort Sangulí, or might interest you. All are located in or near Cambrils.
Things to do in Cambrils, Spain – Summing up
Cambrils is such a beautiful small town, isn’t it? If you’re looking for amazing beaches, good food, and a place with a chilled vibe without huge crowds – Cambrils will be a great choice for you. The town will also be a great day trip destination (combined with Salou) while exploring Catalonia. We wish you an amazing time!
Our video from Cambrils
Our opinion about Cambrils
For us, a visit to Cambrils was a half-day trip from nearby Salou where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in May and during that time there was just a handful of other people out there! It was very peaceful and beautiful.
We found Cambrils as a very chilled and quiet destination, perfect for a break from the noise and the crowds. We also loved the beaches, the views, and the long promenade perfect for walks. If we could choose one more time, we’d definitely pick Cambrils over Salou as our home base as we felt there better, it was more aligned with us.
Book now: Priorat tasting Wine-Cellar Tour with hotel pickup
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Cambrils?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Cambrils:
Where to sleep in Cambrils?
Hotel Port Eugeni
Hotel Port Eugeni in Cambrils is a charming seaside hotel offering a comfortable and relaxing retreat for travelers. With its convenient location near the beach and town center, guests can easily explore the coastal beauty and local attractions. The hotel boasts well-appointed rooms, a welcoming atmosphere, and a range of amenities, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a beachside getaway on the Costa Dorada.
Barri Antic Cambrils
Barri Antic is a delightful air-conditioned guest accommodation located in the heart of Cambrils. Set within the historic Old Town it offers guests a unique and authentic experience. With its cozy rooms, personalized service, and proximity to local restaurants and attractions, it's an ideal choice for travelers seeking a relaxed and immersive stay.
El Camí Hotel
El Camí Hotel is a welcoming retreat offering a tranquil stay just a stone's throw from the beautiful Mediterranean coast. This family-run establishment provides cozy and well-appointed rooms, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable visit. With its convenient location, guests can easily explore the charming town of Cambrils and enjoy the nearby beaches and attractions.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
