9 Best Things to Do in Cambrils

Head down to Cambrils Marina (Cambrils Harbour), where you can best get a feel of the town’s heritage as a fishing port. The promenade and cycling lane along the Passeig de les Palmeres leads you to a cafeteria and gelateria-dotted plaza. The marina and its docked yachts with hoisted sails are in view, just across from here. The pathway on the marina’s western side leads you on a pleasant walk towards El Faro Rojo, a landmark red tower that functions as a mini lighthouse.

The coastline of Cambrils may seem like one long and single stretch, but it’s divided into 9 different sections. The one closest to the Puerto Cambrils marina may be the most popular and easiest to reach from downtown. But further east, along the Avenida de la Diputació, you’ll reach Cambrils’ other beaches. They are all sandy, scenic, and well-maintained.

Some of our favorites include Playa de Vilafortuny, and Playa Cap de Sant Pere that serves as the beachfront of 2 hotels. For most of the water sports action, hit Playa de l'Esquirol. Playa del Cavet is slightly urban, and Playa de la Riera is a small but quiet spot near the port.

Head 1-km inland to find Cambrils Old Town, where most of the well-preserved historical landmarks are. These include several coastal watchtowers, such as the 14th-century Torre I Ermita de la Mare de Deu del Cami. Another significant watchtower, Torre del Port, is right next to the marina and it houses a museum. The Eglesia de Santa Maria is a small church in the old town’s center, which features a blend of Baroque, Renaissance and Neo-Gothic styles.

A 15-minute drive northeast of Cambrils takes you to this major theme park in Tarragona. PortAventura used to be owned by Universal in the 1990s, and opened to much fanfare as Europe's first Universal brand theme park. It’s where you can take the family for a fun time out, with live shows and well over 40 different rides. Rollercoasters for thrill-seekers include the Furius Baco, which can reach speeds of up to 135km/h. Another of its icons is the Dragon Khan, reaching up to 110 km/h, racing around 8 loops.

Leafy and expansive, Parc Samà is Cambrils’ 14-hectare green oasis. It provides you with a good break from the beach scenes of Cambrils, around 15 minutes’ drive north from the town’s main coastal area. The park is filled with Mediterranean orchards, mini forests, waterfalls, and even a palatial 19th-century summer residence. Pleasant walks past olive, mandarin and almond trees lead you to swan lakes and flower gardens. Several enclosures feature birds and animals, some of which you can feed.

As the town market of Cambrils, the Mercat Municipal de La Vila is where you can find a good variety of fresh local goods. You’ll easily find the small market on your walks through Cambrils Old Town, on Carre Pere III. From the front, if it weren’t for its clearly inscribed name, you’ll easily mistake it for an old church with its tall archway and windows. Inside, you’ll find different vendors selling the huge variety. Vegetable stalls, fishmongers, and butchers are all busy tending to their goods. For easy items, you can pick up a jar of honey, fresh bread, cheese, and cold cuts.

You can find plenty of xiringuito or chiringuito (Spanish beach bars) around the port and beachfronts of Cambrils. Besides offering tasty morsels of traditional pintxos and other Spanish meals, they can be great spots for taking in the magical sunsets over the Mediterranean. Just west of the marina, there’s Xiringuito Marino with its unique thatch-roof shaded loungers spread out on the sand, and whose tasty offerings include seafood paella. On the far opposite end of the beach, there’s Xiringuito Copacabana, overlooking the reef and breakwaters.

Cambrils is a family-friendly beach town so the party scene is somewhat subdued compared to other Spanish coastal towns. Avenida Diputacio is your best bet for late-night revelry. This beach promenade runs along the entire 7-km length of Cambrils Beach. Starting at the marina, head toward the neighboring town of Salou, stopping at any beach bar that catches your eye. Some of the bars close through the winter. Salou is 6km away and has plenty more nightlife options.