The best things to see and do in Cambrils (Tarragona)

If you haven't had a chance to visit yet Cambrils, you may know it for its current reputation as a holiday town and for its beaches.

However Cambrils, a town that you find very near Tarragona, riding a Catalonia, has traditionally been a fishing and agricultural town.

What's more, I will tell you that during your visit you will see that there are two Cambrils very different.

On one hand, the old towna historic helmet whose origins date back to the time of the Iberians, and that during the Middle Ages It was a walled town, which you find in the interior, one kilometer from the coast.

And on the other hand, the port of Cambrils, which was especially developed at the end of the 19th century, and is now the center of attraction for tourists who visit it every year and enjoy its nine kilometers of coastline.

What to see and do in the Port of Cambrils

Cambrils maintains its aspect of fishing village Well, still in its port you can see 36 inshore fishing boats that carry out the so-called Trawling, with which they mainly catch crayfish, sea bream or monkfish.

You will also see boats with the characteristic night lights to fish for sardines or anchovies, and the technique of fishing will also be used. trammel for capturing octopuses.

Now Cambrils fishing has become a tourist activity, with the possibility of doing boat trips to see how the work of the traditional trawling.

You also have the possibility of signing up for catamaran excursions and nautical activitiesyes, like diving, paddle surf, jet ski tour o parasailing.

Arrival of fishing boats at the port of Cambrils

El port and beach area are the real one center of Cambrils in the summer season, where a family tourism coming mainly from Lérida, Navarra, Aragón and Euskadi.

In fact, one of the most popular activities among visitors who come to Cambrils is to go around 4,30 in the afternoon to the port to see the arrival of fishing boats, which punctually arrive until 5 o'clock with each day's fishing.

And if you are very interested in fishing, you can also sign up for the Fishermen from the west pier to the Guided tour of the Cambrils Fishermen's Market which takes place on Thursdays at 16,30:3 p.m. (prices, XNUMX euros)

A Cambrils they also arrive foreign tourists, especially French, Belgians and Germans who take advantage of the proximity of Reus airport.

In fact, it is estimated that 55 percent of tourism is international, compared to 45 percent national.

In this way, this Tarragona population, which in winter has about 30.000 inhabitants, reaches 100.000 in summer.

Gastronomy in Cambrils

In your walk through the port and beaches, you will be able to see numerous terraces and hospitality establishments, which is a reflection of the importance that the gastronomy among visitors to the town.

In addition to its numerous bars and restaurants where you can taste the typical Mediterranean cuisine, in which rice occupies a predominant place, we want to highlight the ice creams, specifically, those of the Antonio Sirvent Ice Cream Shop, a Cambrils classic.

Cambrils Port Tower

During your walk through the port of Cambrils one will catch your attention old defensive tower which dates back to 1664, and was built to prevent pirate attacks.

Currently, the Port Tower It has become the iconic image of Cambrils.

It will also catch your attention monument to the fishermens with a quite peculiar design.

What to see and do in the historic center of Cambrils

On the other hand, Cambrils maintains its facet of agrarian town, being a good exponent the activity of the Cambrils Cooperative, especially with the production of extra olive oil, which is exported to about 20 countries.

This cooperative, Agrobotiga, you can visit it to buy some of the varied local agricultural products.

In turn, the old town of Cambrils The one located towards the interior dates back to the year 1270, while the port dates back to the late XNUMXth century.

On your walk through the center you can still see a small section of the ancient walls and an area of ​​narrow streets that take you back to the configuration of medieval times, with corners such as the one known as Flower Alley.

As a monument, the church of Santa Maria, style late gothic.

Finally, in the historic helmet you also have the possibility of visit the Civil War Spaces, like some old air raid shelters.

Map: how to get to Cambrils

The fishing village of Cambrils is located 21 kilometers south of the city of Tarragona, one and a half hours south of Barcelona and two and a half hours north of Valencia.

Photos of Cambrils

As a preview of what you can see when visiting this town in the Costa Dorada, here you have a gallery of photos of Cambrils, in Tarragona.