Travel Guide To Cambrils, Spain
We’ve recently fell in love with Cambrils, a postcard-perfect harbour town on Spain’s golden coast. In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do, where to stay, and a few restaurant recommendations in Cambrils, Spain.
By: Lesley Stewart | March 2025
Cambrils, set on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, is a picturesque seaside location rich in history and gastronomy - making it a perfect destination for travellers seeking a sun-drenched, foodie getaway.
We visited Cambrils on a day trip from Tarragona and loved its coastal charm. Often overlooked in favour of nearby Salou, Cambrils is a gem of a destination with a far quainter seafront and bucket loads of charm.
Whether exploring the buzzy promenade, enjoying a sundowner in a beach bar, or indulging in local culinary delights, Cambrils makes a perfect holiday (or day trip) on the Catalan coast.
Though we only had a day to explore, we would happily have stayed longer; the allure of the waves, golden sands, and old quarter put this seaside haven to the top of our beach holiday list.
One of my favorite towns from our trip, this is a complete guide to visiting Cambrils, including where to stay, holiday suggestions, and a few recommendations on places to eat and drink.
CONTENTS:
Where to stay
About the area
Things to do
Boutique Stays In & Around Cambrils
HOLIDAYS
Estival El Dorado Resort: for a chic family-friendly stay on the beach (holiday | reviews)
Best Maritim: for the best stylish hotel on the beachfront (holiday | reviews)
HOTELS & APARTMENTS
Cambrils Chic! Apartments: stylish fully-equipped apartments near the harbour (book | reviews)
Casa Chamizo: stunning modern villa with private pool (book)
Vestal Suites Domo: gorgeous small hotel with spacious suites (book | reviews)
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Travel tip: The best way to explore Costa Daurada is by driving yourself. We use Discover Cars for our car rental in Spain, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Hertz, Enterprise, or Sixt. Renting a car in Spain is easy, and driving in Southern Spain is safe and comfortable. Book your car with Discover Cars here.
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip
If you’re planning a trip to the Catalan coast, don’t miss my Costa Dorada travel guide, Tarrgona itinerary, Reus itinerary, Salou itinerary and guides on where to eat in Cambrils, Salou’s restaurants, and Tarragona’s best eateries.
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CAMBRILS TRAVEL GUIDE
About the area
An hour’s drive south of Catalonia’s capital, Barcelona, Cambrils is a lovely seaside town for a day trip or as a base for exploring the surrounding areas.
A lively promenade and golden beaches are its biggest draws, but the town's thriving foodie scene is testament to the busy working harbour, who keep this town replete with fresh seafood.
We love to explore, and the charm of historic cities and old towns is always a temptation. So, we’d recommend combining a holiday in Cambrils with a visit to the historic towns of Tarragona or Reus just up the coast. Mix magnificent architecture with a good lunch and a wander around the old town centre.
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CAMBRILS TRAVEL GUIDE
Things to do in Cambrils
Relax on the Cambril’s promenade: Like any coastal town on the Costa Dorada life here revolves around the seafront and the best way to start your day in Cambrils is with a leisurely stroll along the promenade.
There’s no strip in Cambrils, and it's all the better for it. Instead, a charming beachside walkway runs for miles along the coast and the area closest to the harbour is lined with countless cafes, bars, and restaurants. Outdoor seating spills out on the sunny street, and the best options offer stunning coastline views and a buzzy atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for al fresco drinks and a sharing platter of local seafood.
Further along the coast, the promenade quiets, and its perimeter changes from beach bars to swaying palms and glorious beach views. This is a gorgeous place for a wander, especially at sunset.
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Travel tip: Cambrils promenade is cycle-friendly, and you can hire a road or mountain bike from a local rental company that offers adult and child-friendly options.
Spend a day on the beach: One of the best things to do in Cambrils is spend the day on the beach. There are many to choose from, some in town and others a short walk or cycle. The beaches of Cambrils have been awarded the Blue Flag status, and with miles of soft golden sands and sheltered bays, it's a lovely spot to hang out for the afternoon.
The main beach in Cambrils is Platja del Regueral. Right at the footstep of town, the water is incredible, and the broad sweep of sand is beautifully soft. It’s very family-friendly, too, with amenities and nautical activities like floating platforms.
Adults will have fun too, with beach bars to wander between, sunbeds and parasols to relax under, and sporty activities like volleyball if you want to break a sweat.
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Explore the old town: After you get your fill of the beach, head for the charming streets of Cambrils’ old town to see the historical sights and the enchanting plazas. Muralla de Cambrils is our favourite historic gem here, and you can’t miss it when you visit Cambrils.
This ancient wall is a remnant of the town's medieval history, an elegant archway offering visitors a glimpse into its past. Built in the 17th century, it was once part of the defensive walls that protected Cambrils from invasion.
Any one of the little streets will take you back into town and to your starting point on the promenade.
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Visit Torre del Port: The impressive Port Tower, built in the 17th century as a lookout, is open to the public at weekends. The view from the top is incredible and worth the short, if steep climb to the top.
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Discover the harbour: Following the promenade, you’ll arrive at the harbour - and a glimpse into daily life in Cambrils. Home to a working fishing harbour, it’s like stepping into a moving postcard. Wander around, and you’ll find busy with fishermen mending their nets or unloading the day's catch, with colourful boats bobbing in the sheltered waters. There’s something quite beautiful about it all.
Visit Parc Samà: Quite possibly one of my favourite things to do in Cambrils, Parc Samà feels like stepping into another world. Peacocks roam freely, parrots call across the lush gardens, and a turquoise blue lake creates the most magical environment.
An enormous 14-hectare park, Parc Samà is a beautiful place to spend the afternoon. There are animals and birds to discover, pretty walkways and charming corners, and with so many trees, it’s a wonderfully shady spot during summer. That is to say, we think adults and kids alike will love Parc Samà.
Located just a few miles outside the town, book your tickets in advance.
Enjoy the local cuisine: Cambrils is known as the gastronomic centre of the Costa Daurada, and for good reason. There are endless eateries in Cambrils, with over 150 restaurants, cafes, and tavernas scattered throughout this compact coastal town.
You can choose from upscale seafood restaurants with gorgeous outdoor terraces (we highly recommend El Posit) and contemporary cafes with unique menus (La Selve Street Food blew our minds). If you’re looking for a casual brunch option, make a beeline for El Racó del Moll. The fully loaded waffles, croissants, and eggs Benedict were some of our favourite eats. And for an icy treat, Antonio Sirvent has a massive range of very delicious ice creams; I highly recommend the dangerously good dulce de leche.
Visit coastal neighbour Salou: Just a short journey along the promenade, vibrant coastal resort Salou is Cambrils’ closest neighbour, and they blend in a mix of sandy beaches and lively bars.
While we think Cambrils is the quainter of the two towns, one of our favourite reasons to visit Salou is its 9km coastal walk, which is honestly gorgeous and passes hidden coves and pretty bays. There are also endless activities for families, watersports, and an enormous waterpark on offer.
You can walk between the resorts along the promenade (a relaxed stroll will take around 1.5 hours) or use the local bus service. Alternatively, a taxi between Salou and Cambrils costs around €20 and the journey takes 10 minutes.
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Visit historic Tarragona: Salou to Tarragona is a wonderful day trip, especially for those who love historical gems. We fell in love with Tarragona; there are so many culturally important sights to explore from its ancient archways to the Roman amphitheatre and stunning cathedral.
I’d advise you to spend a day in Tarragona getting lost amongst the winding streets and pretty plazas.
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