If you are visiting the Costa Dorada region of Spain then you’ve got to include the beach towns of Salou and Cambrils on your itinerary. Here are what I think are the best things to do in Salou and Cambrils in Spain.
The Costa Dorada (or Costa Dourada if using the Spanish spelling) region of Spain is a coastal area of Catalonia. With 81km of coastline along the Mediterranean sea it is just South of Barcelona and a brilliant location for either relaxed beach vibes , adventurous sports or a mix of the two, there is plenty to keep you entertained for holidays to Costa Dorada in Salou or Cambrils.
AD – I visited Salou and Cambrils as part of a press trip with Jet2 and the Costa Daurada tourism board. We did soo much in just a few days and I am desperate to return to try more of the foods, activities and beaches this region has to offer. Salou and Cambrils are only a few km apart and are connected by a gorgeous coastal walk with hotels and beaches between.
Below is my list of the best things to do in Salou, Cambrils and the surrounding area.
The Best Things To Do In Salou And Cambrils In Spain
Hire A Bike And Cycle Between Salou And Cambrils
We hired bikes through Bike Rent Salou, who have really reasonable rental prices, with a 3 hour rental costing €7 and a full day for €10. They dropped them off for us in Salou and we cycled 6km along the sea front into Cambrils. There is a clear cycle path the whole way along which is right beside the beach. It’s completely flat and a great route for people watching and to decide which beach you might come back to for sunbathing and sea swimming later.
You can cycle further along the Salou coastal path, though certain bits are a bit of a squeeze for bikes. It’s a great way to explore the two towns, perhaps moving between beach or cocktail rest stops.
Walk The 9km Coastal Path In Salou
The 9km coastal path runs from Punta de Sant Pere to Racó de Salou. The path was recently restored and runs right by the sea, past coves, beaches and incredible views.
There are lots of different viewpoints that have been built along the route, where you can gaze out to sea or down into little coves and beaches. We did a short part of the path that went past a lighthouse and lots of gorgeous quiet beaches. You will also pass many hotels and restaurants just off the path if you want to stop off for a bite to eat along the route.
Paddle Surf In The Sea With Club Nautica Salou
Club Nautica in Salou told us they had 150 different activities you could do there. That’s certainly going to keep you busy for a while. We tried out the paddle surfing, which is basically paddle boarding in the sea.
The team kitted us out with wet suits, boards and paddles. Though being the cold water swimmer I am, I turned down the wetsuit and went in just my costume. The water was definitely warmer than the rivers I swim in, in the Peak District.
A guide gave us a quick lesson in paddle boarding and then we were straight into the ocean and headed along the coast and back again. It was very relaxed and we didn’t actually fall in. Though that is probably because we didn’t stand up either!
Wildlife Spotting In Parc Sama
Parc Sama is a short drive out of Cambrils but well worth the taxi or bus to get there. It is a magical 14 hectare garden, with Gaudi inspired Romanticism buildings, ponds and bridges. I didn’t know what to expect of this stop on the itinerary, but it quickly became one of my favourite activities.
The park is home to over 1500 different flora and fauna, with tree lined tracks, manmade waterfalls and so many peacocks!
The peacocks come super close, and if you are lucky will fan their feathers at you and shake their bums! I tried my hand at talking to the Peacocks too. A secret skill of mine.
I would have been content with just the peacocks, but as we delved deeper into the woodlands we found deer, ponies, donkeys and so many tropical birds. Another highlight was the parrot aviary. You can walk into the aviary and get super close to the parrots, turkeys, and other colourful birds.
At only €12 for a ticket you could easily spend all day here with a cafe, olive oil tasting and lots of areas for picnics – its a fab day out.
Watch The Fish Arrive At Cambrils Fish Market
This was a really special experience in Cambrils. If you go to Port Cambrils around 4.30pm you can see the fishers return from sea and unload fresh fish of all kinds. They are all quickly put on ice and then weighed and sold to local buyers at the fish market.
We were allowed to sneak into watch the different fish and seafood being sold, but I don’t think generally people are allowed. It is still worth heading down at the right time to see the fish arriving. We saw squid, octopus, monkfish and so many more.
If you can’t make it to the market, get yourself booked into a fresh fish restaurant and choose something from the specials, it probably came in that afternoon!
Enjoy A Magical Dinner At La Salva
La Salva was a crazy and fun place! It was a super entertaining restaurant, but also did delicious food. The bao bums came in a sumo wrestlers tummy, the ceviche arrived as monkey’s brains and at one point they set fire to the table… though we still aren’t quite sure why?! Why not?!
I tried one of the La Salva cocktails, which came in a gold monkey carrying a coconut. Like the table, the cocktail was set on fire and arrived with a process for how I ate and drank different parts of the cocktail. It was certainly an experience.
Definitely worth a visit to either entertain kids (and adults!) or for something a bit different to the many restaurants doing more traditional tapas and paella. The quirky menu had a Spanish twist and included sushi, bao buns and always my favourite… patatas bravas.
Get An Adrenaline Rush At Port Aventura
We didn’t actually get to visit Port Aventura World, but this theme park is definitely on my list for my next visit. There is a theme park filled with epic roller coasters for all levels of adrenaline, then there is a water park and Ferarri world for the car lovers.
You could spend a few days visiting each park and trying the different parks. There are even multiple hotels within the resort.
Grab An Ice Cream From Antonia Sirvent
As with any good seaside town there are many different ice cream shops in Cambrils and Salou and I can’t recommend them all. But I can recommend a waffle cone filled with tasty ice cream from Antonia Sirvent.
They had about 40 different flavours to choose from. I went for a local Crema Catalana flavour, which is a bit like the Spanish version of a creme brûlée. It was delicious and just what we needed after our bike ride along the coast.
Relax In The Aquum Spa
The Aquum Spa is part of the Estival Group resort and an absolutely gorgeous luxury spa. The spa includes pools at different temperatures, numerous saunas and steam rooms, relaxing and pummelling jets and even a lazy river.
There is an indoor/outdoor walk through pool with sunbeds both inside and out. I could have quite happily stayed here all day reading a book and alternating between the lazy river and the steam room.
The resort has a number of hotels and restaurants, including a gorgeous rooftop bar. The resort is a great place to stay by the beach in Salou too.
You have to wear a swim cap when you are in the pool, so be ready for some funny egg head photos. They will provide you with everything you need, including robes, towels and caps!
Yoga On The Beach In Salou
At the end of our coastal walk we met up with an instructor for some yoga on the beach. It was perfect weather, not too hot and a light breeze to keep us cool. We were led through a short yoga session before heading for lunch.
We stayed in the H10 Imperial Tarraco with Jet2Holidays and this was a gorgeous hotel and perfect if you’re looking for luxury holidays in Costa Dorada. Tarragona is a short drive from Salou and Cambrils or there are regular buses too.
Have I tempted you to visit Salou and Cambrils? I really loved this part of Spain and will definitely be returning to this part of Spain. My favourite things was probably Parc Sama, mainly for the Peacocks, but really I loved the variety of this area, that really does have something to suit everyone.
