L’Ametlla de Mar, also called La Cala (the bay), is a fishing town with around 6’800 residents (Caleros) in the southern part of Catalonia, on the Costa Dorada, Spain.
The central point of L’Ametlla de Mar is still the harbour. Here, fishing boats come to rest after a few rough days at sea, where they find refuge and protection from the powerful east winds and where the valuable fish is sold; the same fish that, long ago, meant the beginnings of this proud little fishing town.
This is an invitation to you: come and relax in the warmth of safe harbours, absorb the culture of the sea, enjoy the delicious seafood dishes, and let yourself be mystified by one of the most beautiful and natural coastal stretches of the Mediterranean Sea of Spain. L'Ametlla del Mar offers you a variety of residential areas where you can rent luxury holiday villas, homes and apartments.
l´Ametlla de Mar - Costa Dorada - Spain
History of l´Ametlla de Mar
It was in the year 1775 that the fisherman Joan Baptista Gallart, better known as Toral, and his family arrived in the deserted bay of L’Ametlla . Over the ages, this area had been abandoned due to continued attacks by Berber pirates and bandits. Even the knights of Sant Jordi d’Alfama, the only Catalan military order during the Middle Ages, could not preserve the peace and quiet of this place, despite the castle that they built at the edge of the sea.
Other Valencian fisher families followed Toral and, thanks to their unified numbers and the abundance of what the sea had to offer, this small settlement began to grow to be today´s l’Ametlla de Mar. Although it was first part of the town of Perelló , it became an independent town on Christmas Day of 1891.
The start of the 20th century was a time of expansion and development. Fishing, real estate, and commerce got an economic boost from the forced sale of church lands and the construction of a railway. The economic crisis of the ‘30s decreased the population. It was not until the ‘60s that the town saw a positive demographic growth due to new immigrants and the tourist industry.
The hard work of these pioneers continues through today, and L’Ametlla opens its arms to visitors who know how to value the Mediterranean culture. Nowadays tourism is an important source of income for the residents of L’Ametlla de Mar, but this unavoidable development has not touched the historic and cultural heritage of the city.
Natural situation of l´Ametlla de Mar
L’Ametlla de Mar is located in one of the best-preserved areas of the Catalan coast. The ten miles long handsome coastline is known for its many small bays with bleached white sand or soft pebbles.
In addition, L’Ametlla de Mar has 2 protected areas:
Platja del Torrent del Pi: 264 ha located near Sant Jordi and protected due to rare vegetation.
Laguna Santes Creus: 63 ha of protected swampland
Located a little farther but well worth seeing lies the nature preserve:
National Park of the Ebro Delta
Where Spain’s largest river, the Ebro, spills into the Mediterranean Sea you can find a 13 square miles nature reserve. It is one of the largest fowl reserves in the world. You can marvel this beautiful area in many ways: walking, on horseback, by car, boat, or bike.
Cuuisine of l´Ametlla de Mar
According to experts, fish and shellfish from L’Ametlla de Mar have a special flavour due to the location near the river Ebro. The catch is always varied, from sardines to tuna, sea bass, seawolf, anchovies, squid, octopus, breams, and crab. The quality of the fresh fish and the long tradition of the art of cooking fish are the secret of L’Ametlla’s experienced kitchen; recommended are the arossejats (rice cooked in fish broth), suquet (rich fish stew), zarzuela (diverse fish cooked in a sauce), and black rice.
To top it off, the traditional desserts are the small pastissets and corassons pastries that are made in February for the festivities of Candelera, the cakes that are made for Easter, and the coca, cake with dried fruits and cream that are available year-round.
Wine, too, plays an important role in the kitchen of the Costa Dorada. The Baix Penedès, the mountainous region of Priorat and Tarragona, are known for the production of quality wines. A large proportion of the terrain also lies in the sparkling white wine-producing area. Many bodegas can be visited without reserving ahead, and some organise tours as well.
D.O. Priorat is known for its strong red wines.
D.O. Penedes is known for its fresh white wines, the most well-known of which is the Torres.
The well-known sparkling white wines Freixenet and Cordoniu are produced here.
Beaches of l´Ametlla
L’Ametlla de Mar harbours some beautiful ten miles of the Mediterranean coast. A rough profile with beautiful cliffs that seem to fall into the sea, hidden caves and idyllic little bays with crystal-clear water. All of this surrounded by the typical Mediterranean vegetation. A unique landscape where aromas are blended with colours of the sea and the land.
 | Beaches in the northern part:
Codolar del Cap de Terme, Cala Llobeta, Cala Calafat, Cala Lo Ribellet, Sant Jordi strand, Cala Vidre, Cala Forn, Cala Ampolles, Cala Mosques, Torrent del Pi beach, Cala Xeln, l'Estany Tort strand, Cala Ambrosio, Cala d'Arandes.
Beaches near the village:
Pixavaques Beach, l'Alguer Beach, Cala Pepo.
Beaches in the southern part:
Cala Bon Cap, Cala Bon Caponet, Natural Port of l'Estany, l'Estany Beach, Cala Santes Creus, Cala de la Llenya, Cala l'Estany Podrit, Cala de l'liga.
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Sights in and around l´Ametlla de Mar
Sailing and hiking are the two best ways of exploring and marvelling the natural beauty of L’Ametlla’s magnificent, rough coast, where pine trees reflect in turquoise-coloured water. The harbours of L’Ametlla and Sant Jordi d’Alfama or Calafat are good starting points for a sailing tour, whereas a hike is a great way to follow the old routes and to discover caves and cliffs of a rarely witnessed natural beauty.
The castle of Sant Jordi d’ Alfama is a 12th century castle, in which the seat of the Order of Sant Jordi d’Alfama was housed, the only order in Spanish history that was entirely Catalan. The building was renovated and is open to the public.
A particular heritage of hand crafting and know-how are ceramic objects which you can see in the Museo de Céramica Popular, the most important museum in this part of Europe.
Tortosa, about 45 km away, is a town where Roman and Arabic influences are easy to find. A cosy little place with beautiful old cathedrals, but also diverse restaurants and shops.
DThe well-known bathing place Salou, about 30 km away, with a large boulevard and many different opportunities for going out, is L’Ametlla’s complement. Different excursions are organised from Salou, including jeep safaris and excursions to Andorra and Montserrat.
Tarragona, 50 km away, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city, peppered with Roman and medieval ruins, was the most important Roman holding in Spain and at one time even the residence of Julius Caesar himself.
A visit to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is a must. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and cultural cities in the world. You can marvel at the fantastic architecture of Gaudí, visit the Picasso museum, and stroll down Las Ramblas.
Sports and recreation in l´Ametlla de Mar
L’Ametlla offers plenty of sports activities. All watersports options, including boat and material hire, diving, biking and hiking, tennis, golf, horseback riding, quad-wheel riding, go-karting, sport schools, swimming, volleyball,...it is only a selection of the many possibilities.
In addition to this there are in the neighbourhood activities for the whole family: attractions parks, water parks, and zoos.
The most popular attraction parks:
The waterparks Aquopolis and Aqualeon (including safari)
Port Adventura has the largest roller coast in all of Europe , the ‘Dragon Kahn,’ which reaches speeds of up to 110 km per hour. The park is subdivided into international ports, including China, Polynesia , and a Mediterranean harbour. www.portadventura.es There are beautiful hiking and biking routes for aficionados, 3 of which are very much worth mentioning:
Per Camins de Moros i Christians A more than 7 miles trail from L’Ametlla de Mar to L’Amadrava along the coast, part of which follows the GR92 (Gran Routa).
The interior and the coast A 5 miles long trail that goes from L’Ametlla de Mar to Puig Moltó via the interior to the coast
Where the pine trees fall in love with the sea 6 miles from L’Ametlla de Mar to Cala de L’Àliga, following the GR92 (Gran Routa) along the coast.
Golf in l´Ametlla de Mar
Costa Dorada Golfclub - Tarragona
This 18-hole golf course was finished in 1983 and was the first golf course in the Tarragona area. Beautifully constructed with pine and olive trees, weeping willows, and palms. The 13th hole is the longest in all of Spain . The clubhouse is a renovated old Masia (farm), furnished in the Catalan style. Service: restaurant, bar, changing rooms, pro shop, golf, club, and buggy hire.
Aigueverds Golfclub - Reus
This olive and almond tree-decorated golf course lies five minutes from Salou and Cambrills. Easy to walk due to flat terrain, but still a challenging course. The tricky hole is the short Par 3: it lies on a green island completely surrounded by water. The clubhouse, and old renovated farm, is exceptionally beautiful and has a lovely outdoor swimming pool. Service: restaurant, bar, changing rooms, pro shop, golf, club, and buggy hire.
Bonmont Golfclub L´Hospitalet de l´Infant
This 18-hole golf course was designed Robert Trent Jones in 1990 and harmonises completely with its surrounding nature: one side has a view of the Mediterranean , and the other side an impressive mountain range. Service: restaurant, bar, changing rooms, pro shop, golf, club, and buggy hire.
Panoramica GolfClub - Vinaros
A well thought-out and strategically designed 18-hole golf course by Bernhard Langer. Built on a quite flat old olive tree orchard with a fantastic club house. It is the most southern of all four and officially falls outside of Catalonia , but the Catalonians consider it their own. Service: restaurant, bar, changing rooms, pro shop, golf, club, and buggy hire.
Holidays of l´Almetlla de Mar
 | - February 2nd - Mare de Deu de Candelera, patron saint of the town. A holy festival that is celebrated with a procession, candles, music, Capgrossos (carnival-like figures with large heads), and fireworks.
- February 3rd - Suquet de Peix Calero Cooking competition to see who makes the best Suquet (fish stew).
- April 23rd Sant Jordi Festival The Sunday that is closest to April 23rd is celebrated with an excursion to the castle and games on the beach where free grilled sardines and paella can be eaten.
- May 1st - Bicycle festival Bicycle race around the castle of Sant Jordi June 29th-July 1st Fiesta Mayor de Sant Pere, the patron saint of fishermen Holy festival with a procession, music, dance, parades, and fireworks.
- July - Corpus Christi Floral The residents make a half a mile long blanket of flowers and leaves in diverse patterns through the streets of L’Ametlla
- August L’Aplec de la Sardana All Catalan folk dancers come together for this beautiful regional feast on the first Sunday in August.
- November 1st - All Saints Day fireworks
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