L'Ametlla de Mar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
L'Ametlla de Mar
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Municipality
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Ametlla de Mar harbour at night
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 L'Ametlla de Mar
Location in Catalonia
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Community |  Catalonia |
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| Province | Tarragona | ||
| Comarca | Baix Ebre | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 66.9 km2 (25.8 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 19 m (62 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 6,801 | ||
| • Density | 101.66/km2 (263.30/sq mi) | ||
| Demonyms | Calero, calera | ||
L'Ametlla de Mar is a lovely town in Catalonia, Spain. People sometimes call it la Cala, which means 'the bay' or 'the beach'. It's located right on the coast in the Baix Ebre area.
Fishing is a very important activity here. The town has a large fleet of fishing boats. They use different ways to catch fish, like trawling. L'Ametlla de Mar is also home to the biggest fleet of tuna fishing boats in all of Catalonia. The port also has a sailing club with lots of places for boats to dock.
Around L'Ametlla de Mar, you'll find several large housing areas. These include Calafat, Sant Jordi d'Alfama, les Tres Cales, and Roques Daurades. The beaches in the area are beautiful, with some having soft, white sand and others smooth pebbles.
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Fun Events and Festivals
L'Ametlla de Mar hosts several exciting events throughout the year.
Traditional Pottery Museum
There's a museum dedicated to traditional pottery in the Sant Jordi d'Alfama area. It's about 5 kilometers from the town center. The museum first opened its doors on May 5, 2001. It helps visitors learn about the history of pottery.
Main Town Festival
The biggest festival in L'Ametlla de Mar happens on February 2nd. It celebrates the Mare de Deu de la Candelera, also known as Our Lady of Candlemas. She is the town's special protector. During this festival, many activities take place. The most important one is a religious procession where people carry candles. You can also enjoy street music, big-headed figures called "capgrossos", concerts, and dances.
Fishermen's Day
On June 29th, the town celebrates Saint Peter's Day. Saint Peter is the patron saint of fishermen. On this day, there's a special procession on the sea with boats.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is celebrated on May 29th. For this festival, the streets of L'Ametlla are beautifully decorated. People stay up all night to cover the streets with flowers and leaves. It's a wonderful sight!
Saint George's Day
Saint George's Day is also celebrated at the Castell de Sant Jordi. Saint George is the patron saint of Catalonia.
Getting Around L'Ametlla
L'Ametlla de Mar is easy to reach. It's connected by a major motorway, the AP 7 (exit 39). The N-340 main road also passes through. You can also get here by train on the main line between Barcelona and Valencia, or Barcelona and Tortosa.
If you're coming from Barcelona, you can catch a train from Estació de França, Passeig de Gracia, or Sants station.
Exploring L'Ametlla de Mar
L'Ametlla de Mar is a popular place for visitors. The modern Tourist Information Office is right at the town's entrance. They can help you find out all about the area.
Beautiful Coastline
The coastline of L'Ametlla de Mar is 16 kilometers long. It has 30 different bays and beaches to explore! Some beaches have soft, white sand, while others are made of smooth pebbles. Pine trees surround many of them, and the water is super clear. This is because of a special plant called Posidonia that grows in the sea. L'Ametlla de Mar has won 5 blue flags for its beaches and one for its Marina. This means they are very clean and well-managed. Some beaches are also easy for people with disabilities to access.
Fun Activities
If you love being active, you're in luck! A group of companies called "AmetlladeMar Experience" offers many activities. You can enjoy things related to the Mediterranean Sea and nature. These include:
- Diving
- Snorkeling
- Cycling
- Boat trips
- Kayaking
- Renting a boat
- Tuna tours (a unique experience!)
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Motorcycle racing at the Calafat track
L'Ametlla de Mar has even received a Sports Destination Tourist Certificate. It's also part of the Nautical Station of the Costa Daurada, which means it's a great spot for water sports.
The GR 92 is a long walking path that follows the Spanish Mediterranean coast. You can start or end a section of this path in L'Ametlla de Mar. One part goes north to L'Hospitalet de l'Infant, which is about 22.8 kilometers away. Another part goes south to L'Ampolla, about 15.3 kilometers away.
Delicious Food
One of the best things about L'Ametlla de Mar is its amazing seafood. Many restaurants serve local dishes made with fresh fish and shellfish. These are caught by the town's fishing boats every day. The fresh catch is even sold in an auction every afternoon!
Throughout the year, there are special food events to celebrate local products. These include:
- Galeras (a type of shrimp)
- Red tuna
- Oily fish
- Locally-caught fish
- Fideos rossejats (a local noodle dish cooked in fish broth)
- L'Arrossejat (a local rice dish)
Who Visits L'Ametlla de Mar?
Most visitors to L'Ametlla de Mar come from Catalonia, other parts of Spain, and France. People choose to visit for many reasons, including:
- Its beautiful beaches
- The natural surroundings
- Opportunities for active tourism
- The delicious food
- The pleasant climate
- The traditional seafaring atmosphere
See also
In Spanish: La Ametlla de Mar para niños
