Team story: Summer holiday at Vilanova Park in Spain
Join our colleague Ashley in her family holiday last September at Camping Vilanova Park in Spain. In this post she shares her personal experience, from practical travel tips to her favourite restaurants , so you’ll know exactly what to expect from a Villatent glamping break on the Spanish coast.
A sun-drenched week in September: that was our stay at Camping Vilanova Park in Vilanova i la Geltrú, a charming town just outside Barcelona. Together with my partner, our six-month-old baby and my parents (yes, Grandma and Grandpa came along, very handy, because then it’s really a holiday 😉) we enjoyed a wonderful glamping experience in a Villatent Cottage.
Arrival and travel to Spain
We flew into Barcelona Reus Airport, a small, easy-to-navigate airport that I’d recommend to anyone travelling with children. Shortly after landing we collected our bags, hired a car (tip: book ahead, because availability is limited, especially at weekends) and drove less than 45 minutes to the campsite.
Of course you can drive, but since we're from the Netherlands, babies fly free and flights were affordable in the off-season, we opted to fly. A lovely, relaxed start to our holiday!
Our Villatent Cottage
We stayed in a Villatent Cottage, a spacious six-person tent with a large indoor table, ideal for organising everything for baby. Honestly: you spend most of your time outside anyway. The great thing about this tent is that it’s equipped with all the comforts: air-conditioning (a blessing when temperatures hover around 30 °C, especially during daytime naps), a dishwasher and three bedrooms.
Tip: a travel‐cot fits perfectly behind the double bed, or if you prefer to give your baby their own room just remove the slatted base from the bunk bed beneath. Works a treat!
The Villatents are located on the edge of the campsite, giving me a first-hand look at how carefully each pitch is selected by our team . That way you feel close to the action, but when you return to “our street” it was wonderfully quiet. Because yes: Spaniards tend to wake up late. Even the entertainment at the campsite only begins at 21:00. But we embraced that, the occasional siesta and a late dinner; now that is a holiday!
Facilities at Camping Vilanova Park
Camping Vilanova Park is large, yet feels cosy due to how centrally the amenities are located. There’s a supermarket, restaurant, terrace, ice-cream parlour, entertainment stage and two swimming pools with massive water-slides. Our favourite was the pool by the entrance: a paddling pool with play equipment, grassy lawn and free sun-loungers. Calm, clear and perfect for families with young children.
In the campsite restaurant you must try the spit roast or the paella, truly recommended!
Vilanova i la Geltrú
The town itself is incredibly charming. The car-free rambla is full of cute shops, bakeries and ice-cream parlours. From Wednesday to Sunday it really comes alive. full of local atmosphere and good vibes. Mind though: many shops and restaurants are closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Can Pizza is an absolute must-try: order a pizza on the rooftop terrace overlooking the charming street below. For a more special evening we ate at Restaurant Ceferino, right by the beach. There we sat on a Spanish balcony bursting with pink flowers. The beef tenderloin with foie gras and red-wine sauce was so tender I’m still thinking about it. And the wine list? Impressive!
Beach and sea
The beach is just a ten-minute drive from the campsite and there’s also a free shuttle bus to get you there. We took the car and parked opposite Restaurant Ceferino. Tip: bring some change for the parking meter. The beach is wide, slopes gently into the sea and is therefore ideal with kids. There are also two lovely beach cafés for a drink or lunch.
A day-trip to Sitges
Just 20 minutes away is Sitges, a charming seaside town full of colour, art and hospitality. The attractive promenade, countless boutiques and tapas bars make it a perfect destination for a day trip. The iconic church overlooking the sea is absolutely worth a visit.
Visiting Barcelona
A trip to Barcelona was of course on the agenda. From Vilanova i la Geltrú you can catch a direct train and reach the heart of the city in about 45 minutes. There are buses too, but we opted for the train. With a metro day-pass you can easily explore the whole city — from the Sagrada Família to Las Ramblas. This costed about €4 per person.
Still, I’d also recommend hiring bikes so you see more of the city and soak up the lovely weather. Unfortunately our little one wasn’t yet able to ride in a bike-seat, just another reason to come back!
Our glamping experience at Vilanova Park
Our week at Camping Vilanova Park was everything a glamping holiday should be: sunshine, great food, relaxation and memorable moments with family. The combination of beach, city and Spanish charm makes this a destination I would definitely return to in a heartbeat.
If you have any questions about Camping Vilanova Park or would like personal advice on a Villatent holiday in Spain, I’d be happy to help!
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Team story: Summer holiday at Vilanova Park in Spain
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