5 Things To Do In Vilanova I La Geltrú

Vilanova i la Geltrú is one of the most attractive towns on the coast of the province of Barcelona and a major tourist focus. If you make a trip to Vilanova i la Geltrú you will not only be able to enjoy fantastic beaches, suitable for all tastes. Besides that, the city has other points of interest of a patrimonial or festive nature that make it an ideal place to spend a vacation.

1. Enjoy the beaches of Vilanova i la Geltrú

As a good population of the Mediterranean coast in Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú has beautiful beaches. And not one or two, since throughout its municipal area there are various bathing areas, differentiating up to 8 beaches, all of them urban or semi-urban.

We can cite, for example, Ribes Roges very close to the port, or its neighboring Adarró beach, among the most frequented. Although there are other smaller and more intimate ones such as Aiguadolç or Sant Gervasi.

However, the one with the most personality is Playa Llarga, popularly known as El Prat, due to its peculiar configuration next to the delta of the Foix River, which originally created an area of ​​marshes here.

2. Enter an old lighthouse

We are still not far from the sea, since we have to name the beach of Faro de Sant Cristòfol. Obviously, there is that lighthouse that today has been transformed into an interesting exhibition. It is the Espai Far and it is another of the things to do during a vacation to Vilanova i la Geltrú.

It is an exhibition that tells us about the town’s maritime past, which is reflected in the form of models, old photos, fishing equipment and many other objects related to the sailors’ tasks.

3. Get on an old train

However, the Espai Far is not the most famous museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú. The best known museum is the Museo del Ferrocarril de Cataluña, an institution for the many fans of the railway world in Spain, even throughout Europe.

And it is that in this museum the most important collection of steam locomotives that can be seen in the entire Old Continent is preserved. And alongside these ancient relics there are also other electric or diesel, as well as a lot of material that reflects the evolution of the railway. A recommended visit to do as a family.

4. Take a walk through the history of Vilanova i la Geltrú

You also have to go through the historic center of the town to discover that it treasures a heritage of the most interesting and of different times. In fact, places such as the archaeological site of Adarró coexist there, which dates back to the 5th century BC, when the Iberians lived here. And something so old is relatively close to the Blue Tower, an old defensive keep from the 19th century.

And also , in the historic center you can see great houses of the past. Like Can Papiol, which today is the Romantic Museum. A place where you can admire not only its exterior, but also its interior, where it is possible to imagine how the wealthiest families lived in the 19th century.

It is also very attractive to visit the Balaguer Library, one of the oldest museums in Catalonia and which has a surprising collection of mummies from Ancient Egypt.

5. Eat in Vilanova i la Geltrú

After so much walking and visiting, without a doubt, you will already be thinking that you will have to stop to regain your strength. Well, you will not have any problem doing it, since there are many restaurants where you can taste the local gastronomy. And once you are seated in any of them, we are going to recommend the most traditional menu, so that you can taste the delicacies of the Vilanovís stoves.

You have to start with two courses of starters. On the one hand, the xató, the typical local salad made of escarole and olives with seafood such as anchovies, tuna or cod, all seasoned with oil, vinegar and almond sauce. And the other starter must be a portion of prawns.

And as a main course, they serve you a maritime ranch, where there may be cuttlefish, clams, rice, tuna, etc … Finally, save room for dessert because you have to try their traditional llardons coques or pork rinds cakes.

Cover photo: Ajuntament de Vilanova i la Geltrú