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Vilanova i la Geltrú is a town in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia. Originally a fishing port, the town has an ever-growing population of approximately 66,000, and is situated 40 km south-west of Barcelona, with the more famous coastal resort of Sitges around 10 km to the north-east. |
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Vilanova, as a coastal resort has a superb seafront. The beaches are clean and safe and the paseo is spotlessly clean. The sea front is lined with restaurants, cafes and small shops. Apartment blocks have excellent sea views. |
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Now and again as you wander through the streets you come across individually designed houses with a unique design of architecture. The house pictured left is just off the sea front. |
The beaches are wide and perfect for walking. There are also facilities for sports and dog walking.
The port and harbour forms an important part of Vilanova. The marina is modern and has all the facilities you would expect.
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There are moorings for boats of all sizes as well as a working fishing fleet.
Fishing has always been a part of the industry in Vilanova although textiles and paper are also major industries here.
There is a lifeboat station in Vilanova; something it has become famous for. |
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The modern port affords excellent anchorage and a pleasant stop over. |
Vilanova has a museum which was founded by the Catalan poet, historian and diplomat, Víctor Balaguer (1824-1901). It contains collections of Roman, Egyptian and prehistoric antiquities, as well as paintings, engravings, sculptures, coins and a very large library. Vilanova also has a railway museum, the Museu del Ferrocarril de Vilanova i la Geltrú. |
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Fiestas in Vilanova i la Geltru
Apart from some excellent seafood restaurants, Vilanova is a recognised centre for xató, a winter salad dressed with a rich sauce made from almonds, olives, fish, oil and garlic, which forms the basis for the Festival of Xató (Xatonada) in collaboration with nearby villages and towns.
Other important festivals include Festa Major in early August and Carnaval (late February) which includes Les Comparses, in which good-humoured rival groups throw boiled sweets at each other. The most important festival in Vilanova is the "Festival Internacional de Música Popular Tradicional" which has been held since 1981 and is the oldest world music festival in Spain. |
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Vilanova has an old quarter where you will find the old city walls, the castle and an old tower.
There are also monuments dotted around the town.
There's a huge park in Vilanova, the Ribes Roges Park. |
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Pictured left is the Torre de Ribes-Roges which stands on the sea front and is one of several towers in the town. |
What to do in Vilanova i La Geltru
There is an adventure centre that offers all types of water sports as well as horse riding, trekking, paintball, cycling and much more. Contact details below.
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| Idealspain visited Vilanova i La Geltru in November 2010 as part of our northern coastal tour. |
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| Local police Vilanova - Emergencies - 092 |
| General Emergencies - 112 |
| Tourist office Vilanova i la Geltru. Passeig del Carme. Tel 938 154 517 |
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Low cost car hire in this part of Spain - Instant quotes, online booking and guaranteed reservations. Access to all the top car hire companies in Spain
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Adventure Centre
C/Magatzems Nous 15
08800 Vilanova i la Geltru
(Barcelona)
Tel: 938 100 256 |
Vallformosa Winery
La Sala 45
08735 Vilobi del Penedes
(Barcelona)
Tel: 938 978 286 |
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