Eurocamp Vilanova Park review: pools, slides and family fun near Barcelona

Our verdict

Keeping four children aged between four and 13 happy on the same holiday is quite the challenge. Vilanova Park rose to it, with waterslides, splash pools, sports pitches and evening entertainment, giving everyone something to look forward to.

The pools were the main attraction, and our children would happily have spent most of the holiday in the water. Away from the busiest areas, our three-bedroom Premium holiday home felt comfortable and surprisingly private. The outdoor corner sofa and dining table gave all six of us room to spread out, and the air conditioning was very welcome in the August heat.

One of the pool complexes at Eurocamp Vilanova Park

It wasn't all perfect. Checking in twice felt unnecessary after a long journey, the pools were busy and some activities came with extra charges. The two outdoor pool areas are also spread out, so expect some walking.

Overall, we'd recommend Vilanova Park to families who want plenty to do on site, with beaches and attractive seaside towns within easy reach. The Michael Jackson tribute show was a particular hit, and nearby Sitges was our favourite place to explore. We'd happily return, ideally with more time for days out.

How we tested

I visited Vilanova Park in late August with my husband, our 13-year-old daughter and three sons aged 12, six and four. We have previously stayed at two Eurocamp sites in France and one in Spain, all of which we thoroughly enjoyed, so we were really looking forward to seeing how Vilanova Park compared. We travelled there from another part of Spain, arriving at the park mid-afternoon with our home ready for us to settle straight in. 

With four children of different ages, we were able to make use of a good range of the facilities during our stay, from the pools and waterslides to the parks and evening entertainment.

What's the accommodation like at Vilanova Park?

We stayed in a three-bedroom Premium holiday home, which felt clean, comfortable and spacious. The decking was equipped with a lovely outdoor corner sofa positioned directly outside the doors, making the space feel almost like an extra room. There was also a large dining table with enough seating for all six of us, with additional seating inside if needed. With the warm temperatures during our stay, we were able to make full use of this lovely outdoor space. A gas hotplate was also provided just off the decking, which was a great addition.

Our three bedroom Premium holiday home felt clean, comfortable and spacious for our large family

Inside, there were two twin bedrooms and a double bedroom with a king-size bed, as well as plenty of storage throughout. The kitchen was clean and well presented, and the cutlery was so shiny that it looked brand new! The bathroom was small but modern, with a powerful shower - a particularly welcome feature for those of us with long hair!

Unlike our previous Eurocamp stays, although bedding and towels were included in our booking, the beds had not been made up for our arrival, so we had to do this ourselves. It wasn’t a huge problem, but it was a little bit of a hassle after travelling, particularly when the children were desperate to get straight to the pool!

We really appreciated having air conditioning, especially given the warm temperatures. It was also surprisingly nice not to have a TV in the holiday home. It encouraged the children to relax on the outdoor sofa and spend more time outside rather than disappearing indoors in front of a screen.

The layout of the holiday homes also meant that they felt pleasantly private. Perhaps we were lucky with our particular location, but there was very little passing foot or car traffic along our road, which made it feel peaceful and relaxing.

We were also fortunate to meet our lovely neighbours shortly after arriving, and the children hit it off straight away. 

We were located just about five minutes walk from both pool areas, and close to all amenities and facilities including the parks, pitches, and entertainment plaza.

What are the pools like?

There are two main outdoor pool areas, each with a large swimming pool and a separate splash pool. Both have grassy areas and sunbeds, and one of the pools has lovely views from its elevated position.

The pools were very popular during our stay

The upper area was our first stop, with a choice of large waterslides that varied in height and speed. Our children loved them, and we were pleasantly surprised by the short slide queues, even when the pools themselves were very busy. A poolside bar and restaurant made it easy to stop for a drink or something to eat.

The lower pool area, beside the main restaurant and entertainment plaza, had a splash pool with smaller slides that suited our younger children. This was the livelier spot, with music, poolside entertainment and plenty of dancing in the water. During our stay, it generally stayed open until around 8pm, which was handy after a day out.

Slides and splashy fun at Vilanova Park

Next to the upper pools was the indoor pool and spa. We had been looking forward to making use of this, but were disappointed to discover that it came at an additional cost of €10 per person. Swimming caps were compulsory, although these could be purchased on site.

One of the large pools at Vilanova Park during a quieter period

The outdoor pools were a huge success with our children, but they did get crowded in peak season. The two areas are also a fair walk apart - something to bear in mind when you're gathering up towels, pool toys and reluctant swimmers.

What other activities are on offer?

There was a whole host of activities on offer throughout the day, so there was certainly no shortage of things to keep everyone entertained.

The Mini Club started from 11.15am, with activities ranging from crafts and magic clowns to discos. There was also a fun jumping pillow, which was particularly popular with the younger children. However, we were again a little disappointed to find that this came at an additional cost of €2.50 for 15 minutes. Mini golf was also available next to the jumping pillow, again for an additional charge.

There are plenty of playgrounds and onsite activities at Vilanova Park

For those wanting to keep active, exercise and fitness sessions took place daily in the main plaza. There were also basketball courts, football pitches and playgrounds, all conveniently located in the centre of the site.

A real highlight for our children was the go-karts. These took place one evening, with the fluorescent lights adding an extra element of excitement in the dark. They cost €6 for a child and €10 for an adult for 10 minutes and, according to our children, were definitely worth it!

What's the evening entertainment like?

A children's disco was followed by a different performance each evening, so there was usually something worth staying up for. The Michael Jackson tribute show was a highlight for our family - and clearly for plenty of other guests too. We arrived early enough to get seats, which proved a good decision as it was extremely busy.

The Michael Jackson tribute show was a big highlight during our stay

The shows finished quite late, so evenings here may work better for families who are happy to relax the bedtime routine. Our younger boys certainly enjoyed the novelty.

What are the food and drink options like?

Whilst there wasn’t a huge selection of places to eat, the site offered enough options to suit us during our stay.

The main restaurant catered for all tastes and had a lovely outdoor area where you could sit and eat al fresco, as well as a charming indoor space. The pool bar had a much more casual feel and was perfect for grabbing a drink or something to eat without having to stray too far from the pool!

Inside the main restaurant and The Food Station, perfect for grabbing a quick snack or ice cream

There was also a smaller food station serving a variety of drinks and snacks, including some delicious crêpes. And, of course, the all-important ice cream parlour — or ‘Gelateria’ — was conveniently located right next door!

As our holiday home had a well-equipped kitchen, we also found that the supermarket stocked everything we needed to prepare meals ourselves. This meant we could enjoy a mixture of eating out and cooking at home, without feeling that we had to eat out for every meal.

What is there to do nearby?

Vilanova i la Geltrú's old town and the coastal town of Cubelles were around a 10-minute drive away. We particularly enjoyed Cubelles' beach and promenade, with plenty of cafés for a drink or a bite to eat.

(L) Beach at Vilanova i la Geltrú, (R) Promenade at Cubelles

Our favourite, however, was the beautiful little beachside town of Sitges, with its quaint streets and lovely sandy beach. Overlooking the beach and promenade is the Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, an impressive 17th-century Baroque landmark. My children particularly enjoyed perching on the rocks beside the sea, watching the waves crash against them and occasionally getting soaked as the spray came over. At night, the church was even more striking, beautifully illuminated against the darkness.

(L) Tourist train at Sitges (R)  ‘Parròquia de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecia’ at night

Sitges also has a charming little tourist train that runs along the road parallel to the beach, which is a lovely way to take in the surroundings. On our first visit, we made the mistake of following the sat nav to a very tight underground car park, so on our return we sensibly opted for on-street parking instead. Just a note if you’re driving: parking is not permitted on the zigzag lines, while the green-lined spaces are reserved for residents.

And, of course, Barcelona deserves a mention. The city is just over an hour away by car, or around an hour and a half by bus, making it a great option for a day trip. Unfortunately, our stay was relatively short, so we didn’t have time to explore everything the surrounding area had to offer - another reason to return!

Do you need a car at Vilanova Park?

We hired a car, which gave us the freedom to explore the coast at our own pace. It cost around £350 for eight days. With six of us travelling and airport taxi quotes looking likely to be around £100 each way, we felt it made sense for our trip.

Public transport is an option too. A local bus stops directly outside the park for trips into Vilanova i la Geltrú and to the beach, and there's a direct service to Barcelona. Check current fares and timetables before travelling.

The park sits above the town and is hilly in places. We found it manageable, but between the slopes and the distance between pool areas, you'll do a fair amount of walking even if you spend the day on site.

Waiting for the waves at Sitges!

About the author

Carly is a mum of four, which means her weekends are largely spent playing chauffeur and ferrying her children between their clubs and activities. During the week, she works part-time as a PE teacher at a lovely little primary school. And when she’s not working, parenting or attempting to keep on top of the chores, she works as part of the Mumsnet Community team.

About the editor

Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, where she writes, edits and optimises family-focused content designed to make everyday parenting that bit easier.

As a mum of three, Jenny brings first-hand parenting experience to everything she writes, with plenty of trial-and-error along the way. Her family travels have ranged from UK camping trips to more adventurous long-haul breaks, giving her a clear understanding of what really matters when travelling with children - from location and layout to those small but crucial details that can turn an average family trip into the best holiday ever.

She regularly researches and reviews family travel options, combining expert insight with real parent feedback from the Mumsnet community to help other families plan holidays with confidence.

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