Catalonia Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú

About Vilanova i la Geltrú Catalonia Railway Museum & RocRoi Watersports

The Catalonia Railway Museum, or Museo Del Ferrocarril de Cataluña, is located in the original steam locomotive depot of Vilanova i la Geltrú next to the train station.

Catalonia Railway Museum History

• 1967: The steam locomotive maintenance yard at Vilanova i la Geltrú closes. (Diesel locomotives replacing steam)


• 1972: September, the 19th Congress of European Railroad Modelers (MOROP) was held as an exhibition of steam locomotives in the Vilanova i la Geltrú depot having the advantage of a working track turnstile to drive the steam trains into the various bays of the yard as well as a water tower. Renfe moved trains from different places on the Spanish peninsula to the Vilanova i la Geltrú depot for exhibition in the city. After the International Congress, most of the trains would remain parked at the depot and beginning to form a museum.


• 1980: The various public institutions involved (RENFE, Generalitat de Catalunya and Vilanova i la Geltrú Town Council) were interested in the creation of a Railway Museum in Catalonia.


• 1990: Opened as a museum being run by railway enthusiasts from the railway industry. Vilanova i la Geltrú being the terminus of the R2 line to this day has a large train maintenance yard and in the heyday of steam, counted on over 900 workers to service the trains and carriages so with the railway being a large employer in the town, it was an obvious location for a railway museum.


• 1998; to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Barcelona to Mataró railway line, the museum foundation is incorporated and added to the list of Museums in Catalonia being museum number 114.


• 1998 - 2008: Refurbishment and incorporation of several railway buildings into the museum such as the Steam railway shed, The water tanks, some maintenance buildings "gran nave". The museum also acquired the track switching interlock from Estacio de França. The Great mural by Josep Maria Subirachs from Sants Station was also donated to the museum.


• 2006:The museum increased its collection of trains with the addition of sixteen new vehicles, including some diesel and electric Talgo traction units. The FGC also donated some trains from the Nuria Cremallera Railway.


• 2010: Refurbishment of the track turntable, Rotunda.


• 2010 onwards: Growth of the museum visitor numbers and securing of financing from multiple partners.

Vilanova i la Geltrú RocRoi beach watersports centre

The RocRoi Vilanova i la Geltrú sea adventure and activities centre is only 40 km from Barcelona by train, in the Moll de Ponent, next to the marina, located on the beach of Ribes Roges.

The 200m2 building contains offices and changing rooms with direct access to the Ribes Roges beach.

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Visiting Vilanova i la Geltrú Catalonia Railway Museum & RocRoi Watersports

Visitng the Catalonia Railway Museum

Today, the museum has more than fifty vehicles of all kinds: numerous electric locomotives, diesel and passenger cars of various types, including the complete composition of the Centenary Train, a replica of the first train that circulated Iberian Peninsula in 1848, and the first Talgo train. Also is an indoor museum with exhibits from the switching parts of the rail network.

This is a CHILD FRIENDLY museum with interactive exhibits, trains that they can climb inside, a play area and plenty of visual displays.

Catalonia Railway Museum Opening Hours

• Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00h to 14:30h
• Saturday: 10:00h to 14:30h & 16:00h to 19:30h
• Closed: Monday

Summer schedule: 1st August to 31st August
• Monday to Sunday: 10:00h to 14:30h & 17:00h to 20:00h

Allow 1 to 2 hours to explore the Museum. Tickets can be purchased at the museum.

Vilanova i la Geltrú RocRoi Watersports

After visiting the Catalonia Railway Museum, you can go to the beach and do Sea Kayak or Fast Catamaran guided tours. These activities are suitable for people with no previous experience.

Meet at the Roc Roi Beach centre for a guide to sea kayaking before departing from Ribes Roges beach and head along the Vilanova i la Geltrú coast to the Pasífae monument dedicated to a Greek mythologic princess who gave birth a minotaur. Along the way, admire the incredible scenery and surrounding nature. Includes equipment of Kayak, life jacket and paddle.

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Meet at the Roc Roi Beach centre for a guide to sea kayaking before departing from Ribes Roges beach and head along the coast to the town of Sitges. Take a break at Els Colls, a region where wild vegetation meets typical rocky bays (calas). Relax at the calas and take photos of the coastal flora and fauna. Includes equipment of Kayak, life jacket and paddle.

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After a short technical talk, and issue of safety equiment, an experienced instructor who will guide you along the Vilanova i la Geltrú coast in a fast and agile catamaran boat departing and returning to the RocRoi Ribes Roges beach centre.

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Getting to Vilanova i la Geltrú Catalonia Railway Museum & RocRoi Watersports

Address: Plaça d'Eduard Maristany, Vilanova i la Geltreu. 08800

Use the Renfe RODALIES R2 line from Barcelona to get to Vilanova i la Geltrú which is one stop on from Sitges.

The museum entrance is about 50 metres from the Renfe station exit. The beach is a 20 minute walk from the railway station and museum.

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Where to stay overnight in the Vilanova i la Geltrú Railway Museum