Although the legend of its foundation tells us that its origin was the peasants who escaped from the right of a feudal lord, this is not confirmed and its history is attested in that it was officially founded in 1274 when King James I granted it the Puebla Letter.

In the middle of the 18th century, the city became prosperous when King Carlos III allowed Vilanova to trade with America. It also invested in culture, and the first recreational societies were founded then. At the beginning of the 19th century, the majestic meeting gardens appeared, giving it the appearance of a great joyful city due, in large part, to the contact it was acquiring with the island of Cuba.

During the dictatorship, large numbers of people fleeing poverty in Southern Spain settled in Vilanova. They are sometimes referred to by historians as "fugitives of fascism". Although they experienced prejudice they became increasingly accepted and known as els alters Vilanovins or "the other Vilanovins". By 1970, a majority of the town's population had been born elsewhere. In the first decade of the 21st century, there was another wave of immigrants (called nouvinguts or "newcomers" locally), this time primarily from North Africa, South America and Eastern Europe.

• 41.2148371.7272971 Tourist office (Oficina Municipal de Turisme), Parc de Ribes Roges, s/n, ☏ +34 93 815 45 17, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2025)
• 41.2240691.7255292 tourist information point (Punt d'Atenció Turística), Plaça de la Vila, 11 baixos, ☏ +34 93 814 00 00 ext 3251. (updated Jun 2025)
• 41.2210671.730993 Railway museum information point (Punt d'Informació Museu del Ferrocarril), Plaça Eduard Maristany, s/n, ☏ +34 93 815 84 91. (updated Jun 2025)

• Nearest airport is Barcelona El Prat Airport BCN ^IATA, 40 km (25 mi) away by  C-32 .
• Reus airport REU ^IATA is 58 km (36 mi) by  C-32 .

• 41.2202781.7307781 Vilanova i la Geltrú railway station (Estació de Vilanova i la Geltrú), Plaça Eduard Maristany. It connects the imperial Roman city of Tarragona, the city of Tortosa, the city of Reus, and with the lands to the west, it connects with the city of Lleida. At Vilanova i la Geltrú station there is also a Barcelona suburban service, the R2 Sud (Barcelona Estació de França - Sant Vicenç de Calders), operated by Renfe Operadora. Lines  R2 ,  R13 ,  R14 ,  R15 ,  R16  and (updated Jun 2025)

• Vilanova i la Geltrú is 40 km south-west of Barcelona, and the more famous coastal resort of Sitges some 10 km to the north-east.
• The  C-32  motorway, also known as the Pau Casals Motorway;
• The  C-31  Garraf motorway, which connects Barcelona - El Prat airport;
• The  C-15  motorway, also known as the Eix Diagonal, which connects the city of Manresa,

• 41.2145851.7278922 Club Nàutic Vilanova, Escullera de ponent, s/n, ☏ +34 938 150 267. (updated Jun 2025)
• 41.2117131.7289843 Vilanova Grand Marina, Moll de Ponent, s/n, ☏ +34 938 105 611. (updated Jun 2025)

The traditional and popular festivals (festes) celebrated in Vilanova i la Geltrú are among the richest and most varied in Catalonia. Locals say that Vilanovins "always have a leg in the air" referring to their festive proclivity.

• Carnaval, held in late February, culminates in a week-long debauch of dances, masquerades, social satire, mock battles, permitted disrespect, feasts, processions, and pranks all in honor of Sa Majastat el Rei Carnestoltes (His Majesty the King Carnival) also known as the "king of the senseless" celebrated for his prodigious sexual prowess and devastating satire. Up to a third of the population participates in Les Comparses, a couples dance in which rival groups hurl hard candies at one another in what is called the Sweet War. On Dijous Gras (Fat Thursday) they celebrate the Merengada, a day-long orgy of eating and fighting with sticky sweet meringue, leaving a sticky residue throughout the town. While many of the acts of carnaval remain constant, every year there are innovations and topical satire attacking the foibles of the rich, powerful, inept and corrupt.

• Festa Major, in early August, is dedicated to the city's patron saint, the Virgin of the Snows (Mare de Déu de les Neus). Processions begin with a correfoc of ritual devils led by the Ball de Diables de Vilanova i la Geltrú. The processions include traditional dances by costumed figures including the dances of the Serrallonga, Ball de Bastons, Cintes, Panderos, Cap-grossos (big-headed dwarfs), Cercolets, Pastorets, Gitanes, and Valencians; imaginary beings such as Gegants (giants), Dracs (fire-breathing dragons), and Mulasses (demonic Mules), and the construction of towering human castles (castell).
• Other festes celebrated in Vilanova include Tots Sants (November 1), Nadal (December 25), Cap d'Any (January 1), els Tres Tombs (January 17), la Diada de Sant Jordi (April 23), Nit de Sant Joan (St John's Night) and Sant Pere (St Peter's Day).
• Festival Internacional de Música Popular Tradicional, Vilanova International World Music Festival, has been held since 1981 and is the oldest world music festival in Spain.