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Reviews of Camping Playa Joyel

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Camping Playa Joyel
Playa Del Ris
39180 Noja
Cantabria
Spain (Browse area)

Tel: 0034 942 630 081
Visit their website

Pitches: 900
Open: 18/03/2024 to 24/09/2024
18/03/2025 to 24/09/2025

Rating:

8/10 from 23 Reviews

Tent Pitches	Caravan Pitches	Motorhome Pitches	Small Campervans
No Glamping Units	Holiday Homes for Hire	No Statics for Sale	Seasonal Pitches
Electric Hookups	No Hardstandings	No Fully Serviced Pitches	Show Full Facilities

Who's it for
Families Welcome	Not Members Only	Rallies Welcome	Not Naturist Site
Dogs Welcome	No Dogs Allowed	Groups Welcome
Facilities
Toilet Facilities	Hot Showers	Washing Up	No Bathroom
No Baby Changing	Laundry On Site	Drinking Water	Disabled Friendly
Chemical Disposal	No Battery Charging	Gas Exchange	No Recycling Facilities
No Kitchen Facilities	No Freezer / Fridge	Motorhome Point	Wifi Access
Shop On Site	Bar On Site	Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway On Site
Activities
Kids Playground	No TV Room	Games Room	Evening Entertainment
No Fishing	No Wild Swimming	No Indoor Pool	Outdoor Pool On Site
No Horse Riding	No Cycle Hire	No Golf	Tennis On Site
Beach On Site	No Watersports	No Boat Launch
Other Features
No Sea Views	Not Working Farm	No Campfires Allowed
Coastside Pitches	Public Transport	No Dog Walk

Reviews: 23 in total, now showing 11 to 20 Previous 10 Next 10

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Date of Visit: August 2012

Unit: Touring Caravan

Reviewer: Cacti

8 reviews from this member

A really busy Spanish holiday site but when you see the beach you understand why - it's a perfect campsite holiday beach, with direct access from the site, beautiful sand, sheltered from the full force of the Atlantic, and easy to get across the little river at low tide to Isla (although watch out for the tide if you want to get back without getting more than your feet wet!)

Busy+Spanish holidays+teenagers = quite a lot of noise although it got a lot quieter after our first two nights. Our pitch was fine sizewise- people happy to help us shift the van and there was room for the porch awning and car as well. Some pitches seemed to have a lot of litter trodden into the ground, but the toilets and showers were always clean, so probably a reflection on the clientèle rather than the management. Remember to grab the loo paper you need on your way in - it's provided in the toilet blocks, but outside the cubicles!

We also did the Santander-Portsmouth return crossing and agree with the comments below - it is expensive, but does make your holiday feel longer.

Date of Visit: August 2012

Unit: Campervan

Reviewer: Fleecygirl1

13 reviews from this member

I agree with the above reviews, a decent site with a lovely beach. The barbecue chickens were fantastic! Make sure you say si when they ask you if you want sauce, it's the best bit. The cafe was very disappointing, caff style food at extortionate prices. We couldn't be bothered to eat out elsewhere, there are some restaurants in Isla which looked good but if the tide is in you have to wade through deep water to get there. We had a pitch next to the beach, there was sometimes a bit of noise from teenagers walking past at night but I've had worse and it was quite private with nobody in front of us. The sand was lovely and the waves were small and gentle. It was interesting seeing all the Spanish at play, they all operate on late time so you won't be woken early! They take their cooking very seriously and have the best equipped kitchen tents you've seen!

This site is very busy, quite cramped but had a certain charm, I'd go back again. The ferry back from Santander (Brittany) was very expensive but very pleasant, and a nice way to chill out on the way home rather than a 2 day drive to Calais.

Date of Visit: July 2012

Unit: Trailer Tent

Reviewer: Xxbazzaxx

3 reviews from this member

We are a family of 4, the two children are 13 & 6. We travelled on the Pont Aven, which is great (though expensive to travel). We had an outside cabin which was spacious and there was good entertainment on for the kids; a very nice start to the holiday.

The site is quite close to Santander so perfect for kids desperate to get there!. The weather was great too, only two over cast days!

When we arrived there was a bit of a wait to be seen as there were only two people on reception. They told us to find a pitch and come back to them with the number (which we did).

The pitch was spacious and not too many near us, but we had a problem with ants. We explained this to reception and they did let us move with no problem. When we moved we were much nearer English familys and our holiday really picked up as our kids made friends (as did we)!

The beach is lovely, nice waves if you want to boogie board but to the left is nice shallow water which you can crab in etc. The pool is nice (very cold) and you do have to wear swim caps.

The chicken shop is great, pricey but ok €8. 00 for a chicken & chips €3.50. The shop was ok but everything is in Spanish - the meat looked lovely but we had no idea what it was (which was a shame).

The cafe is really expensive and wasn't all that great (we only went once). The showers and toilets were always clean and we never had any problems.

All in all a good holiday and we will return!

Date of Visit: August 2011

Unit: Campervan

Reviewer: Roberts2407

1 review from this member

We have just spent three weeks at this campsite and thoroughly enjoyed it, we have 2 boys aged 8 and 10 and they were thoroughly entertained the whole three weeks.

The site is predominantly spanish campers with a scattering of English, the reception staff, bar staff and shop staff were all very accommodating and extremely helpful. We have a small VW campervan with a large awning and found the pitches to be a little on the small side.

The site is kept extremely clean with the toilets being constantly cleaned, there are 'guards' on the entrance to the park and also off the beach to ensure only campers came off the beach and back to their pitches.

The gates were strictly locked at midnight and not opened again until eight in the morning. The beach was beautiful and we spent most of our time to the west of the beach which is where the river joins the sea and when the tide goes out leaves large rock pools which are big enough and deep enough to swim in, but also warmed up by the sun throughout the day.

You can walk across the beach to the west to a little village called Isla which has many restaurants. Noja village was very clean and again people very accommodating even though they speak very little english.

There is a Lupa supermarket in Noja which has a fabulous fish counter. There is a market on Wednesdays about 500 yards from the campsite which is very popular. Lots of very safe bike rides around especially to the nature reserve which is behind Playa Joyel.

Definitely worth a visit to this site. Santander is less than 40 minutes away with a very efficient system of getting people on and off the boats. Weather can be variable with quite a bit of rain even in July/August.

Date of Visit: July 2011

Unit: Static

Reviewer: How2

5 reviews from this member

This was our second visit to this campsite having previously camped in May 2010.

The site has direct access to a sandy beach. Our children (9&7) enjoyed body boarding in the surf.

I cannot fault this site both when camping in our own tent and also in the static.

The shower blocks are one of the cleanest I have ever used. There is constantly someone around either cleaning the shower block or the washing up sinks. When we camped only one shower block was open but it was more than adequate.

We booked our static directly with the site and they were very helpful, even when I managed to get our date of arrival wrong! We were still only charged for the number of nights spent in the static.

When our gas ran out it was replaced before we had even managed to walk back from the office to the static. The static was well equipped in the kitchen with a fully working oven, micro wave and fridge freezer.

There is plenty on site for younger visitors. A good play area, table tennis tables, large fields, a badminton net, area for boule. A kiddies club ran everyday although our children didn't take part - too keen to go to the beach or pool.

The pool is small and all bathers must wear swim caps. However the pool did not feel overcrowded. It is kept clean.

Our children enjoyed the 'big screen' showing of Toy Story3 and despicable me, even if it was in Spanish. We took their chairs to the tennis court.

Almost all of the pitches close to the entrance are permanent pitches of Spanish families and when camping in May it became noticeably busier from Friday afternoon til Sunday. We didn't have any problem with noise. The site was generally quiet by 10. 30-11.

The owners could make more of the on site restaurant. It's menu is limited and would be best suited for snacking rather than and evening meal.

Date of Visit: August 2010

Unit: Touring Caravan

Reviewer: Clareanddave

18 reviews from this member

We spent 7 days at this site on the first leg of our holiday this summer. What an experience!

It is a large site (over 1,000 pitches), but don't let this put you off. When we arrived, we were told to go and choose our own pitch, so had a wander around, and were able to find a suitably large pitch with shade. Getting on to the pitch took patience, as the access roads which cross the site are quite narrow and lined with kerbs. However, it was well worth it.

We were concerned moving round the site at first because the roads are so narrow and there are no road markings, but we soon realised that it meant that everyone drove very carefully and took particular care at junctions. It actually created a very safe environment for children to ride their bikes around.

The shower blocks were very good and being cleaned constantly. Toilet paper is provided in dispensers outside the toilets.

The washing up facilities are very good. The only shortcoming is that they are on the other side of the wall from the toilets, and there is a large ventilation gap at the top of this wall, so sometimes the accompanying sound effects (and aromas) from the toilets are disconcerting!

There are two points of access to the beach, which is a very easy walk from the site. This is probably the best beach we have ever been on. A river joins the beach on the west, and many families spent time playing here as it is a lot calmer and warmer than the sea. The sea was great for playing and swimming in. When the tide goes out, it is possible to walk across to Quejo, a small town on the other side of the bay.

Staff in reception were unfailingly helpful, and spoke excellent English. The food in the restaurant was very good, although service was not always up to the same standard. The roast chickens were very popular, although we didn't try them. We also didn't bother with the swimming pool with such a lovely beach close by.

We have never seen a place as busy as Noja. There were cars parked everywhere, and was a magnet for Spanish people at the weekends.

There is a Lupa supermarket in the town, which has an underground car park.

We would recommend visiting Santillana del Mar, which is suppposed to be the most beautiful village in Spain, and the Altamira Caves, the site of prehistoric cave paintings, which are about an hour from the site, and conveniently next to one another.

Date of Visit: May 2010

Unit: Static

Reviewer: Trampervan

5 reviews from this member

GENERAL

This well kept Site is situated in northern Spain close to the bilbo / santander ferry ports.

Site is very popular with Spanish and Brits a like. The Spanish static owners tend to invite extended family members at weekends and it does become very busy.

FACILITIES

On site is a bar come pizza restaurant a bit pricey for a family to enjoy a night-out compared to the very limited local attractions. 3 pools all immaculate and well maintained (yes you do have to wear a swim hat)

If you need to use them the toilet / shower blocks are some of the best in the business. Take away only open limited time in the height of summer “ don't know why, the site was packed when we were there”

Games room was closed as was the disco again it has to be the height of summer before they open. Shop on site sells everything you need for basic creature comfort

Site Wifi at a cost of 15 euros per 7 days we did manage to get a signal in our caravan, but the site owners recommend that you only pay for an hour to find out if it works for you 5 euros, non refundable if it doesn't.

SURROUNDING AREA

O dear it's all on a bit of down hill slide, many shops, restaurants and bars as well as accommodation shuttered up, quite depressing we thought, all are the result of the economic downturn in Europe of the past few years. Very few places to eat or drink or for that matter to buy gifts etc. as all the smaller shops have gone.

Further afield is some pretty quaint fishing villages and if you want the cosmopolitan feel and the big shopping you could always spend a day at some of the near by cities Santander or Bilbo, but the one we liked was head south up into the mountains “stunning”.

Local beach next to site is one of the best.

MUST DO THINGS

Great place to sit on the veranda of the caravan with a glass of red and watch the world go by on an evening. Take a 100cm dish so the freeview works (yes I took an 80cm and it didn't) and go up into the mountains.

WHAT MAY HELP TO IMPROVE SITE

Not a lot, maybe open the games room and takeaway in the lower season, June / July, as this would help to keep the older kids entertained (our 15 year old got board on an evening)

Allow dogs on the site, this would have made Trigger our Jack Russell happy, he had to stay at home.

WHO WOULD IT SUIT

Would suit the younger families ie. kids in bed by 8-00pm ish type as site winds down and will suit anybody with the laid back approach.

WOULD WE GO BACK

We will again in a couple of years but without the teenage party animal (daughter) as it did not suit her, too laid back, well I like laid back and a cold beer so “see yer soon”.

Date of Visit: June 2009

Unit: Static

Reviewer: RubyT

1 review from this member

I hope it is OK for me to do a review of this campsite. I have recently returned from a week- long holiday there, where we stayed in a static mobile home. I hope my comments will help someone at least!

Toilet blocks - only had cause to use them once, but were very clean.

Washing machines cost Euro 5 (took 35mins)and dryers cost Euro 4.

Lights out at night on site and strictly no driving on site after 12pm, therefore it is very quiet at night. Entrance gates all locked up and *very strictly* enforced. There is a carpark outside the site. They absolutely do not open the gates until the specified time, even if you need to get out for the airport (know from personal experience - blush).

Beach - simply gorgeous and situated right on edge of site with two access points (small gates), with outside showers at these points.

Restaurant/cafe on site had lovely fried squid but expensive. We only visited it once. There was a chicken rotissary (only open in high season), a hairdressers and a cashpoint, as well as a well-stocked shop. Fresh croissants, bread and milk sold every day.

Small children's playground. At the time I went it was set well away from other campers, the nearest ones being static caravans. The scenery surrounding it was beautiful, with lots of shade.

Swimming pools: always busy. There was also gym equipment at the pool under cover - I did not test! One of the pools was a small round one that came upto my thigh. It was ideal for taking my 3-year old for a splash around. You do have to wear a swimming cap. My husband wore big swim shorts and got away without being made to wear those small swimming trunks.

The campsite is laid out in a grid and it is very easy to loose your bearings. Many tents had high flagpoles - I think as a way for children to find their way home.

The staff in the main reception were always very helpful and informative.

There was a bigger supermarket (with good butcher section), chemist and doctors all in Noja town - a 5-10 min drive away. The doctors in Noja will refer you to a different town if the patient is a child (as happened to us, but excellent service all round). There was a fantastic fishmonger shop behind the Noja supermarket. It took a bit of finding but he was fantastic. You had to visit him in the morning as he sold out quickly. The actual supermarket also sold fantastic chorizo and hams.

The ambience of the campsite was fantastic. I think this gave me the bug. I loved that everyone had time for everyone else. I loved walking through the tents and caravans sections to see all the wonderful things people had.

Date of Visit: August 2007	Unit: Tent
Reviewer: Skellei	3 reviews from this member
An excellent site with large pitches (for Spain). It is a very Spanish campsite with lots of Spanish holiday makers/ seasonal pitches with creates a great atmosphere. The most impressive parts were: - there was rarely any litter to be found anyway on the site, despite the fact that there seemed to be thousands of children staying on the site and it being located on the beach. - The showers again were extremely clean - they seemed to have cleaners there on a permanent basis keeping things clean. - The camp site has a great way of quietening people down at night. At the stroke of midnight, virtually all of the camp site lights go off at once. It works amazingly well and you suddenly start to see people make their way to the toilet ready to settle down for the night. It is Spain, though, so you do still get some people staying up late but that's the Spanish culture and this is Spain ! - The staff were very helpful - our ferry from Bilbao was cancelled with a day's notice and the staff gave us lots of advice/ agreed to let us stay extra nights, if necessary (The campsite tends to be full to capacity all summer). - The beach is great - at low tide you walk across to the next town which has a couple of supermarkets and lots of good eating places. - Noja itself is also very nice

Date of Visit: August 2008	Unit: Tent
Reviewer: Clarybel	6 reviews from this member
If a beach/sea is on your list of 'must haves' then this is the place for you. The campsite is located next to the beach (sand) with direct access so no roads to cross and is cleaned daily. The sea is tidal but even when the tide is in there is still plenty of room on the beach and despite being the Atlantic its not freezing in the summer. The outgoing tide leaves warm pools for younger children to paddle, and rock pools providing endless entertainment for all ages catching little fish and crabs! The beach shelves very gently allowing for skimboarding and paddling at the edge but once in the sea there are great waves for surfing and body boarding, or even plain old swimming! At low tide there is the possibility to walk across to the adjacent little town Isla. All in all this beach provides something for every taste and age, and would be a reason for me to return. Showers are provided as you leave the beach to wash the sand off. The rest of the reviews pretty well sum up the campsite, didnt personally have any problem with the washing up sinks/smells and noticed the overhead lights are switched off at midnight. I agree the showers were kept very clean, though our nearest block sometimes had a queue 7-8pm even on the mens side! We asked for a big pitch when we booked and were allocated an excellent one which well accommodated our 6x4 tent, extra smaller tent and car, providing both sun and shade and good sitting area. Incidently the campsite information states the pup tents can only be put up by permission of the owners, we didnt actually ask or book beforehand and nothing was said. Lots seemed to do the same. As well as the normal operators you expect on a large european campsite there were a quite a few Brits which I guess is a result of the nearness to the Santander or Bilbao ferry. We drove from Calais which took about 16/17 driving hours over 2 days.The Brits, Dutch etc seemed to be in one area of the campsite with the Spanish in another, the Spanish cant pre-book this site and have to turn up and hope so this may be why. There wasnt much in the way of evening entertainment, the odd open air film screening(take your own chairs to the tennis court for The Simpsons in Spanish!)or a music night. The bar was adequate, though not particuarly cosy to while away an evening, with very limited outside seating, and the restaurant had a pretty basic menu. Pool is small, but again kept clean and tidy as is the rest of the site, due to the location of the beach it never got particuarly busy while were there. They are very strict about the swimming cap rule, you can buy them cheap on site, they do however allow 'shorts' for the fella's. Good games field for the youngsters, Football, ping pong, volley ball etc. The surrounding countryside is pleasant with quaint old villages, Noya is pretty new, but ok, no massive tower blocks. All in all would recommend this site.

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Common Questions

Is Camping Playa Joyel child friendly?  YES, it accepts children & has a playground  View all facilities

Does Camping Playa Joyel have a swimming pool?  YES, there is a pool on site  View all facilities

Where is the nearest shop to Camping Playa Joyel?  There is a shop on site  View all facilities

Is Camping Playa Joyel dog friendly?  NO  View all facilities

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