Camping Playa Joyel

We liked the well-kept outdoor pool, especially compared with some indoor pools back home in the UK. The facilities were excellent, and the beach is about a 10-minute walk away. We enjoyed it so much that my husband and I stayed an extra night. This little gem will be our first stop on future trips towards France.

We don't usually choose campsites, so Playa Joyel was a pleasant surprise. We arrived in a small van with a pop-up roof and no booking, but got a really good pitch. The sea is right there, and the facilities were clean, cared for, and well organized. It did stay noisy until about midnight, which made it harder to unwind if you prefer peace and quiet. Still, we had a great time.

The parking arrangements made leaving early a headache. Vehicles can't enter or leave the campsite between midnight and 8 AM, and staff suggested parking outside the access barrier for anyone needing an early departure. But there is no campsite parking there. The nearby council car park is small and usually full, with spaces used by the public, campers with extra cars, and visitors such as suppliers. Cars also spill into an unmarked field, parked wherever people can fit without blocking one another. The other option is further into town, where parking is busy and metered. That meant moving our car the evening before checkout. If you find space by the barrier, it may be 500-600 meters from your mobile home, depending on where it is. Otherwise, you could be more than 1,000 meters away in town, with parking fees. In the morning, you then have to carry your luggage to the car, which is especially awkward with small children or babies, or in bad weather. Packing the night before helps with the load, but leaves the car unattended in town. Staff were helpful and wanted to sort it out, but told me they couldn't do anything about the parking. That's a shame, because the rest of our stay was fantastic: the mobile homes, activities, staff, facilities, atmosphere, and beachside setting were all excellent. If you expect to leave early, we'd look for somewhere else.

The restaurant was our main disappointment. We paid €65 for three small snacks and four cocktails that were mostly crushed ice, with only about 30% cocktail. The rule against cycling after 10 pm also seemed pointless: cars can drive until midnight, and people were back on their bikes just 50 meters past reception. There was plenty to like about this large campsite for families. Reception was friendly and helpful, they let you know which pitches are free so you can choose one, and the facilities were clean and well organized. A beautiful beach with clear water is only 100 meters away, with direct access. Our one-night stay in main season cost €85 for two adults, two children, and a caravan pitch with electricity, which seemed moderate. Drive a few kilometers and there's plenty to see nearby, including mammut trees, Santander, and Bilbao. We can recommend it for the family-friendly parts.