Sitges
Sitges is a seaside resort some 35 km southwest of Barcelona in Catalonia. It is known for its beaches, nightspots, and historical sites.
Sitges has one of the most vibrant and hippest gay scenes along the coast. The beaches are very colourful and fun! The city which overlooks the Mediterranean has large avenues, narrow streets, a museum and the gorgeous beaches of Costa Dorada/Golden Coast.
Understand
Sitges is a lovely town of 29,000 people (2018).
Tourist information
- Sitges tourism website
Get in
From Barcelona: You can get there by train or by car. The easiest way is by the Spanish Railways (RENFE). The journey by train from Barcelona costs €4.60, and takes around 35 minutes. Direct trains leave from Passeig de Gràcia or Sants stations - from Plaça de Catalunya a change is required at Barcelona-Sants. There are four trains an hour: two fast trains and two stopping trains.
By car, there are two routes: either via the C-31 (a local road which winds its way around the cliff faces) or the C-32 (a toll motorway). The C-32 is recommended for speed and safety, however it costs around €5, while the C-31 is free.
By air, the closest international airport is Barcelona/El Prat de Llobregat(BCN) airport (Sitges is accessible by train, changing at El Prat de Llobregat). Reus/Tarragona(REU) airport is an alternative, for regional flights (Sitges is accessible by train changing at either Sant Vicenç de Calders or Vilanova i la Geltrú). Girona/Gerona (GRO) airport is 125 km away in Costa Brava.
- 1 Sitges railway station, Plaça Eduard Maristany, 1. Served by some regional trains from Barcelona-Taragona;
Served by lines R2SUD R13 R14
Get around
Walk or taxi cab; it is a charming small city.
The best way is rent an electric bike.
See
- 1 Cau Ferrat Museum (Museu del Cau Ferrat), Edifici Miramar, Davallada, 12 (3rd floor) (1.812471), ☏ +34 93 894 03 64. Apr-Oct: Tu-Su 10:00-19:00; Nov-Mar: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. This house was owned by Santiago Russiñol, a modernist painter that gave a lot of life to the movement. many parties where held here, and now you can see paintings, and sculptures. This museum has a small Picasso, several el Grecos, and some small pieces by a range of Catalan modernists. see website for prices; combined tickets available.
- 2 Maricel Museum (Museu de Maricel), Carrer de Fonollar, ☏ +34 93 894 03 64, museusdesitges@diba.cat. as Cau Ferrat Museum.
- 3 Contemporary Art Gallery (Fundació Stämpfli), Plaça de l'Ajuntament, 13.. Sa Su 10:00-14:00. one of the most important contemporary art collections in Catalonia. see website, combined tickets available..
Do
Beaches
Sitges has 17 sand beaches. Four of them are in the east: the first one called Les Botigues at the beginning of the coast, next to the beaches of Castelldefels and the other three are following the coast of Garraf (Road C-31). One of them is Garraf village beach.
There are 11 beaches in the town and two to its west, which are difficult to access. All the eastern and urban beaches have flags indicating the state of the sea and most of them have quality diplomas and blue flags awarded by the European Union.
There are three main nudist beaches located in Sitges. One of which is Platja dels Balmins, the second nudist beach is Platja d'Aiguadolç, both of these beaches are populated by all members of the community. The third nudist beach is Playa del Muerto, which is more populated by the gay community. Platja dels Balmins and Platja d'Aiguadolç are located on the eastern side of Sitges while Playa del Muerto is on the western side of Sitges and is more difficult to reach.
Major events
- Santa Tecla Festival. between 15th and 23rd September. One of the most important Spanish traditional festival, between 15th and 23rd September. It has been celebrated since 1321 and it has been considered of national touristic interest by Spanish government. Human towers, historical parades and fireworks are some of the main activities.
- Carnival (Carnestoltes) in February and March, according to the liturgical calendar. The festivities begin on Dijous Gras, or Fat Thursday, with King Carnestoltes’ arrival. They continue until the burial of the sardine — late afternoon on Ash Wednesday. Folk dances and xatonades (traditional local salad served with assorted omelets) are also characteristic carnival elements. The two most important moments are the Rua de la Disbauxa, or the Debauchery Parade, on Sunday night and the Rua de l'Extermini, or Extermination Parade, on Tuesday night. Around 40 floats with more than 2,000 participants fill Sitges.
Hiking
The GR-5 (viewpoints route) starts in the city and goes through the Parc del Garraf, the Montserrat Natural Park, Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park, the Montseny Natural Park and ends crossing the Parc del Montnegre i el Corredor in Canet de Mar
Buy
Local souvenirs, Catalan/Spanish music (Serrat), Spanish/Valencian music (Camilo Sesto).
In Sitges (unlike nearby Barcelona) all of the shops are allowed to open on Sundays. You will find a wide range of fashion stores around the city. Several of them carry top brands. Pedestrian streets on the city center get quite crowded on Sunday afternoons with tourists and people from Barcelona buying. Several shops open just after 17:30 and stay open until 21:00.
Eat
Xató is Sitges' most typical dish. The main ingredients of xató are endive salad, cod, tuna, anchovies, aubergine and black olives. However, the essence of the dish is its sauce, made with scalded chillies, toasted almonds, garlic, olive oil, salt, vinegar and hot peppers. The complete xató meal consists of some different omelettes or fricandó (a typical Catalan hot meal) and as a dessert, coca de lardons (typical Catalan cake, made from pork scratchings), served with a bottle of Penedès black wine.
Budget
- 1 Restaurant El Superpollastre, Carrer de Sant Josep, 8.
- 2 Sol y Sombra, Carrer Marquès Montroig, 18.
- 3 La Pizza del Pecat, Carrer de les Parellades, 76.
- 4 Döner Kebab, Av. Camí dels Capellans, 17.
- 5 Creperia Sol del Roc, Carrer Primer de Maig, 1. Offering savory and sweet crepes.
- 6 Guria Taberna, Carrer de Sant Pere, 30.
- 7 Eguzki Lizarran, Carreró de Can Falç, 3.
Mid-range
Splurge
- 13 Fragata. Paseig de la Ribera (under the old church). One of the best fine dining restaurants in Sitges with wonderful harbour views and stunning food. Inspired by the local fish and seafood but delivered with a style and flair that sets it apart.
- 14 Maricel, Passeig de la Ribera, 6.
- 15 El Castell, Carrer de la Carreta, 21.
Drink
The streets near the waterfront are filled with street cafes. Local youngsters gather on the beach after nightfall.
Malvasia is a delicate liquor wine served in Sitges, primarily with dessert. The name "malvasia" comes from the Peloponnesian port Monemvasía. In Sitges, the Hospital Sant Joan Baptista continues producing and marketing malvasia according to the traditional method from its own vines and within its own cellars. The proceeds go to charity. The annual production is approximately 4,000 bottles.
Sleep
- Hotel Celimar, Passeig De La Ribera, 18., ☏ +34 93 811 01 70. Modest rooms, with bath & shower, facing onto the beach front, about 30 minutes drive or train west out of Barcelona. About €100 per night for a double room.
- Mediterráneo Sitges · Hotel & Apartments. This 4-star apartment-hotel is in a great location right on the beachfront. The apartments have a bedroom, lounge, marble bathroom, kitchen and private terrace. A short walk from the town centre.
- Hotel Sunway Playa Golf Sitges, Paseo Marítimo 92-94, ☏ +34 93 894 18 39, fax: +34 93 894 14 64, info@sunway.es. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. On the Sitges Promenade, by the sea and next to the golf course. 4-star hotel with doubles, studios or fully equipped apartments, most of them with sea views.
- Sitges Hills Villas, Avinguda del Port d'Aiguadolç, 4, ☏ +34 659 516 745, ali@sitgeshillsvillas.com. A collection of luxury designer holiday villas and beautiful farmhouses with private swimming pools in and around the town of Sitges.
Go next
Barcelona, Lloret de Mar, Tarragona, Lleida, Valencia, Castellón, Alicante, Alcoy, Benidorm, Girona.