Less than an hour outside of Barcelona lies Sitges, an enchanting town made up of golden beaches, whitewashed buildings, a maze of cobblestone streets, and an enthusiastic night scene. The charming town is the perfect compliment to a Barcelona trip or as a weekend getaway—either with a group of friends or as a romantic holiday. This Sitges Travel Guide is an in-depth overview of everything you need to know to plan the perfect visit to Sitges, Spain!
This vibrant resort town comes alive in the summer as people trade the city for Sitges’ sandy shores. The days are best spent basking in the sun and the nights dancing away in clubs or sipping cocktails in the warm evening air. Sitges holds the status as one of the gay capitals of Europe, so you know you’re never far from a good party. In the winter, tranquility fills the atmosphere, making it a great time to stroll the seaside promenade uninterrupted. Sitges is a place to let loose and indulge the laid-back lifestyle.
Sitges is host to many festivals and if you’re able to overlap your visit with one, you won’t be disappointed. Carnaval de Sitges, held late February to early March, is regarded as one of the best carnival celebrations in Europe-I can personally attest. Gay Pride Sitges occurs over several days in June. In late summer there is Sitges Festa Major, a several-day celebration held in honor of the town’s shared patron saints, which culminates in a firework show like you’ve never seen before. October brings Sitges International Film Festival, one of the world’s leading film festivals specializing in horror and fantasy films. I could continue to name events held in Sitges, but you get my point—this town is always throwing parties.
This Sitges Travel Guide covers the following topics. Click each link to jump to the corresponding section.
When to Visit and How Long to Stay
How to Get to Sitges and How to Get Around
When to Visit and How Long to Stay
High season is the summer months, when Sitges is bustling with life. If your goal is to relax on the beach and get in the water, aim to visit late May through September, when highs range from 75°F (24°C) to 85°F (29°C). However, given the temperate climate of coastal Catalunya, there really is no bad time to visit. The coolest months are December, January, and February, with highs of 60°F (15°C), lows of 41°F (5°C) and a whopping 3-4 days of rain. While the town is quieter during these months, there is still some nightlife and hundreds of thousands of people flock to Sitges from all over Spain and the rest of Europe for Carnaval de Sitges.
If you’re looking to visit Sitges and check off the sights as seen, you can easily visit the main attractions in a day. But Sitges is a place to experience; to soak in the atmosphere and get to know the character of the town while appreciating the simpler things life offers. I recommend staying two to three nights in the summer—the beaches here are much better than Barcelona’s—and one to two nights in the winter.
How to Get to Sitges and How to Get Around
Coming from the Barcelona, the train is the most efficient mode of transport. A taxi from the city will cost you about €90 and take 45 minutes while the train will cost you about €5 one-way and take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the route you take. If you’re flying into Barcelona and plan on heading straight to Sitges, I recommend catching a taxi. It’ll cost about €50 and take 30 minutes. There are no direct trains from the airport to Sitges so you’ll have to catch it north and then switch to a southbound line that stops at Sitges. Again, the train will cost you about €5 one-way. Sitges itself is fairly compact so once you get to town, everything is within walking distance!
Where to Stay
Sitges is built around Old Town and most of the attractions and restaurants are in this area. Stay within this central part of town and you’ll be within walking distance of just about everything. If you’re traveling with a group of friends, I recommend booking an apartment. You can easily find a cute apartment on the beach for €140/night. That said, rental regulations are very strict in Spain so you want to ensure you’re renting from a reputable source. On the other hand, if you want the amenities that hotels offer or are looking for a more luxurious option, consider a hotel. There are no five-star hotels in Sitges and only a handful of the four-star hotels are worth booking.
- Hotel MiM Sitges – Complete with a rooftop pool, Sky Bar, and spa with a hydrotherapy circuit. If you want to stay in a hotel in Sitges, this is it. Plus, the property is eco-friendly in a sustainable building with LEED Platinum Certification. Read more about the property here.
- 1840 Apartments Sitges – Fabulous apartments perfectly placed along the promenade. Ours was clean and spacious with plenty of basic amenities, including a washer.
What to Do
Sitges Festivals
Time your visit so you overlap with one of Sitges’ many festivals throughout the year! Sitges is most alive during these cultural events as the entire town and masses of visitors gather to celebrate. You can find the full list of upcoming events here.
Hit the Beaches
Many Mediterranean beaches are made up of rocky pebbles, but Sitges’ shores offer soft golden sand—and there are 17 of them! Stroll the breezy promenade and lay your towel down on whichever is to your liking. I’ve detailed some of the best beaches below.
- Platja de la Fragata – Located at the foot of the Church of Sant Bartomeu & Sant Tecla and next to Club Nàutic (sailing club), this popular beach is at the center of town with volleyball nets and plenty of restaurants to choose from.
- Platja de la Ribera – Separated from Fragata by a rocky breaker, Ribera is equally popular and has a longer shorefront. Its central placement within Old Town mean its surrounded by restaurants and shops.
- Platja de l’Estanyol – Situated in front of a residential neighborhood along the promenade, Estanyol is the longest beach in Sitges. Alternatively, is a little less crowded than Fragata and Ribera and has inflatables.
- Platja Terramar – Even further west by a handful of hotels and a residential area sits Terramar. The beach offers a quieter scene, an artificial inlet, a couple restaurants, and relaxed vibes.
- Platja de Sant Sebastià – East of the Church of Sant Bartomeu & Sant Tecla and at the base of Old Town lies Sant Sebastià, a beach with plenty of restaurants along the promenade.
- Platja dels Balmins – Positioned between Old Town and Port d’Aiguadolç, this swimwear-optional beach has three small coves and more of a natural feel while still being within walking distance of town.
- Cala Morisca – North of town nestled between Parc del Garraf’s cliffs sits Cala Morisca. Take a taxi to enjoy the clear blue water at this swimwear-optional cove. Next door is Cala Vallcarca, which is popular with those looking to take their pet to the beach.
Indulge in the Nightlife
Home to Carrer del Pecat (Street of Sin), Sitges is world famous for its late-night entertainment. Despite its small size, the town has more than its fair share of bars and clubs, including many gay bars and nightclubs where you can drink and dance until the early morning. My top bars are Parrots Pub, El Piano, El Gin Tub and Casablanca Cocktail Bar & Art Lounge (see below for detailed expositions on each one).
Church of Sant Bartomeu & Sant Tecla
The iconic church is the prominent figure in Sitges’ skyline. Constructed in the center of Old Town high above the water, this magnificent building is skirted by the promenade on either side. Make sure to climb up the stairs in front for a breath-taking view of the enchanting church while taking in the deep blues of the Mediterranean.
Wander Old Town and the Seaside Promenade
A maze of narrow cobblestone streets with elegant architecture make up Old Town. Stroll down the seaside promenade (along Passeig Marítim), which continues on either side of Old Town.
Casa Bacardi Rum
Facunda Bacardi, yes that Bacardi, was born in Sitges before emigrating to Cuba in 1830 and starting the rum company. Casa Bacardi Rum is not your typical museum. Learn about the history of Bacardi, rum production, cocktail mixology and do a tasting!
Cau Ferrat Museum
Dedicated primarily to Catalonian artist and writer Santiago Rusiñol, a prominent figure in the region’s Modernism movement. The museum is located in Rusiñol’s former home and study and features his collection of art, which includes artwork by Casas, Picasso, El Greco, and R. Pichot to name a few.
Maricel Museum
Highlights the collection of Dr. Jesús Pérez-Rosales and is made up of more than 3,000 works of art ranging from the 10thcentury to realism in the 20thcentury. The museum is conveniently situated next to Cau Ferrat Museum and also has several rooms dedicated to Sitges artists.
Parc del Garraf
Hike or cycle the coastal Garraf Massif mountain range, home to rugged shrubland, seaside cliffs, occasional wooded areas, and caves with underground lakes! Its highest point is La Morella at 2,156 ft (657 m). To enter the park, you can either walk to its edge (3 km from town center) or take a taxi to your desired starting point. More information on day hikes in the park, which range from 30 minutes to 7 hours, can be found here.
Where to Eat and Drink
- Parrots Pub – If you only make it to one bar, let this be Parrots Pub—It truly embodies Sitges. Parrots is technically two bars facing one another from each side of the ‘Street of Sin’. One blasts music while the other has abundant outdoor seating. Drag queens in dazzling costumes filter in and out on the lively side, occasionally stopping to pose for pictures.
- El Piano – A favorite amongst Sitges regulars. In the summer, El Piano offers themed nights and live cabaret performances by artists from all over the world. Another spot that is a must-visit in Sitges.
- El Gin Tub – Gin lovers rejoice, this underground cocktail bar creates fantastic gin cocktails using homemade aromatics and tinctures. Complete with live music and Burlesque, you’re guaranteed a good night in this speakeasy-type joint.
- Casablanca Cocktail Bar & Art Lounge – Great cocktails, fabulous atmosphere, and super friendly staff—What more could you want? Brandon Jones and Joan Font run this beloved bar, which is also home to quality local art
- Costa Barcelona Cafe – Fabulous breakfast, brunch or lunch spot. Enjoy the ocean view as you choose between juices, smoothies, cocktails and tasty food options.
- Beach House – Charming seafront restaurant with a wide variety of delicious food, including vegan and vegetarian options.
- Cin5 Food Parlour – Located in Old Town, Cin5 has fantastic Mediterranean and Italian food along with beautiful décor. Great for a quick bite or as a spot to enjoy a coffee or cocktail.
- La Pícara Sitges – Arguably the best tapas and pintxos in town. With lots of local wine and a great atmosphere to match. Skip most of the touristy seafront restaurants and come here instead for lunch, dinner, or drinks.
- El Cable – Another top Sitges tapas bar that’s especially popular among the locals. This establishment has been within the Andreu family since 1940. Stop in for lunch and dinner to witness the buzzing atmosphere.
- La Tagliatella – Endless pasta options and thin crust pizza – how can you go wrong? PSA: Order the gnocchi with one of the truffle sauces.
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