Sitges is love at first sight. It’s is so beautiful, so charming, so lovely. You hardly can imagine any more romantic place. The only problem is the number of tourists who also already noticed the beauty of this place. But if you are getting there off-season, you can easily enjoy this pearl Catalonia. Let’s now review here what Sitges, the pride of Catalonia can provide us with!
What to visit in Sitges
Palau de Maricel – The Maricel Complex
The Maricel Palace is one of the most emblematic buildings in Sitges. Forming part of Maricel’s artistic ensemble, also receives the name of Maricel de Terra as a differentiation from the museum also known as Maricel de Mar. The Gold Room, the Blue Room, the Chapel Room, the Ship’s Room, Terraces or the Cloister, enjoying a splendid view over the Mediterranean, are the main areas that make up the Palace. With a markedly “Noucentista” style, the different rooms are distinguished by a unique decor stressing its character.
Santiago Rusiñol Popular Library
The Maricel Complex hosts Maricel Museum in its waterfront; Can Rocamora, a museum that is part of the heritage of Sitges, became a link between Maricel Museum and Cau Ferrat Museum. In front of these buildings and in the front entrance overlooking the Town Hall Square, the Santiago Rusiñol Popular Library, opened in 1936, and the Historical Archive of Sitges, located on the ground floor since 1981.
Museu Cau Ferrat
The Cau Ferrat Museum was founded in 1893 by the artist Santiago Rusiñol (1861-1931) as a home workshop and became public museum in 1933, preserving the artistic spirit inspired by his founder. The Museum contains collections of ancient art gathered by the artist (painting, forge, ceramics, glass, archeology, sculpture and furniture) and modern art (painting, drawing, sculpture) with works by Rusiñol, Casas, Picasso R. Pichot, Mas i Fondevila, Zuloaga, Regoyos and Degouwe of Nucques, Henry Clarasó Manolo Hugué and Pau Gargallo, among others. Read more about the current exhibitions here!
Carrer del Pecat
Sitges has many streets offering bars and clubs. However, there is one street in particular that is known for its nightlife. A street leading from Calle Parellades called Calle Montroig is where a large percentage of the night time action takes place. Locals call the street “Carrer del Pecat” or “The Street of Sin“. However, you don’t need to think anything bad, it’s simply a street lined with bars and clubs where loud music is played until the early hours of the morning.
Passeig Maritim – The Promenade
It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful beach promenade than Passeig Maritim in Sitges. All around palm trees and beautifully renovated modernist houses. In combination with modern cafés, welcoming restaurants and the beautiful sandy beaches. Only for walking along the promenade to get up to Raco de la Calma it’s worth to visit Sitges.
Racó de la Calma
This is a lovely area of the town separating the 2 major beaches. This area is one to be explored by foot. So many architectural beauties to see as you go, and each alleyway is another surprise! These little street of Sitges is full of magnificent building and treasures. A great enjoyment walking around.
The 5th Avenue
Once walking there around, we will find the 5th Avenue as well! Originally it was called the Carreló de la Rectoria. It connects the Maricel Complex with the Racó de la Calma. A tiny, narrow passage, that has such a magnificent view, that no wander someone decided to rename it.
Church of Sant Bartomeu & Santa Tecla
The Church of Sant Bartolomeu i Santa Tecla is a Gothic temple. They built it in the 17th century. It has three naves with a barrel vault. The construction of this church started in the 17th century, although there are documents proving the existence of two earlier temples in the same place. Today is the symbol of the town and almost viewable from every corner.
La Sirena – The mermaid statue
This statue is La Sirena by Pere Jou. This bronze mermaid statue seems to have a desire for human touch, hence plenty of tourists are stopping by to go to her and give her a “high five“. It has a strategic location: on the stairs going up to the Racó de la Calma, providing us with spectacular views.
Estatuas de Santiago Rusiñol y Ramon Casas
This statue is great for photographs and commemorates two Catalan artists who were part of the modernism movement: Santiago Rusiñol and Ramon Casas.
Monumento a Bacardi – The Bacardi sign
This monument is easy to find and not overly large. Should be seen especially because the rich history the Bacardi family has in Sitges. The famous drink was the invention of Don Facundo Bacardi Massó who was born in Sitges in 1814. He didn’t stay in the town for long, he packed his bags in 1830 and followed his brothers to Cuba. Don Facundo settled in Santiago de Cuba and initially worked in his brothers’ general store. But the business was declared bankrupt in 1855. Facundo was down, but he certainly wasn’t out. He started to experiment with the process of distilling rum.
The first batches of the premium rum were produced in a small tin-roof distillery that Facundo had bought in 1862. The drink was enthusiastically received by Cuban residents and sales started to soar. From this humble Cuban backwater, Don Facundo revolutionized the spirits industry. He had created what is claimed to be the first mixable rum in the world. Today, Bacardi is the largest privately held, family owned spirits company in the world. According to the company, more than six million Bacardi Cuba Libre cocktails are enjoyed every day around the world.
The Beaches of Sitges
Sitges has not one, not two, but seventeen beaches. Two of these sit behind Sitges’ church, but the majority sit in front of it and run across the whole of the front of the town. Broadly speaking, you are likely to feel comfortable on all of the various beaches. However, there are some that cater more for specific groups – families, gays and nudists.
The narrow streets
All the narrow streets in the old town are lovely in Sitges. They are full of restaurants, bars, cafes and cute souvenir shops. It’s a wonder to walk around. If you are here for holidays, don’t spend all your days on the beach and ont he promenade, get into the old village and explore it! You won’t regret it.
How to get to Sitges
By car from Barcelona
If you rent a car at the airport – you will have different options to get to Sitges.
- C32 road is a highway, so it is the fastest but you need to pay for it at the tolls
- C31 road is for free, but going through all the coastal villages, so you need to count more time to get there
By train from Barcelona
From the El Prat airport – to where most likely you will arrive, it takes only 30 minutes by train to get to Sitges. It’s a direct train only with several stops. You can check the timetables here and book your tickets.
Where to stay in Sitges
Sitges is a super popular place among foreigners, and in the peak season it’s hard to find accommodation for reasonable price. It’s better to plan ahead – especially around the June, when the Pride takes place, you need to book much more in advance! Take a look at the below map & don’t hesitate to click on your preferred location.
When to visit Sitges
Almost all year long it’s perfect to visit Sitges. Winter in Sitges is calmer, mild and provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the town for its indoor delights, as well as its beautiful town. From early Spring till later Autumn we can enjoy the sunny days, going to the beach, visit beach bars (“chiringuitos“) and dance till the morning at different clubs. Certainly after the end of October some places (clubs, restaurants, bars) will have closed, but there will still be enough open to have an enjoyable time – especially at weekends.
Best experiences in Sitges
Sitges Carnival
Sitges Carnival is one of the top ten carnival celebrations in the world. Situated in the Spanish Mediterranean this winter carnival is famous for its debauchery. Sitges Carnival always starts on the Thursday prior to Ash Wednesday. Sitges Carnival officially begins when the King of Carnival arrives into town and ends when he leaves on Ash Wednesday the first day of Lent. This year the Carnival was between February 24, 2022 and March 2, 2022. Click here for more information about the next year’s plan!
Sitges Pride
Join thousands of people from around the world for the most International of Pride events, right on the Mediterranean Sea! Sitges gives home to the most famous Pride event, this year already for 11th time. The streets are changing into even more colourful, filled with even more love and many festivities and parties. The Parade will take place on Sunday 12th of June 2022 from 17.00hrs.
The parade leaves from outside Kansas Restaurant, making its way along the seafront. Then turning at the Church by La Fragata and returning to end at the Gay Village/Hotel Calipolis. For more organisational information, you can visit their official site!
Sitges Film Festival
The International Film Festival of Catalonia is the number one fantasy film festival in the world. It represents, at the same time, the cultural expression with the most media impact in Catalonia. The Sitges Film Festival is a stimulating universe of encounters, exhibitions, screenings of fantasy films from all over the world.
Born in 1968 as the 1st International Week of Fantasy and Horror Movies. Today the Festival is an essential rendezvous for movie lovers. Also for audiences who eager to come into contact with new tendencies applied to film and the audiovisual world. This year the festival will be in October. For more information visit their official site!
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