Sitges Holidays

You could spend a fortnight exploring Sitges and still not see it all. These are some of the best things to do in this Catalan town.

• Discover Sitges’ lively character on a stroll along the Passeig Maritim, the waterfront strip lined by cafes, restaurants and bars. Stop for an ice cream or a coffee and watch holidaymakers on the beaches below.
• Visit the Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, a 17th-century Baroque building perched right on the oceanfront.
• Garraf Natural Park is a stone’s throw from Sitges, so get out into nature and explore its trails, caves and hills. You might spot wild boar or eagles.
• Wander through the Old Town of Sitges, with its winding streets, narrow alleyways and pretty wrought-iron balconies.
• Take a day trip to Barcelona. It’s an easy drive along the coast to Catalonia’s capital, so head to Barcelona to take in some of Gaudi’s incredible architecture or enjoy a stroll down the famous La Rambla.

From artworks to fascinating architecture, Sitges brims with fascinating cultural hotspots and interesting historical figures to learn about.

• See contemporary art at the Fundació Stämpfli Art Contemporani, where works by artists like Erró, Jacques Villeglé and Miguel Chevalier are displayed in cavernous modern exhibition halls – we breezy break from the Sitges sun.
• The Maricel Museum hosts the fantastic art collection of Doctor Jesús Pérez-Rosales, a local collector. See sculptures, paintings and murals from the 10th to 20th centuries.
• Take a guided tour of Maricel Palace, where you’ll be wowed by the glittering Gold Room and the intricate mosaics of the Cloisters.
• For something completely different, head to Out of Africa Gallery to see stunning African artworks by contemporary creators and traditional artisans.
• Housed in a Neoclassical-style stately home still decorated in the classic 19th-century style, the Can Llopis Romanticism Museum is a lovely place to spend an hour browsing the intriguing sculptures, paintings, porcelain dolls and Bohemian glassware.

There are around 20 different beaches within easy reach of the town, so spending a day or two on the sand on your Sitges holidays is a must.

• Sea-faring beach bums should head to Platja de la Ribera, near the old town of Sitges. This lovely large beach is popular in summer, has plenty of beach bars and, best of all, a sailing school.
• Near the Vinyet neighbourhood, Platja de la Riera Xica is a thin but lovely bit of beach with good facilities and a couple of beach bars for midday refreshments.
• Platja de l'Estanyol is one of the most popular beaches in Sitges. Clear waters and soft sand make it a hit for everyone, and parasols and sun loungers offer a place to relax.
• Platja de la Bassa Rodona is Sitges’ main gay beach and is usually buzzing in summer. Expect sunbeds, parasols and pedalos for hire on its 300-metre expanse.
• For a change of scenery, head out to Platja de Terramar. This nearly 400-metre-long beach enjoys views of the mountains just inland beyond Sitges, and its distance from the main town means it’s a bit quieter than other beaches.

Families will find plenty of friendly sands for days by the sea in Sitges. Waters here are safe for swimming – and warm throughout summer – and watersports will delight active kids.

• Platja de Sant Sebastià is a lovely 200-metre-long family-friendly beach, just east of the church. Backed by a lovely promenade, it’s easy to access and close to the town’s amenities.
• Platja de les Anquines is a small but lovely stretch of sand in a secluded cove. The waters are clear and still enough for even the littlest swimmers, and there are deck chairs and parasols for hire.
• One of Sitges’ most popular beaches, Platja de la Fragata is brilliant for families with active kids. Hire a pedalo here, or play beach volleyball on the free-to-use courts.
• Platja de la Barra is a small cove on the edge of town great for families seeking a quiet day on the sand. There are lifeguards on duty, beach bars and sunbeds with parasols for hire.
• Backed by mountains, Platja d'Aiguadolç is located near the port. There’s onsite parking and plenty of facilities, including loungers and pedalos.

Get a taste of Spain in Sitges at the town’s great tapas bars and traditional Catalan restaurants, and enjoy Catalonia’s bountiful local produce.

• Start your food adventure at the Municipal Market in Sitges, where you’ll find local cheeses, sausages and tantalising baked goods on offer from producers in the region.
• Don’t miss out on tasting the fruits of the ocean in Sitges. This town sits right on the sea and restaurants here have access to some of the freshest seafood around. Mullet, prawns and calamari are favourites here.
• Holidays to Sitges means an opportunity to taste exceptional but affordable wines. Sitting in the Penedès region, there are countless wineries and vineyards worth visiting just outside the town centre. Book a guided tour, or strike out on your own and visit some tasting rooms.
• The founder of popular rum brand, Bacardi, was born in Sitges and now a gallery dedicated to the distiller is located inside Casa Bacardi. Learn about the history of the drink, how it’s made and sample a mojito at the onsite bar.
• Want to take home a new skill? Join a cooking class with Ricky M, a local chef who teaches classes from his own Spanish kitchen. Learn to make traditional tapas dishes or gazpacho, a cold Catalan soup.

Catalonia has a distinctive culture, of which food is an enormous part. Try some classic Catalan dishes alongside Spanish favourites.

• Forego dessert at the restaurant and get some churros on the go as you walk back to the hotel. This classic Spanish sweet snack is deep-fried dough, coated in sugar and served with melted dipping chocolate.
• Try suquet, a Catalan fish stew with mussels, clams, monktail fish and more cooked in a white wine sauce.
• Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and the Spanish have got it right – pà amb tomàquet is literally ‘bread with tomato’. Toasted bread is slathered with mushed fresh tomato and garlic, then drizzled with olive oil and a dash of salt.
• Arròs negre is another typical Catalan dish – rice is cooked in squid ink to give it a black colour and rich flavour, and served with seafood.
• Catalonia’s own take on chorizo – the butifarra sausage – is served up in a tasty stew with beans, bacon, tomato and carrots.

Famous for a brilliant and buzzing nightlife, Sitges is an ideal party destination for your summer holiday, with clubs and bars filling up from July through August.

• ‘Sin Street’, proper name Carrer Primer de Maig, is the centre of the action in Sitges. Numerous bars with loud music and party vibes line the street here and revellers dance to the early hours.
• Sitges has a fantastic LGBTQ scene. Head to Carrer Sant Bonaventura to drink and dance in some of its top venues.
• Along the seafront you’ll find a host of brilliant bars for watching the sunset and sipping sophisticated cocktails into the night.
• For a really wild night, head to Pacha on the outskirts of town where international DJs come to spin tunes to hopping crowds.
• The resort has all sorts of exciting festivals and events throughout the year, so time your Sitges holidays with one for a proper party. Go in February for the week-long flamboyant Carnival in February or in summer for the Gay Pride events.

Sitges is a fantastic place for a family holiday, so don’t hesitate to bring the kids to this laid-back Catalan town.

• Hire a pedalo from the beach and head out onto the open seas. Choose one with an onboard slide and the kids will love whooshing into the ocean.
• Spend an afternoon in the park. Parc de Can Robert has an excellent playground with swings and slides, and plenty of soft grass for picnics.
• Choose one of Sitges’ beachfront family-friendly hotels for easy access to the best part of this coastline: its swathes of golden sand. Many have family rooms and great facilities for children.
• Just 40km south of Sitges is Aqualeon, a vast waterpark perfect for a family day out. There are twisting slides, looping flumes and an enormous swimming pool.
• If you’ve got thrillseekers in the family, head south to Tarragona where the PortAventura theme park makes a brilliant day out. Roller coasters for all ages will keep the whole family happy.