Check Out These Ideas for Things to Do in Sitges, Spain!
Natalie here: Known as the Saint Tropez of Spain, this pretty Spanish beachside town has it all – incredible restaurants, stylish beach bars, quaint streets, historical architecture and stunning nature on the doorstep.
Sitges, Spain is also a lively LGBTQ friendly town with many bars catering to the LGBTQ crowds, and the famous ‘Bears Week’ each year.
Originally a small fishing village, the town found new life in the 19th-century when several prominent Catalan artists made their homes here.
They transformed the town into a destination for the beau monde with wealthy families building beautiful mansions in Art Nouveau style with a local Gaudi twist.
Strolling around Sitges now it is easy to see the artistic and wealthy history of the town, a culture which remains amongst residents today.
A Sitges visit is worth the short trip from Barcelona so have a look at some of these best things to do in Sitges – with a few more planning tips included!
Sitges Quick Guide
Best Time to Visit: Summer is rather busy. Winter is cold but quiet. Aim for the shoulder seasons of March to June and September to November.
Getting Around: The town itself is small and walkable. For some further parts of nature and vineyard exploring you will need a car.
Top Things to Do: Walk along Passeig Maritim and finish with beachside drinks, visit Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla church overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, explore the arts at the Cau Ferrat Museum and Maricel Museum.
Where to Stay: Hotel Medium Sitges Park for modernist luxury, Melia Sitges for resort-style accommodation at the edge of the town, Hotel Medium Renaixença for a budget friendly option with 19th-century charm.
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Top Things to Do in Sitges
There are a number of great Sitges attractions that you can check out all around the town. Some things are free while others are paid – but there is something for everyone in Sitges!
Relax on a Sitges Beach
For such a small town, Sitges has a lot of beautiful beaches to enjoy. It has also been awarded 9 Blue Flags, the most given to any town in Catalonia and one of the highest in Spain.
These blue flags certify some of the Sitges beaches for their exceptional cleanliness, sustainability, and facilities. Therefore, the beach is a perfect place to spend a day enjoying the (almost!) year round sun!
The beaches are family friendly, LGBTQ friendly, and generally open and welcoming to all. Some of the more popular beaches in Sitges close to the centre of town are:
- San Sebastian Beach (Playa de Sant Sebastia)
- Platja de la Fragata
- Platja de l’Estanyol
A little outside the main part of town there is Playa de los Balmins which is clothing optional.
In the summer months, there are chiringuitos dotted along the sands, which are temporary beach bars set up to cater to the summer crowds – perfect for sipping a cold Aperol spritz in the sun.
Even outside of the summer season there are plenty of facilities close by with showers and beach kiosks at most of the beaches.
Visit Artistic Museums
Address: Carrer. de Fonollar, 08870 Sitges
In homage to the artists who helped mould this town into what it is today, there are several museums dedicated to the artistic heritage of Sitges.
Cau Ferrat Museum was founded in the late 1800s by artist Santiago Rusiñol.
It was originally his workshop and later evolved into a home for his extensive collection of art from artists such as Picasso, Ramon Pichot, and Henry Clarasó, as well as ancient artefacts discovered and collected by Rusiñol.
Upon Rusiñol’s death, the property was opened as a public museum in order to preserve the heritage of the collection and celebrate Catalan artists.
The main rooms of the museum are painted in the iconic Sitges Blue and covered in Catalan tiles, a brilliant representation of the historical style of the town.
Next to Cau Ferrat is the Maricel Museum, which is best known for its huge windows in the gallery overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
The museum houses more local artwork as part of a collection by Dr. Jesús Pérez-Rosales as well as loaned items from the Catalan government collections.
You can’t visit Sitges without stopping by the iconic Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla church close by. Completed in typical Baroque architecture, the location is perfect for taking in the sea from up above the rocks.
Exploring these museums and nearby places is a great way to understand the heritage of Sitges and the historical figures that made the town so special. You can learn more about museums in Sitges here.
Walk Passeig Maritim
Address: Passeig Maritim, 08870 Sitges
The main beachfront promenade of Sitges is called Passeig Maritim and stretches the length of the town from Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla church down to the Platja Terramar (beach) at the far end of town.
This palm tree-lined street is popular for a walk in the sunshine. There are plenty of options to rest on a bench, a wall, or you might even stop at one of the many bars and restaurants along the way.
You can also take a self-guided audio tour as you walk through the town which will give a background of the architecture as you pass by sites of historical importance throughout the town.
Indulge in Spanish Cuisine at the Port
Address: Port de Sitges – Aiguadolç, 08870 Sitges
If you prefer sea views without getting sand in your toes, Port Aiguadolç is a pretty place to visit and spend a lazy afternoon.
The port has been awarded as one of the best in the Mediterranean, and it is easy to see why.
With many restaurants and bars along the water’s edge as well as a sailing club and many other water based activities, the port is a hub of activity.
For those without access to a yacht it is great to visit one of the restaurants at the port. It is to be expected that the views come with a slightly higher price tag in some places but the cuisine is generally not touristy and is usually delicious.
For something really special try La Taberna del Puerto – it’s a gastronomic take on local cuisine and fresh seafood.
Visit a Local Winery and Wine Museum
Address: Cellar Hospital de Sitges, Plaça de Joan Duran i Ferret, s/n 08870 Sitges.
Sitges is at the edges of the Penedes wine region and is edged by vineyards that touch the centre of the town.
Locally made Malvasia wine is popular in Sitges. In fact, you can see the vineyards as you enter the town from the road coming from Barcelona.
To learn about the history of wine in the region without leaving the town you can visit Cellar Hospital de Sitges.
This is a unique setup in which the winery and vineyards are part of an old hospital.
They were gifted to the hospital by diplomat Manuel Llopis y Bofill in order to preserve the Malvasia wine in the region.
Now you can visit the winery, museum, and tasting rooms to sample the wines. You can also learn about the ancient history of Malvasia wine as well as see the exhibitions of local art and sculptures.
Go Cava Tasting
Location: Sant Sadurní d’Anoia
Getting to cava country (the Penedes) is super easy from Sitges. You will need to drive, book a tour, or organize a taxi – but it is absolutely worth it.
Cava is a specific kind of sparkling wine that originates from this part of Spain and is very popular in the region.
Just a 30 minute drive north takes you to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia which is the heart of cava.
There are many cava wineries like Cava Solà Raventós open for visits and tastings on the way. You could visit one a day and take several weeks, maybe even months to get through them all!
The safest way to go cava tasting is with a tour, so you enjoy the landscape and can pace yourself without risking any alcohol driving limits!
This cycling tour with winery visit and tastings is a great way to get started on your cava journey.
Enjoy the Sitges Nightlife
The nightlife in Sitges is really great and caters to almost all tastes. If you want to cozy up in a great restaurant, eating gourmet cuisine and sip incredible wines, you will find no shortage of Michelin rated restaurants.
If something more relaxed is your vibe, you can find tapas bars, international foods, pintxos bars and quaint wine bars in every winding tiny street in Sitges.
For those looking for a party you are also in luck! There is a thriving party scene here and a wide range of gay bars which are open and welcoming to all, fun atmosphere guaranteed.
I have also been to a few bars that have a dance host who leads the salsa, turning the whole bar into lines of choreographed dancers – even if you have two left feet!
Taxis can be found outside the train station until the early hours of the morning if you are staying more than walking distance from the town centre.
However, if you do choose to walk, the town is safe and walkable even late at night.
Things to Consider When Visiting Sitges
Now that we’ve covered what to do in Sitges, here are some other travel tips about getting around, seasons to visit in, and accommodations that you might find helpful!
Best Time to Visit Sitges
There really isn’t a bad time to visit Sitges. It really depends on what kind of weather you are looking for.
Sitges is not like most beachside towns in that it doesn’t close up over the winter months. There are many expats and a thriving local scene here so businesses stay busy and open all year round.
Winter is cold and with the sea air can feel quite fresh. It does bring beautiful crisp mornings with colourful sunrises but prepare to wrap up.
Summer is blisteringly hot and is also the busiest time of year. Hotels are booked up, restaurants are full and bars have patrons spilling out onto the street.
If you can handle the crowds, the atmosphere is really fun and definitely worth getting involved in. Just don’t expect to get anywhere fast and pack a lot of light clothing and sunscreen because it gets hot.
Spring and Autumn are probably the easiest seasons to visit Sitges in. The weather is generally great, the crowds are around but not overwhelming, and you can soak up some atmosphere and sun without feeling suffocated.
It is also worth considering the many festivals in Sitges throughout the year, including the famous horror festival and Carnival which is hosted in February and puts Mardi Gras to shame.
Getting Around Sitges
The main part of the town is really walkable, you can walk from edge to edge in an hour or so.
There are some small hills but nothing too painful, unless you head further out of town towards the neighbouring Sant Pere de Ribes.
The train line connects you easily with Barcelona on the R2 route with trains running every 20 minutes. But with all Sitges has to offer it is unlikely you will need to take the trip to the city.
If you want to explore outside the town the best option is to have a rental car. Public transport is good but doesn’t reach wineries and some of the more rural spots.
Where to Stay in Sitges
Generally accommodation in Sitges is not on the cheap side. This is because its reputation as a stylish beach town is reflected in the hotel prices – but also in the quality available.
Check for Hotels and Other Accommodations in Sitges here.
If you are looking for an apartment rental, make sure it has a tourist license and book plenty of time in advance. They fill up fast and are in high demand!
As for hotels and resorts in Sitges, Hotel Medium Sitges Park is a beautiful Modernist building that gives you the artistic vibes as soon as you arrive. The hotel also has a great pool surrounded by greenery and stylish bright rooms.
Melia Sitges is an iconic building along the coastline and is one of the biggest hotels in the area. With beach views, pools, restaurants on site and 4-star service, this hotel is worth the splurge for a resort-style holiday at the edges of the action.
Hotel Medium Renaixença is a more budget friendly option and is in the centre of the town, just a few minutes walk from the train station. The hotel has preserved its 19th-century interior and offers rooms overlooking the pretty internal terrace.
Sitges is a real gem of Catalonia and many travellers return year after year. For expats, it is also the place we say we are happy to have left Barcelona for since it is rare for anyone to miss the city after living in Sitges!
Related Articles
Whether exploring Spain on a larger Spanish itinerary or focusing on road trips around the Catalan Region, here are a few more posts that might be helpful:
And there you have it – some great things to do in Sitges and beyond. No matter your interests – from museums to beaches -, there’s something in Sitges for everyone to explore.
As always, Happy Waddlin’,
– Natalie
About Natalie
After leaving England in 2017, Natalie lived in a surfer town in Morocco for a few years before settling in Barcelona with her foundling street dog Zina. She is a writer and affiliate manager and co-manages a surf brand in the UK. Her travel style is slow travel, exploring cute European towns and quiet beaches, and indulging in the culture of local food and wine.