Things to see and do in Sitges?

Sitges is a charming seaside town in the province of Barcelona known for the beauty of its coastline and lively atmosphere. It’s impossible not to fall in love with its cobblestone streets, picturesque architecture and beaches. The town, moreover, is a popular destination for the LGBTQ+ community for its inclusive atmosphere and vibrant nightlife. But it’s not all party and beach; there’s a lot to do in Sitges.

In this post we will share everything you need to know to prepare your trip to Sitges – the points of interest in and around the town for day trips, the best way to get there and where to eat and stay. We also prepared a list of travel tips to help you get the most out of your trip.

What are the best places to see in Sitges?

1. Terramar Gardens

At the end of the promenade we will find the Terramar Gardens, extensive gardens surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation that offer a quiet and serene atmosphere to stroll and relax. They were designed in scenic style and feature a great variety of trees and plants, winding paths, ponds and rest areas.

The gardens are also home to interesting architectural features, such as a former watchtower and an impressive gazebo. They also offer panoramic views of the coast.

2. Old town of Sitges

The old town of Sitges is a historical and architectural gem that still keeps the Medieval charm, disguised between facades of bright colors, stately houses, balconies with flowers and small craft stores. In the center, landmarks such as the church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla, with its impressive Gothic facade, and the Palau Maricel, a modernist palace that houses an art collection, stand out. It is the perfect place to stroll and get immersed in the narrow streets.

3. Cap de la Vila Square

The Cap de la Vila square is located in the old town, and is a pedestrian area where locals and visitors gather. The square is home to numerous historic buildings, such as the Town Hall, with its neoclassical facade, and several cafes where you can enjoy the lively urban life. It also hosts concerts, markets and traditional festivals throughout the year. It is the best place in town to enjoy the essence of Sitges

4. Sant Sebastiá beach and other beaches to visit in Sitges

Sitges is a travel destination famous for its beautiful beaches and bays where thousands of tourists sunbathe and swim in its crystal clear waters every year. The best known beach is Sant Sebastiá for its location in front of the seaside neighborhood. However, there are many others that are also worth a visit, such as the beach of Barra, Balmins or the beach of La Ribiera. Most of them have facilities such as a bar, toilets or children’s areas.

If you go a little further away from the city you can reach small charming coves such as Les Anquines, Platja de l’Home Mort, Cala dels Gegants or Cala Xica.

5. Cau Ferrat Museum

The Cau Ferrat Museum is one of the main museums in Sitges and a must for art lovers. It is located in the former residence of modernist painter Santiago Rusiñol, and the museum houses a unique collection of modernist art and decorative art objects. Inside you can enjoy paintings, sculptures, ceramics, stained glass and furnituredesigned by Rusiñol and other renowned modernist artists.

The museum is open every day except Mondays from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and admission is 6€.

6. Sitges Film Festival

The Sitges Film Festival is a world-famous fantasy and horror film event organized every year to review old films and present new productions. During the ten days of the festival you can feel afestive vibe in the town, which fills up with renowned directors and actors, and film lovers who travel to Sitges to share their passion for genre films.

If you are organizing a trip to Sitges you should keep in mind that finding accommodation can be complicated during the festival, which is usually held in October. In addition, the city will be more crowded.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Things to do around Sitges

1. The Garraf Park

The Garraf Park is an impressive natural area of over 12,000 hectares. It is located 15 km from Sitges. The park is known for its rock formations, known as “garrafs”, which create a mountainous and rugged landscape. There you can hike along trails that will take you through pine forests, vineyards and olive groves, offering panoramic views of the coast.

2. Vilafranca del Penedés

This charming town located in the Alt Penedés region is known as the “Capital of Wine” for its wine tradition and wine-related festivities. The town has a picturesque old quarter with cobbled streets and squares. There you will find beautiful architecture, including the Gothic Basilica of Santa Maria.

You’ll also discover the Museum of the Wine Cultures of Catalonia, where you can learn about the history and winemaking process in the region. If you’re lucky enough to go in August, you can also attend the emblematic Fira de Santa Maria, a fair with parades, traditional dances and events focused on wine.

It takes 25 minutes by car and 1.5 hours by bus from Sitges.

What to do in 1 day in Sitges?

Sitges is a common day trip when staying somewhere nearby (such as in Barcelona). During your visit you will have plenty of time to visit the old town, where you will find thechurch of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla, Palau Maricel and Plaza del Cap de la Vila. You can also stroll along the promenade and have a swim at one of the wonderful beaches. And you can’t forget to take some time to try the wonderful cuisine of the city.

Where and what to eat in Sitges?

For a perfect vacation in Sitges, we can not forget its gastronomy, which is varied and delicious and offers a wide range of traditional Catalan and Mediterranean dishes. Some of the most representative and popular dishes of Sitges are the Xató (cod salad), arroces and fideuàs (rice with noodles) and Suquet de peix, a fish stew.

These are some of our favorite restaurants where you can taste the specialties of the region.

• La Punta de Sitges: is a cozy and curious restaurant with a really nice inner courtyard. The dishes are striking for their taste and presentation, which contrasts greatly with the atmosphere of the place. You will eat luxuriously for less than 50€.
• Bar Tomeu: This is one of the best steakhouses in the city where you can eat quality meat accompanied by ingredients from the Catalan garden.
• Casa Raimundo: In this restaurant you can taste the best seafood in town. The price is very appropriate to the quality of the product and also has a terrace.

Where to stay in Sitges?

Sitges is one of the most touristic cities in Catalonia, so you won’t have trouble finding accommodation as long as you look for it in advance. One of the best areas is the historic center, where you will find nice hotels and hostels built in historic buildings. Another option if you prefer beach tourism is the seafront, where you will find hotels and apartments overlooking the sea. And if you’re traveling with your family or looking for something more economical, you have the neighborhood of Les Botigues de Sitges on the outskirts.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite accommodations in the city:

• Hostal Bonanza: is a cozy hostel located 200 meters from the beach of Sitges. It is a comfortable and simple place where you can spend the night for 80 €. Breakfast costs 8€.
• Mediterráneo Sitges: is a four-star aparthotel located opposite the beach. The apartments are perfectly equipped and most of them have a balcony with sea views. There is also a garden with 4 swimming pools. It is a good option to go with family and the price starts from 180€.
• Hotel Medium Renaixença: this charming hotel built in a 19th century building has a privileged location between the train station and the beach. The price per night starts at 60€ and breakfast costs 10€.

How to get to Sitges?

Sitges is located about 30 minutes from Barcelona, which means it is very well connected and it will not be difficult to get there. If you travel by train, plane or bus, you will have to go to Barcelona first. These are all the options available to you.

• Airplane: The closest airport to Sitges is Barcelona-El Prat Airport. From there, you can take a cab or bus to Sitges. The journey time by cab is approximately 30 minutes, while by bus it can vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
• Train: Sitges is well connected by train to Barcelona and other nearby cities. From Barcelona-Sants or Barcelona-Passeig de Gràcia train station, you can take a train to Sitges that takes about 30 minutes. The ticket costs 4,2€.
• Bus: There are also regular bus services from Barcelona-Nord Bus Station or from Sants Station. Bus travel time may vary, but it is approximately 45 minutes, and the ticket price is 3€.
• Car: if you are going to stay in the city all the time, we do not recommend taking a car.

What should I know before traveling to Sitges

• The best time to travel to Sitges is between April and September. Keep in mind that during the summer months it is a very touristy destination.
• Sitges is very well connected to Barcelona by public transport, so there is no need for a car.
• Catalonia is a very touristy region, so booking in advance is recommended.
• The price of accommodation in Sitges is high, so it is recommended to plan your trip well in advance to be able to choose.
• Catalan is spoken in the region, but you will be able to communicate perfectly well in Spanish.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• Don’t forget the sunscreen.

How to prepare what to do on your trip to Sitges

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we present in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers things to do in Sitges.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Sitges