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This year, we kicked off our annual summer trip to Europe in Spain! This was mainly because I found a great deal on direct flights to Barcelona from Atlanta, Georgia. We were excited to spend a few days exploring Barcelona, but sometimes, it’s difficult to enjoy a big city when jet-lagged. So, we ended up heading straight to Sitges, Spain, for a couple of relaxing beach days before hitting the big city. It up working out perfectly! So, today I want to tell you why you should visit Sitges before heading to Barcelona!
Why We Chose To Visit Sitges First After Flying To Barcelona
I love flying into big European cities, anticipating the excitement of exploring every last corner. But often, jet lag gets in the way. When traveling solo, I can usually adapt pretty quickly. However, when we are traveling with our teenagers, they have a harder time adjusting to the time change. And let’s face it—these kids need their sleep! So, I did something a little different this trip!
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I knew I wanted to explore at least one of the small coastal towns near Barcelona. So, when I noticed that the Barcelona airport was fairly close to Sitges, Spain, I had the idea to head there first! In fact, when mapping it out, it actually took less time to get from the Barcelona airport to Sitges than it did to get to the heart of Barcelona on a busy day.
We loved our two nights in Sitges, Spain, and could have easily added on a third. It was a great change to rest up and explore without an intricate itinerary or big city bustle. Overall, the highlights for me that I want to highlight in this post are:
- slower pace for resting up
- 25-minute drive from the airport
- more affordable accommodations
- beautiful beaches & charming streets
Where Is Sitges, Spain?
Sitges is a charming yet vibrant coastal community just southwest of Barcelona, Spain. It’s easily accessible by train, which is why it’s a popular day trip destination. That said, we spent two nights there and think this community deserves more than a day trip!
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona International Airport is also located on the southwest end of Barcelona, which is why it was so easy to head straight to Sitges on this trip!
Getting From Barcelona To Sitges
It is easy to travel from Barcelona to Sitges and vice versa by car and train. Since we were traveling as a family of four and arriving on a long-haul overnight flight from Atlanta, we opted to take a Bolt from the airport. The ride took about 35 minutes and cost 55 euros for a larger vehicle. Uber is also readily available. You can also use public transportation, but it requires some backtracking and transfers from the airport. We just wanted to make things easy that morning!
After our stay in Sitges, we took the train to our hotel in Barcelona. It was very easy, even with our luggage (one carry-on and one backpack per person). The green R2 train leaves from the station in Sitges and then makes its way into the heart of Barcelona, with many options for stops along the way.
Where To Stay When You Visit Sitges?
For our two nights in Sitges, our goals were to relax and also enjoy the coastline. Barcelona does have beaches, but we weren’t planning to visit them during our time there. So, Sitges was the perfect place to kick off our summer vacation and enjoy some sunshine along the Mediterranean Sea!
We stayed right on the water along San Sebastian Beach, and our two-bedroom apartment had sweeping views of the water. They also have a one-bedroom option below and a three-bedroom unit in the same building. The entrance is private for the three units, each having its own floor. We were very pleased with the accommodations and highly recommend them!
WHERE WE STAYED: Sitges Group Beach Dreams
This rental was in a quieter area and not too far from the marina, where we walked for our Sitges boat cruise. There were several restaurants on the main level, a grocer nearby, and several coffee shops, and it was a wonderful place to start our European summer vacation!
How Many Days Do You Need To Visit Sitges?
Two or three days is great, especially if you want ample time to get out on the water and have a boat day. We enjoyed walking along the boardwalk both days we were there and had some great meals at the local restaurants around Old Town. If you are short on time and only able to do a day trip, it is still worthwhile to visit Sitges, Spain! And if the weather is nice, hit up a rooftop bar!
Activities In Sitges, Spain
If you are looking for more information on things to do in Sitges, check out my blog post, 10 Fun & Easy Things to Do in Sitges, Spain.
We visited at the end of May, when they were just starting to set up for beach season. The weather was warm enough for us to lie out on the beach in the sunshine. It was really nice to walk along the coastline in the mornings and evenings. That said, if you are planning a trip to Sitges in the winter, a day trip may actually be sufficient.
Enjoy Your Visit To Sitges!
So, if you are planning to fly into Barcelona like we did, consider stopping in Sitges for a couple of days first. It was the perfect opportunity for our family to rest up so that we could hit the ground running in Barcelona!
If you want to see more from our trip, check out the Spain story highlight on my Instagram page. There, you can even see a tour of the Sitges apartment rental and some of the restaurants we ate at.
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