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Our family just returned from an amazing two-week summer trip to Europe. We started our trip with two nights in Sitges, Spain, and three nights in Barcelona, Spain. We then flew to Nice, France, and spent four days in Villefranche-sur-Mer, four nights in Cassis, and one night in Aix-en-Provence. The itinerary allowed us to get a taste of Spain’s Catalonia region and enjoy some of the gorgeous coastal towns in the south of France. We loved Sitges! So, I wanted to share some of the many fun things to do in Sitges, Spain.
Top Things To Do In Sitges, Spain
After flying into Barcelona from Atlanta, Sitges was the perfect place for us to start this trip. It is an absolutely gorgeous coastal town with several beaches, a marina, lots of great restaurants, and a super welcoming vibe.
The town is small, laid-back, and easily walkable. It has a long promenade where you can stroll along the coastline and admire the beauty of its medieval Church, sweeping Mediterranean views, and busy storefronts and cafes. The things to do in Sitges are diverse and affordable, making it a great place for a family vacation or couples getaways.
Sitges Is A Great Place To Start Your Trip
We purposely planned to stay in Sitges, Spain, first to acclimate to the time zone change. I’ve found that having a couple of “slow days” at the beginning of the trip helps everyone deal with jet lag without the stress of a busy daily agenda.
Getting To Sitges From Barcelona
Sitges is about a 45-minute car ride from Barcelona’s Prat airport, which is located on the southwest side of Barcelona. You can also get there by bus or train, which are cheaper but more planning-intensive. The bus line runs directly from the Airport to Sitges for around €5 per ticket. Buses run every half hour on most days. You can find the bus schedule here.
You can also reach Sitges by train. However, you will need to make one connection, as there are no direct lines from the airport.
Since there were four of us, and we had our luggage, we just took an Uber. The ride was 37 minutes long and cost 55 euros (for the comfort car).
Sitges Is A Small Coastal Paradise In Spain
Sitges wasn’t overly busy during our stay in late May. At that time of year, European schools are still in session, and we find most coastal towns not super busy. There seem to be more locals enjoying the beaches this time of year.
Of course, there were other tourists, but it didn’t feel overrun with people (unlike Barcelona). Sitges, Spain a popular day trip from Barcelona, so we felt it got busier during the middle of the day and was quieter at night. We visited Sitges in late May, so keep in mind it may be much busier or slower depending on the time of year.
I always recommend staying in these small coastal towns for at least a couple of nights. The magic is in the slow, sun-drenched mornings and the warm evenings.
Click here to browse accommodations in Stiges, Spain!
10 Fun Things To Do In Sitges, Spain
What I loved most about Sitges was that it didn’t require much pre-planning or a busy itinerary. It was a great place to relax, eat great food, and enjoy sweeping views of the sea.
There are many fun and interesting things to do in Sitges, Spain. It has great dining, beaches, nightlife, museums, and several major landmarks. I’ll cover some of these here. If you are only visiting on a day trip, prioritize the parts of Sitges that sound most interesting to you!
#1 Explore Old Town Sitges
Old town Sitges is the heart of the experience, and its winding narrow alleys and streets reminded me a lot of Antibes, France. The latticework cobblestone streets are lined with charming boutiques and cafes. Bright multicolored flags hang over the roads, adding to the colorful, cheery atmosphere.
We loved shopping in the many trendy stores and grabbing pizza and gelato at the local restaurants. There are great people-watching opportunities here, and the streets get busy with day trippers from Barcelona. The pastel-colored buildings and medieval town design are very European and picturesque.
The train station is located in Old Town Sitges, which makes it a great starting or ending point. You may also want to consider taking a self-guided walking tour of Sitges!
#2 Walk The Sitges Promenade
A fabulous promenade called “Passeig Maritim ” runs along the coast of Sitges. This wide paved walkway stretches along the coastline across the majority of the town. It unites several major beaches and is a focal point for exercise-seeking locals and tourists.
We walked on the promenade on several occasions. We enjoyed the scenic views of the sea, the Church of St. Bartomeu, the beaches, and many restaurants and shops. It’s a fantastic way to see the city and the coast at the same time. We were amazed at how many people were out walking dogs, running, and just enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean weather.
#3 See The Church of St. Bartomeu
The Church of St. Bartomeu is a Baroque temple built in the 17th century. It presides over the Sitges harbor and is one of the major architectural attractions and landmarks in Sitges. The massive structure can be seen from the coast and by walking along the promenade.
Our two-bedroom apartment in Sitges was just across San Sebastian Beach from the Church, and we had an amazing view of its bell towers bathed in sunset light!
The narrow streets around the Church are some of the prettiest in Sitges, with lots of ornate windows, archways, and old plaques to discover. A massive iron cannon guards the coastal fortifications just outside the Church. Seeing this iconic spot is one of the most popular things to do in Sitges!
#4 Enjoy The Sitges Beaches
Sitges has many gorgeous beaches. Unlike the beaches in most of southern France, these beaches are more sandy and less rocky, and comfortable to walk and lie on. There are seven beaches in the area, with three being the most popular and near downtown Sitges. The beaches are probably one of the most popular things to do in Sitges!
Platja de Sant Sebastià
Platja de Sant Sebastià is located just east of the Church of Sant Bartomeu and is a popular place for both locals and tourists. The streets beside the beach are lined with restaurants and shops.
Platja de la Fragata
Platja de la Fragata is one of the larger beaches located just west of the Church of Sant Bartomeu. It is near a sailing club and sits at the base of the Church near a jetty.
Platja de la Ribera
Platja de la Ribera is located just west of Fragata Beach. This beach is very popular with locals and has a long shorefront and many nearby amenities. Several trendy beach clubs are nearby, making it a great place to grab a drink, sit, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
Platja dels Balmins
If you go east of Old Town toward Port d’Aiguadolç, you’ll find Platja dels Balmins. This beach is clothing optional, which was a bit of a surprise for us as we headed toward the marina for a boat tour!
#5 Explore A Museum In Sitges
In the heart of Sitges’ historic center, art lovers can discover the top museums in Sitges. The Cau Ferrat Museum, the former home and studio of celebrated artist Santiago Rusiñol, sits alongside the Maricel Museum, which houses a diverse collection of Catalan artifacts from various periods.
A short distance away, the Fundació Stämpfli provides a contrasting experience with its impressive collection of modern art.
#6 Dine On Great Food In Sitges
The dining scene in Sitges, Spain, is a reflection of its coastal Catalan heritage. We found there a good variety in all of the restaurants, with many offering fresh-caught seafood, paellas, and a brothy rice dish called arròs caldós.
The narrow streets are filled with traditional tapas bars and family-owned restaurants serving American staples like cheeseburgers, pizza, and pasta.
The region is known for free-flowing cava and local wines from the nearby Penedès wine region. Overall, we didn’t have any problems finding food for two teens who tend to be slightly picky. Couple the fantastic views and atmosphere with freshly made Spanish food at reasonable prices, and you have a recipe for great dining.
#7 Enjoy The Sitges Nightlife
Sitges has a vibrant nightlife. I am more of a Rose All Day kind of traveler. So, although we didn’t party on any of the nights we were there, we could tell the town is a fun place that enjoys a good time. Sitges has over 20 bars. Many of them are packed into a relatively small area in the heart of the city along Carrer Primer de Maig, popularly known as the “Street of Sin.”
Sitges is an incredibly inclusive town. The gay community is strong in Sitges, and many of these are gay bars. Gay pride is palpable across the city, from the rainbow flags to gay fashion boutiques; it is evident that the city is a welcoming and diverse place. The annual Sitges Pride celebration is another one of the most popular things to do in Sitges.
#8 Go To A Rooftop Bar In Sitges
I love finding rooftop bars everywhere we travel. Their unique atmospheres and views are always memorable. Sitges has three main rooftop bars that are fantastic for soaking in the Spanish vibes from above the rest of the world.
Radio Rooftop
Radio Rooftop Bar is located on the western side of the Sitges city coastline and is a beautiful spot. In the evening, walk along the promenade and then grab a refreshing drink at this great rooftop bar. Here, you can get a perfect cocktail and enjoy a sweeping view of the city and the sea.
Sky Bar
Sky Bar Sitges is located just on the west side of downtown and is a perfect date night spot. It’s a great place to enjoy the sunset and get fantastic views of both the city and the coast. They offer cocktails and a full dinner menu.
Las Vegas Sitges
Las Vegas Sitges is located in the heart of the downtown bar district and is perched over the legendary “Street of Sin.” This fun and energetic rooftop bar is on the roof of a club and offers a wide array of drinks. There’s even a dance floor! The rooftop is on the second floor, so the views are pretty limited to seeing the nearby downtown area.
#9 Take A Boat Tour Or Rent A Boat
Being a coastal town, Sitges offers a great boating scene. We love taking boat tours when we visit Mediterranean cities, and Sitges was no exception. Make sure to read my post about the Sitges boat tour we took!
Boats can be chartered out of the Port d’Aiguadolç on the east side of Sitges. Boats can be chartered with a skipper, or you can rent a boat and drive yourself (“no license” boats). Honestly, renting a boat or taking a tour is a fantastic way to get the entire family out to see the beauty of the Catalan coastline and spend quality time on a little adventure.
Get Your Guide has several highly rated Sitges boat tours! Or, consider this private half day sailing tour on Sitges.
#10 Hike At Parc Del Garraf
Parc Del Garraf is a 31,000-acre natural park renowned for its unique and rugged limestone landscape. It is easily accessible from Sitges. The main entrance is located a 25-minute drive east of the Sitges town center (between Sitges and Barcelona).
The park is known for its dramatic landscape of rolling hills, deep valleys, sinkholes, and a network of underground caves and chasms. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors and hike while on vacation. There’s even an ancient monastery hidden in the park!
You can find more information about the park entrances, hiking routes, and distances here.
We Loved Visiting Sitges, Spain
Sitges is an amazing blend of laid-back small-town charm and big-city energy and excitement. There are so many things to do in Sitges, from enjoying the beaches to exploring massive parks to enjoying a refined cocktail above the world.
We loved our time there and felt there were enough things to do in Sitges for the entire family that it would be worth a longer return trip. We found that Sitges is a great town to start your vacation itinerary and adapt to jet lag, as it’s smaller, more approachable, and a lot less chaotic than Barcelona.
More European Travel Tips
If you love traveling in Europe as much as we do, make sure to check out the Europe travel section of my blog! We share many first-hand travel tips, including photos we took and experiences we booked!
Here are some of the other coastal towns in Europe that we also enjoy!
And make sure to follow us on social media! The story highlights on Instagram share photos and videos from every trip we take, going back a decade! You can even see us enjoying some of these things to do in Sitges. Here is where to find us!
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