Sitges, with about 33,000 inhabitants, is one of Catalonia's most famous seaside towns, on the Garraf coast about 35 km south-west of Barcelona. Its white old town, beaches and cultural life make it a favourite with both Barcelonans and international visitors. It is also one of Europe's LGBT tourism capitals.
History
A former village of fishermen and winegrowers, Sitges grew rich in the 19th century thanks to the americanos, emigrants who came back wealthy from Cuba and built elegant villas. At the end of the century the painter and writer Santiago Rusiñol organised the Modernista Festivals here, making the town a centre of Catalan modernisme and a meeting place for artists.
What to see
- The 17th-century church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla, on the Punta headland, the town's symbol, with its steps by the sea.
- Cau Ferrat, Rusiñol's house-museum, with wrought iron, ceramics and works by El Greco, Picasso and Casas.
- The Museu de Maricel, in a seafront palace, with art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, and the Palau de Maricel.
- The old town, with flower-filled white lanes, the town hall and the market.
- The Passeig Marítim, the promenade lined with the americanos' villas.
- Casa Bacardí, devoted to Facundo Bacardí, born in Sitges and founder of the famous rum brand.
Beaches
Sitges has seventeen beaches, most of fine sand, with facilities and easy access: La Ribera, La Fragata, Sant Sebastià, La Bassa Rodona, L'Estanyol, and more secluded coves towards Garraf, some naturist.
Festivals and events
- The Sitges carnival, one of Catalonia's most spectacular.
- The International Fantastic Film Festival, in October.
- Pride, in June.
- Corpus Christi, with flower carpets in the streets.
- The Festa Major of Sant Bartomeu, on 24 August, and Santa Tecla, on 23 September, with giants, devils, castells and fireworks.
Food and wine
Try xató, an endive salad with salt cod, tuna, anchovies and an almond and ñora pepper sauce, typical of Garraf, plus fish, rice dishes and Sitges malvasia, a sweet wine from an old grape variety.
Getting there
Rodalies regional trains link Barcelona and Sitges in about 40 minutes. Barcelona-El Prat airport is about 25 minutes by car. See also Catalonia.