Guide to Sitges

Sitges is a sophisticated and attractive town lying just south of Barcelona. For many years Sitges was a centre of avant-garde Catalan art and today it's a chic, open-minded resort which has retained its traditional Spanish feel. A wonderful palm-fringed promenade lined with pleasant tapas bars and restaurants sweeps past the long, sandy beach to the quaint old town which is built around a rocky promontory looking out over the glittering waters of the Mediterranean.

In the 1890s Sitges became a popular haunt with bohemian artists and writers who were attracted and inspired by the unassuming beauty of this picturesque little fishing village. Today Sitges still retains an arty, 'anything goes' atmosphere and attracts a diverse range of visitors from sunseekers to art lovers, sports enthusiasts to gay couples. At the heart of the resort is the charming old town - a medieval treasure complete with terracotta-tiled roofs, cobbled streets and snaking whitewashed alleyways. Perched high on a rocky outcrop, the church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla is the focal point of the historic quarter and boasts wonderful panoramic views out over the coast and the azure waters of the sea. Gently sloping streets take you down to the beach promenade which overflows with cafes, exclusive shops and excellent fish restaurants. Always fashionable and liberal, Sitges encapsulates the warmth of lively Latin spirit in an uninhibited way.

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Sitges hotels and apartments

Our hotels and apartments in Sitges include Hotel Antemare, Hotel Dolce Sitges, Hotel Platja Dor, Hotel Sitges Park and Hotel Sunway Playa Golf.

More Costa Dorada holiday destinations

Looking for holidays in Costa Dorada? Our Costa Dorada holiday destinations include Cambrils, La Pineda, Portaventura, Salou and Sitges.

Beaches

Backed by a pedestrian promenade, Sitges boasts long stretches of award-winning sandy beaches which are perfect for sunbathing and swimming. There are good facilities for watersports if you are feeling energetic including windsurfing and sea kayaking.

Eating out

Sitges's promenade is renowned for its many glass-fronted restaurants which boast views out to sea. Most eateries offer al fresco dining along the pleasant tree-lined pavements. Fresh fish and paella feature heavily on menus and you can try tapas dishes at the chiringuitos, beach-hut bars, along the beachfront. In the resort centre, there are numerous bars, cafes and restaurants offering everything from fast food to a la carte cuisine.

Nightlife

Sitges has a lively evening atmosphere with an excellent choice of tapas bars and restaurants along the waterfront. For those who want to dance the night away there are also a number of discos in the resort which stay open until the early hours. Sitges quietens down slightly in October.

Shopping

Browse around the little shops of the old quarter of Sitges or hunt for bargains in the weekly market in nearby Vilanova, only a short train journey away. Further along the coast, the city of Barcelona offers a comprehensive range of shops ranging from smart boutiques to large department stores.

Local information

Wander through the old town of Sitges and visit the romantically named Palau Maricel, the Palace of the Sea and Sky, which houses a fine collection of paintings dating from the Middle Ages to the present and offers splendid panoramic views. Cosmopolitan Barcelona is only a short train journey from Sitges and is well worth a look. Why not explore the winding streets of the Gothic quarter or admire the awe-inspiring beauty of the Sagrada Familia church. Further along the coast, the national park around the Ebro Delta is home to an astounding number of waterfowl and seabirds and makes for a great day out. If you are holidaying in June the Corpus Christi festival is a fabulous spectacle with carpets of flowers covering the streets.