Sitges Tourist Information and Information on Sitges

This tourist information page is all about the small beach resort of Sitges on the Costa Dorada coast of Spain. It contains useful Sitges tourist information for people intending to visit or holiday in Sitges.

SITGES TOURIST INFORMATION

In this tourist guide to the tourist resort of Sitges just south of Barcelona we help visitors who are planning a trip with useful and practical advice on many tourism related subjects such as car hire, accommodation, hotels, hostels, map, sightseeing, weather, where to go, where to stay, travel information and what to see and do in Sitges.

To make the best of your visit and holiday we cover everything you need to know about Sitges. We also have photos, picture galleries, views, videos and webcams of Sitges.

Sitges is a very popular tourist resort due to it's reputation for gay tourism, it's great beaches and especially it's closeness to the major Spanish city of Barcelona. Tourists have been coming to Sitges since the late 19th century when many artists and writers frequented the small town which was then principally a small fishing town.

Sitges is located on Spain's Costa Dorada about 40 km south-west of Barcelona.

Sitges has a pretty seafront esplanade. Evening in Sitges brings out people who gather to people-watch from the many cafes and bars. The town is packed with fine restaurants offering fresh sea food, paella and other traditional Spanish dishes.

Clearly Sitges fills up on the weekends however its popularity as a tourist destination is not just down to the fine sandy beaches. Sitges is also noteworthy for its many art museums, pretty old town and dazzling colourful fiestas (festivals).

SITGES BEACHES

Sitges main attaction for tourists are its beaches of which there are seventeen with most very close to the town. All the beaches in Sitges are sandy beaches with clean, safe waters. The main beaches are lined with palm trees, have plenty of facilities with many cafes, bars and restaurants.

The most famous beach is probably the Playa de la Ribera which is popular with the younger tourist and happens to be close to the tourist attraction of the church of Sant Bartomeu.

If you are visiting Sitges with a family then you will probably want to head for the more family-orientated beaches of which Playa de la Fragata, Playa de los Barcos and San Sebastian and are the most well-known.

These Sitges beaches do not have so much of the hedonistic atmosphere and have shallow waters which are great for paddling in when your youngsters have not learned to swim yet.

For a different type of beach head west of Sitges and you will find quiet almost deserted beaches including many beaches for nude sunbathing (naturists).

The beach of Playa de las Balmins is the most popular gay beach especially with gay naturists.

GETTING TO SITGES

By Bus: The closet airport to Sitges is at Barcelona. Another option is the airport at Girona. From Barcelona airport you can get a MonBus bus service directly to Sitges.

By Train: From Barcelona airport you can get a train which goes via Barcelona's Sants station.

HISTORY OF SITGES

Sitges first became fashionable in the late 19th century when writers and artists were attracted to what was then a picturesque little fishing village.

The old town of Sitges is at the very centre of Sitges and this old quarter dates back to ancient medieval times. The streets are very narrow and are cobblestoned and lined with tiny fishermen's cottages complete with terracotta roofs. In the old town are the Baroque-style church and what remains of the medieval walls which used to surround Sitges.

For visitors to Sitges interested in history there are a number of noteworthy museums and art galleries.

Make sure you visit the Museu Cau Ferrat. This is actually an old fisherman's cottages and was once home to the well-known artist Santiago Rusinol. The Museu Cau Ferrat displays paintings and ceramics from Pablo Picasso, El Greco and Santiago Rusinol.

We also recommend a visit to the Museu Marciel. This museum houses a fantastic collection of statues, paintings, ceramics and furniture assembled by the American collector Charles Deering. The museum itself is located within a former hospital dating back to the 14th century.

The Museu Romantic in Sitges occupies the 18th century home of the very wealthy Falc and Llopis families. The museum houses a fine collection of period furniture and antique dolls.

FIESTAS IN SITGES

Sitges is becoming increasingly renowned for its dazzling and colourful festivals which are real extravaganzas. Many of the fiestas (festivals) in Sitges take place during the time of Lent. The most recognised festival is called the Sitges Gay Carnival which is usually held in late January and early February. Look out for the famous grand parade. The Catalan Film Festival in Sitges takes place in the autumn and is very popular.

SITGES AND THE GAY COMMUNITY

Because Sitges became fashionable with the artistic and writer set, it gained a reputation for being an open-minded and bohemian town. Now Sitges has a reputation as a popular tourist destination for gay people. There are gay bars and clubs and the gay carnival is famous throughout Europe.

EXCURSIONS AND THINGS TO DO NEAR SITGES

If you are staying in Sitges or going on holiday to Sitges then do consider these ideas for excursions so you make the most of your trip to Spain's Costa Dorada:

1. Trip to the glamorous big city of Barcelona.
2. The inland city of Girona is a popular tourist destination.
3. For bigger more lively beach resorts consider day trips to Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar.
4. Go into the mountains and go sking.

WORKING IN SITGES

If you are coming to the Sitges area to search for jobs and work, then this English speaking jobs in Spain page will help you.

MOVING TO SITGES - LIVING IN SITGES

If you have found this guide on Sitges because you are thinking moving to the Sitges area you may also find our moving to Spain section with expat interviews and accounts of how they found their move to Sitges Spain, useful and informative, as well as our living in Spain section which has more tips and advice.

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TOURIST INFORMATION VIDEO OF SITGES

This excellent video below shows video images of Sitges featuring the most important tourist attractions of Sitges including the beaches of Sitges.

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Sitges Tourist Information - Page Summary - This page contains unique content about the beach resort of Sitges, close to Barcelona on the Costa Dorada coast of Spain. This page is written to help tourists who plan to visit Sitges.

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