Things to do in Sitges
Beaches, cultural attractions and festivals are part of Sitges: the town has more than 15 beaches, while the Palau Maricel and Cau Ferrat helped establish its reputation with visitors.
Beaches and cultural sights
The beaches of Sitges include Platja de Sant Sebastià and Platja de la Fragata. The church dedicated to Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla dates back to the 17th century.
Santiago Rusiñol came to Sitges in 1891, when the town developed into a cultural focus for the Modernistes. A painter associated with Modernisme, he created the Cau Ferrat. His former home and studio at the Cau Ferrat now houses a museum displaying art from that period. Charles Deering built the Palau Maricel to house his art collection, which he took away from Sitges in 1921.
Festivals and film
The Carnival of Sitges, called Carnestoltes in Catalan, is held between February and March. The town's Carnival celebrations go back more than a century. Corpus Christi has a history spanning six centuries in Sitges. The Corpus celebration includes 31 carpets made from flowers in the streets, together with a traditional procession. In May 2023, the celebration received the designation of Heritage Festival of National Interest.
The film festival traces its beginnings to the International Week of Fantasy and Horror Movies in 1968. Fantasy, horror and cult cinema are its areas of specialisation. Its main venue is the Meliá Sitges hotel. Its principal awards, in the Official Fantàstic competition, are known as The Kong. The town honours its patron saints through the Festa Major.
Wine and lunch
In Sitges, Malvasia is served as a dessert wine.
The private Sitges tour with wine tasting and local lunch lasts 8 hours and includes a professional private guide throughout, a coffee break at a cafe by the sea, and a guided walk through the old quarter and its landmarks. Also included are a regional lunch of three courses at a local Penedes restaurant and a chocolate pairing session at Simon Coll Chocolaters with wine or cava, featuring 4 wines and 8 chocolates.
Sitges in Catalonia
Within Catalonia, Sitges is both a town and a municipality in the Garraf comarca. It occupies a position between the Mediterranean Sea and the Garraf Massif. The massif is south of Barcelona, between Castelldefels and Sitges. On 1 January 2025, the population of Sitges stood at about 32,700.
A Sitges day trip from Barcelona
Barcelona lies about 35 kilometres northeast of Sitges. The R2 Sud commuter service from Barcelona calls at Sitges railway station. The station first opened in 1881.
The private guided day trip to Sitges from Barcelona lasts 5 hours, with a private professional guide throughout, an itinerary adapted to the group, detailed commentary on modernist architecture and medieval history, and local insights during the walk.
The guided day trip to Montserrat and Sitges from Barcelona lasts 8 hours and includes transport throughout the day, a professional guide for both destinations, a guided walk through Sitges old town, and coordination of the travel between destinations.
Frequently asked questions
Which beaches are in Sitges?
Platja de Sant Sebastià and Platja de la Fragata are among its beaches.
What is the Cau Ferrat?
The Cau Ferrat was Rusiñol's home and studio and is now a museum displaying art from that period.
What kind of films does the Sitges Film Festival feature?
The festival specialises in fantasy, horror and cult cinema.
Where is Sitges?
Sitges is in the Garraf comarca of Catalonia, between the Garraf Massif and the Mediterranean Sea.
Which train service serves Sitges?
Barcelona's R2 Sud commuter rail service serves Sitges station.
