To many people, what first comes to mind when conjuring up images of Sitges, are crazy parties with a large gay contingency; both points do hold true. It's undeniable that Sitges is one of the liveliest towns along the Mediterranean coast as it’s home to the infamous, Carnival festival and a thriving hub during gay pride. However, there's much more to this quaint seaside town than meets the eye and it’s definitely worth taking the time to discover especially if you have more than a few days in Barcelona.
Situated just south of the city, Sitges is a historic town famous for its 11 beaches and more than 300 sunny days, year round. It's a hot spot for cultural events including the Sitges International Film Festival amongst a host of other smaller, yet equally as exciting venues throughout the year. It is also home to several small museums and historic buildings, including the Museu Romantic and the Casa Bacardi. You must reserve in advance if you want to take a tour where you’ll learn about the unique techniques for how rum is distilled and then at the end you’ll be taught how to make a few cocktails including their signature mojito.
Whether it's winter or summer, Sitges is by far one of the best day trips you can take from Barcelona. It's easily accessible via train, just head to Plaza Catalunya or Sants Station and hop on the RENFE, which will take you directly there and is no longer than an hour journey, usually less. It's also a nice windy, scenic drive overlooking the coast and if you want to rent a car, Pepe car is a fairly cheap rental agency.
Another great asset about Sitges, is that it boasts excellent shopping with a host of 'mom n' pop' locales as well as high street fashion and eclectic vintage stores. Even if you don’t end up buying anything, it’s a beautiful place to stroll through the windy cobblestone streets and browse. Its restaurants are also delicious and if you have time for a leisurely lunch it's definitely worth ordering paella with a glass of wine while sitting on one of the outdoor patios looking out onto the crystal clear water.
