10 Best Things to Do in Sitges

Passeig Marítim is Sitges' seafront esplanade, a great place to start the day before the sun gets too hot. Extending almost 3 km along the town's pristine coastline, wind your way from one end of town to the other, soaking up all the incredible vistas along the way. 

As you pass from one beachfront to the next, you’ll find a new offering of vibrant restaurants and bars. It's also a great chance to get your caffeine fix, as you enjoy Sitges' laidback atmosphere with a coffee in hand and a spectacular view to match.

The baroque-style Church of Sant Bartomeu & Santa Tecla is one of Sitges' most impressive landmarks. The church is known locally as La Punta or 'The Point' and dates back to the 17^th century. Once you ascend the long stairway, you'll be rewarded with a wonderful view of the nearby beach and surrounding town. 

Tours of the church take place on the first Saturday of the month (May–October). These tours also include a special visit to the belltower where you'll get an even better view across the town. Behind the church, there's a busy maze of alleyways offering some delightful lunch spots.

San Sebastian Beach is right between Sitges' old town and the port. Head beyond the eastern seawall and you'll arrive at the beach. Whenever the sun is shining, you'll find local families and groups sunbathing all day long. A favourite for its clean water and a charming beachfront bar, it's easy to find yourself relaxing here for hours.

Nearby, you'll come across a selection of popular restaurants and bars, which serve an eclectic mix of Spanish and international cuisine. Meanwhile, the surrounding hillsides offer a special vantage point to catch the setting sun.

Sitges Carnival presents an eccentric showcase of floats, costumes and late-night parties. Held across 7 days in February, this vibrant festival attracts over 250,000 partygoers each year. The festivities kick off every year on what's known as Fat Thursday, with the King of Carnival being welcomed alongside colourful flourishes and live music.

As the week progresses, massive parades featuring more than 50 specially designed floats are joined by over 3,000 dancers. The whole town turns up for this annual event, making it the ideal time to visit if you're keen to experience Sitges' stellar reputation for parties and hedonistic nightlife.

Museu de Maricel (Maricel Museum) is celebrated for its collection of works from the Luminism, Modernist and Noucentista art movements. Presented as a chronological journey through the various periods of art development, the exhibition begins in the Middle Ages before delving into the 20^th century.

Restored between 1910 and 1918 by prominent engineer Miquel Utrillo, the Maricel Museum was originally built for American businessman and art collector Charles Deering. Set overlooking the sea, some of the views from inside the gallery are almost as good as the artwork.

Museu del Cau Ferrat (Cau Ferrat Museum) was founded in 1893 by artist and writer Santiago Rusiñol. The museum reveals his enduring legacy through its art collection. Situated in the same complex of galleries as the Maricel Museum, Cau Ferrat was once Rusiñol's home and art studio, where he hosted artists from across Europe. Collaborating with these artists on exhibitions and performances, Rusiñol helped transform many of the surrounding fishing towns into dynamic cultural destinations. 

The Cau Ferrat Museum was revamped in 2014, offering an outstanding collection of painting, drawing, sculpture and glasswork. Featured artists include the likes of Rusiñol, Ramón Casas, El Greco, Ignacio Zuloaga and Pablo Picasso.

At Casa Bacardí Sitges, you'll gain incredible insight into a world-renowned rum brand's storied history. Bacardi Rum might have been created in Cuba, but founder Facundo Bacardi was proudly born and raised in Sitges. Designed by celebrated 19th-century architect Gaietà Buigas, the Casa Bacardi Sitges' Modernist structure has been renovated into a series of chic bars, galleries and distillery rooms. 

The Heritage Room and Production Process Room recount Bacardi's beginnings as a small-time operation before it grew into a household name. There are multiple daily tours in English, plus a range of cocktail-making classes. You can enjoy a cocktail in the lounge or on the terrace.

Parc del Garraf (Garraf Natural Park) is just up the hills of Sitges. The picturesque landscape along the way is great for a day trip from Sitges, with many of its walks easily completed within a few hours. Spread across 12,820 hectares, the park offers a diverse range of geological sites to explore, as chalky rocks give way to red sandstone along the eastern border. 

It's possible to visit on foot or by bicycle, as there are guided trails along the coastline or up into the hills and abandoned villages. One particular highlight is the Buddhist monastery occupying a former Modernist mansion named Palau Novella. It was reopened in 1996 as Catalonia's first Buddhist community.

Owing to its prime coastal setting, it's no surprise that Sitges' most popular local dish comes from the sea. Known as arroz a la Sitgetana, this meal combines local meat and vegetables with fresh shellfish and a bed of rice. Get the full experience by pairing the dish with a type of dessert wine called Malvasia de Sitges. 

Enjoyed by generations of Sitges residents, the history of arroz a la Sitgetana can be traced back to centuries. It was rediscovered by 19th-century writer Emerencia Roig I Ravento, who published a book on Sitges' provincial dishes that have been passed down through stories and traditions. 

Sitges is renowned for its spirited nightlife and cocktail bar scene, with almost every street in the town centre featuring some top-notch places to drink and dine. The main square of Plaça del Cap de la Vila is where you'll find some of the best. 

Featuring a rich variety of colourful cafes and bars, the area bustles with tourists and locals alike. Some of the nearby highlights include the cocktails at El Gin Tub and the fresh tapas served at NeM.