Sitges holidays

As one of Europe's best nightlife and LGBTQ destinations, Sitges is renowned for its year-round party scene. Expect lively cocktail bars and nightclubs like Pacha, which opened its first club in Sitges back in 1967. While some bars and clubs attract a predominantly gay crowd, all are friendly and welcoming and many cater for a mixed clientele. There's also plenty of restaurants and tapas bars if you're after a more chilled out evening.

Despite its compact size, Sitges is also known for its festivals. A highlight of the calendar is the Sitges Carnival in February when some 250,000 people descend on the resort to enjoy colourful parades, street parties and live music. The Sitges Vintage Car Rally in March is another popular event, featuring hundreds of vintage cars and their appropriately attired drivers. More recently, Gay Pride Sitges in June has become one of Europe's premier Pride events.

Cheap holidays to Sitges are easy to find over winter, though the weather doesn’t always play ball. Expect highs of 15C.

A perfect spot overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the Museu de Maricel art gallery houses Dr Jesús Pérez Rosales’ extensive collection of art and antiques.

Its wealth of art and crafts, dating from the 10th century right up until the Modernist movement in the 20th century, includes ceramics, sculptures and paintings by Catalan artists like Llimona, Sunyer and Casas.

Museu del Cau Ferrat

Another of Sitges’ extensive art collections can be found in the former home and studio of famed Catalan painter, Rusiñol. A pioneer of the Catalan Modernisme movement – and a good friend of Picasso – the artist bought the seafront mansion in 1893.

Today the elegant museum displays both Rusiñol's private collection of ancient relics, plus ceramics, sculptures and many paintings from his contemporaries, including Picasso, Gargallo and Casas.

The Fundació Stämpfli Art Contemporani

Another must-see for art lovers, this modern minimalist gallery – housed in an old wood-beamed fish market – is home to one of the most important contemporary art collections in Catalonia.

Opened in 2011, its whitewashed rooms feature an extensive collection of modern art from the last 50 years, including famed works by Peter Klasen and Satoru Sato. In addition to its permanent collection of contemporary international and European art from the last century, the gallery also hosts exhibitions from up-and-coming artists on the ground floor.

Sitges Old Town

With an extensive maritime, fishing and Modernisme history, Sitges’ old town is a delight: think winding narrow streets, crooked whitewashed fincas and spiky green palm trees on every corner.

One of the highlights of the old town is the 17th-century Església de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla (known locally as La Punta), an ornate pink-hued church perched on an outcrop overlooking the beach.

Terramar Beach

Sitges is blessed with a bounty of sandy coves – there are 17 official beaches in the town's boundaries. A mile or so south of Sitges Old Town is Terramar. Thanks to its beautiful sweep of fine blonde sands and mild, shallow waters, it’s one of the resort’s most popular beaches.

There are plenty of options to hire a boat for a spin around the bay, or kick back with a lazy lunch or a cold beer or two at one of Terramar's beachfront bars and clubs.

Families tend to head to the bigger resorts and apartment hotels between Platja de Sant Sebastià, the main family beach, and Port d'Aiguadolç so start your search around here. And while Sitges has a healthy nightlife, the liveliest bars and clubs are contained to a few streets in the centre of town, so they can easily be avoided if you have young kids in tow.

For travellers on a budget

Although it's one of the more stylish resorts on the Mediterranean coast, a budget break in Sitges is still possible for travellers looking for a cheap holiday. While most of the swankier resort hotels are near the marina, visitors will find smaller, more affordable establishments around the streets close to Passeig de Vilanova.

For a cheap holiday to Sitges, consider travelling outside the pricier peak months of July and August.

For food and drink

There's no shortage of fantastic places to eat and drink in Sitges, many offering both traditional and contemporary Catalan flavours. Most restaurants and tapas bars are hidden away in the winding, narrow streets of the old town; Calle Major offers a wealth of restaurants, as well as charming guesthouses and boutique hotels.

Alternatively, opt to stay in and around Port d’Aiguadolç, which has stylish waterfront restaurants and cocktail bars all within easy walking distance.

For nightlife

Sitges is as well known for its nightlife as it is beaches and carnivals. A small resort, most of the main entertainment areas are within easy reach. Slightly out of the main centre is Port d'Aiguadolç, where you’ll find many late-night bars and nightclubs in Sitges Marina. It’s a popular area to stay in if nightlife is high on your list.

For something more central, consider accommodation near La Calle del Pecado, known locally as Sin Street thanks to its glut of late-night bars and nightclubs.

For culture

The two main museums in Sitges are Museu del Cau Ferrat and Museu de Maricel, both close to the waterfront and the old town. Stay in one of the boutique properties close by or perhaps in a chichi guesthouse around Calle Major, one of the prettiest streets in Sitges.

Culture cravers should also consider timing their visit with one of the town’s annual festivals. Highlights of the cultural calendar include the Sitges Carnival in February and the Sitges Film Festival – one of the world’s best horror and fantasy film events – in October.