Sitges, Spain: A Complete Day Trip Guide from Barcelona
Today is the last day of September and it is truly starting to feel like Fall here in NYC. So appropriately, I am going to share some images of a perfect Summer day! Only a couple of weeks ago I was still on vacation in Europe (oh, how it feels like so long ago already!), among our stops in Spain and Portugal was the seaside town of Sitges.
Sitges is one of the easiest day trips you can make from Barcelona. It has all of the flavor of the Catalan region of Spain... beautiful architecture, winding streets, and a charming beachside vibe. Take the R2 Sud line from Passeig de Gràcia or Barcelona Sants station. Trains run frequently and the journey takes about 40 minutes. Tickets are inexpensive and can be purchased at the station. The beach is a flat, scenic 10-15 minute walk from the Sitges train station, and the walk itself is worth taking slowly.
WHAT TO SEE
The star of Sitges is the Església de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla, a stunning 17th century Catholic church that sits dramatically on a promontory overlooking the sea. It's one of those views that stops you mid-stride. Walk around it, not just toward it — every angle is worth seeing.
From there, make your way to Cala Fonda, a breathtaking overlook near the beach with panoramic views of the coastline. It's the kind of place you stumble across and immediately want to keep to yourself.
The old town is worth getting lost in. The winding streets are lined with whitewashed buildings, hanging plants, and quiet corners that reward slow walking.
Taking the train from Barcelona was one of the smoothest transits I've experienced in Europe, and the station is a short 10-15 minute walk to the beach. It is worth walking it slowly though, because the buildings and alleyways are filled with beautiful hanging plants and other wonderful gems.
We decided on visiting San Sebastian beach, one of fifteen or so beaches. It was small but not crowded like Barceloneta in Barcelona.
WHERE TO EAT
We packed a couple of sandwiches from a bakery near our airbnb and some fruit for a picnic by the waves. But we were still very tempted to grab a sangria and some paella at one of the many restaurants along the beach. La Punta is the first stop when we return to Sitges; a cozy tapas spot worth seeking out. It is a casual, unpretentious place that feels like a local find. For a more classic experience, the restaurants lining the beach serve paella and sangria with a view.
WHERE TO STAY
If you're making Sitges more than a day trip, the town is small enough that almost anywhere puts you within walking distance of the beach and old town. For Barcelona-based travelers, staying centrally in the Eixample district puts you close to Passeig de Gràcia station for easy train access. When we return we plan to stay a couple of nights in Sitges and the Divino Boutique Hotel is top of our list.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Late spring and early fall are ideal; warm enough to swim, uncrowded enough to actually enjoy it. July and August bring peak summer crowds. A weekday visit in June or September is as close to perfect as it gets.
TIPS
Pack a picnic from a bakery near your accommodation (we grabbed sandwiches and fruit and had one of the best lunches of the trip eating on the beach). There are fifteen or so beaches to choose from but San Sebastian is smaller and significantly less crowded than Barceloneta back in the city. Bring cash for smaller restaurants and shops. And give yourself more time than you think you need — Sitges has a way of slowing you down, which is exactly the point.
