Sitges holidays

You’ve got 17 sandy beaches to choose from in Sitges – there are family-friendly stretches which are ideal for watersports and shallow paddles and private nudist beaches tucked away. Then there are the iconic gay beaches, like Playa de las Bassa Rodona, which blasts music all day long. Plus, most of the sandy shores here are right by the main square, so they all have a lively buzz to them.

Ribera Beach is Sitges’ most central bay, which makes it the most popular sunbathing swathe. There are shacks along the waterfront where you can rent equipment for paddleboarding and kayaking, and the town centre’s a few steps away if you’re after a bite to eat. If you want to bag a sunlounger it’s best to get there early in peak season, but the sand’s soft enough to just lay a towel down if you’re not fussed.

Barra Beach is about a 20-minute stroll from the main centre, but it’s worth the walk if you’re after a secluded spot. It’s set within a cove and has calm waters. The manmade rock formations create a heart-shaped bay and there’s a little island which you can snorkel around or climb on top of for a spot of crabbing.

Sitges’ largest market revolves around food. Vendors set up their stalls right beside the train station every day flogging their freshly grown fruit and veg. On Fridays, there’s another market where you can buy everything from knick-knacks and clothing to home products, all at a great price. If you’re there in the summer, keep your eyes peeled because lots of impromptu markets pop up all around the centre.

The centre of Sitges is home to a wide range of shops, selling clothes, household decorations, souvenirs, sweet treats, music and accessories. Most of the big chains can be found along Carrer Sant Francesc, a shopping street just off of the main square. There are also lots of lesser-known boutiques to uncover, down the narrow streets that branch off.

If you’re looking to splurge on designer labels, you’ll need to jump on the train to Barcelona – it’ll take about 30 minutes. It’s considered to be one of the biggest shopping cities in Europe and you’ll see why when you get there. Stroll along Passeig de Gracia and you’ll find names like Hermes, Versace, Gucci, Chanel and Louis Vuitton dotted all down the street.

If partying’s not your speed, there’s no need to worry. The packed bars and nightclubs are only one part of this place. Tucked down little cobbled streets and sprinkled along the shore are cosy tavernas where you can relax with a drink. Plus, Penedes is a 25-minute drive down the road if you want to sip Malvasia wine at a vineyard.

After dark, Sitges turns into party central. The main square’s full of bars and clubs, including lots centred around the gay community. The best place to go if you want to party all night is Carrer del Pecat, or what most people call the ‘Street of Sin’. It’s lined with watering holes, but in reality, the whole street becomes one big club and everyone’s out dancing on the streets.

This is the region’s version of a paella. It takes advantage of being wedged between the sea and the countryside, by incorporating a mixture of fish and produce from the mountains. Fresh seafood, like big juicy king prawns and cuttlefish, are combined with chunks of rustic sausage and tossed together with the special boozy ingredient, Malvasia wine – a grape that’s native to this region – gives the rice dish a fruity undertone.

You’ll find lots of vineyards just outside of the centre of Sitges, all growing the native Malvasia grape. It creates a white wine that greets you with floral aromas intertwined with sweet green apple, vanilla and subtle fruity notes. It’s also used as a special ingredient in plenty of local dishes. If you want to try it, you can head to one of the local bodegas for a chilled glass.

You’ll spot Xato on most menus around Sitges. This salt cod and tuna salad makes for a refreshing light meal or a great appetiser. Endive leaves, anchovies and olives are mixed with chunks of salted cod and flakes of tuna. All this is topped with a dressing made up of breadcrumbs, garlic, hazelnuts, almonds, vinegar and peppers. If you want to play chef yourself, you can find this sauce pre-made in lots of shops.

This sweet treat is very much like a crème brûlée. The only difference between the two is that instead of using French vanilla custard, this version is made from Spanish custard which uses milk rather than cream, making it much lighter. The dessert is flavoured with zesty citrus, sprinkled with cinnamon and topped with a caramelised sugary layer.

Being in Spain and only 30 minutes from Barcelona, it makes sense that Sitges is full of tapas restaurants. As you scan the menu, you’ll find some well-known classics like patatas bravas – potatoes in a rich tomato sauce – and jamon serrano, which is cured, dried and salted ham. You can also get this ham stuffed in a croquette, or change it up for a plate of freshly fried calamari rings with a side of aioli.