Sitges – A Town For All Seasons
Come rain or shine, but let’s face it nearly always shine, Sitges is a town with a lot going on throughout the year. Whether you want a summer getaway, some glorious winter sunshine, an autumn escape or a spring break, Sitges is a town for all seasons, where there is never a shortage of exciting things to see and do.
Sitges for Summer Fun in the Sun!
Let’s start with the summer, and with an average high temperature of 27°C (81°F) and wall-to-wall sunshine in July and August, the beach is the place to be. In fact, there are 17 beautiful sandy stretches bordering the sparkling Mediterranean and all within walking distance of the town. Cool off with a swim and take part in a plethora of water sports, including windsurfing, jet skiing, kitesurfing, surfing, snorkelling and sailing.
La Fragata and Sant Sebasta are good family-friendly beaches, while one of the largest is Ribera, situated directly in front of the town centre. Other popular beaches are Bassa Ronda, the town’s principal gay beach and Cala Morisca, one of the nudist beaches. Find out more about Sitges’ beaches here.
But Sitges doesn’t only turn on sand, sea and surf. Enjoy some adrenalin pumping, high speed action at the PortAventura theme park, less than one hour’s drive from the town. Read our PortAventura article here. Or for more water-based fun, make tracks for the AquaLeon Water Park and Zoo. Send your body down water tubes and slides and then see more than 600 free roaming animals in the wildlife park.
In August the town is in full swing with activity going on all day and all night. If you are in the mood to party, then August’s Feast of Sant Bartomeu is for you. The celebrations are in memory of Saint Bartomeu and Saint Tecla and feature fireworks, concerts and folk dances.
Autumn Excitement
A big autumn highlight is the Sitges International Film Festival in October. It is one of the most respected and prestigious film festivals in Europe and primarily is a showcase for fantasy films. There are screenings of movies from all over the world, awards ceremonies and presentations. Expect to see a smattering of big name Hollywood movie stars among the participants.
October also sees the Sitges Wine Harvest Festival, which encompasses the Wine Tasting Festival and the Gourmet Food Festival. For more wine experiences, head out of town for 30 minutes for a tour of the world-famous vineyards and cellars of Freixenet. The winery is a leading producer of Cava.
Winter Joy
Winters in Sitges are usually sunny, dry and mild. Unlike many Spanish coastal towns, Sitges doesn’t shut down in the winter. Christmas is a wonderful time to be here with carol concerts, Christmas lights and the crib and nativity diorama at the Palace of the Moor King.
There is also the annual Christmas Fair at the Oasis Centre. On Christmas Day, a walk on a beach is a must. January 5th is the Feast of the Three Kings, a street procession when the three wise men throw thousands of sweets out to the crowd. A few days later is the Sitges half marathon.
Every year, typically in February or March, the streets are a riot of colour, sound and revelry for the Sitges Carnival. There is a whole week of spectacular parties featuring fireworks, street music and parades. Highlights include a bed race through the streets and a televised battle of drag queens.
If you’d like to tie in some winter sports with your Mediterranean break then Sitges is only 2 hours from some good local ski resorts and just over 3 hours from the excellent international standard ski resorts of Andorra. The ski season starts in late November and both the local resorts and those in Andorra are very family orientated and great value for money compared to the Alps.
Spring Delights
Spring is a great time to do a bit of sightseeing around Sitges. It’s sunny and warm, but not so hot that you will feel uncomfortable travelling from place to place.
See the collection of dolls at Museu Romantic and study glass and ironwork at Museu Cau Ferrat. Learn about the history of Bacardi and its ties to Sitges at Casa Bacardi and browse the town’s art galleries.
There is also a generous smattering of events and activities to keep you entertained and amused. At the annual patchwork festival in March, view exhibitions and take part in classes and courses. Also this month is the vintage car rally, where a number of cars that were manufactured before 1928 travel from Barcelona to Sitges. Easter sees numerous colourful and solemn religious parades through town, while the Sitges Jazz Festival in April will excite music lovers. For skiers and boarders the sunny ski slopes of Andorra are usually open until late April.
There’s Always Something Going On
There is never a dull moment in Sitges, a Catalan town known for its creativity, fun and lust for life. In addition to the beaches, fiestas, museums, galleries and attractions, there’s a sumptuous selection of bars, clubs, restaurants and great shopping as well. So what are you waiting for… come on over to our place!
