The Five Best Daytrips From Sitges
With a fabulous coastline, sunshine, history, dazzling bars and restaurants, discos and museums, the beautiful town of Sitges is bursting with attractions, however, there is also plenty to do and see within daytrip distance of the Sitges area. So why not take advantage of your stay in this delightful part of the world to see some of the nearby attractions.
Here is our selection of what we believe to be the 5 best day trips for families all within easy reach of Sitges:
1. PORTAVENTURE THEME PARK
Less than one hour’s drive from Sitges is the ever popular and children’s favourite PortAventura theme park. Spread out over 296 acres are high speed thrill rides and a host of exciting attractions that chug along at a gentler pace. The park is divided into six different themed worlds. Thrill to some rootin’ tootin’ fun in an authentic Wild West town in the Far West.
Take younger children to SésamoAventura for the Sesame Street characters and amusements. Explore Polynesia, a jungle-like environment with rides and attractions. The other themed worlds are Mediterrània, China and Mexico.
If white knuckle adventures are your thing, PortAventura theme park has a couple of wild rollercoasters. The Shambhala has a gravity-defying fall of 78 meters, while the Furius Baco reaches a phenomenal speed of 135 kilometres per hour in three seconds. Visitors can also enjoy water-based rides, live shows and seasonal events such as the spooky activities during the Halloween period.
PortAventura is an easy 1 hour drive south from Sitges and it is motorway for most of the way. Look for signpost to the park once you pass the exit for Reus airport just south of Tarragona. There is plenty of parking at the site but note that this is charged for in addition to your park entry ticket.
You can read more on our PortAventura guide page.
2. AQUALEON WATER PARK AND ZOO
There’s an ocean of fun for all the family at AquaLeon Water Park and Zoo. It is two parks in one spread out over 800,000m2. Visitors can get wild and wet in the aqua park which features water slides, tubes, a rapid river and wave pool.
For those who like their aquatic adventures to come with a generous dollop of excitement, there’s Toboloko, a long and very fast water rollercoaster that has a drop of 13 meters. Young children have their own water wonderland, with mini slides, a climbing frame island, pool and sprays.
Inside the animal park, more than 600 exotic creatures roam freely over close approximations to their natural habitats. Among the animals you can see are lions, llamas, brown bars and tigers. A great way to see the animals is on board the double decker safari bus that travels through the park. Young children will love spending their time in the mini zoo where they can see emus, chimpanzees and miniature horses.
More details available on our AquaLeon guide.
3. BARCELONA
Barcelona is one of Europe’s most sophisticated, cultured and beautiful cities. Whether you enjoy the buzz of a vibrant metropolis, art, architecture, festivals and music, Barcelona has it covered.
The city is less than an hour’s drive away from Sitges and there are also regular and cheap buses and trains from the town.
Among the must-see attractions are the architectural splendours of one of Barcelona’s most famous sons, the architect Antoni Gaudi. They include the Basilica de la Sagrada Família that looks like it’s been made of dripping candle Wax, La Pedera building and Park Güell. Among the intriguing sights at this large public space are Gaudí’s mosaic work on the main terrace, the serpentine bench and the colonnaded footpath.
Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Picasso Museum that displays the master’s early sketches and Blue Period works. Go on a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter and treat the children to some science fun at Barcelona’s Natural Sciences Museum. Amble along the tree-lined pedestrian thoroughfare known as La Rambla. Browse its shops and enjoy some tapas in a bar or restaurant.
Top up the tan by heading out to the city’s beaches and meander along the beachfront promenade. For a different perspective on things take the cable car to Montjuïc Mountain. Round off the day with a concert at Gran Teatre del Liceu or at L’Auditori.
For many people this city is the home of one of the world’s greatest football clubs – FC Barcelona. It is relatively easy to get tickets for FC Barcelona home matches, however, if there are no matches on while you are there you can still experience the excitement and magic of the Camp Nou with the official Camp Nou Experience Tour & Museum. This is a great day out for any football fan.
4. THE GARRAF NATURAL PARK
The Garraf Natural Park surrounds the town of Sitges and provides a fantastic resource for nature lovers, sports enthusiats and those that appreciate wide open natural spaces. Natural lovers can get out and explore the geology, flora and fauna of Garraf Nature Park. The vast area covers 12,820 hectares and encompasses woodland areas of holm oak and white pine, closed valleys and regions of limestone and dolomite rocks.
There are numerous signposted trekking routes through the park which can be traversed on your own or with an expert guide. At the heart of the park is the Palau Novella, where you’ll find Catalonia’s first Buddhist monastery. Among the wildlife that you may see in the park are Mediterranean tortoises, rabbits, quails, wild boar, eagles and falcons. Many of our villas are located right on the doorstep of the Garraf Natural Park providing easy access to hundreds of kilometres of excellent walking and mountain bike trails.
5. PENEDES WINE AND CAVA REGION
Wine lovers who visit Sitges have much to look forward to with the town’s close proximity to the Penedes Wine Region, home to mile upon mile of vineyards and a countryside dotted with museums, towns and farmhouses.
Embark on tours of some of the vineyards and wineries such as Torres Winery and Bodegues Sumarroca.Venture into cellars to taste wines, and in some places cava. Perhaps even go on a wine tasting course. Penedes Wine Region also features numerous attractions that are well worth putting on the travel itinerary.
See vintage train carriages at the Catalonia Railway Museum. Sample fine chocolates at the Simón Coll Chocolate Experience. Discover more of the area by trekking through its nature routes and visiting its nature parks. At Les Deus Adventure Park you can try zip-line rides above trees and rocky landscapes.
There’s also a lot of fascinating history to explore in some of the region’s castles. They include Mediaeval Castle of Calafell and Gelida Castle.
Read our article about the history of Cava production in Catalunya.
Whether you decide to spend your entire holiday in Sitges or head outside town for a brief spell, there is never a shortage of exciting things to see, do and enjoy.
