10 Best Things to Do in Sitges (After Spending 1 Week There)

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The first time I visited Sitges, I came for a day trip from Barcelona. I liked it so much that when I spotted a housesitting opportunity there about a year later, I jumped at the chance to come back and spend a whole week in town.

Having more time completely changed how I experienced Sitges. Instead of just seeing the main sights, I could wander through the Old Town, spend time at the beach, visit the museums, and discover little places I probably would have missed on a day trip.

So whether you only have a few hours or you’re staying for longer, these are the things to do in Sitges that I enjoyed most during my two visits.

Table of Contents

1. Explore the Old Town of Sitges

House in Sitges, wandering through the old town is one of the best things to do in Sitges Spain — Traditional white house with blue windows in Sitges

A colorful street sign with a painting on it — Traditional white house with blue windows in Sitges

One of my favorite things to do in Sitges is simply wander through the Old Town without much of a plan. It’s small enough to explore on foot, and there always seems to be another little street or corner worth checking out.

What I remember most are the white buildings with their bright blue shutters and the beautifully painted street signs. I kept stopping to look at them because even something as ordinary as a street name somehow looked pretty in Sitges.

Even if you’re mainly coming for the beach, don’t skip the Old Town. Take some time to wander around before making your way toward the church and waterfront.

2. Relax on the Beach

A quiet beach in Sitges near Barcelona — When I visited in fall the beach was very quiet

You can’t come to Sitges without spending at least a little time by the sea. There are several beaches next to each other, so it’s easy to combine beach time with exploring the Town.

I visited in fall, and I loved how quiet the beach was. There were hardly any people around, which made it feel completely different from the busy beaches in Barcelona.

If you visit during summer, you’ll obviously have to expect more people, but you can always walk a little farther and see if you can find a quieter spot.

Even if it’s not warm enough to swim, I’d still make time for a walk along the beach.

3. Walk the Coast From Sitges to Vilanova

View of the coast on the Sitges to Vilanova walk — Stay on the ocean side of the track

Barcelona beach walk, View of the hike from Sitges to Vilanova — Stay on the ocean side of the track

One of my favorite things I did in Sitges was the coastal walk to Vilanova i la Geltrú. The route is around 7 km, with beautiful sea views and several small beaches where you can stop for a swim.

It took us about three hours at a relaxed pace with plenty of photo stops. Once we reached Vilanova, we simply took the train back to Sitges.

If you want to do the walk yourself, check out my full guide to the Sitges to Vilanova coastal walk for the route, what to expect, and my tips for the hike.

Scenic Coastal Walk from Sitges to Vilanova i la Geltrú near Barcelona

Watch this video on YouTube

4. Visit the Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla

You’ll probably spot the Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla before you even reach it. Sitting above the waterfront, it’s one of the most recognizable sights in Sitges.

Unfortunately, the church was closed when I visited, so I didn’t get to see the inside. But I’d still recommend walking up to it even if you find the doors closed too.

For me, the location is what makes it worth the stop. From up here, you can look out over the beach and coastline before continuing through the Old Town or heading down to the waterfront.

5. Visit Palau Maricel (only open in Summer)

Entrance to Palau Maricel, visiting this palace is one of the best things to do in Sitges Spain — Entrance to Palau Maricel

Palau Maricel was one of the places in Sitges that surprised me most. The different rooms are beautifully decorated, but my favorite part was the courtyard overlooking the sea.

Access to the palace can be limited depending on when you visit, so I’d check the current opening days before adding it to your plans.

If it’s open while you’re in Sitges, I definitely think it’s worth going inside, especially if you enjoy beautiful architecture and historic interiors.

6. Visit Museu Maricel & Museu del Cau Ferrat

A museum room with blue walls and exhibition pieces everywhere

Three female statues in front of arches, in the back you can see the ocean

If you enjoy art, I’d recommend visiting Museu del Cau Ferrat and Museu de Maricel. They’re right next to each other, and I visited both during my stay in Sitges.

My favorite was Cau Ferrat, especially the room with the vibrant blue walls. It was easily one of the most memorable interiors I saw in Sitges.

At Museu de Maricel, what stood out to me most were three female statues positioned in front of the sea. The statues themselves didn’t particularly wow me, but with the ocean behind them, the whole setting was beautiful.

7. Find the Library Courtyard

A round courtyard with a fountain in the middle and many plants

One of the little places I probably wouldn’t have discovered on a quick day trip is the courtyard at Biblioteca Santiago Rusiñol.

The library itself is right in the Old Town, but it was the peaceful courtyard that caught my attention. With its greenery and fountain, it felt like a quiet little escape from wandering around Sitges.

It doesn’t take long to visit, so if you’re already exploring this part of town, I think it’s worth popping in for a look.

8. Look for the Waterfront Statues

A mermaid statue next to the coast in Sitges with a raised hand — Give the mermaid a high five

As you walk along the waterfront, keep an eye out for some of the statues scattered around Sitges.

My favorite is the little mermaid near the church steps. The way she holds up her hand makes it look like she’s waiting for a high five, and now I can’t see her any other way.

Farther along Passeig Marítim, you can also find a statue dedicated to Facundo Bacardí, the Sitges-born founder of Bacardi.

Neither takes long to see, but they’re fun little details to look out for while walking along the waterfront.

9. Find the Sitges Sign

Bold SITGES letters in front of a park — I love city letters

I have a bit of a weakness for those big city-name signs, so of course I had to find the Sitges one too.

You’ll find the colorful Sitges letters near Parc Can Robert. It’s not something I’d go far out of my way to see, but if you’re nearby, it’s a fun spot to stop for a quick photo.

And if you love collecting photos with city signs as much as I do, you’ll probably want this one too.

10. Try the Vegan Food in Sitges

Two shakes and two starters on a table, outside the restaurant you can see the ocean. Cinnamon is one of the best vegan restaurants in Sitges — The kale chips as a starter were amazing at Cinnamon Sitges!

If you’re looking for vegan food in Sitges, I really enjoyed Cinnamon, an Indian restaurant near the waterfront.

I especially appreciated that you could choose the spice level because I really can’t handle spicy food! It meant I could actually enjoy the meal without worrying about ordering something way too spicy for me.

If you like Indian food, Cinnamon is definitely worth checking out while you’re in Sitges.

Best Time to Visit Sitges

The best time to visit Sitges depends on what you want from your trip. Summer is ideal if you want hot weather and spending lots of time at the beach, but it’s also the busiest time of year.

I visited in fall and really enjoyed how quiet Sitges felt. The beaches were almost empty, and I could explore the Old Town without the summer crowds.

For me, the quieter atmosphere was a big part of the appeal, so I’d happily visit outside peak summer again.

Sitges also hosts several major events throughout the year, including Carnival and the Sitges Film Festival, so it’s worth checking what’s happening during your dates if you’d either like to experience an event or avoid the extra crowds.

Sunset at the beach in Sitges, seen on a day trip from Barcelona to Sitges by train — Enjoy the sunset in Sitges before heading back to Barcelona

Is Sitges Worth Visiting?

Yes, I think Sitges is definitely worth visiting. I first came here on a day trip from Barcelona and liked it enough that, about a year later, I jumped at the chance to return for a housesit and spend an entire week in town.

I especially recommend Sitges if you want a mix of beaches, pretty streets, coastal walks, and a slower pace than Barcelona. It works really well as a day trip, but after staying for a week, I also think there’s enough to enjoy if you want to stick around for a few days.

Personally, the fact that I wanted to come back probably says more than any list of reasons I could give you.

Where to Stay in Sitges

I spent a week in Sitges while housesitting, so I stayed in a residential area rather than a hotel. But if I were booking accommodation for a future trip, I’d choose Sercotel Kalma Sitges.

It’s right by the beach and just a short walk from the Old Town, which is exactly where I’d want to be for a shorter stay. The hotel also has bright, modern rooms and a rooftop pool overlooking Sitges.

🏖️ Book your hotel in SItges now!

Planning a Day Trip to Sitges From Barcelona?

If you’re staying in Barcelona, Sitges is easy to visit for the day. You won’t have time to do everything on this list, but you can still explore the Old Town, spend some time by the beach, and see many of my favorite spots.

If I were planning the trip again, though, I’d do things a little differently. I’d take the train from Barcelona to Vilanova i la Geltrú, walk the coastal trail to Sitges, and then spend the rest of the day exploring Sitges before taking the train back to Barcelona.

For the full route and how I’d organize the day, check out my Barcelona to Sitges day trip itinerary.

Tina Riegelnegg

Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Veganderlust. She's a vegan with wanderlust, who shares tips and stories from her travels to 31 countries as a vegan minimalist. After 2.5 years of full-time travel with just a personal item-sized bag, she’s now based in Vienna, helping fellow travelers explore the world with ease and compassion.