Sitges old center and seaside, Sitges, Costa Dorada, Catalonia, Spain, Europe
1) It is easy to get to Sitges . Unlike other places that can only be reached by car, this town is very easily accessible by train or bus.
2) He is always partying. If you visit it before August 27, you will be able to experience the Sant Bartomeu Festival first-hand: sardanas, castellers, cercaviles and all the possible Catalan imaginary come together to celebrate the summer. The Plaza del Baluard is also filled with giants, dragons, eagles and spectacular fireworks.
3) The party does not end there . The Carnival, the Sitges Gay Pride, the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival -at the beginning of October-, or the International Tango Festival are just some of the festivals that it hosts.
There is no party here
4) It has hidden beaches . Sitges is like a Balearic island in a small format: as you walk you find beautiful hidden coves that are worth the walk.
5) But there are not only coves. In fact, we find up to 17 different beaches, including family areas, gay corners and, of course, nudist beaches. Aquagym, G.A.P., tai-txi, and txi-kung courses are also organized.
6)The water is not so cold . Nothing to do with the icy Costa Brava or the hot coast of Tarragona. The waters of Sitges have the average temperature, the perfect one. A real win-win for all water lovers.
Sitges, pride of beaches
7) Modernist touch. Former meeting point for Modernisme artists, the town allows you to visit the fantastic studio and house of the poet Santiago Rusiñol, called Cau Ferrat. Its blue walls full of tiles will enchant you.
8) An American air. If you walk through the center of Sitges, you will also think that the city has a colonial air. You are not wrong: many citizens of the late nineteenth century made their fortune in America and, when they returned, built buildings with a Latin flavor. His nickname was clear: “the Americans”.
9) It is a land of fishermen. Another thing that you will think right away is that it is a town that preserves the seafaring spirit. The old wall that gives way to the Baluard canyon shows the fishermen's houses, which still have a space reserved on the beach for their boats.
A city with colonial airs
10) Seafood gastronomy. The fishermen have had their impact on the food of the town, of course, with dishes such as “rice a la Sitgetana”. It carries a bit of everything: from pork ribs to cuttlefish, sausages, clams and shrimp from the coast. A rather curious cocktail with first class ingredients.
11) Supreme salads. The most popular dish, however, is the xató. Although at first it looks like any other salad, it is actually much more. The escarole contains anchovies, tuna, cod and olives and is accompanied by a highly prized sauce of toasted almonds and hazelnuts.
12) They turn the xató into a party, of course. The best time to try authentic xató – they really like to emphasize that “authentic”-, is during the “popular xatonadas”, which are organized quite often on the street.
Xató, a supreme salad
13)Even more sea. We cannot leave aside other specialties such as fideuás and fish suquet. To prepare it at home, nothing better than buying the ingredients at the decisive Municipal Market.
14) Dessert time. If you want something more sweet, you can visit the store Els Pastissos de l'àvia (Grandma's cakes), on Santiago Rusiñol street, which makes appetizing homemade cakes and specialties such as coca de llardons.
15) They have the xarel lo grape . In addition, as Sitges is located very close to the Penedés wine region, we can find some of the most reputable wines with denomination of origin in the country.
16) Desserts a little sweeter. You cannot leave Sitges without trying the malvasia, a sweet and aromatic wine that is made by hand. You can visit the Llopis winery in the Romantic museum to learn about the history of this liquor.
The most sustainable in the city
17) Art in the form of latex. Sitges crafts are somewhat curious: one of its star products are the latex dolls that represent giants, dragons, demons and castellers of the festival.
18)…and in the form of a tomb . If you are one of those who visit cemeteries -how strange that phrase sounds-, you may be interested in discovering the pantheons with works by Josep Llimona, Frederic Marés and Manel Fuxà in the old cemetery of San Sebastián. One of the sculptures has been classified among the finalists of the category for the best sculpture of the Contest of Cemeteries of Spain, I will not tell you more.
19) Love for the pixel. If you prefer contemporary art, your place is the Fundació Stämpfli. Until October 12, for example, you will find an exhibition dedicated to the concept of "pixel" by the artist Miguel Chevalier.
20) Sustainable hotels. Become the first hotel in Europe and fourth on the planet to achieve the highest environmental certification -the Leed Platinum Certification-, the Hotel Spa Avenida Sofia is committed to sustainability.
A very photogenic city
21) Views over the sea. Before leaving, it is mandatory to walk through the fantastic terrace of the Palau Maricel, on Fonollar street. This residence and museum with works by Miquel Utrillo will leave you speechless. And no battery in the camera.
22) Everything is open. It doesn't matter if it's Sunday afternoon; in summer you will find all kinds of shops open and ready to offer delicacies, clothes and perfumes.
23) But it's a bit of a tourist catcher. Be careful, try not to fall into the typical trap of "do you want to try this cologne?" or you will have to spend twenty minutes in a store with intense odors.
24) It is very photogenic. See for yourself: any image you upload of Sitges has numbers to enter the ranking of the biggest likes. From the sunsets to the views over the sea, Sitges exudes beauty.
25) It is an open city , capable of satisfying the most extravagant tastes and that has no prejudices about anything. And that's what we like most of all. Along with the malvasia, of course.
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