Barcelona Day Trips – a day out in Sitges

If you spend a few days in Barcelona you can also plan several Barcelona day trips that you will love, for example a day out in Sitges.

Located just a short way outside Barcelona, to the southwest just a 40-minute journey on the local rail service either from Estació de França, Sants or Passeig de Gràcia rail stations, the romantic and historic village of Sitges is a perfect destination for Barcelona day trips.

The proximity and ease of arrival make Sitges one of the most enjoyable Barcelona day trips to do.  It will cost approximately 9 EUR (day return) on the train, usually 4 trains run every hour, dropping visitors off at one of the most beautiful and fabled villages of Catalunya’s Costa Daurada.  Simply alight and stroll into the town from Sitges rail station, the stunning beaches are not too far away. There is so much history here, so where do you start?

Barcelona Day Trips – Sitges

Foremost, Sitges is famous as a party town.  The first ever Pacha nightclub in the world – created 10 years before Eivissa (Ibiza) – was founded here.  But let’s not forget it’s annual Carnaval – one of the biggest in the world – its frequent fiestas, major film festival or the Corpus Cristi.

Going even further back in time, the Romans occupied the village and it was a major point of trade and festival.  In fact, according to the Museu de Sitges, “since ancient times, the site of Sitges has been associated with a small Roman town mentioned in classical sources called Subur.”  Centurions, who were paid in salt from Ses Salines in Eivissa, then took a short cruise to Sitges to spend their wages in true soldier fashion.

Pretty much, this is still what happens today, and Sitges now occupies an even more special place on the global map – the pink map to be precise.  Best described as poly-sexual, Sitges is probably the world’s number one destination for the LGBT community.

Sitges’ most (in)famous street is Carrer del Pecat (Sin Street) as it is known here.  Its real name is Carrer Primer de Maig de 1838, and it is here where artists such as Dali and Picasso used to meet and hang out in their younger years during the 1960’s.

The beach in Sitges which you can visit on Barcelona Day trips

At the bottom of Carrer del Pecat is the beach, one of 17.  This one is called Platja de la Ribera and home to El Chiringuito… quite literally the first ever chiringuito (beach hut bar) built in Spain.  Turn to the right and walk up the beachfront a little way and you will come to a fine beachfront restaurant called Pic Nic.  Perfect for a fresh fish lunch and to nibble on some tapas specialties.  Pulpo Gallega, sepia, patatas bravas and fresh pa amb tomàquet (bread rubbed with tomato) are always on the menu and this selection of dishes should cost about €25 per person.

Sailboats on the beach in Sitges

After the sustenance, the energy kicks in!  Use your time wisely on this Barcelona day trip and see some of the sights.  Follow the path down to the bottom of the church and the old town.  Take the steps up to the old quarter and you will find the magnificent church – dedicated to the town’s patron saints, Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, or drop into the recently refurbished Cau Ferrat Museum.

A suggested route for this day trip is to follow in footsteps of Sitges’ fanciful forefather, Modernist artist and most beloved Santiago Rusiñol.  Enjoy a healthy stroll high above Platja de Sant Sebastià to marvel at the graveyard and viewpoint that looks down on to Port de Sitges: Aiguadolç

The rest of your day could be spent sampling the artisanal wares of the many shops that Sitges has hidden down its back streets, with each and every one unashamedly paying homage to Sitges’ mix of maritime and melancholic glamour.  Check out the numerous interior design, curiosity and antique shops, carelessly scattered between the village’s many cobbled streets.

Before you end your Barcelona day trip and make your back to the city, stop to ‘whet your whistle’ at the locals favourite watering hole, El Cable, on the corner of Carrer Barcelona with Carrer Santiago Rusiñol.  The libations here are almost as famous as the town’s fearsome film festival.

Whatever your thoughts are on this historic hideaway during your Barcelona day trip, one thing’s for certain – you’ll be sure to wave it goodbye, many times again.  For your stay in Barcelona, please do visit our page to see a great selection of fine apartments. 

Also check here other interesting day trip guides:

5 Medieval villages in the Empordà 
Day Trip to Montserrat
Day Trip to Dalí Museum from Barcelona
La Roca Village shopping day trip from Barcelona