area guide

Välkommen till Sitges

Just 30 minutes from Barcelona, this lively coastal town is situated on the Garraf coast and is surrounded by the hills of the Garraf National Park.

Move to this bohemian city for lively nightlife, year-round festivals, gorgeous beaches and luxurious living.

Sitges has been called the St Tropez of Spain thanks to its beautiful beach location and its enviable style, culture and bohemian energy. Located just 45 minutes south of Barcelona, Sitges is also one of the world’s top gay destinations. This former village has a permanent population of around 25,000 but tourism expands that number to 100,000 during the summer season. From July to August, the coastline is transformed into one long beach party.

However, the fun isn’t limited to the summer months – Sitges has a year-round programme of events. These include the famous Sitges Carnival, Mardi Gras, the vintage car rally and the Sitges Film Festival, the world’s top fantasy film festival.

Sitges reputation as a creative centre is rooted in its history: in the late 19th century, the town was a key location for the Modernist movement, enticing artists such as Picasso to explore its winding streets and stroll along its beautiful promenade. Visit those same streets today and you’ll find an array of galleries and museums, stylish independent boutiques, quirky bars and excellent restaurants.

Plats

Community

Sitges youthful community comprises a mix of families, wealthy Barcelonians, artists and bohemian types, tech millionaires and an international gay community.

Property

You will find a mix of property here: think luxury villas with pools and terraces, modern apartments and duplexes plus chic townhouses. Sitges commands some of the highest property prices in Europe, which means that this is a great area to invest.

Amenities

Sitges has an excellent variety of shops – whether it’s well-known supermarket brands or organic local produce you are looking for – you can find it here. You’ll also find plenty of excellent restaurants, cafes and bars, museums and art galleries. Visit one of the town’s many markets to sample some excellent Spanish produce or head to the marina for a spot of messing about on boats or luxury yachts. You’re also a stone’s throw from various sporting activities including water sports, golf, tennis and horse-riding.

Transport

If you want to head to Barcelona, going by train is the fastest (just 30 minutes) and cheapest option. You can also travel by bus, which is almost as cheap and quick, with the added bonus that buses run through the night and are available 24 hours.

Health

Sitges is served by the ‘CAP’ (Centre d’atenció primària) public health centre. The closest public hospitals are located in Sant Pere de Ribes (Hospital-Residència Sant Camil) and Vilanova i la Geltrú (Hospital Comarcal de Sant Antoni Abat). There are a number of private clinics in the area, including the Centre Medic Sitges, Institut Pediàtric Sitges, and Nou Policlínic.

Cost of Living

Sitges is an upmarket area and is known to be the most expensive town in Spain, so the cost of living is likely to be higher here relative to other parts of the country. However, the standard of living is also very high, so you will certainly get your money’s worth