The Best Things to do in Sitges in a Day: What Not to Miss

Sitges is where sun, style, and seaside culture collide, just 35 minutes from Barcelona and brimming with things to do. Often called the “Saint-Tropez of Spain,” this coastal Catalan town is more than just a pretty beach spot. It’s packed with art museums, modernist architecture, LGBTQ+ history, and some of the liveliest festivals in Europe. Spend your morning walking the palm-lined promenade, lunch at a rooftop bar with sea views, then hop over to one of the Catalonia wineries nearby for a tasting session surrounded by vineyards and coastal hills. End your day with a dip in the Mediterranean or a cocktail in Sitges’ buzzing old town. From cultural icons and sandy coves to shopping, seafood, and wine, there’s no shortage of unforgettable things to do in Sitges. This is where you come to live well, eat well, and leave with more than a few stories.

What are the best things to do in Sitges?

Visit the old streets of Sitges

Start your Sitges adventure in the old town, a maze of whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, and hidden gems waiting around every corner. This area feels like a postcard brought to life, with boutique shops, sunlit cafés, and artisan stores selling local ceramics, handmade jewelry, and pieces of Catalan architecture you can admire up close. It’s the perfect place to slow down, get a little lost, and soak up that laid-back Mediterranean vibe.

Walk to the Cau Ferrat museum

Once the home of artist Santiago Rusiñol, the Cau Ferrat Museum is a must for art lovers visiting Sitges. This cultural gem became a hub of Catalan Modernism, showcasing paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and decorative pieces collected by Rusiñol and his circle, including Ramon Casas. Set right on the seafront, the museum’s stunning ocean views only add to the creative atmosphere. It’s not just a museum, it’s where art, history, and inspiration come together in one unforgettable setting.

Explore the Palau Maricel

Palau Maricel is a stunning blend of baroque and Renaissance influences, perched above the sea with serious storybook charm. Restored in the early 20th century by American millionaire Charles Deering, this palace is part of the larger Maricel complex, which also includes the Maricel Museum. Inside, you’ll find a rich collection spanning from Romanticism to Noucentisme, all housed in elegant rooms with views over the Mediterranean. It’s one of Sitges’ most impressive cultural stops, equal parts architecture, art, and atmosphere.

Relax at Platja de Sant Sebastià

Platja de Sant Sebastià is one of the most picturesque beaches in Sitges, and a local favorite for good reason. Tucked east, this golden-sand cove offers a quieter vibe, perfect for families, relaxed sunbathing, and morning swims. With gentle waves, a laid-back crowd, and the iconic Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla rising just behind it, the setting feels straight out of a postcard. It’s the kind of beach where you linger longer than planned, and don’t regret a second.

Marvel at the Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla

Sitting proudly on a hill above the sea, the Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla is the postcard symbol of Sitges. Its baroque facade and twin bell towers make it instantly recognizable, especially when viewed from the beach below. More than just a beautiful backdrop, the church is at the heart of Sitges’ cultural life, hosting key events during Festa Major and other traditional celebrations. 

Experience Sitges Film Festival

Every October, Sitges turns into the ultimate destination for fantasy and horror lovers with the world-famous Sitges Film Festival. Launched in 1968, it’s one of the most prestigious genre film festivals in Europe, drawing filmmakers, fans, and curious visitors from around the globe. Expect premieres, open-air screenings, celebrity appearances, and a city buzzing with energy.

Celebrate Sitges carnival with locals

Sitges Carnival is one of the wildest, most vibrant events on the Catalan calendar, and it takes over the town in the best way. Held in February, this week-long fiesta is all about outrageous costumes, nonstop music, and dancing in the streets from day to night. Highlights include the iconic Debauchery Parade and Extermination Parade, drawing thousands of revelers in full glitter and feathers. It’s bold, loud, and unforgettable, Sitges at its most spectacular. If you love a good party, plan your trip around Carnival and experience the town like never before.

Soak in the Charm of Sitges

Stroll through art galleries on Fonollar Street, sip vermouth by the sea, or dance your way into the early morning, Sitges pulls you in at every turn. It’s a Mediterranean jewel where creativity, beach life, and bold personality all blend into one unforgettable coastal escape. From golden sunsets to late-night energy, Sitges leaves a mark long after you’ve left.

What are the best things to do around Sitges?

Taste Cava with a view outside Sitges

Perched on a hillside in Vilanova i la Geltrú, 12 min from Sitges, this vineyard offers more than just a tasting, it’s a full sensory experience. Explore 125 hectares of vines set around a 17th-century Catalan farmhouse, all wrapped in sea breezes and Mediterranean light. Whether you’re visiting with friends, family, or your partner, you’ll get an inside look at how traditional cava is made, from the first grape to the final bubble. The tours are intimate, relaxed, and rich in detail, perfect for wine lovers looking to add something special to their Catalonia trip.

Discover organic wine and biodynamic roots in the Penedès

Looking for a wine experience that goes beyond the glass? Head into the Penedès countryside and explore a vineyard where sustainability, craftsmanship, and deep respect for the land come together. Organic since 2003 and now embracing biodynamic farming, this estate lets you taste the difference in every sip. From hand-pruned vines to the complete absence of synthetic chemicals, every detail reflects a slow, thoughtful approach to winemaking. Try unique natural wines, like a red fermented in cement and ceramic vats, or a Pet Nat made with ancestral methods.

Step into a historic cellar deep beneath a Catalan Estate

Hidden beneath a 15th-century masía in Sant Martí Sarroca, this family-run cava estate offers one of the most unique cellars in Catalonia, 12 meters underground in the shape of a six-pointed star. Now managed by the third generation, this project blends centuries of winemaking tradition with a deep respect for quality and heritage. The estate itself is a walk through time, with remnants of Romanesque architecture, medieval roots, and modern winemaking techniques all woven together.

Take a day trip to Barcelona

Dive headfirst into one of Europe’s most iconic cities, just over an hour from Reus by car or train. From the surreal architecture of Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell to the buzzing food stalls of La Boqueria and the golden beaches of Barceloneta, Barcelona is packed with sights, flavors, and photo ops at every turn. Stroll down La Rambla, sip vermouth in the Gothic Quarter, or explore nearby wineries near Barcelona for a cava tasting in the hills. It’s the perfect high-energy contrast to Reus, and an easy way to pack world-class culture, food, and seaside beauty into a single unforgettable day.

Don’t miss our guide on what to do in Barcelona!

Enjoy a slow moment in Reus

Soak in the charm of this laid-back Catalan town at your own pace. Grab a coffee in Plaça del Mercadal, browse the local markets, or wander through quiet streets lined with modernist architecture and independent shops. Reus invites you to pause, whether you’re people-watching on a sunny terrace, tasting local vermouth, or exploring tucked-away art spaces. It’s the kind of place where slowing down feels natural, and every corner reveals something authentically local.

Discover our latest guide on the best things to do in Reus for your next adventure!

Stay on the coast in Tarragona

Stay on the coast in Tarragona and wake up to sweeping sea views, Roman ruins, and golden beaches just steps from your door. This coastal city blends ancient history with a relaxed Mediterranean vibe, think sunset walks along the amphitheater, seafood dinners by the port, and lazy afternoons on the Costa Daurada. You’re staying in a boutique hotel in the old town or a beachfront spot near the waves. Tarragona is the perfect base for soaking up Catalonia’s seaside beauty with a cultural twist.

See our guide and unlock the best things to do in Tarragona Spain.

Good to Know before visiting Sitges