Things to do
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Casa Bacardí
Facundo Bacardí Massó, who went on to found the rum company in Cuba, was born in Sitges, and the brand's visitor centre now fills the old covered market building in the town centre. Guided tours cover the family story and the distilling process and finish with a cocktail class. Visits run as booked tours only, so reserve a slot in advance, especially on summer weekends.
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Cau Ferrat Museum
Santiago Rusiñol, painter and leading figure of Catalan modernisme, turned two fishermen's houses into a studio, and the museum keeps his rooms much as he left them. Wrought iron, ceramics and glass crowd the walls beside paintings by Ramon Casas, Picasso and El Greco. Allow over an hour. It sits beside the Maricel, and both close for the Santa Tecla feast in September.
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Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla
Standing on a rocky headland above the sea, this baroque parish church is the landmark of every view of the town, its pale facade facing the water. The terrace in front of it is a free lookout over both town beaches. Come at sunset for the light on the stone, and step inside only outside service times, allowing about twenty minutes in all.
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Fundació Stämpfli
Contemporary painting and sculpture from the 1960s onward fill this small art foundation, set in restored buildings close to the church and the old fishermen's quarter. Its compact size makes it an easy visit after the Cau Ferrat, and forty five minutes is plenty. It belongs to the town museums group, so check its opening hours alongside the Maricel and the Cau Ferrat.
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Garraf Massif
Limestone hills covered in dry scrub and dwarf palm rise directly behind Sitges and form a natural park that runs east towards Castelldefels. Marked footpaths cross the ridges, with long views over the coast. Shade is scarce and the rock reflects heat, so walk it in spring, autumn or early on summer mornings, carry plenty of water and allow half a day.
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Maricel Museum
Sea views compete with the art inside this seafront palace, where tall windows look straight out over the water. The collection runs from medieval panels and Gothic carvings through to modernist and early twentieth century Catalan painting, with a strong showing of the local Luminist school. An hour is enough. Pair it with the Cau Ferrat next door, which keeps the same hours and closure days.
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Passeig Marítim
Running west from the church headland, the seafront promenade follows the whole line of town beaches past palm trees, villas and beach bars. Walking or cycling it is the main evening ritual in summer, when the cafes fill after dark. Morning is best for a run or a quiet stroll. The far end is calmer, with fewer bars and more space on the sand.
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Platja de la Ribera
Directly below the old town and the church, this central beach is the busiest stretch of sand in Sitges and the easiest to reach from the station on foot. Sunbeds, showers and beach bars line it in summer. Arrive early on weekends from June to September, when day visitors from Barcelona fill it by late morning and space near the water runs out.
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Platja de Sant Sebastià
East of the church headland, this smaller beach sits in a cove of its own and draws more locals than the main seafront. Families settle here for the calmer feel and the cafes along the short promenade behind it. A walk round the headland links it to the old town in a few minutes, and weekday mornings in summer see the fewest towels on the sand.
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Sitges Film Festival
Every October the town turns over to fantasy, horror and science fiction for one of the major genre film festivals in the world, with premieres, screenings and a costumed zombie walk through the streets. The 2026 edition runs from 8 to 18 October. Book rooms months ahead for those dates, and buy tickets for premieres as soon as the programme is released.
