A Guide to Sitges in Spain

Sitges is small city in the heart of Catalonia, Spain. Formerly an undiscovered city with beautiful beaches, Sitges has now gained in fame and popularity. Often referred to the 'St. Tropez of Spain', it is rapidly becoming a city of great repute.

The attractions in Sitges are as varied as they are numerous; the sandy beaches, crisp ocean air and mellow weather are some of the natural attractions. On the other end of the spectrum, there is the partying, second maybe to Ibiza, and the vibrant gay scene that is prominently visible here. Summer is peak season in Sitges, with the beaches beckoning to many a tourist, and in July and August, the gays and lesbians of the country and beyond flock in droves to the city to celebrate life.

Perhaps a unique feature of the city is its dedicated commitment to quality, visible in its every aspect. The small city boasts a whopping 4,500 hotel beds, and about half that figure are of 4-star quality or higher. The business fraternity is also drawn to the place, with conferences, exhibitions and seminars taking place regularly in the city.

There is a lot of history in Sitges, with mediaeval architecture and art evident even on the very streets. There are some very famous names associated with the culture of the city; names like Santiago Rusiñol, Ramon Casas and Miquel Utrillo. There were also the American return rich citizens, who then proceeded to commission artistic mansions for themselves, adding to the elegance of the city.

One of the more famous dishes served on tables is Xató. It first gained publicity in a report based on Maundy Thursday. The report detailed a meal that been served to the elite set of Catalan artists and intellectuals, Miquel Utrillo, Santiago Rusiñol and Gaietà Buigas among others. The primary ingredients of xató are escarole salad, tuna, black olives, anchovies, arbequine and cod. The fundamental spirit of the dish, however, is in its sauce, which is made with roasted chillies, garlic, browned almonds, vinegar, olive oil, hot peppers and salt. The meal isn't considered complete without various omelettes or fricandó and a dessert of coca de llardons which is a common Catalan cake to end the meal. As a drink, most tables serve a bottle of the famous Penedès - which is a black wine.

Perhaps one of the more famous events associated with Sitges is the Film Festival and Carnival that takes place there. There are also other famous events like the International Barcelona-Sitges Vintage Car Rally, the International Jazz Festival and the Summer Concerts Series.

Sitges is a mere 35 kilometres away from Barcelona, making it an ideal retreat for those that want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the bigger city. The tranquillity of the beaches and the proximity to Barcelona make Sitges a viable option for a day time visit, or a short weekend getaway.