Sitges: a perfect day trip for summer

Another perfect full-day trip from Barcelona is the sea resort town of Sitges. A half hour train ride from Plaza Catalunya gets you there, and the trains run from 6 A.M. to midnight.

Wedged beautifully between the hills and the sea Sitges has an impressive artistic and cultural heritage. Luckily Sitges escaped the overzealous development that has decimated fate of so much of the Mediterranean coast.

There is nothing tacky or cheap about Sitges. In fact property in “The St. Tropez of Spain” is as pricey as any city in Europe. But what do you care; you’re only going for a day.

Sitges’s charm is its architecture. Many Catalans went to the Americas to make their fortunes. Many returned in the late 19 century with lots of money and commissioned large mansions in the place to be, Sitges, and in the latest fashion, the art nouveau (modernist) movement of Gaudi and others. Many of these intriguing mansions can be found on the “Carrer Illa de Cuba” (The Island of Cuba Street). Guess where these Catalans made their fortune .Well, not the United States.

And Sitges has always been a center for artists going all the way back to when Catalan impressionist painter Santiago Rusiñol took up residence there.

Of course summer means beaches and Sitges has them for all tastes. If you go in for international crowds and jet-set celebrities, check out the main beach “de la Ribera. See and be seen! If more intimate beaches are more your style search among the small rocky bays and coves. Try Sant Sebastian beach, for example. There is even a nudist beach, permitted but not required.

After a day at the beach Sitges comes alive. After dark the weather cools down, the discos, pubs, and clubs heat up. You can put in some after-dark time at the “Carrer del pecat” (“The Street of Sin”) and still catch the midnight train back to the hotel.

Next week (25 August 21-25), their "Festa Major " is the show. Don't miss all the dance, music and shows of this typical fiesta.

Because of Sitges’s artistic tradition and its sheer beauty many festivals and street parties make their home here. The most famous one is The International Film Festival. Last year it celebrated its 40 th anniversary. It started out dedicated to science fiction, horror, and fantasy flicks and keeps a lot of this tone and attracts film celebrities year after year. It is coming up from October 2 to 12.

And Sitges celebrates Carnival. It’s not Rio, but it is one of Europe’s most famous. It has the usual fancy costumes, parades, and enthusiastic party goers. It is an especial favourite of the gay community who are one of the many groups who choose Sitges for good times.

Beaches in Barcelona surroundings (part 2/2)

Barcelona’s beaches are ok, but why not to hop a train or a bus for a different beach experience? It will take between 20 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the place you choose. Here you have some recommendations:

Castelldefels: is located at the heart of Costa del Garraf. More than five kilometres worth of fine beaches are found there, only a few minutes away from Barcelona. This place offers the chance to indulge in watersports, take a dip in the calm Mediterranean Sea, sunbathe or go for a quiet stroll.
It is equipped with showers, rubbish bins, wooden walkways down to the sand, children's play areas, lifeguard towers and chairs, toilets, etc.
Also, the visitor will be able to play any water sport in the unbeatable facilities of the marina, including canoeing in the Olympic Canal, built for the 1992 Olympics. The lovely temperatures of the coast of Barcelona will let you enjoy the Mediterranean waters and the rich artistic heritage. The ancient castle of Fels, which gave this town its name, dominates the coastline of the city.
How to get there: From the main Barcelona train station (Sants) take the line C-2 of Cercanías Renfe to Casteldefels Platja station (be careful, there is another station in the town). The trip takes around 20 minutes.

Sitges: people flock from all over Catalunya to enjoy its long stretch of clean, sandy beaches. The town is the proud owner of a total of seventeen beaches – many with their own character and individual appeal. One of the highlights of Sitges is its picturesque promenade that runs right down the beach front and is lined with palm trees.
At night there are areas of town that are very lively. It is the sort of town that has something to offer everybody. It appeals to young and old, couples and singles, families and groups of friends. It is often considered to be a popular destination for the gay traveller.
Sitges worth a complete day trip. Check it out clicking here.
How to get there: You can take the train Cercanías Renfe in Barcelona main station, Sants, or in Passeig de Gràcia station, closer from downtown. Take the line 2SUD, with direction to Sant Vicent de Calders. The trip take around 35 minutes

.

Tamariu: situated in a quiet and secluded bay of the Costa Brava. It's name comes from the presence of many Tamarind trees along the promenade. Tamariu is typical of the many small coves set amongst rugged pine covered cliffs cascading down to meet the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Originally a small fishing village, Tamariu has not been over developed and has retained its individuality and charm.
The crystal clear water is ideal for swimming as the beach, especially on the right hand side, shelves at a fairly gentle angle. It is also popular as a dive site as there are many caves to explore along with the submerged mountain of the Llosa de Cala Nova.
How to get there: rent a car is a gooD idea in this case, but if you prefer public transportation, first at all, you have to go to Flaça (from Barcelona Passeig the Gracia station, regional train) or Parafrugell (by bus, from Barcelona Estacio del Nord) and there, take a bus to the Tamariu bus station.

Tossa: Located on the Girona coast, at half way between the city of Barcelona and the French border, Tossa de Mar is an ancient fishermen's village with an important historical background, that has been transformed during the last 50 years into an emblematic tourist destination of the Costa Brava area.
This town has three main beaches. The Tossa Beach, in front of downtown; 'El Codolar', behind the walls; and 'la Mar Menuda', on the other side of the bay.
The Platja Gran is the perfect place to lie under the sun and do nothing for a couple of hours. If you are not the kind of person who enjoys this activity, there are many other things to do in there. You can rent a mountain bike and ride around the surroundings, rent a kayak or a windsurf. The town is also full of art galleries.
How to get there: Bus is the best option. The company SARFA have a route from Barcelona nord station to Tossa.

Palamós: a bay of fine sand interrupts the cliffs dominating the topography of the Costa Brava. This is where the town has been since the 12th century: a former fishing village which today is well equipped for tourism and leisure. The beaches, coves, sailing facilities and fishing port are the municipality's main attractions, although the medieval streets of its old town should not be forgotten.
The fishing port, beside the historic centre, is the origin of the town. Here the yachts are replaced by fishing boats which return every day with freshly caught fish. It is worth going to the Fish Market, where Mediterranean products are sold and auctioned. The Fishing Museum also brings the visitor closer to one of the most important economic activities on the Baix Empordà coast.
How to get there: Bus is the best option. The company SARFA have a route from Barcelona nord station to Palamós.

From the Beach to Sin Street: A Day in Sitges

Another perfect full-day trip from Barcelona is the sea resort town of Sitges. A half hour train ride from Plaza Catalunya gets you there, and the trains run from 6 A.M. to midnight.

Wedged beautifully between the hills and the sea Sitges has an impressive artistic and cultural heritage. Luckily Sitges escaped the overzealous development that has decimated fate of so much of the Mediterranean coast.

There is nothing tacky or cheap about Sitges.In fact property in “The St. Tropaz of Spain” is as pricy as any city in Europe. But what do you care; you’re only going for a day.

Sitges’s charm is its architecture. Many Catalans went to the Americas to make their fortunes. Many returned in the late 19 century with lots of money and commissioned large mansions in the place to be, Sitges, and in the latest fashion, the art nouveau (modernist) movement of Gaudi and others. Many of these intriguing mansions can be found on the “Carrer Illa de Cuba” (The Island of Cuba Street). Guess where these Catalans made their fortune .Well, not the United States.

And Sitges has always been a center for artists going all the way back to when Catalan impressionist painter Santiago Rusiñol took up residence there.

Of course summer means beaches and Sitges has them for all tastes. If you go in for international crowds and jet-set celebrities, check out the main beach “de la Ribera. See and be seen! If more intimate beaches are more your style search among the small rocky bays and coves. Try Sant Sebastian beach, for example. There is even a nudist beach, permitted but not required.

After a day at the beach Sitges comes alive. After dark the weather cools down, the discos, pubs, and clubs heat up. You can put in some after-dark time at the “Carrer del pecat” (“The Street of Sin”) and still catch the midnight train back to the hotel.

Next week (25 August 21-25), their "Festa Major " is the show. Don't miss all the dance, music and shows of this typical fiesta.

Because of Sitges’s artistic tradition and its sheer beauty many festivals and street parties make their home here. The most famous one is The International Film Festival. Last year it celebrated its 40 th anniversary. It started out dedicated to science fiction, horror, and fantasy flicks and keeps a lot of this tone and attracts film celebrities year after year. It is coming up from October 2 to 12.

And Sitges celebrates Carnival. It’s not Rio, but it is one of Europe’s most famous. It has the usual fancy costumes, parades, and enthusiastic party goers. It is an especial favourite of the gay community who are one of the many groups who choose Sitges for good times.