Sitges

Sitges is one of the most representative towns of Costa de Garraf, Barcelona's southern littoral. Beaches with pristine waters, some of which have been awarded the blue flag eco-label and the proximity of the mountains make of Sitges a privileged destination. The urban centre is also worth a visit. It has beautiful religious buildings such as the churches of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla.Casa de la Vila, a nineteenth-century Gothic revival building and Palau Maricel, with Renaissance, Baroque and medieval elements, are other interesting places to visit in the city. The Modernist aesthetics from the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century left in Sitges beautiful buildings like Cau Ferrat, the house-studio of writer and painter Santiago Rusiñol. This artist moved to Sitges in 1891 and turned it into a meeting point for artists and intellectuals, giving it the bohemian air that it still preserves. Art and CultureSitges' cultural calendar includes important events such as the International Vintage Car Rally (of National Tourist Interest), Catalonia International Film Festival and the celebration of Corpus Christi. In addition, the traveller has three different museums to visit, in order to become acquainted with the area's cultural life. The house-studio of Rusiñol exhibits his works next to paintings by El Greco, Zuloaga and Picasso, among others. At the Maricel Museum they have Romanesque, Gothic and Modern art collections. To delve more deeply into nineteenth-century Catalan society, you must visit the Romantic Museum.All around, there are innumerable restaurants where to try the local cuisine —in the historic quarter, the harbour and along the beaches. One of the main dishes is "xató", made with curly endive, cod, tuna, anchovies and olives, with a Romescu dressing (made with roasted chilli peppers, toasted almonds, garlic and olive oil). Stewed cuttlefish with potatoes and ali-oli, tuna hotpot and "fideuá" (paella with elbow macaroni instead of rice) are among the delicacies prepared in Sitges. These dishes should be had with some wine with Denominación de Origen Alella, Penedés, or Pla de Bages (Designation of Origin, the seal of quality and origin given in Spain to exceptional products from specific regions).MarinasMore than four kilometres of fine, white beaches stretch along the coast of this town near Barcelona. Equipped with all kinds of service facilities, these beaches are the perfect leisure retreat. The best known of these are well connected and their shallow waters do not have a lot of swell. Others are located in remote spots and others are nudist. The marinas have a number of nautical activities available and many leisure companies have adventure programmes that include climbing, potholing and hiking. Sitges is located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Coastal Mountain Range, reason why it has some spectacular sceneries. These gorgeous views can be enjoyed from Villafranca del Penedés and Sant Sadurní d´Anoia. The Cistercian Monastery of Santes Creus, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is another exciting trip. The cities of Tarragona and Barcelona are also attractive choices. The ancient Roman Tarraco, situated in the middle of Costa Daurada, is lined with vast beaches, its archaeological compounds have also been declared World Heritage. This same title is held by several sites in Barcelona, like Park Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Milá, Palau de la Música Catalana (Catalonia Music Hall) and the Hospital of Sant Pau. The Gothic quarter, Ciutat Vella and Montjuïc are also excellent places to cover in our journey through the city of Barcelona.