"Jewel of the Spanish Coast" Top 5 Page for this destination Sitges by ptitetoile

Sitges Travel Guide: 171 reviews and 332 photos

Sitges is a lovely coastal town 35 Km South of Barcelona. It is of course known for its warm temperature, beach, its night life and its gay life.
But it is not only that : when I arrived, I could not believe my eyes! It is not a mass touristic destination with hugly giant hotels and do not offer only the basic sun-sea-beach activities. Sitges has a past and you can feel it everywhere! In the small streets, on the promenade with the old houses on the waterfront and the old neighborhood of the Maricel Palace.
For more than one century the town of Sitges has been a cultural meeting point. At the end of the 19th century the famous Catalan artist Santiago Rusinol settled in Sitges, in a house known as " El Cau Ferrat". Here he celebrated the famous "Modern Style Parties", that made Sitges worldwide famous among artistic circles. Sitges was thus a important place for the catalan "art nouveau" called Modernism.

Spanish tango capital

In fact, I went to Sitges for the most famous summer tango festival. It was the eleventh edition of the festival and I finally had the time to see it for real after having heard so much about it! This was the occasion to see again my international tango friends from Netherlands and Switzerland and to discover the pleasure to dance tango on the beach ! I really loved it!
Beside the official Milonga that took place from 11pm till 3am in the "Jardin de Retiro", a garden with a dance floor surrounded by buildings that was nice but a bit too crowded, informal milongas were organised on the beach (yes on the sand and in the water!!!!) from 7 to 9 pm and then another on the promenade from 3 to....6.. 10...12 am!!!!
Between a couple of dances, you can imagine how great it is to bath its foot in the water of the sea! My favourite tango day was the last one, on the promenade, when there were less people and I danced all night long till 6 am, time of the train I had to take to travel back to the airport!

Belgian Team

During the six days, I share an appartement with my four tango-friends Charles, Corine, Tommaso and Cindy...We were almost the only representatives of Belgium at the festival (I think there were two more dancers but travelling lonely) It was great to share this experience together !

Last visit to Sitges: Jul 2004
Intro Updated Aug 13, 2004
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Reviews (7)

Walking in the old town : the church - Sitges

Walking in the old town : the church Things to Do (7)

Sitges' landmark : the baroque church of "San Bartomeu i sta Tecla" ... You see it from all parts of the beach! If it... more travel advice

Walking in the old town : maricel museum - Sitges

Walking in the old town : maricel... Things to Do (7)

If you visit the Museum Maricel, do not miss the "Sant Miquel" Tower, the "Saló d'Or" (Golden Hall), the "Saló Blau"... more travel advice

Walking in the old town : El Cau Ferrat - Sitges

Walking in the old town : El Cau Ferrat Things to Do (7)

This is the house of the famous Catalan artist, Santiago Rusiñol, bought at the end of the 19th century when he was... more travel advice

Walking in the old town : Maricel Palace/Museum - Sitges

Walking in the old town : Maricel... Things to Do (7)

The Palau Maricel was commissioned by an American millionaire who fell in love with Sitges and wanted somewhere to stay... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (7)

Romaniankid Aug 1, 2005 at 3:18 AM Report Abuse

beautiful pic on museum marciel!
basstbn Jul 6, 2005 at 12:02 PM Report Abuse

Fun, fun, fun. I really enjoyed your Sitges page.
eurotravels Mar 12, 2005 at 7:53 AM Report Abuse

My brother is buying a property near Sitges so it will be a regular for me and my husband (lucky us). Enjoyed your page.
Steve725 Jan 3, 2005 at 8:47 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for the tips. Your review has confirmed my deicision to visit.
Maillekeul Nov 16, 2004 at 2:01 AM Report Abuse

Ah... Sitges...
Pavlik_NL Oct 7, 2004 at 6:25 AM Report Abuse

Hmm, your Sitges page doesn't look anything like the touristic boomtown some say it is ... Sarah, how are you doing? Write you soon ... too long ago we wrote. Greets, Paul
freya_heaven Aug 28, 2004 at 3:49 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful photos, love the Tango on the beach! Such a passionate dance. A very enjoyable page, Thanks! (~_~)