Sitges

The coastal village of Sitges is a beach getaway for residents of nearby Barcelona and a favorite vacation spot for gay people from all across Europe. With at least three dozen gay restaurants and clubs, scores of shops, and plenty of gay beaches, it's no wonder why gay people flock to its cobblestone streets.
While you can get by with English or Spanish, you'll hear many other languages in this cosmopolitan community. French is very common, as is Catalan, the local language, in which most street signs are written (we use Catalan street names). The offerings in the restaurants are equally diverse, with dishes from around the world.
Gays are an important part of the local culture, so there are few tensions. Same-sex couples can hold hands on the beach or walking between the numerous cafes in the streets, and never get a second glance. GaySitgesPride takes place in June.

Money
The euro is the local currency. ATMs give a better exchange rate than currency exchange offices. Credit cards do not require a PIN in Spain, (unlike elsewhere in Europe), but you'll be asked to flash your passport to verify the card.

Politics
In Spain, battles like same-sex marriage have been won since 2005, when the Socialists were in power. Church leaders object, but polls show two thirds of the population doesn't mind. Gay nightlife thrives, but it often remains discreet at home in that Mediterranean way, behind closed doors. Men of any sexual orientation can show public affection for one another here, even as news reports say that effeminate boys are sometimes harassed in school. Blatantly sexual gay parades raise few eyebrows, and cops don't go out of their way looking for men having sex in woods, on beaches, or the back rooms of bars. It's another world, to be sure.

Getting here
Barcelona International is the closest airport. Renfe trains or shuttle buses take you to Barcelona Sants Station, where a local train will get you to Sitges in around 20 minutes, for about $5. Driving here can be more trouble than it's worth, as parking in Sitges is expensive and sometimes hard to find.

Getting around
Walking is the best way to get around. Many streets in the center are closed to traffic. Taxis around town cost no more than $15.

Media & resources

Gay Sitges, GaySitgesGuide, and Boom Sitges can keep you updated on what's happening in town.

RAS can get you hotel and apartment reservations, often at better prices and with more availability than the hotels' own websites. A gay map can be picked up from most of the gay businesses listed below. A good general public website in Spanish can be found at  Sitges Vida.

See our map & listings section for locations and weblinks to all the businesses listed below.

Accommodations
Sitges's popularity makes reservations a must in summer. Book as far in advance as possible. Check out our complete listings in our lodgings and map section.

Sitges
El Xalet (Illa de Cuba, 35; 938-110-070) grand edifice, spacious rooms, beautiful courtyard garden bar and restaurant, breakfast poolside.
Hotel Liberty (Illa de Cuba 45; 938- 110-872) near station, short walk to beach and bars, generous breakfast, shady tropical garden, open year-round, also apartments.
Parrots Hotel (Joan Tarrida 16; 938-941- 350) modern gay hotel, two minutes from beach, at center of gay nightlife.
Hotel Romantic (Isidre 33; 938-948- 375) old-world atmosphere, 19th-century villas, terraces overlook gardens.
Hotel Renaixenca (Isla de Cuba 7; 938- 948-375) gay-friendly lodging, old-world luxury, open year- round.
Life Journey Spain (Sitges; 634-212-933) large house, panoramic view, pool, yoga, Qi-Gong, tango, wellness workshops, private parties.
Los Globos Hotel (Sra. de Montserrat; 938- 949-374) gay-friendly option, overlooking the water.
OUTLET4SPAIN (Francesc Guma 20; 938-102-711) holiday rental apartments in Sitges, Barcelona and Gran Canaria.
R.A.S. Hotel/Apartment Reservations (Sitges; 607-149-451) multilingual staff, locations in Sitges and Spain, excellent rates, diverse selections.

Near Sitges
There's a beautiful local guesthouses in the countryside beyond the downtown bustle.
Hotel Sumidors (Garraf National Park, Sant Pere de Ribes; 938-962-061) is a 400-year-old Catalan house with pool, solarium, and aromatic sauna, that's open all year.

Bars & Clubs
Most nightlife here begins after late dining hours, so bars open at 10 or 10:30pm. Many have happy hours to coax folks out before midnight. After 3am, the bars close and the discos take over.

Early bars
There are some early exceptions to a late-night gay club scene, including some cafe-bars. A few stay open all day, even during what once was called "siesta." Look for these around Calle Mont-roig, a busy pedestrian street lined with tables that fill with the after-beach crowds. It's gayest around Placa de la Industria.
Bar Amura (Sant Pere 3) French-run bar, open year- round, dark room, opens 6:30pm.
Dark (Bonaire 14) brand new bar, sleek decor, big video screens, stylish crowd, open daily 5pm to 3am.
El Horno (Joan Tarrida 6) draws locals and tourists, denim and leather crowd, popular dark room, open daily 5:30pm to 2:30am.
La Locacola (Bonaire 35) tranquil music, lovely aperitifs, great for conversation, a bit Dutch, a lot French, opens 7pm.
La Menta (Jesus 55) the former Cine Cafe, still serves English breakfast from 10am, but new owners added other, more continental fare too.
Los Vikingos (Mont-roig 7) family restaurant inside, terrace tables fill with gay men afternoons and early evenings, as do those of the Mont Roig Cafe (Mont Roig,11-13) next door.
Mojito & Co. (Joan Tarrida 20) new gay cocktail bar at gay-central location, terrace seating, special mojitos, open from 5pm daily.
Parrot's Pub (Placa de la Industria) afternoon cocktails, snacks, terrace tables, summer only, 11am to 3am.

Late bars
Azul (Bonaventura 10) intimate men's music bar, welcoming vibe, Spanish, German and English spoken.
B-Side (Gaudenci 7) video bar, many languages, underwear and naked parties, summer strippers.
Bear's (Bonair 17, upstairs) cruisy men-only video bar, darkrooms, sling, St Andrew's cross, naked parties.
Bourbon's (Bonaventura 13) drink discounts all night, Carnival events, sexy darkroom, open weekends off-season.
Coco Rico (Primer de Maig 10) gay cocktail, party and show bar, theme nights, DJ music.
Comodin Bar (Taco 4) mature crowd, drag shows every summer night and weekends in winter.
El Candil (Carreta 9) big dance floor, videos, cruisy darkrooms, hot young guys, big summer Sunday shows at 8pm.
El Piano (Bonaventura, 37) cabaret piano bar, talented diverse European performers, easy conversation, recently expanded.
Man Bar (Bonaventura 19) industrial decor, darkroom action, summer theme events.
Mediterraneo (Bonaventura, 6), late-night happy hours, dancing, patio chill-out space, videos, pool tables.
Orek's (Bonaire 13) energetic international music bar, dancing, summer strippers, cruisy darkroom, open year-round,
Perfil Bar (Espalter 7) small and intimate local spot.
Prinz (Nou 4) favorite of local guys, drag shows, nude strippers, live sex shows.
Privilege (Bonaire 24) young and beautiful dance crowd, table dancers, male strippers.
Queenz (Bonaire 17, downstairs) fun and diverse crowd at center of gay Sitges, open daily in Summer, Thursday Lady Diamond shows. Open winter weekends only.
Ruby's Terrace (Joan Tarrida 14), cocktails from 7pm, sidewalk tables, drag divas shows and English accents at old Maripili site.
Seven (Nou 7) edge of downtown, popular gay hangout, expats and tourists, particularly British crowd.
XXL (Joan Tarrida 7) dancing downstairs, serious darkroom action upstairs.

Dance Clubs & Afterhours
When the bars close, everyone heads for late-night discos to dance until dawn.
Organic Club (Bonaire 15) Europop, techno, house, and Spanish music, shirtless guys, summer only from 2:30am.
Trailer Disco (Angel Vidal 36) loud, hard, cutting-edge sound, strippers, darkroom, shampoo parties, summer only from 1am.
Ricky's (Sant Pau 25) mostly straight but gay- friendly, especially off-season months.
Club L'Atlantida (Passeig Maretim) summer Tuesdays, gay beach party midnight to dawn, circuit parties by SuperMarXé. Free bus at beach by the Calipolis Hotel.
Le Male (Centro Commercial, Oasis 28) after- hours dancing, darkroom frolic, and summer sex parties.

Restaurants
Many restaurants close from 2 to 5pm, or open at 8pm in true Iberian fashion. Dinner is often a late affair, beginning 9 or 10pm.
Beach House (Sant Pau 34) eclectic Australian-Asian menu.
Cafe Hidalgo (Sant Pau 12) dinner menu with Galician and northern Spanish cuisine.
El Arte del Cafe (Sant Pere 29) full English breakfast, coffee of all kinds, weekend crepes and vegetarian menu.
El Celler Vell (Bonaventura 21) Catalan food, warm and rustic environment.
El Trull Restaurant (Mossen Felix Clara 3) worth the trip, impeccably prepared food, romantic old-world setting.
La Borda (Bonaventura 5), fine dining, traditional Catalan cuisine.
La Menta (Jesus 55) homemade burgers and ribs, salads, juicy grilled meat, movie memorabilia, open 10am to midnight.
Ma Maison Restaurant (Bonaire 28) French with international twist, garden tables, Saturday cabaret.
Margarita (Pg de la Ribera 8) terrace bar and restaurant at beach, lunch, dinner and English breakfast.
Moon (Bonaire 26), fresh local meat & fish, Asian influences, garden patio, beautiful garden patio setting.
O Vesuvio (Carreta 10) Neapolitan Italian specialties, home-style cooking.
Parrots Restaurant (Joan Tarrida 18) terrace seating, Swiss and Mediterranean cuisine.
Pizza del Pecado (Parellades 76) not gay, but good, quick, inexpensive slices of 25 different pizza pies.
SoCa (Goudenci 9) Mexi-Cali tacos, hamburgers, seafood and fresh salads.

Saunas
Sauna Sitges (Espalter 11) hot steamy fun from 4pm, frequent special events like foam parties.
Parrots Sauna (Joan Tarrida 16) small gay men's sauna below the Parrots Hotel.

Shopping
Tattoo Sacred (Parellades 39) body enhancements with ink or piercings.

Clothes
Clothing boutiques are everywhere in Sitges.
Boyzone (Bonaventura 18) exuberant men's fashions.
Dive Outlet (Joan Tarrida 3) men's fashions at clearance prices.
ES4U (Sant Pere 5) men's underwear and beach attire.
Jazz Boutique (Bonaire 20) men's off- the-rack apparel.
Franc (Parellades 26) men's clothes, moderate prices.
Les Garcons Fashionwear (Gaudenci 12) men's clothing.
Ovlas (Francesc 22) men's fashions, sexy styles.
Testimoni (Sant Josep 6) swimwear, edgy fashions.

Galleries
Many galleries sell paintings, mostly local scenes harking back to Sitges' fishing village past.
Blanca de Nicolas (Paseo de Vilanova 43) studies of male form, drawings, and paintings, classically posed nudes.