Travel Spain

Sitges is an attractive coastal resort on the Costa Dorada, about 25 miles (or 40km) to the south of the City of Barcelona. The town has much to offer including the attractive old quarter, several excellent beaches, museums and famous fiestas. Sitges first established itself in the 19th century when some writers and painters were attracted to what was then a quaint small fishing port.

There are a pair of good art museums in the resort, firstly the Cau Ferrat Museum which is housed within an old cottage which once belonged to the artist Santiago Rusinol. First opened in early 1932, it displays art and ceramics by Pablo Picasso, El Greco and also Rusinol. Secondly the Maricel Museum has a good collection of statues, art, ceramics and furniture that was originally assembled by American Charles Deering and is housed within the old hospital which itself dates to the early 14th century. Another of local museum is the Museu Romantic, which displays a good collection of quality furniture and dolls.

The Sitges Old Town dating from the medieval era is characterised by narrow cobbled roadways and old fishermens townhouses with terracotta tiled roofs, plus the old Baroque church and remnants of the medieval walls.

Sitges beaches are many, 17 in total, with most of them located close to the centre. One of the best and most popular, especially with the younger generation, is the Playa de la Ribera near to the church of Sant Bartomeu. More secluded beaches can be located further west, some of which are used by nudists. The best family beaches in Sitges are the Playa de la Fragata, the San Sebastian and the Playa de los Barcos, all of which have shallow seas making them very suitable for younger kids. San Sebastian is most attractive as it is backed by palms, bars and elegant apartment blocks.

Sitges fiestas, are many especially throughout Lent, but the most famous festival is the Gay Carnival in January and early February, the highlight of which is the grand parade. Sitges is a popular gay tourist destination and the town has gay bars and dance clubs, and the Playa de las Balmins beach is frequented by gay nudists.

Sitges has a nice promenade, especially in the evening when you are able to relax in one of the pavement bars and watch the world stroll by. There are many good quality Spanish restaurants offering fish, paella and other more traditional cuisine.

The nearest international airport to Sitges is at Barcelona. which can be reached by a bus service and there are also trains although you would have to make a change at Sants station.

Discover more travel advice and tourism information about Sitges on the Costa Dorada, Spain at Sitges

Tarragona on the Costa Dorada is the capital of the province of the same name and has ancient sites, good beaches and some fine museums. Central Tarragona can be divided into 3 distinct areas, the Old Town or Parte Alta, is located within the old walls with the cathedral, further west is the newer part with the Rambla Nova running through its heart, and lastly the marina district which has many bars, music clubs and good restaurants.

Tarragona was one of the important Roman settlements in Spain and the city has some good ruins, most well known is the Roman Amphitheatre near the coast. This ancient arena could seat about 14,000 of the spectators that would watch the executions and gladiator battles. The Santa Maria del Miracle church was constructed over the area during the early sixth century. Nearby is the Romanitat Museum that incorporates the remnants of the old Roman Circus, as well as the Pretori or House of the Governo, that some believe to be the actual birthplace of Pontius Pilate.

Linked to the Pretori is the Archaeological Museum whic contains a display of Roman relics such as pottery, old sculptures, tools and even ceramics. The museum also has a fine mosaic of the head of Medusa, that has become a symbol of Tarragona. The cathedral was constructed in the early 12th century on the site of a previous Roman temple and is noted for the wonderful Gothic rose window and intricately decorated altar piece from the late 15th century. The massive walls that surround the old quarter originally date from early Roman times but were significantly extended over many centuries.

The Balco del Mediterrani (on the Rambla Nova), from has superb views over the Mediterranean. The Rambla Nova is the main shopping area with famous Spanish chains located there, plus fountains, statues and various monuments. Below the Balco del Mediterrani are the Tarragona beaches of Platja del Miracle, with two more to the north, the Arrabasada and the Llarga, the second often regarded as the best on this part of the coast.

Tarragona has a good selection of music bars and fine restaurants especially around the Placa del Font in the Old quarter, where ther are numerous tapas bars and top restaurants, or the Rambla Nova area which has plentiful bars and cafes. For fish restaurants the best establishments are in the port or by the Platja Llarga just outside the city limits. For lively nightlife, the music bars and dance clubs near the Tarragona marina are usually busy, especially with a young generation.

Tarragona has several good local markets during the week, including the bric-a-brac or antiques market every Sunday next to the cathedral, and the flea market each Tuesday and Thursday indoors at the Placa Corsini in the Old quarter.

For plenty more advice or tourist information on Tarragona please visit Tarragona

Barcelona is one of the most prominent of cities in Europe, especially notable for its architecture, historic ancient monuments and art galleries and museums. This trendy Mediterranean port is also the capital of the Catalonia region of north east Spain.

Straddling the centre of Barcelona, from the port to the Placa de Catalunya, is the famous tree lined Las Ramblas. This avenue is more often crowded with entertainers, visitors and shoppers. Just to the east of Las Ramblas is the wonderful medieval Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), home to a myriad of palaces, churches and the Cathedral la Seu which dates from the fourteenth century. Further west is the Eixample district, which was built during the 19th century and contains a few of the city’s Modernista style buildings, most well known is Antoni Gaudi‘s Sagrada Familia. The building of this neo-Gothic cathedral was started in 1882 and it is not thought it will be completed for at least another twenty years. Another of Gaudi’s amazing creations, the Casa Mila (La Pedrera) with its curvy lines and surrealist chimnies, is also situated inside the Eixample.

To the south of Barcelona is Montjuic Hill, which translates to ‘Jews Mountain’. This splendid expanse of greenery is also home to a couple of well known art museums, the Fundacion Miro and the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, and also the old 1992 Olympic stadium. For those visitors that prefer a more exciting ascent to the peak of Montjuic, there is a cable car which goes up to the castle. From there you can enjoy the fine vistas of the port.

Another of Barcelona’s Museums is the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), situated within a large glass covered building designed by an American architect Richard Meier. The MACBA has modern art works by Spanish and Catalan artists. Pablo Picasso spent some of his early years in Barcelona and there is a museum dedicated to his work, with pieces on show that include ‘The Harlequin’ and a series called ‘Las Meninas’.

The newly redeveloped Port Vell area contains an attractive yacht marina alongside boutiques, shops, restaurants, cafes, an IMAX cinema and a marine aquarium. Further north is the old fishing district of Barceloneta, which has also been much improved upon in recent years. As well as some excellent beaches and fine seafood restaurants, Barceloneta is also home to the Museu Maritim which follows the city’s maritime history.

The Barcelona Card is available from tourist offices and is worth purchasing, if you want to save some money on your visit. This discount card entitles visitors to free travel on public transport, as well as worthwhile discounts at lots of museums, plus restaurants and nightclubs. Another cash saving option is the Articket, lasting for six months, which allows you free entry to a few art museums, including the Picasso Museum and the MACBA. The Articket can be bought at the actual museums.

El Prat, Barcelona’s main airport, is just over 8 miles (13 kilometres) from the centre. Reliable and regular train and bus services travel from the airport to Estacio Sants. Alternative airports can be found at Reus and Girona, both of which are used primarily by the charter and budget airlines.

For lots more travel advice and tourist information about Barcelona and the surrounding area please visit Barcelona