10 Reasons to spend your Summer in Sitges

July 20 2016

by misterb&b

Only 30 minutes away from Barcelona, Sitges is an old angler town that became, through the years, the most famous gay seaside resort in Spain. This Spanish « Saint-Tropez » is home to a gay community perfectly integrated into the local population. A gay European capital, Sitges is a perfect destination for those Spanish or gay travelers who like the beach and parties. 

During summertime, the population of 25,000 inhabitants is multiplied by four. A cosmopolitan city, Sitges is known for its history but mainly for its open-minded population. More than everywhere else in Spain reigns racial, religious,s and sexual acceptance. There's no place here for discrimination.

Here are ten reasons that make Sitges a perfect summer gay destination:

1. The history

© mister10

In the early 1960s, with the opening of Spain to tourism and the development of a gay hippy community, Sitges opened to Europe as an idyllic summer destination. But before that, Sitges had already started to attract the gay community: in 1930, Playa del Hombre Muerto became the first gay naturist beach in the world. 

2. The local food 

© Joan Nova - Flickr

Sitges is in Spain, and Sitges honors an unequaled Spanish tradition: the tapa, the mouthful aperitif served with a drink in most of the bars and restaurants in the country. Tapas bars are plenty in Sitges, and during your vacation, you should try the local food and wines!

3. The gay life

The gay community is very present and visible in this seaside resort. Gay culture is part of the city's heritage and history. All year round, Sitges welcomes gay events such as Delice Dream (May), gay pride (June), or the Bears Week (September), which gathers more than 5,000 bears and amateurs each year.  

 
© Ybridex AngeloDemon - Flickr 

4. The gay night 

 
© Parrots Pub - Facebook

As a lively city, Sitges has about twenty gay clubs and gay bars that create a great gay scene day and night. The downtown Parrot's Pub, with its big terrace open seven days a week, symbolizes this vibrant gay life. Maybe you will prefer the atmosphere of the Bourbons? In Sitges, there is a gay place for every taste.

5. The gay beaches 

 
© Aidan McMichael - Flickr

Sitges has three gay beaches where you can relax, sunbathe, or swim with or without a swimsuit. The Playa De La Bassa Rodona is a gay beach located in the center of Sitges and is often very crowded, especially in summer. In the north of Sitges, just after the church, Playa De La Balmins is a nudist beach that welcomes everyone, gay or straight. In the south of Sitges, Playa Del Hombre Muerto is a gay beach that is hard to access but will please all gay nudists.  

6. A wide choice of accommodations

Sitges is a gay European destination you should really visit sometime soon! If you're looking for accommodation, you should consider misterb&b with almost 500 hosts waiting for you in their apartments downtown or close to the beach.

7. The Gay Monument 

 
The gay monument © Wikipédia

Since 2006, Sitges has a monument against homophobia. This inverted pink triangle facing the sea commemorates a 1996 demonstration to protest against a controversial decision of the local municipality to track the presence of gays at night on Sitges beaches and against a violent homophobic assault by a group of neonazis. The monument carries this inscription: « Sitges against Homophobia. October 1996-2006. Never again ». 

8. The microclimate

 
© escollection.es

This seaside city with a perfect Mediterranean climate benefits from a year-round microclimate. With sweet temperatures all year long, Sitges has fresh winters (never cold) and hot summers. During summer, the temperature of the water hits 24°C.

9. Sitges’s Charm 

Palau de Maricel © Joan Grífols - Flickr 

How not to fall under the spell of Sitges? The old center and its narrow streets make all the city's charm. The religious constructions, such as the churches of San Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, add more character to the landscape. Stroll and visit the Cau Ferrat Museum, with its ceramics and wrought iron collections, or the magnificent Museu de Maricel on the seafront. After all, there's more than just the beach, right?!

10. The saunas and cruising 

 
© Sitges Sauna - Facebook

Sitges has two great gay saunas to relax and have a good time. Whether it's Sitges Sauna or Parrot's Sauna, both possess swimming pools, jacuzzis, hammams, and private cabins to have some good times. Sitges offers numerous hot places for cruising, such as the Bunker, Bukkake, Zona X, XXL, the Dark Bar, and the Bear's Bar. Last, for outdoor cruising, you might want to visit some beaches, especially Estanyol Beach, at nightfall.