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 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 names). The offerings in the restaurants are equally diverse, with dishes from around the world.

Gay people 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. In recent years the gay scene has become ever more concentrated in and around Joan Tarrida and Bonaire, but bars, restaurants and clubs of interest can be found on nearby streets for several blocks, mostly to the north and east. GaySitgesPride takes place in June.

Money
The euro is the local currency. ATMs give a better exchange rate than currency exchange offices, but check with your bank before leaving home for possible partner banks to save on withdrawal fees. Credit cards don't usually require a PIN in Spain, but you'll likely be asked to flash your passport to verify identity if your card is without the chip.

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.

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 aren't expensive as distances are short.

 

Media & resources

Gay Sitges, GaySitgesGuide, GayLifeSitges, 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, and more.

 

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.

Antonio's Inn (Passeig de Vilanova, 58; 34-938-949-207), luxury and elegance with 6 bedrooms, all en-suite with terraces, near beach and bars.

El Xalet (Illa de Cuba, 35; 34-938-110-070), grand edifice, spacious rooms, beautiful courtyard garden bar and restaurant, breakfast poolside.

Hotel Calipolis Sitges (Sofia, 2; 34-938-941-500), modern rooms and suites overlooking the beach, swimming pool, Mediterranean restaurant, WiFi.

Hotel Liberty (Illa de Cuba 45; 34-938- 110-872), gay guesthouse near station, short walk to beach and bars, generous breakfast, shady tropical garden, open year-round; also apartment rentals.

Hotel Renaixenca (Isla de Cuba 7; 34 938- 948-375) gay-friendly lodging, old-world luxury, breakfast, open year- round.

Hotel Romantic (Isidre 33; 938-948- 375) old-world atmosphere, 19th-century villas, terraces overlook gardens.

Life Journey Spain (Sitges; 34 634-212-933) large house, panoramic view, pool, yoga, Qi-Gong, tango, wellness workshops, private parties.

Los Globos Hotel (Sra. de Montserrat; 34 938- 949-374) gay-friendly option, overlooking the water.

OUTLET4SPAIN (Francesc Guma 20; 34 938-102-711) holiday rental apartments in Sitges, Barcelona and Gran Canaria.

Parrots Hotel (Joan Tarrida 16; 34 938-941- 350), modern gay hotel in the middle of town, center of gay nightlife, two minutes from beach; sauna, restaurant/bar.

R.A.S. Hotel/Apartment Reservations (Sitges; 34 607-149-451) 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 Masia Sumidors (Garraf National Park, Sant Pere de Ribes; 34 938-962-061), a 400-year-old Catalan house with pool, solarium, and aromatic sauna, 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.

Carousel Terrace Bar (Joan Tarrida 14), gay cocktail bar from 5pm, terrace seating and shows on busy street; the old Ruby's site.

Central Bar Café (Plaça Industria 5), 9am-3am summer terrace cocktails bar, cakes/coffees cafe, ground zero center of gay scene.

El Horno (Joan Tarrida 6), gay men's favorite, 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 Morocha Bar (Sant Pau 19), cocktails, beer & copas from 5:30pm; art shows, intimate live music performances.

Los Vikingos (Mont-roig 7) family restaurant inside, terrace tables fill with gay men afternoons and early evenings, along with those of the Mont Roig Cafe (Mont Roig,11-13) next door.

Mojito & Co. (Joan Tarrida 20), 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 to see and be seen, summer only, 11am to 3am.

Yummy Terrace Bar (Joan Tarrida, 2), new gay cocktail bar at center of the scene, one of the largest terraces in town, extensive Champagne menu.

 

Late bars

Backstage (Espalter 7) small and intimate local music bar, nightly drag shows, the former Perfil.

Bar Azul (Bonaventura 10) intimate men's music bar, welcoming vibe, Spanish, German and English spoken.

Bear's (Bonair 17, upstairs) cruisy men-only video bar, darkrooms, sling, St Andrew's cross, naked parties.

Bourbon's (Bonaventura 13) nightly men's theme party bar, DJs, male strippers; new owner, old name after a short spell as Loco's.

Bunker (Bonaire 15), large new (opening late June 2014) men's cruise bar at old Organic Club site (before they moved).

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.

Dark (Bonaire 14) men's cruise bar, dark room, guest porn stars, live sex shows, theme parties.

El French Kiss Bar (Santa Tecla 7), French gay cocktail bar, theme parties, men/women mix.

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.

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 gay Sitges center, open daily in Summer, Thursday Lady Diamond shows; Queenz Cabaret Restaurant  Friday/Saturday dinner shows.

Seven (Nou 7) edge of downtown, popular gay hangout, expats and tourists, particularly British crowd.

Trinity (Gaudenci 7), new gay cocktails and copas community bar, drag shows, former B-Side location.

Union Bar (Bonaire 13) former Orek's, energetic year-round international music bar, nightly parties, Sunday amateur stripper contests.

XXL (Joan Tarrida 7) dancing downstairs, serious darkroom action upstairs.

Zona X (Carreta 9), men's sex and cruise club, naked and underwear, leather and fetish nights; live sex shows, former El Candil location, .

 

Dance Clubs & Afterhours
When the bars close, everyone heads for late-night discos to dance until dawn.

Gay Beach Party (Port Aiguadolc), summer Thursdays, midnight to dawn. Free bus at beach by the Calipolis Hotel.

Just Be (Sant Pere 28), popular local's music bar, large dance floor, theme party nights.

Organic Club (Bonaire 12), Europop, techno, house, and Spanish music dance club, shirtless guys, summer only from 2:30am.

Trailer Disco (Angel Vidal 36), gay dance club, strippers, darkroom, shampoo/foam parties, summer only from 1am.

Ricky's (Sant Pau 25) mostly straight but gay- friendly, especially in off-season months when gay clubs close.

 

Restaurants
Many restaurants close from 2 to 5pm, or open at 8pm in true Iberian fashion. Dinner, as in most of Spain, is often a late affair, beginning 9 or 10pm.

Beach House (Paseo de la Ribera, 33), new beachfront location, eclectic Australian-Asian food menu, cocktail bar; rental apartments too.

Boccalino Restaurante (Plaça d'España 1), Mediterranean cuisine, seafood, pizzas, pastas, grilled meats and veggies.

Cafe Hidalgo (Sant Pau 12), dinner menu with Galician and northern Spanish cuisine; seafood specialities, steaks, pastas, daily menu platos del día.

Chai Indian Restaurant (Sant Pau 36), South Asian Tandoor-cooked meats; lunch and dinner, veggie options, eat-in/take-out.

El Arte del Cafe (Sant Pere 29), full English breakfast, coffee of all kinds, weekend crepes and vegetarian menu.

El Celler Vell (Bonaventura 21), traditional Catalan stews, charcoal-grilled meats, seafood and vegetables; seasonal rice menu specials, warm and rustic environment.

El Trull Restaurant (Mossen Felix Clara 3), worth the trip, impeccably prepared food, romantic old-world setting.

L'Angle D'Adriana (Plaça Industria), traditional-style French bistro dining, Sunday brunch; large terrace at the center, daily menu, quiche specialities, tasty desserts.

La Borda (Bonaventura 5), fine dining, old-world atmosphere,  traditional Catalan cuisine.

La Torka (Sant Pere 26), traditional French dining, seasonal market produce, fish and meats; terrace seatings.

Ma Maison Restaurant (Bonaire 28), long-time gay favorite French restaurant, international twist, garden tables, Saturday cabaret.

Moon (Bonaire 26), fresh local meat & fish, Asian influences, garden patio, beautiful garden patio setting.

Parrots Restaurant (Joan Tarrida 18), terrace seating, Swiss and Mediterranean cuisine.

Pizza del Pecado (Parellades 76), not spefically gay, but good, quick, inexpensive slices of 25 different pizza pies at town center.

Sitthai Restaurant & Lounge (Bonaire, 29), Asian fusion Thai, Japanese, Chinese cuisines; curries, sushi, meat, seafood and vegetables.

SoCa (Goudenci 9), Mexi-Cali tacos,gran burros, nachos, quesadillas, hamburgers, seafood and fresh salads; lunch and dinner, take-out or delivery.

 

Saunas

Sauna Sitges (Espalter 11), hot steamy fun from 4pm, wide range of guys, frequent special events like foam parties.

Parrots Sauna (Joan Tarrida 16), small gay men's sauna below the Parrots Hotel.

 

Shopping and services

Boyzone (Bonaventura 18), Deisel brand fashios for men; swimwear, jewelry, underwear, watches, sport shoes, shirts, pants, sunglasses.

ES Collection (Parellades, 64), men's underwear and beach attire; the Barcelona brand with the internationally famous ads.

Franc (carrer d'Espalter, 33), men's clothes, designer underwear, moderate prices.

Les Garcons Fashionwear (Gaudenci 12), men's clothing shop for over 15 years; top fashion brands.

Tattoo Art Sitges (Sant Pau 41), body enhancements with ink or piercings - see gallery online.

Testimoni (Sant Josep 6), men's underwear, swimwear, edgy fashions.

 

Galleries
Many galleries sell paintings, mostly featuring local scenes of the quiet old days of Sitges as a fishing village.

Blanca de Nicolas (Paseo de Vilanova 43), studies of male form, drawings, and paintings, classically posed nudes.