Sitges

LGBT Travel Guide

Why you should go to Sitges !

Sitges is a popular day-trip by bus or train from Barcelona, but it is a stand-alone destination for anyone loving fun in the sun. One of the gayest of gay beaches, Sitges - a former fishing village and artists' colony - boasts 2.5 miles (4 km) of glorious beaches and at least 300 days of sun each year. Its five-day Pride celebration each June attracts more than 45,000 people. Beaches are packed with sun worshipers during the July through September summer season. Clubs and restaurants have abbreviated hours the rest of the year, but it hosts one of the world's most exuberant carnivals each spring and off-season party weekends.

Most activities are within walking distance, but the hills behind the town offer the allure of vineyards, a Buddhist monastery and hiking. The town also has an active cultural life with art galleries and museums. Sitges is one big gayborhood with many of the bars and clubs concentrated around Bonaire and Joan Tarrida Streets. Although Bassa Rodonda directly below Pic Nic Restaurant is considered the main gay beach, all beaches are gay-friendly and Las Balmins and Del Meurto are gay and mixed nudist beaches.

But the Pink Triangle, the first LGBTQ monument in Spain, reminds visitors that Sitges was not always so welcoming. It was erected in 2006, 10 years after a police crackdown of gay men on the beach at night and the murder of a gay waiter. Its inscription reads: "Sitges against homophobia - 'Never again' - October 5th 1996 - 2006."

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