There’s a great purpose that household holidays in Spain are so in style – and with its seashores, laid-back ambiance, historical past and Barcelona on the doorstep, it pays to look past the crowded Costas to plan a visit to Sitges with children.
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Simple to achieve – it’s solely 16 miles from Barcelona airport – the twisting cobbled streets are lined with whitewashed buildings, you’ve received blue flag seashores for teenagers to take pleasure in, and not one of the mass tourism that impacts different components of the Spanish coast.
Often called a well-liked spot for artists and poets, you’ll discover greater than Bohemian allure right here although, with a string of improbable issues to do in Sitges with children in addition to some nice villas for households.
Seashores in Sitges for households
It’s the seashores which are a magnet for most individuals to Sitges with children – and also you’re spoiled for alternative, with 19 separate seashores in and across the city (together with nudist and homosexual seashores).
There are a number of that are significantly good for households, whether or not you’re in search of watersports and amenities or just some beautiful golden sand to loosen up on and paddle.
One of the central seashores, Platja Sant Sebastià is in style with locals in addition to households, though it does get busy through the summer season months. With calm waters and golden sands, it’s nonetheless an important choice with children, particularly you’ll discover loads of amenities together with bogs and a close-by playground.
On the opposite facet of the church, Platja de la Fragata is good in the event you’re in search of extra actions than making sandcastles – there’s seashore volleyball, and the choice to rent paddleboards or strive different watersports together with crusing with Membership Nautico. Throughout the summer season, you’ll usually discover further enjoyable together with trampolines and mini golf too, though no sunbeds to hire right here.
Subsequent door, Platja de la Ribera is without doubt one of the longest seashores in central Sitges, and among the many hottest for households with youthful kids. A greater choice than neighbouring Platja de la Fragata in the event you’re trying to loosen up, there are extra calm waters, sunbeds and umbrella rental, in addition to bogs and eating places.
Just a little additional alongside the coast, Platja de l’Estanyol has its personal distinctive draw, due to the ‘Wibit’ floating 100 metres out at sea – this inflatable playground and impediment course is big enjoyable (if tougher than it seems!). One other of the longest seashores in Sitges, it additionally has loads of amenities and locations to eat.
Or in the event you’re in search of the least crowded seashores in central Sitges, strive Platja Riera Xica subsequent door and Platja de la Barra which frequently has stay music.
Additional west, Platja Terramar and Platja de les Anquines are a half hour stroll from the centre of city, though there’s a practice service to save lots of drained legs.
Backed by Parc Terramar (learn on for extra particulars), the pair of seashores are recognized for his or her heat water and watersports – the breakwater which surrounds the world makes it very best with youthful children, plus it’s a great place to check out something from kayaking and stand-up paddleboards to renting pedalos and surf boards.
Or head east and Platja d’Aiguadolç, round quarter-hour from the centre of Sitges, has sunbeds and umbrellas to hire, a restaurant and seashore bars, plus browsing, paddleboarding and snorkelling to strive.
If you happen to’re trying to escape to a quieter stretch of sand, head additional alongside the coast, not removed from Castelldefels to Les Botigues Seashore (additionally knowns as Platja de Castelldefels). A whopping 1.5km lengthy, this Blue Flag seashore additionally has nice disabled entry, in addition to snack bars and cafes galore.
Platja del Garraf is one other nice choice in the event you’re wanting past Sitges itself, recognized for its fairly inexperienced and white homes lining the seashore – relationship from the Nineteen Twenties, they as soon as belonged to the world’s fishermen.
Get pleasure from some watersports
There are three separate marinas in Sitges, in addition to varied watersports to strive on a number of the city’s seashores, so that you’ll have loads of alternative in the event you’re in search of family-friendly choices.
Nootka Kayaking on Terramar seashore is good in the event you’re in Sitges with children who’re new to watersports. They’ve summer season camps which run through the mornings, in addition to separate classes and excursions to strive kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
For an extended kayaking journey, there’s a three-hour kayaking journey from Vilanova to Sitges – whereas it’s appropriate for inexperienced persons, it’s greatest for older children and youths
Or Membership Nautic Sitges, proper within the coronary heart of city close to the church, has a crusing summer season camp in addition to household programs in the event you’re all trying to be taught, to not point out windsurf, paddleboarding and browsing courses.
The Aiguadolç space can be nice for locating firms providing browsing and crusing classes, together with the possibility to strive paddleboarding and hire your individual boat.
And barely additional out of city, Port del Garraf, on the foot of Parc del Garraf, has its personal water sports activities exercise centre – there are crusing classes geared toward children, in addition to varied different watersports at Membership Nautic Garraf.
Take a ship journey
If you happen to’d like to go out on the water with your loved ones, fairly than getting a crusing qualification, you too can hire boats from Navega Sin Titulo in Aiguadolç .
You don’t want a license to rent these (though there are additionally choices if in case you have one) with house for as much as 5 on board – you possibly can deliver your individual foods and drinks, then set off to find the coast, discover a quieter cove to sunbathe or simply benefit from the surroundings.
If you happen to don’t fancy being the crew of your individual boat, you too can prepare a sundown crusing journey with the captain (and a bottle of cava) included – minimal of 4 individuals.
Uncover some historical past
This a part of Spain has been inhabited since Roman instances, and whereas you need to go to Tarragona for the very best Roman stays (learn on for extra!), there’s nonetheless a lot to find throughout a stroll round Sitges.
In all places you look, you’ll discover intricately adorned doorways, tiles which may have come straight from the Alhambra in Granada, and historic buildings starting from Renaissance to artwork nouveau.
As you wander, look out for the ruins of the outdated medieval wall on Carrer de la Davallada, in addition to the medieval arched doorways alongside Carrer d’en Bosch, the oldest avenue in Sitges.
Head to Plaça de l’Ajuntament as nicely: the city corridor right here is constructed on the foundations of the medieval fort, whereas the constructing subsequent to it was as soon as the Mercat Vell, or outdated market.
To identify all of the highlights of Sitges with children, do this self-guided strolling tour, which takes you from Roman instances to the fashionable day
Absorb the views
There’s barely a nook of Sitges which isn’t beautiful, so that you received’t be in need of fabulous views as you discover – however don’t miss the perspective at Plaça del Baluard.
Climb the steps to Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla Parish Church – higher referred to as La Punta, or the purpose, as you possibly can see it for such a great distance alongside the shoreline – and you may gaze all the way down to the ocean, in addition to being on the sting of the outdated city.
On the backside of the steps on the waterfront, look out for the mermaid – the Sirena de Pere Jou statue – along with her hand-held up. You’ll see the palm is worn shiny by passersby touching their very own palms to it.
Go to a museum
Museums won’t prime your checklist for a household vacation in Sitges, however there are some nice choices in the event you’re visiting with children who love artwork or are in search of an choice on a uncommon wet day in Sitges – because the Spanish city will get 300 days of sunshine a 12 months, that’s not often an issue although!
A number of historic buildings have been transformed into galleries and museums, together with the spectacular assortment on the Cau Ferrat Museum.
As soon as house to modernist artist Santiago Rusiñol, you possibly can see three Picassos and two authentic El Greco work on show in addition to his work and extra element about his life. There’s even a bit of quiz with challenges for teenagers, geared toward ages 7-10.
Or the shows within the Maricel Museum cowl 10 centuries of artwork, together with extra modernist work, alongside sculpture and antiques.
In the meantime the gorgeous Palau Maricel has a group of medieval artwork, though the constructing isn’t open day by day. And the Museu Romantic (quickly closed) is house to one in every of Europe’s largest collections of dolls and toys.
The museums are free for kids aged beneath 12 to enter and infrequently run household workshops through the 12 months too.
Take the Vacationer practice
Using the little vacationer trains have been one in every of my very own favorite childhood recollections of holidays in Spain, and an equally huge hit with my daughter when she was youthful – and Sitges has its personal vacationer practice for a part of the 12 months.
Working from Could to mid-September, in addition to at weekends between February and Could, it’s additionally an effective way to get round with youthful children because the little practice travels alongside the 1.5 mile promenade between Paseo de la Ribera and Terramar.
The total route takes round half-hour and prices 2.5 euros a method (or 4 euros return).
Play mini golf
Problem your loved ones with a recreation of mini golf in Sitges. A brief stroll from the beachfront, Minigolf Vinyet on Passeig de Vilanova has 18 holes so it’s simple to whereas away an hour or two enjoying the enjoyable course.
You’ll additionally discover ping pong tables and desk soccer, plus typically trampolines, in the event you’re in search of extra household enjoyable in Sitges.
Head to the park
The seashore isn’t the one alternative to get outdoor in Sitges with children – Terramar Park has some nice locations for teenagers to play, in addition to the possibility to benefit from the greenery.
Los Jardines de Terramar is shaded, and an important play space for youthful children, whereas you too can discover a zipline, sound backyard and loads of picnic areas among the many timber – to not point out numerous house to run round.
Go to Garraf Nationwide Park
For an even bigger outdoor journey in Sitges with children, head to the Parc del Garraf which has strolling and mountain climbing trails for all ages and skills, in addition to mountain biking.
There are some guided walks at weekends, or just comply with the sign-posted trails – the AllTrails website is an effective way to filter a number of the choices, together with some simple routes to strive with children or a tougher path to the ruins of a fort, or discover extra info on strolling routes in Garraf Pure Park with children right here.
Maintain your eyes open for eagles, in addition to the opposite wildlife residing within the 12,820 hectares of hills.
Get pleasure from a fiesta
The Spanish love a fiesta, and that goes double for Catalonia – so in the event you time your vacation in Sitges with children proper, you possibly can catch one in every of these improbable and memorable celebrations too.
The largest occasion in Sitges is the Festa Main, a celebration of the city’s patron saint, Sant Bartomeu. The primary celebrations run for 36 hours from August 23, however occasions usually begin a number of days earlier round August 19 and run for a number of days afterwards till August 26-28.
Count on a fireplace dragon, giants and the standard Catalan human towers, in addition to a formidable fireworks show – don’t plan on getting an excessive amount of sleep with youthful children although!
It’s not the one fiesta to be careful for, with the Competition of San Juan on June 23, that includes extra fireworks on the seashore, whereas the Santa Tecla celebrations on September 22 and 23 are like Festa Main in miniature. However whereas these are the three greatest, you’ll discover occasions happening in Sitges most months.
Issues to do close to Sitges with children
Sitges can be an important location to discover additional alongside the Costa Garraf, all the way down to the Costa Dorada and as much as Barcelona and Costa Barcelona.
Railway Museum, Vilanova
If you happen to’re visiting Sitges with children who love trains, the Railway Museum of Catalonia in Vilanova y la Geltrú is unmissable.
Lower than 10 minutes from Sitges by practice (and the museum is helpfully proper close to the station), it’s house to greater than 50 various kinds of trains, together with a duplicate of the primary one which travelled round this a part of Spain in 1848.
Look out for luxurious classic American passenger automobile, in addition to steam, diesel and electrical locomotives, and electromagnetic know-how, plus a play space for teenagers.
Tarragona
Lower than an hour away alongside the coast lies Tarragona, house to a number of the greatest Roman websites in the entire of Spain.
One of the essential cities within the Roman Empire, Tarraco because it was then recognized, is most well-known for its fantastic amphitheatre lower into the hillside above the seashore.
However that’s not the one Unesco-listed website to discover: you possibly can see some stays of the discussion board, partitions and the circus, the place chariot races have been held, in addition to the aqueduct simply exterior Tarragona.
There are a number of excursions that will help you discover – do this Roman strolling tour or there’s additionally a scavenger hunt- type self-guided tour of Tarragona which is enjoyable with children.
Jungle Trek
If journey tempts your children greater than Roman historical past, don’t miss Jungle Trek, the improbable tree-top journey park not removed from Tarragona, round a 40-minute drive from Sitges.
With over 150 challenges and 13 high-ropes programs, there are alternatives appropriate for teenagers aged 4+ however you’ll additionally discover larger thrills for older children as nicely.
Together with the tree-top circuits, you possibly can pace down the Jungle Coaster zipline, benefit from the jungle nets, play tennis and take a look at ‘mushy paintball’.
Set in La Mora, it’s simple to mix with a while on the seashore there too.
Go to a water park
There isn’t a water park in Sitges itself – other than the Wibit inflatable course – however yow will discover two shut sufficient for a day journey from Sitges with children.
Aqualeon is round half an hour away by automobile, with the Kidzworld space geared toward youthful kids, plus a wave pool and slides galore, together with family-friendly choices but additionally extra adrenaline-fuelled enjoyable.
There are additionally some water rides at Portaventura – learn on for extra particulars
Go to a theme park
Simply past Tarragona is Portaventura – the place theme park meets water park meets animal attraction, there’s one thing for everybody to take pleasure in throughout a time out right here.
With six themed areas, you may get a style of various civilisations from world wide, together with Polynesia, China and Mexico, plus a children’ zone themed round Sesame Road. Alongside the best way you possibly can take pleasure in a 4D expertise, check out the water rides, watch a stay hen present, experience rollercoasters and meet Bert & Ernie.
You can too get mixed tickets with entrance to Ferrari Land subsequent door, filled with immersive experiences and high-speed rides, excellent for mini petrolheads.
Go wine tasting
The Penedès wine area is the guts of Cava county, the place Spain’s well-known glowing wine is made – and Sitges is just round half an hour from the vineyards the place you should buy and style the wine.
And even higher, yow will discover family-friendly choices so it’s nonetheless one thing to maintain in your wishlist for a vacation in Sitges with children.
Bodega Freixenet has child-friendly excursions, the place you possibly can head down into the cellars 20 meters under floor, plus alcohol-free cava or grape juice for teenagers to strive – and there’s a bit of practice experience included as nicely.
The tour is free for these aged 8 and beneath as nicely, and it’s strolling distance from the railway station so you may get the practice there too.
Go to Barcelona
It’s lower than an hour to Barcelona by practice, so Sitges is an ideal base in the event you fancy a day in Barcelona with children as nicely.
In fact there’s an enormous quantity to find within the metropolis for households, so you possibly can simply fill greater than a single day – don’t miss not less than a number of the fabulous fantastical structure from Gaudi, together with the Sagrada Familia, and taking the funicular up mount Tibidabo.
However there are additionally a string of household sights, together with museums and the beautiful aquarium to find, some nice avenue artwork and historical past galore to discovery right here too.
The place to remain in Sitges with children
I’m a giant fan of staying in a villa with children – not solely do you have got extra space (which beats sitting in a darkened lodge room after youthful children have fallen asleep), there’s extra flexibility and luxuries like a non-public pool whereas nonetheless usually costing the identical or lower than a lodge.
Utopia Villas is the one firm in Sitges which has beachfront villas, so in addition to your individual pool, you’re minutes from the sand – Villa Augusta, simply 300m from the seafront, has a stunning pool.
Or there are villas close to the Parc del Garraf, like beautiful Ibiza-style Villa Leila, in the event you’re planning to get out into the mountains.
If you happen to’re travelling with youthful children, the gated heated pool of Villa Claudia is tempting, plus there’s every part from three-bed villas as much as ones for larger teams of family and friends within the assortment.
Throw in high-speed WiFi as commonplace too (useful in the event you’re visiting Sitges with teenagers) together with the choice to rearrange babysitting, family-friendly excursions and airport transfers as a bonus.
Disclosure: Compiled in affiliation with Utopia Villas – all opinions on what to do in Sitges with children are my very own. This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Photographs courtesy of Depositphotos
