Barcelona & Sitges: the City & the Sea

Barcelona & Sitges: the City & the Sea

5-Day trip exploring Barcelona, Montserrat, and the seaside town of Sitges. Experience Catalonia with a little bit of everything - cityscapes, architecture, flamenco, cathedrals, tapas, sangria, and sunbathing.
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Day 1

Arrive at Barcelona Airport. To get into the city, you can grab a taxi or take a Renfe train from Terminal 2 to Estació Sants. 

Where to Stay:

On a Budget:

Hotel Cuatro Naciones
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Extremely central location-perfect for touring.
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Great Value:

Hotel Brummell
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Authentic, beautiful, and affordable.
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For a Splurge:

ME Barcelona
@nicoleladonne
The service here is unmatched. Wonderful, warm, friendly staff. Also, the breakfast buffet is EXTENSIVE and very good.
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Lunch

Check into your hotel, and if it's still early enough, grab lunch and sangria near La Sagrada Familia at Sagradas Tapas.

Sagradas Tapas
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La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia is a must on any Barcelona visitor itinerary. If you choose to tour the interior be sure to book tickets well ahead of your trip! Tickets can book up weeks in advance. 

The most picturesque tours will be near sunset-when the light pours through the colored stained glass windows. 

La Sagrada Familia
@wanderingduo
La Sagrada Familia is a world-renowned Roman Catholic church located in Barcelona, Spain. It was designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí and is known for its unique and elaborate design featuring Gothic and Art Nouveau elements. Construction on the church began in 1882 and is still ongoing, with an estimated completion date of 2026. 🎟️ Ticket Prices: Basic ticket + audioguide: €26 Basic ticket + audioguide + towers: €36 Basic ticket + Guided tour: €30 Guided tour + towers: €40 A portion of the ticket price for La Sagrada Familia includes a contribution to the ongoing construction and restoration efforts!
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Aperitivo

When you're ready, make your way south to Hotel Colón. Grab an aperitivo on the rooftop bar or pull up a seat at one of the patio tables on the square. Hotel Colón sits across from the gorgeous, Gothic Catedral de Barcelona. 

Hotel Colón Barcelona
@nicoleladonne
Line up to get a drink on the rooftop for a spectacular view of the city and nearby cathedral. If the line's too long, the outdoor tables on the square provide excellent people watching.
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Cathedral of Barcelona
@wanderingduo
Imposing Gothic cathedral with geese-filled cloisters, offering guided tours & city-wide views. If you don't want to pay to view the inside, you can admire the cathedral from the plaza which is often very lively and occasionally has a vintage market going on.
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Dinner

Bodega La Palma is a traditional tapas spot in the Gothic Quarter. If you love Spanish vermouth or haven't yet tried it, this is the perfect spot for it. Ask for the house vermut! This is a small restaurant, so make a reservation to avoid disappointment.

Bodega La Palma
@nicoleladonne
Wonderful traditional tapas spot in the Gothic Quarter. Make a reservation to avoid disappointment!
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Day 2

Breakfast

You don't want to fill up before your food tour, but when in Barcelona you HAVE to get churros and chocolate. This place is also known for great coffee if you need your morning fix. 

Granja M. Viader
@nicoleladonne
Traditional spot for churros and chocolate!
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Food Tour

Take the Tapas and Wine Tour with Barcelona Local Experiences. It is one of the best tours I've ever been on. The food is fantastic and you will try some things you may not otherwise get to try (like drinking wine from a porrón!) It is informative and fun.

This is another thing you need to make sure to book weeks before your trip so it doesn't sell out.

Barcelona Local Experiences | Barcelona Tours
@nicoleladonne
The Tapas & Wine Tour is one of the best tours I've ever been on. Delicious, informative, and fun!
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Park Güell 

Again, book tickets ahead of time! Also plan your route before you visit. Park Güell is located on a very large hill north of the city. If you want to avoid trekking up a very large hill under the hot Catalan sun, get off the metro at Lesseps or Carmel and take a taxi or bus to the Entrada Carmel at the top of the park. 

Park Güell
@nicoleladonne
Park Güell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a huge garden with unique architectural features designed by Gaudí.
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Dinner

Paella is a must in Barcelona. Taverna El Glop is a traditional and well known place for it.

Taverna El Glop
@nicoleladonne
Fantastic traditional spot known for their seafood paella.
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Day 3

Take a day trip to Montserrat! To get there take a train from Plaça d'Espanya Station. You can purchase tickets ahead of time on the Montserrat website:

Plaça d'Espanya
@nicoleladonne
This is the train station to get a train to Montserrat.
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Montserrat
@nicoleladonne
Benedictine monastery in the mountains north of Barcelona. Well worth a day trip to see!
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Lunch

Grab a casual lunch at Bar de La Plaça in between touring the monastery and checking out the art museum.

Bar de la Plaça
@nicoleladonne
Quick and easy lunch option at Montserrat.
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Take the Sant Joan Funicular higher up the mountain for an even more impressive view.

Sant Joan Funicular Station
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When you’re ready, take the train back to Barcelona.

Dinner

Head to Barceloneta beach for a fine dining seafood restaurant that shares its name. 

Barceloneta
@nicoleladonne
Fine dining seafood restaurant on Barceloneta Beach.
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Or

For a more casual beachside dinner, check out Can Fisher.

Can Fisher - Restaurante
@nicoleladonne
A more casual beachside restaurant at Barceloneta.
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Day 4

Sitges is a lovely beach town just half an hour by train from Barcelona. It is the perfect getaway from the city. You'll find pristine beaches, active beach clubs, stunning architecture, delicious seafood, nightlife, and more.

Sitges is extremely LGBTQIA+ friendly and known for its prominent gay community and culture. Honestly, this town has something for everyone-I highly recommend it!

To Get to Sitges

Take the Metro to Sants Estació station. Here get a ticket to Sitges station.

Sants Estació
@nicoleladonne
A major train station in Barcelona.
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Sitges
@nicoleladonne
Seaside town perfect for a weekend getaway. Great beaches, great food, nightlife, and very LGBTQIA+ friendly.
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Stay 

Hotel Capri is comfortable and inviting with a quiet pool and a great breakfast spread.

Hotel Capri
@nicoleladonne
Homey and inviting. Walking distance to restaurants and the beach. Great breakfast spread!
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A touch of comfort and close to everything.

Hotel Platjador
@nicoleladonne
Close to everything - beaches, restaurants, and more.
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Antonio's House is a home away from home.

Antonio's Sitges
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Lunch

Once you’re checked in, head to Pic Nic for lunch. Set yourself up on the patio with a jug of sangria.

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Culture

Soak up some art, history, and culture with a tour of the Palau de Maricel and Museu del Cau Ferrat. Be sure to check the opening times and book tickets before your visit.

Palau de Maricel
@nicoleladonne
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Museu del Cau Ferrat
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Dinner

La Cocina may be the best restaurant in Sitges. Book ahead for dinner!

La Cocina Sitges
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Day 5

While most hotels in the area provide breakfast, if you’ve slept in or need something more substantial 365 Obrador is an easy place to grab coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.

365 Obrador
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Beach time

The beaches in Sitges are fantastic. Get down to the beach early and pay for a sun (or shade) lounge chair at one of the many beach clubs. This will have you set for the day.

Sitges Beach
@nicoleladonne
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Lunch

When you’re ready to abandon your beach lounger, make the walk to Vivero Beach Club for lunch and drinks on their cliffside patio.

Vivero Beach Club Restaurant | Sitges
@nicoleladonne
Great views. Perfect for drinks at sunset.
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Back to Barcelona

Take a late afternoon train back into the city.

Flamenco

Flamenco is another must-see in Barcelona. The show at Los Tarantos is a lot of fun.

Los Tarantos
@nicoleladonne
Such a fun spot to see flamenco!
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Dinner

If you feel you've eaten yourself silly with pork and seafood or are traveling with vegetarians, Teresa Carles is a great vegetarian option. Try traditional Spanish food with a vegetarian slant. 

Teresa Carles
@nicoleladonne
Spanish food with a vegetarian slant.
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* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hello! I’m Nicole! I’m a nomadic artist, writer, and photographer and have lived in Texas, Michigan, London, Hawaii, and now Virginia. I have travelled extensively through Europe, the US, and Mexico, and am the vacation planner and tour guide for everyone I know. I love everything about travel, and can not wait to share my favorite spots (especially my favorite places to eat!!) with you. All of my guides include restaurant recommendations, markets, museums, and must-see cultural and historical sites. I will also include notes on attractions that are, in my opinion, worth paying to experience, what you can save your money on and enjoy from the exterior, and what may be skipped all together. Take a look through my guides and get in touch with me for any custom planning services!
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