There’s purpose that household holidays in Spain are so widespread – and with its seashores, laid-back environment, historical past and Barcelona on the doorstep, it pays to look past the crowded Costas to plan a visit to Sitges with youngsters.
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Easy 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 youths to get pleasure from, and not one of the mass tourism that impacts different elements of the Spanish coast.
Known as a preferred spot for artists and poets, you’ll discover greater than Bohemian attraction right here although, with a string of implausible issues to do in Sitges with youngsters in addition to some nice villas for households.
Beaches in Sitges for households
It’s the seashores which are a magnet for most individuals to Sitges with youngsters – and also you’re spoiled for selection, 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 attractive golden sand to chill out on and paddle.
One of probably the most central seashores, Platja Sant Sebastià is widespread with locals in addition to households, though it does get busy throughout the summer time months. With calm waters and golden sands, it’s nonetheless an amazing possibility with youngsters, particularly you’ll discover loads of amenities together with bogs and a close-by playground.
On the opposite aspect of the church, Platja de la Fragata is good if you happen to’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 Club Nautico. During the summer time, you’ll typically discover additional enjoyable together with trampolines and mini golf too, though no sunbeds to lease right here.
Next door, Platja de la Ribera is among the longest seashores in central Sitges, and among the many hottest for households with youthful kids. A greater possibility than neighbouring Platja de la Fragata if you happen to’re trying to chill out, there are extra calm waters, sunbeds and umbrella rental, in addition to bogs and eating places.
A bit of additional alongside the coast, Platja de l’Estanyol has its personal distinctive draw, because of the ‘Wibit’ floating 100 metres out at sea – this inflatable playground and impediment course is big enjoyable (if tougher than it seems!). Another of the longest seashores in Sitges, it additionally has loads of amenities and locations to eat.
Or if you happen to’re in search of the least crowded seashores in central Sitges, strive Platja Riera Xica subsequent door and Platja de la Barra which regularly has stay music.
Further 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 identified for his or her heat water and watersports – the breakwater which surrounds the realm makes it superb with youthful youngsters, plus it’s 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 lease, a restaurant and seashore bars, plus browsing, paddleboarding and snorkelling to strive.
If you’re trying to escape to a quieter stretch of sand, head additional alongside the coast, not removed from Castelldefels to Les Botigues Beach (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 possibility if you happen to’re wanting past Sitges itself, identified for its fairly inexperienced and white homes lining the seashore – relationship from the Nineteen Twenties, they as soon as belonged to the realm’s fishermen.
Enjoy some watersports
There are three separate marinas in Sitges, in addition to numerous watersports to strive on a number of the city’s seashores, so that you’ll have loads of selection if you happen to’re in search of family-friendly choices.
Nootka Kayaking on Terramar seashore is good if you happen to’re in Sitges with youngsters who’re new to watersports. They have summer time camps which run throughout 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 learners, it’s greatest for older youngsters and teenagers
Or Club Nautic Sitges, proper within the coronary heart of city close to the church, has a crusing summer time camp in addition to household programs if you happen to’re all trying to be taught, to not point out windsurf, paddleboarding and browsing courses.
The Aiguadolç space can be nice for locating corporations providing browsing and crusing classes, together with the prospect to strive paddleboarding and lease your personal 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 aimed toward youngsters, in addition to numerous different watersports at Club Nautic Garraf.
Take a ship journey
If you’d like to move out on the water with your loved ones, slightly than getting a crusing qualification, you too can lease 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 area for as much as 5 on board – you possibly can carry your personal foods and drinks, then set off to find the coast, discover a quieter cove to sunbathe or simply benefit from the surroundings.
If you don’t fancy being the crew of your personal boat, you too can prepare a sundown crusing journey with the captain (and a bottle of cava) included – minimal of 4 folks.
Discover some historical past
This a part of Spain has been inhabited since Roman instances, and whereas it’s a must to go to Tarragona for one of the best Roman stays (learn on for extra!), there’s nonetheless loads to find throughout a stroll round Sitges.
Everywhere you look, you’ll discover intricately adorned doorways, tiles which might 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 previous 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 properly: the city corridor right here is constructed on the foundations of the medieval fortress, whereas the constructing subsequent to it was as soon as the Mercat Vell, or previous market.
To spot all of the highlights of Sitges with youngsters, do this self-guided strolling tour, which takes you from Roman instances to the trendy day
Soak up the views
There’s barely a nook of Sitges which isn’t pretty, so that you gained’t be wanting 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 often called La Punta, or the purpose, as you possibly can see it for such a good distance alongside the shoreline – and you may gaze all the way down to the ocean, in addition to being on the sting of the previous city.
At the underside of the steps on the waterfront, look out for the mermaid – the Sirena de Pere Jou statue – together with her hand-held up. You’ll see the palm is worn shiny by passersby touching their very own fingers to it.
Visit a museum
Museums may not prime your checklist for a household vacation in Sitges, however there are some nice choices if you happen to’re visiting with youngsters who love artwork or are in search of an possibility on a uncommon wet day in Sitges – because the Spanish city will get 300 days of sunshine a yr, that’s not often an issue although!
Several historic buildings have been transformed into galleries and museums, together with the spectacular assortment on the Cau Ferrat Museum.
Once dwelling 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 slightly quiz with challenges for youths, aimed 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.
Meanwhile the gorgeous Palau Maricel has a set of medieval artwork, though the constructing isn’t open day-after-day. And the Museu Romantic (briefly closed) is dwelling to one in all Europe’s largest collections of dolls and toys.
The museums are free for kids aged beneath 12 to enter and sometimes run household workshops throughout the yr too.
Take the Tourist practice
Riding the little vacationer trains have been one in all my very own favorite childhood reminiscences of holidays in Spain, and an equally massive hit with my daughter when she was youthful – and Sitges has its personal vacationer practice for a part of the yr.
Running from May to mid-September, in addition to at weekends between February and May, it’s additionally a good way to get round with youthful youngsters because the little practice travels alongside the 1.5 mile promenade between Paseo de la Ribera and Terramar.
The full route takes round half-hour and prices 2.5 euros a method (or 4 euros return).
Play mini golf
Challenge 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 straightforward to whereas away an hour or two enjoying the enjoyable course.
You’ll additionally discover ping pong tables and desk soccer, plus generally trampolines, if you happen to’re in search of extra household enjoyable in Sitges.
Head to the park
The seashore isn’t the one alternative to get open air in Sitges with youngsters – Terramar Park has some nice locations for youths to play, in addition to the prospect to benefit from the greenery.
Los Jardines de Terramar is shaded, and an amazing play space for youthful youngsters, whereas you too can discover a zipline, sound backyard and loads of picnic areas among the many timber – to not point out numerous area to run round.
Visit Garraf National Park
For an even bigger open air journey in Sitges with youngsters, head to the Parc del Garraf which has strolling and mountaineering trails for all ages and skills, in addition to mountain biking.
There are some guided walks at weekends, or just observe the sign-posted trails – the AllTrails web site is a good way to filter a number of the choices, together with some straightforward routes to strive with youngsters or a more difficult path to the ruins of a fortress, or discover extra info on strolling routes in Garraf Natural Park with youngsters right here.
Keep your eyes open for eagles, in addition to the opposite wildlife dwelling within the 12,820 hectares of hills.
Enjoy a fiesta
The Spanish love a fiesta, and that goes double for Catalonia – so if you happen to time your vacation in Sitges with youngsters proper, you possibly can catch one in all these implausible and memorable celebrations too.
The largest occasion in Sitges is the Festa Major, a celebration of the city’s patron saint, Sant Bartomeu. The foremost 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.
Expect a hearth dragon, giants and the normal Catalan human towers, in addition to a powerful fireworks show – don’t plan on getting an excessive amount of sleep with youthful youngsters although!
It’s not the one fiesta to be careful for, with the Festival 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 Major in miniature. But whereas these are the three largest, you’ll discover occasions happening in Sitges most months.
Things to do close to Sitges with youngsters
Sitges can be an amazing 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’re visiting Sitges with youngsters who love trains, the Railway Museum of Catalonia in Vilanova y la Geltrú is unmissable.
Less than 10 minutes from Sitges by practice (and the museum is helpfully proper close to the station), it’s dwelling to greater than 50 several types of trains, together with a reproduction of the primary one which travelled round this a part of Spain in 1848.
Look out for luxurious classic American passenger automotive, in addition to steam, diesel and electrical locomotives, and electromagnetic expertise, plus a play space for youths.
Tarragona
Less than an hour away alongside the coast lies Tarragona, dwelling to a number of the greatest Roman websites in the entire of Spain.
One of an important cities within the Roman Empire, Tarraco because it was then identified, is most well-known for its fantastic amphitheatre reduce into the hillside above the seashore.
But that’s not the one Unesco-listed web site 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 outdoors Tarragona.
There are a number of excursions that can assist you discover – do this Roman strolling tour or there’s additionally a scavenger hunt- type self-guided tour of Tarragona which is enjoyable with youngsters.
Jungle Trek
If journey tempts your youngsters greater than Roman historical past, don’t miss Jungle Trek, the implausible 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 youths aged 4+ however you’ll additionally discover greater thrills for older youngsters as properly.
Along with the tree-top circuits, you possibly can velocity down the Jungle Coaster zipline, benefit from the jungle nets, play tennis and take a look at ‘soft paintball’.
Set in La Mora, it’s straightforward to mix with a while on the seashore there too.
Visit a water park
There isn’t a water park in Sitges itself – other than the Wibit inflatable course – however you’ll find two shut sufficient for a day journey from Sitges with youngsters.
Aqualeon is round half an hour away by automotive, with the Kidzworld space aimed toward youthful kids, plus a wave pool and slides galore, together with family-friendly choices but in addition extra adrenaline-fuelled enjoyable.
There are additionally some water rides at Portaventura – learn on for extra particulars
Visit a theme park
Just past Tarragona is Portaventura – the place theme park meets water park meets animal attraction, there’s one thing for everybody to get pleasure from throughout a day trip 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 youngsters’ zone themed round Sesame Street. Along the way in which you would get pleasure from a 4D expertise, check out the water rides, watch a stay fowl present, experience rollercoasters and meet Bert & Ernie.
You can even get mixed tickets with entrance to Ferrari Land subsequent door, filled with immersive experiences and high-speed rides, good for mini petrolheads.
Go wine tasting
The Penedès wine area is the center of Cava county, the place Spain’s well-known glowing wine is made – and Sitges is simply round half an hour from the vineyards the place you should purchase and style the wine.
And even higher, you’ll find family-friendly choices so it’s nonetheless one thing to maintain in your wishlist for a vacation in Sitges with youngsters.
Bodega Freixenet has child-friendly excursions, the place you possibly can head down into the cellars 20 meters beneath floor, plus alcohol-free cava or grape juice for youths to strive – and there’s slightly practice experience included as properly.
The tour is free for these aged 8 and beneath as properly, and it’s strolling distance from the railway station so you may get the practice there too.
Visit Barcelona
It’s lower than an hour to Barcelona by practice, so Sitges is an ideal base if you happen to fancy a day in Barcelona with youngsters as properly.
Of course 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 a minimum of a number of the fabulous fantastical structure from Gaudi, together with the Sagrada Familia, and taking the funicular up mount Tibidabo.
But there are additionally a string of household points of interest, together with museums and the stunning aquarium to find, some nice avenue artwork and historical past galore to discovery right here too.
Where to remain in Sitges with youngsters
I’m an enormous fan of staying in a villa with youngsters – not solely do you’ve more room (which beats sitting in a darkened resort room after youthful youngsters have fallen asleep), there’s extra flexibility and luxuries like a personal pool whereas nonetheless typically costing the identical or lower than a resort.
Utopia Villas is the one firm in Sitges which has beachfront villas, so in addition to your personal pool, you’re minutes from the sand – Villa Augusta, simply 300m from the seafront, has a beautiful pool.
Or there are villas close to the Parc del Garraf, like attractive Ibiza-style Villa Leila, if you happen to’re planning to get out into the mountains.
If you’re travelling with youthful youngsters, the gated heated pool of Villa Claudia is tempting, plus there’s all the pieces from three-bed villas as much as ones for greater teams of family and friends within the assortment.
Throw in high-speed WiFi as customary too (helpful if you happen to’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 youngsters are my very own. This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
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