SITGES
Area: Costa Brava
Country: Spain


Location:
At the extreme S end of the Costa Brava _ for the purists, not really on it at all. 25 miles S of Barcelona and its airport.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Position:
The first main resort down the coast from Barcelona past a ridge of hills (through which a motorway passes via tunnels and a toll). The old town is at the N end and juts out to overlook the sea between two bays _ the small Platja de St Sebastia to the N and S the main seafront which is about a mile long with occasional breakwaters.

Description:
The town has a history as an artistic centre and resort for the wealthy from Barcelona and has retained its character in the centre where there are some impressive old mansions in the narrow streets. Developments have taken place all round this centre, mostly inland and to the S where there is a large leafy residential sector where most of the apartments are to be found and some of the hotels. The old centre and the part of the seafront nearby is now thick with bars, restaurants and nightclubs which has given the place a reputation for being frenetically lively at night, particularly for the gay community. The seafront is lined with palm trees and there are a few bar/restaurants on the beach side of the road.

Suitability:
All ages, middle bracket, though those interested in the nightlife should stay close to the centre while those wanting a quieter time should head out into the residential quarter to the S.

Accommodation:
There are a lot of rather tired-looking 1970s hotels but also some newer top quality ones and some good-standard apartments.

Shopping:
Virtually all kinds of shops from antiques to beachwear. Pottery, leather and metal ornaments (there is a tradition of ironmongery and metalwork) are good buys.

Beach:
The main beach is long with plenty of space, though the section nearest the old part of town can get very crowded with day trippers who come by train. It does not shelve and though it is composed of the small pebbles common to this part of the coast it is sand-like. Further S it gets narrower but there is a part which forms a small bay between two breakwaters where there is a fully-equipped windsurfing school.

Entertainments:
Daytime: Selection of art and cultural museums. Nightlife: chiefly music-bars, particularly on the Carrer Marques de Montroig which leads down to the seafront from the centre.

Eating:
All types, though mostly local and a number of top class restaurants serving Catalan specialities. Pollo Alast _ a garlic and herb flavoured chicken cooked on rotating spits to be seen at the entrance to some restaurants is common and cheap.

Public-transport:
Trains run every 5 to 10 minutes to Barcelona (get off at Sants _ » hour, or at Passeig de Gracia _ 5 minutes later). A bus runs the length of the town, including the seafront, hourly.

Local-excursions:
The usual ones to Barcelona for a full day tour to see a bullfight or the Olympic sites, a morning tour to see the Picasso museum and Gaudi's architecture, an evening trip to see the flamenco. Montserrat (half day) and Andorra (full day) and the vineyards of the region where "cava" _ Catalan champagne _ is made (full day).