Sitges, Spain
Trip Perspective
Hi Vanessa. Could you tell us a little about yourself, your travel style, and the rather unique travel blog you run?
Hi, everyone! I’m Vanessa Morgan, the creator of Traveling Cats, the only travel blog for cat lovers.
I share cat café reviews, interesting facts about cats around the world, and detailed travel guides to destinations known for their feline populations, whether that’s iconic “cat islands” or countries like Greece. And yes, Sitges is definitely one of those places with a surprising number of feline inhabitants.
My travel style is a mix of exploration and slow travel. I love discovering new places, but I’m just as drawn to culture, atmosphere, and quiet moments—just sitting somewhere to soak in the view, or reading a book. Sitges fits that balance perfectly.
You’ve been to Sitges 10 times, what keeps drawing you back?
The main reason is the Sitges Fantastic Film Festival. I’m a huge horror fan, and it’s one of the biggest festivals in the world for the genre. The first few times I went with friends, but later, I started working with film festivals myself and publishing horror reference books, and I began attending professionally to scout films. A world-class festival set in one of the cutest towns in Spain… It’s hard not to keep coming back year after year.
Who do you think would connect most with Sitges?
Sitges may be small, but it has very distinct “sides” and attracts different types of travelers. Strangely enough, these groups rarely overlap because they tend to stay in different parts of town.
Outside of the horror film crowd in October, Sitges is especially popular with the LGBTQ+ community. If that’s your scene and you’re looking to meet people, it’s an ideal destination.
At the same time, it also appeals to travelers seeking a chic beach getaway. Those visitors usually stay in quieter areas a bit farther from the nightlife.
One important tip: don’t treat Sitges as just a day trip from Barcelona. You can see it quickly, but you’ll miss the vibe that makes the town so special.
You mentioned The Sitges Film Festival. Can you tell us more about it and some of the other experiences that stood out on your visits?
It’s massive: over 100,000 visitors in just about 10 days. But it’s also incredibly accessible. You might literally find yourself having lunch next to a famous actor or filmmaker.
As for sightseeing, everything revolves around the old town, which has even appeared in several films. Simply wandering through its streets and heading toward the port covers most of the highlights.
Technically, you don’t need more than a day, but the fact that so many people return again and again says everything.
You know the best restaurants in town, what’s the Sitges food scene really like?
Apart from tapas? Vegan food. It’s not something Spain is particularly known for, yet Sitges has some of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants I’ve experienced.
How does the atmosphere shift after dark? Describe the evening vibe in Sitges.
I’m not much of a party person, so I don’t really participate in the nightlife. That said, Sitges is famous for it, especially its LGBTQ+ bars, which are concentrated in just a few streets.
Those areas can get quite lively (and loud), so I wouldn’t recommend staying nearby unless that’s what you’re looking for.
The good news is that the energy doesn’t spill over into the rest of town. Just a few streets away, you can still enjoy a quiet dinner or a peaceful walk along the beach.
How did you find navigating the city?
The town is very easy to navigate, and the locals are incredibly friendly. Most people speak enough English to help if needed.
It’s also a very safe destination. In over 10 years of visiting, I haven’t encountered or even heard of scams or major issues, something my friends and colleagues who visit regularly also confirm.
Where can visitors find the best value when visiting Sitges and what's the one thing they shouldn't skimp on.
Prices do go up during big events like Pride and the film festival, but those are also the most exciting times to visit, so it’s worth the extra cost.
One thing I wouldn’t compromise on is accommodation. Cheap options can be very disappointing.
On the other hand, even upscale restaurants are reasonably priced, so you don’t need to stick to fast food or tapas to save money.
Looking back at all your trips, what is your one lasting takeaway about Sitges?
VanessaMorgan
Vanessa Morgan is the creator of Traveling Cats, the only travel blog for cat lovers. When not working on her blog, she enjoys reading, writing books, eating out, doing yoga, and programming films for festivals. She lives in Belgium with her cat, Vecna.
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